Beauty

Winter Haircare Routine: How to Prevent Winter Hair Damage

If you’re a New York girlie like us, you know all too well the effects that winter weather can have on your hair. In this guide, we’re going to share products and tips to help you craft the perfect winter haircare routine. No matter where you live, this guide will help you prevent winter hair damage and combat common problems we face this season.

The cold weather, dry winds and indoor heating cause dryness, static and frizz. Which means each winter we say goodbye to the luscious, smooth and shiny hair of summer months. And not only do we have to combat dry and dull hair – but we also see more scalp dryness and dandruff this time of year as well.

Luckily, there are things we can do to protect and care for our hair during these harsher months.

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Tips to Prevent Winter Hair Damage

One thing you’ll notice throughout this post is the importance we place on quality products. We are big believers that less is more when it comes to what you use on your hair. And with that – the importance of quality over quantity. Your hair should be an investment, and if you truly want to take care of that investment, you need to use better quality products. 

Ready for beautiful, strong hair – all winter long? Here’s our winter haircare guide.

1. Use a Hydrating Shampoo – Deeply Nourish Dry Hair

A good shampoo is the foundation of your haircare routine. If you struggle with dry hair, it’s important to choose a shampoo that’s gentle. You want to cleanse your hair without stripping it. And look for ingredients like Niacinamide which helps lock in moisture. If you’re unsure of how to pick the right shampoo, you should always ask your stylist! Trust them, they know your hair better than you do. 

Our Pick: Kérastase Nutritive Hydrating Shampoo

Why It Works: A hydrating shampoo gently cleans your hair without stripping and has ingredients to help lock in moisture all winter-long. 

2. Pair with a Nourishing Conditioner – Deeply Nourish Dry Hair

We always stress to our clients the importance of choosing a shampoo and conditioner duo. They’re specifically designed to work together to protect your hair. You want to find a lightweight conditioner that isn’t going to weigh your hair down. Always avoid sulphites and keep an eye out for plant-proteins that will help repair, strengthen and lock in moisture.

Our Pick: Kérastase Nutritive Hydrating Conditioner

Why It Works: Shampoo and conditioner that’s been designed to work together will help to ensure your hair reaps the maximum benefits – especially for locking in moisture. 

3. Wash Less Frequently

We already recommend that our hair extension clients wash their hair less frequently – but this is especially important in the dry, winter months. Frequent hair washing strips away your natural oils, which makes your hair more susceptible to dryness and breakage. 

While it’s important to use the right products in every wash, it’s equally important to wash your hair less frequently. 

4. Use Dry Shampoo

Because you’ll be washing your hair less frequently, you’ll probably want to start using some form of dry shampoo. Dry shampoo helps absorb oil, add volume and increase the number of days you can go between washes. But keep in mind that not all dry shampoo is created equally! You want to find one that avoids harsh chemicals and is safe on all hair types. Remember, your hair is more susceptible to damage in the winter. 

Our Pick: Fairy Duster Volumizing Dry Shampoo Powder

Why It Works: Dry shampoo helps absorb oil and add volume to your hair between washes. By choosing a high-quality dry shampoo, you can extend the time between washes, helping to protect your hair.

5. Never Go Outside with Wet Hair

One of the fastest ways to speed up damage to your hair is by heading out into the cold with wet hair. While you might do this in warmer months, it is so important to ensure that your hair is completely dry before going outside in winter months. Cold hair expands the hair shaft, making it prone to breakage. It can also cause your color to fade more quickly. 

If you want to avoid blowdrying, switch your haircare routine to the evening during winter months.

Sometimes heading outside with wet hair can’t be helped. When that’s the case, make sure to tuck your hair away in a scarf or hat to protect it from the elements. 

6. Less Heat Styling

Another way that you can protect your hair in the winter is by styling with less heat. It’s no secret that heat styling is a leading cause of hair damage on the best of days. Add that to the harsh and changing winter weather – and your hair will definitely be more prone to damage. If you are styling your hair with heat, make sure to always use a high-quality heat protectant. 

Our Pick: Kérastase Genesis Heat Protecting Leave-In Treatment

Why It Works: Heat damages your hair – so it’s best to avoid heat styling during months when your hair is already prone to more damage. Also, using a product that’s designed to protect from temperatures up to 450 °F will help prevent split ends and breakage. 

7. Use a Hair Mask

What if there was a treatment that could clinically reverse damage to your hair in as little as 4 minutes? It would be a miracle right? Turns out, a simple molecular hair mask could be the answer to all of your winter haircare woes. Adding a leave-in hair mask to your routine (once a week), can help strengthen and protect your hair. 

Our Pick: K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Mini Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Why It Works: This mask is powered by patented K18 Peptide which is the exact size and molecular structure to reach the innermost layers of your hair. This mask works to re-connect broken keratin chains responsible for strength and elasticity.

8. Stay Hydrated

Did you know that how much water you drink directly affects your hair and skin? By staying hydrated you’re actually working to keep your hair hydrated as well. Good hair stems from good health, so the more you take care of yourself, the better your hair will be. If you’ve ever noticed your skin looking dull and tired from a lack of water – well you can think of your hair in the exact same way! 

If you need help staying hydrated, there are plenty of apps you can download that offer reminders throughout the day. 

Are you ready to elevate your winter haircare routine? Try these top tips and product recommendations yourself. Click the links to shop your new winter haircare essentials and start your journey to healthy, beautiful hair. 

For more healthy haircare tips, read this post next. And if you really want to make sure 2025 is the year of no bad hair days – some see us at Olivia Christensen Salons. You can book a consultation today

Follow us on Instagram (@oliviachristsensensalon) for daily hair inspiration and follow our founder Christina (@hairgoddessofNY) for life in New York running two successful hair salons and raising three beautiful kids. 

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