Top 10 Winter Haircare Tips

Winter haircare tips are from the experts at award-winning hair smoothing specialists, Kebelo

Freezing temperatures mixed with central heating, dozens of styling products, scorching heat from a barrage of hair tools and rain that seems to turn even the sleekest mane into a mop of frizz can all spell disaster for your ‘do during the winter months. But with just a few simple tricks and changes to your winter haircare regime, you can protect, treat and transform your hair into sleek tresses that will shine, whatever the weather.

1. Trim those ends

First and foremost, make sure that you're booked in for a least one haircut during the winter season to keep hair healthy and strong. If you're trying to grow your hair, you could be forgiven for feeling apprehensive at the thought of cutting off your ends, but even the smallest of trims will neaten hair and ensure any split ends are history. Thick hair can often be prone to frizz when the weather turns cold, which can often be due to dryness. By snipping off any dead ends, you'll keep the frizz at bay and give parched and dehydrated hair a lift.

2. Turn down the heat

In the summer, it's easy to let hair air-dry for a carefree look, but when it's cold outside, it's much more appealing to reach for the hairdryer rather than sit and shiver while waiting forever for your locks to dry. To combat any potential damage, be sure to spritz on a heat protectant before turning on the dryer or straighteners. Or switch off the heat completely (and buy yourself an extra 15 minutes in bed each morning) and book in for an in-salon smoothing treatment for frizz-free hair that will last for months. The Kebelo ADVANTAGE treatment requires just one hour in the salon chair and works on each and every hair strand, adding strength, giving support and boosting shine. The result is a beautiful, smooth and manageable mane that lasts for up to 100 days.

3. It's all in the style

If you'd normally straighten the life out of your hair each day and are panicking at the thought of using less heat, why not try a style that requires little in the way of tools? Plaits are so versatile they can be worn in a multitude of ways, or give the style of the season - ‘the hun' (half-up, half-down bun) – a whirl. The top layer, which is often the one that gets most ruffled during the night, is swept up and away from the face, relegating the straighteners to your dressing table drawer.

4. Brush and go

Hair is more prone to knots during the winter months, so it's important to brush hair regularly. Gently does it however, so try to use a wide toothed comb rather than a brush, both when hair is wet and dry. This will make knots slide out of the hair more easily and eliminate breakage.

5. Bring hair back to life

Temperature changes, from the bitter cold outside air to the ramped-up air conditioning, plus the barrage of styling products we use during the party season can all result in limp, dull and lifeless hair. Prevent damage, and erase product build-up with a purifying treatment such as Kebelo CLARIFYING Shampoo. This wonder product works like an exfoliator for the hair and scalp, ridding dead skin and providing a deep cleanse, while reviving dull, tired and lifeless locks.

6. Keep it covered

Perhaps the simplest tip of all is to protect your hair from the wind, rain, sleet and snow by donning a hat. To avoid the dreaded hat hair, choose a more structured shape, such as a fedora, trilby or on-trend 70s-style floppy number, over one that sits more closely to the scalp and will therefore flatten hair down to the head. The bonus? These styles all bear wide brims to keep out that notorious style-ruining horizontal rain and wind.

7. Add oils to the haircare menu

Oils provide a whole host of benefits to your hair at any time of year, but especially in winter when your locks need an extra dose of TLC. Choose products that contain oils to repair and revitalise from within, such as Kebelo SILK Anti-Frizz Cream, which boasts argan and jojoba oils to leave hair with incredible silky shine.

8. Sleep easy on your hair

All that movement during sleep can wreak havoc on your hair, causing damage and tangles. To combat some of the stress, wrap a silk scarf around your hair before bed or, if you have naturally dry hair, sleep on a silk pillow to help your hair absorb some of the moisture.

9. Tangles be gone

Heavy coats, scarves and mounds of layers all provide a barrier under which hair can get caught, snagging it and creating friction causing stubborn tangles. Sweep hair back into a low pony to prevent it from getting trapped under all those winter layers, or keep a pocket-sized hairbrush handy and smooth through locks at regular intervals to keep knots at bay. Or give yourself the perfect excuse to indulge in that luxurious cashmere jumper you've had your eye on; the finer the fabric, the gentler it will be to your hair.

10. Quench thirsty hair

If hair becomes too dry, the ends will split and break so boost moisture levels wherever you can to stop them snapping. For an intense hit of moisture, invest in a penetrative moisturising treatment such as Kebelo ENRICHING Masque. Massage into the hair and scalp after shampooing and leave for 15-20 minutes, or for the ultimate treat, wrap hair in a towel or shower cap after applying and leave it to work while soaking in the bath.