From The Straits Times    |

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Colder months can wreak havoc with our hair, but it’s possible to keep locks in good condition over the winter.

While temperatures may soon be plummeting, there’s no reason our tresses should suffer too. Snow, rain, wind and chilly conditions can lead to dull and dry hair, but we have a few ideas on how to minimise damage.

Windy days can leave your locks looking tangled and messy. Before you step outside, why not spray on leave-in conditioner and pop on a hat or scarf. This will stop the wind ruining your polished look and ensure you don’t have a hair out of place when you arrive at your destination. Rather than leaving hair loose it may also be a good idea to protect it from the weather by styling it into a braid or top knot. Avoid going outside with wet or damp hair, as this makes it more likely to freeze and therefore break.

Wind and rain might force you to tie your hair up more often, which can leave locks prone to breakage. Give fragile strands a boost with a deep conditioning treatment, something rich in protein is perfect. Apply your hair mask, wrap a towel around your head and leave for 15-20 minutes – or even better overnight. Look out for products containing soy protein and panthenol, as both are fantastic for helping to control tresses during colder weather.

Reflection Chroma Captive Shine Intensifying Masque by Kerastase has impressed beauty critics and it certainly leaves hair feeling soft and manageable. This is great for neglected locks in need of a regular moisture boost and we recommend leaving it in overnight and washing out in the morning.

Static hair can also be a problem during winter because we are trying to keep warm with scarves. For those contending with flyaway locks, try swapping your usual conditioner for something more intensive with a higher PH level.

It’s important to have your hair trimmed at least every eight weeks during winter. A visit to the hairdressers will keep ends tidy and less prone to breaking. Brittle hair also won’t be helped by over-brushing, so be gentle when you are de-tangling those tresses and consider using a wide toothed comb. Tigi’s Reparative Nocturnal Therapy leaves hair feeling sleek and tangle-free, just apply before bed and let the product work its magic overnight.

While it may be comforting to boost the heating at home on a chilly day, be warned this could impact your hair. Just as indoor heating can leave skin dry and dull, it has the same effect on your locks. To reduce the level of damage, avoid overusing heated styling tools like blowdryers, hair straighteners or curling irons and make sure your locks are well conditioned each time you wash your hair. You usually moisturise your skin more often during the winter months, so it’s worth doing the same for your tresses by using a hydrating shampoo.

Aveda offer a great range in the shape of their Damage Remedy products. They promise to make hair stronger, silkier and shinier. The shampoo and conditioner is gentle enough to be used daily but helps to repair lacklustre hair with quinoa protein and rich coconut. Wheat protein also protects hair from heat styling and environmental damage, while soy-derived oils prevent further breakage.

This may not be popular with those who love swapping hair colours, but it’s best to avoid chemicals such as peroxide during winter. Instead, you could go for lowlights for a colour boost, or look out for hair colours with low peroxide levels.

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