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Winter-proof your locks: fight frizzy hair and dry ends
Written byKimberley Medd
Reviewed byH&B Regulatory Affairs
Chill outside, heat inside and your hair’s caught in the middle. Here’s how to outsmart winter and keep your locks glossy, hydrated and frizz-free, according to the experts
Our top picks
Lasts up to 3 months
ANSWR
ANSWR At-home Keratin Treatment 100ml
£45.00
Helps tame frizz
Philip Kingsley
Philip Kingsley Moisture Extreme Conditioner 200ml
£29.00
Preps scalp
CENTRED.
CENTRED. En Root - Scalp Treatment Oil 100ml
£36.00
Winter may be cosy, but it’s tough on your hair. When icy winds meet central heating, the result is usually the same: frizz, dryness and strands that refuse to cooperate. We spoke to beauty therapist Kimberley Medd at Face The Future to give you the run-down on trusty products that can keep your hair looking sleek.
Why hair needs more attention in winter
Cold winter air holds less moisture than warm air, which means it can quickly draw hydration out of your hair. Add to that the blast of heat indoors and you’ve got the perfect recipe for dry, frizzy strands. Hair cuticles lift when moisture levels drop, leaving your mane rough and unmanageable. If you’ve noticed extra breakage, brittleness or static during the colder months, you’re not imagining things, it’s your hair crying out for hydration.
Top tips to fight frizz and hydrate dry hair
We've got plenty of anti-frizz haircare solutions and tricks to keep your locks hydrated.
- Hydrate from within: drinking enough water is the simplest way to keep hair hydrated. Hair is made up of around 10% water1 and internal hydration can support strength and elasticity
- Turn down the heat: hot showers may feel heavenly, but they can strip your scalp and hair of its oils. The good news is that lukewarm water is kinder to your strands
- Switch to silk: cotton pillowcases can tug and roughen the hair cuticle, while silk keeps it smooth and helps reduce frizz
- Gentle drying: pat hair dry instead of rubbing and consider microfibre towels that absorb excess water without creating static
- Show your scalp some love: try massaging it regularly to support circulation and spread natural oils – you could even try using a scalp oil for added TLC
Best haircare products to nourish your hair this winter
Think of this as your anti-frizz shield in a bottle. Lightweight yet powerful, this gloss tames unruly flyway's without weighing your hair down. Infused with conditioning agents, it helps your strands look polished and sleek, even on damp, drizzly days. Perfect for last-minute touch-ups before leaving the house. Apply a small amount through towel-dried hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. You can either blow-dry with it in or leave your hair to air dry.
Longing for smoother, more manageable hair without a salon trip? This kit is your answer. Packed with keratin, the protein that naturally strengthens hair, it helps to reduce frizz for weeks at a time. Think low-maintenance mornings where you spend less time fighting the mirror and more time enjoying your coffee. A winter lifesaver for anyone tired of daily styling battles.
“This at-home keratin treatment is great for anyone looking to smooth, strengthen and nourish their hair between salon visits,” says Kimberley. “It helps reduce frizz, improve manageability and leave hair feeling soft and shiny, all from the comfort of your home.”
Here’s the five steps to smoother hair
- First, section your clean, dry hair and spray on each part until saturated. Usually this means applying the entire bottle – more is best
- Comb through, making sure treatment is evenly distributed
- Let those botanicals do their thing. For thinner hair we suggest leaving on for 40 minutes and 60 minutes for thicker hair
- Rinse thoroughly with water (no need to shampoo and condition)
- Blow dry and straighten by combing through thin sections (approx. 2cm wide) slowly and lock in the treatment with a styling iron set to 200°C*. For best results, pass the iron six times on each section until entirely straight and voila
*On coloured hair, test a small section of hair and wait until your hair cools. If you notice any fading, lower the temperature.
A few after care things to note:
- don't wash your hair for 24 hours
- use only sulphate-free hair products
- blow dry after each wash to reactivate the treatment
- repeat after two months to keep the hair smooth
This gentle cleanser doesn’t just wash your hair; it helps maintain balance. Formulated with aloe vera and chamomile, it soothes both scalp and strands, locking in moisture without heaviness. Winter can leave hair limp and lifeless, but this shampoo gives you that fresh, ‘swishable’ feeling while caring for your scalp.
“It’s great for anyone with a delicate or reactive scalp,” says Kimberley. “It gently cleanses while calming discomfort, leaving hair feeling soft and balanced without stripping essential moisture.”
For best results, Kimberley suggests applying a small amount to wet hair and gently massaging into the scalp to develop a rich lather focused on lifting dirt, sebum and impurities. Make sure to rinse thoroughly before reapplying a second small amount of shampoo. The second application usually produces more lather, helping to clean your scalp further. Massage again, rinse thoroughly and follow up with Centred Daily Calma Conditioner to help nourish and soften hair.
There’s a reason this treatment has earned legendary status. Originally created for Audrey Hepburn, Elasticizer Extreme drenches thirsty hair with a cocktail of nourishing oils and elastin to restore bounce and shine. When hair is crying out for moisture, a weekly session with this mask transforms strands into silky, red-carpet-ready locks.
Healthy looking hair starts at the scalp and this treatment is what yours deserve. Packed with rosemary oil and castor oil, it nourishes and encourages circulation. Use it as a pre-wash ritual and enjoy the spa-like experience while setting your hair up for future resilience.
Apply En-Root directly to a dry scalp on hair wash day as a pre-wash treatment once or twice a week. Use the nozzle to apply the oil all over the scalp evenly, then use your fingers or a Squishy Scalp Massager to distribute the oil and massage into your scalp. Tie your hair up and leave on your scalp for 20 minutes to two hours before thoroughly rinsing and following with shampoo and conditioner.
If there’s one winter staple your hair can’t live without, it’s a hydrating conditioner. Designed especially for drier, coarser textures, this formula infuses every strand with lasting moisture. The result? Hair that feels silky soft, detangled and protected from the drying effects of cold weather. Your everyday dose of nourishment.
“Anyone with very dry or damaged hair will love this conditioner,” says Kimberley. “It hydrates and smooths each strand, helping to restore softness, manageability and shine, leaving hair feeling nourished.” After shampooing, gently work into mid-lengths and ends of hair. Rinse well and follow with the appropriate Philip Kingsley Scalp Toner.
The final say
With the right routine and the right products, winter doesn’t have to equal bad hair days. Plus, it’s not just hair that feels the cold, your skin can too. A little hydration here, a smoothing gloss there and your locks can look every bit as glossy and vibrant as they do in the summer months. Great hair isn’t seasonal, it’s year-round and our haircare experts at Face the Future have you covered.
Now your winter locks are sorted, check out some of our favourite shampoo and conditioners no matter your hair type
Disclaimer – This article provides informational advice and is not a substitute for medical care. Working with experts for accuracy, we take great care to ensure the information is up-to-date and relevant. However, you should always consult your GP or healthcare professional before using supplements or alternative products, particularly if you have medical conditions or are under supervision.
1. Singh V, Wang S, Ng KW. 2.25 Keratin as a Biomaterial. Comprehensive Biomaterials II. 2017;542–57.
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