Why Do We Get Dry Hair in Winter?

It’s not just your skin that turns dry in winter. Thanks to a combination of cold weather and indoor heat, all kinds of winter hair woes can happen – from dryness to dullness to damage-induced hair breakage. Sound familiar? Then discover winter hair care tips for every styling bugbear out there, so you can keep your hair healthy and hydrated, no matter how low the temperatures go...

4 SIGNS DAMAGED WINTER HAIR AND HOW TO COMBAT THEM

1. DRY AND DULL HAIR

When mercury plummets and the winds pick up, any time spent outside can make your hair dry and dull. Plus, the winter months can also affect your skin and scalp, leaving the hair follicles feeling parched. That’s why it’s important to top up moisture levels with a nourishing winter hair routine – one that's packed with vitamins and minerals to keep dryness and dullness at bay.

HOW TO DEEP CONDITION HAIR FOR SHINE AND MOISTURE

1. Wash with a Conditioning Shampoo

Cold winter months call for a shampoo switch-up to keep hair shiny and smooth. Choose one that's tailored to your hair type, while lending a nourishing boost to defy chilly temperatures. Our favorites are INVIGO Nutri-Enrich Deep Nourishing Shampoo for vitamin E-infused moisture, NutriCurls Cleansing Conditioner for co-washing waves and curls, and ColorMotion+ Color Protection Shampoo for a longer-lasting hair color.

2. Keep Hair Hydrated with Weekly Hair Masks

During these cooler months, a deep conditioning hair mask is a must. Apply one at least once per week, reaching for a creamy formula that's packed with vitamins and rich, plumping ingredients. INVIGO Nutri-Enrich Deep Nourishing Hair Mask is our pick when strands need a boost of moisture, but how you apply it is just as important as the thwack of vitamin E inside. Smooth it through clean, damp hair that's been lightly towel-dried, so hair strands can absorb all the goodness. Then, after rinsing, blot hair dry and follow with the INVIGO Nutri-Enrich Wonder Balm for easy detangling.

3. Seal Hair Cuticles with Nourishing Hair Oils

For extra moisture, smooth a hair oil through the mid-lengths and ends of clean, damp hair. These super sumptuous hydrators are great for sealing the cuticle and locking in maximum hydration. If your hair texture is normal or coarse, a richer formula, like Oil Reflections Luminous Smoothing Oil, will soften and smooth.

2. STATIC HAIR AND FRIZZ

In the colder months, on the chilliest days, the air can make your hair look frizzy or static. Expect frizz when the weather is misty and damp, and static when it's dry and icy. Both are signs that your hair could do with a little extra moisture, and while the tips for dry hair above will help, some extra tricks are needed to keep locks smooth through the winter weather.

HOW TO REDUCE HAIR STATIC AND WEATHER-INDUCED FRIZZ:

1. Keep Hair Healthy with a Leave-In Conditioner

Dehydrated hair reacts to the air outside in ways you might not expect. Think of it like a sponge; if it's not holding enough moisture, it will absorb any water it comes into contact with. That's why, when the air feels damp, hair can end up looking fluffy and frizzy. Meanwhile, if the air is dry, your hair can build up static electricity that makes it tricky to tame. What you need is an extra dose of moisture to block out the flyaway-enhancing effects of chilly weather. So, as a preventative measure, add a leave-in conditioner spray to your routine. Misted through wet or dry hair, they each give you longer-lasting hydration that keeps locks smooth until your next wash. Think of them as an invisible veil of protection against frizz and static.

2. Opt for Hats with a Silk or Satin Lining

Hats can also be a cause of static hair during those dry winter months. But that doesn't mean your head has to go cold; simply choose fabrics that leave hair smooth and flyaway-free. Cotton and wool hats tend to generate extra static electricity, but hats with a silk or satin lining will reduce that 'hair standing on end' look you can get when you take them off.

3. Blow-Dry with an Ionic Hair Dryer

There's a reason ionic hair dryers are hailed for their frizz-fighting, strand-smoothing powers. It's believed that the ions they release can actually help to neutralize the static electricity in your hair. Assess your hair tools and decide if it's time for a hair dryer upgrade. These clever dryers are also known for drying locks faster, which reduces hair's exposure to heat. Win-win. Team with EIMI Thermal Image to keep locks protected as you blow-dry.

3. Split Ends and Hair Breakage

As well as making your locks dry, dull-looking and frizzy, cold weather can lead to hair breakage. (Thanks, winter.) So, if you're noticing more split ends than usual, a strengthening routine is on the agenda. Reinforce fragile strands by treating them to the most delicate yet effective care – think bond-strengthening care products, protective lotions and a gentle touch when styling.

HOW TO STRENGTHEN BRITTLE HAIR WITH VITAMINS

1. Use Fiber-Rich Hair Care

Use shampoos, conditioners and hair masks that are specially designed to bolster fragile strands. Hairdressers recommend Fusion because it's packed with silk amino acids for up to 95% more resilience against hair breakage*. The Fusion Intense Repair Shampoo helps to repair your hair while leaving it clean and cared for, and the Intense Repair Mask offers intense conditioning to protect strands from breakage and snapping. A strengthening dream team.

2. Protect Your Hair When Heat Styling

A heat protectant is a must for all hair types – but especially fragile hair. Heat damaged hair is one of the key causes for breakage and split ends, so a hardy shield is a must to prevent further fraying. Use one that doubles up as a hydrating lotion, like EIMI Flowing Form. This anti-frizz balm coats the hair shaft in smoothing ingredients to make styling a breeze.

3. Be Gentle with Hair at Night

Did you know? Cotton pillowcases can actually rough up the hair cuticle, leaving already-delicate strands and brittle hair feeling extra sensitive. That's why it's best to sleep on a silk pillowcase or wrap locks up in a silk scarf at night. The smoothness of the fabric means it will slip over strands rather than rubbing against your hair.

4. FLAT HAIR THAT LACKS VOLUME

Thanks to the dreaded hat hair – not to mention the dehydrating effects of central heating – strands can appear limp and flat through the colder months. Lack of body is a common occurrence for fine hair battling the harsh winter elements, so work on removing product build-up and lifting from the roots to give hair strands the fullness they deserve.

HOW TO MAINTAIN FULL, HEALTHY HAIR IN COLD TEMPERATURES

1. Opt for Lightweight Hair Care Products

Light hair products = extra lift, so opt for shampoos and conditioners with a weightless feel. INVIGO Volume Boost Bodying Shampoo is ideal, as it's packed with our Spring Force Blend to encourage extra bounce.

2. Set Your Style in Rollers for Fuller Hair

Bouncy blow dries are back in full force, so there's no better time to get the rollers out. Blow dry locks smooth first and then, while hair is still hot, wind sections up in large, velcro rollers to set volume. Leave the rollers in for as long as possible, then quickly but gently release them. Finish with a spray of EIMI Stay Firm to give your bouncy hair extra hold.

3. Mist in Dry Shampoo for Body and Texture

If you're looking for a quick root refresh in between hair washes, swap the shower for a spray of EIMI Dry Me dry shampoo; a kind-to-locks spray that bumps up body in a flash. Perfect in the harsh winter elements, it absorbs excess oil caused by central heating, while giving guts to roots and lengths for a blow dry that goes the extra mile.

With these tips, winter dryness, dullness and breakage are history for your hair, allowing you to fight off the elements and work your favorite styles – no matter the weather.