6 Ridiculously Easy Tips For Sleek Hair This Season

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Even though there’s nothing we love more than when the snow starts to fall, unfortunately, our hair doesn’t feel the same way. The dry winter weather likes to mess with our blow dry and give us back the frizzy hair we worked so hard to smooth out – we’re basically Ugly Betty when winter comes. Because our hair is hygroscopic, which means it matches the moisture content of the surrounding environment, in winter our hair usually gets majorly dehydrated due to the dry air. So, when you’re in a heated room or the cold outdoors, your hair will expel moisture until it matches the climate that it’s in. Without moisture, your hair is prone to breakage, split ends, damaged hair follicles, and you can even experience hair loss – not cool! But fortunately for our hair, we’ve got six tips that will help your hair look flawless AF in no time at all.

Go easy when you towel-dry

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Okay, we all know too much heat on our hair is bad (we’re not going there again), but it’s actually the way we dry our hair with a towel that’s doing the damage. More often than not, we twist and rub our hair dry with a towel, but this is a HUGE mistake as it’s what causes the hair follicles to break – et voila, flyaways. Instead, you can use a soft T-shirt or a microfiber towel as they cause less friction, or just make sure you very gently ‘blot’ your hair with a towel, like you would with your face.

Dryer Sheets are your best friend

We know this sounds weird, but during the colder months, dryer sheets are THE solution to getting rid of frizzy hair and flyaways. The way they work is simple: when you glide them through your locks, the negatively charged surface of your hair bonds to the positively charged ingredients of the dryer sheet, reducing the static, leaving your hair super sleek.

Get regular trims

We think it’s safe to say that we’re all guilty of skipping a scheduled trim, and although you may be able to pass it off as ‘beachy waves’ in the summer, it’s not as easy in the winter. Try to get a trim every six to eight weeks to side step split and brittle ends. Just be sure to ask a for a trim when you book your appointment, as tons of salons do a trim for half the price. Or, if you’re feeling brave, try out our hack for getting rid of split ends on your own:

 

Don’t cook your hair

When our alarm goes off in the winter, the only thing that gets us out of bed is the thought of a steaming hot shower. But as hard as it may be, you need to take a shorter shower that isn’t boiling, because prolonged periods of extra hot water can damage your hair follicles and will strip your hair of essential oils that lock in moisture. Our top tip is to end your shower with a cold water rinse, as this helps to smooth your hair cuticles, which are more easily able to reflect light, therefore looking less dull.

Brush with care

We know it may sound a bit extra but it’s essential to use different brushes for when your hair is wet and dry.
For wet hair: A plastic comb or brush is best, as this will eliminate any pulling, ripping, tugging or tearing, which will minimize breakage.
For dry hair: If your hair tangles easily, avoid using a plastic comb when it’s dry, as it will only make it more static. Instead, use a metal bristled brush as this will act as a conductor of static and will give your hair a smoother finish.

Nourish your hair from the inside

No matter how many miracle hair products you use, if you want tresses like a Victoria’s Secret model you need to eat with your mane in mind. Look for foods that are high in antioxidants and vitamins, so stock up on your fruit and veg. Vitamin C is perfect for the winter months as it helps produce collagen, which will strengthen the capillaries of the hair shafts. Kidney beans, lentils or leafy greens like spinach are also great as they’re not only full of protein, which promotes hair growth, but also iron and zinc. Low levels of zinc and iron are the main causes of hair loss and dullness, so make sure you incorporate these into your diet ASAP.

If you’re wearing a hat to keep out the cold, keep a dryer sheet close by