Winter Hair Survival Guide

Winter Air Can Be Rough on Hair. TSD Has Your Toolkit to Get Your Tresses Through the Stresses.

Dry winter air can certainly do a number on a girl’s hair. The mix of sunshine reflecting off snowdrifts, wintery winds whipping our hair into a knotted whirl, and icy rain and snow can leave our hair brittle and broken. Luckily, the right preventative measures, products, and tools can ward off the threat of bad hair days.

In my former life with P&G I worked on two different hair product brands, spent a considerable amount of time working alongside stylists, and learned some insider secrets on proper hair care. I picked up a few tips on tricks for making it through the winter months. TSD’s Winter Hair Survival Guide will help you build your own toolkit of the products and tools you need to keep your hair looking hydrated and healthy.

FOUNDATION

What: Moisturizing Shampoo, Conditioner and Mask
Why: Extra dry hair begs for an extra zap of moisture. Quench its thirst with a really good moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Once a week, swap out your conditioner for a conditioning mask to treat your hair to an extra shot of hydration.
Product Pick: Wella Professional Enrich

PREP

What: Conditioning Cream
Why: When hair is damaged, the cuticle—which is the outer layer of the hair—is left rough and uneven. Conditioning creams help fill in the gaps and leave hair feeling smooth. They are a great first step to your styling regimen, because they even out the surface of the hair making it more manageable.
Product Pick: Sebastian Potion 9

STYLE

What: Smoothing Serum
Why: Silicon-based smoothing serums help tame unruly tresses. Apply to the ends to smooth down split ends and frizzies.
Product Pick: Aussie Miraculously Smooth Serum

What: ThermalProtectant

Why: When hair is dry, it is particularly prone to damage from heat. Apply a thermal protectant before using hot tools to add a layer of protection between your hair and the heat.

Product Pick: Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray

SET

What: Shine Hairspray
Why: Hairspray is a must-have in my styling toolbox. Unfortunately, the alcohol in hairsprays can suck moisture from strands leaving it looking lifeless and dull. A lightweight shine hairspray will provide just the right level of hold while giving your hair an extra shot of sparkle.
Product Pick: Moroccanoil Luminous Hairspray

REFRESH

What: Dry Shampoo

Why: Washing hair strips it from natural oils which leave it hydrated. During winter months, it’s a good idea to extend the time between washes to prevent drying it out. Of course that means you’ll need a fix for keeping your style looking fresh. Turn to dry shampoo to give second-day hair a boost.

Product Pick: Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray

What: Smoothing Crème

Why: After a long day out in the elements hair may look limp and lifeless. Smoothing cremes refresh your look by taming any unreally texture, smoothing down hair, and adding a layer of shine.

Product Pick: FrizzEase Secret Weapon

What: Smoothing Sheets
Why: Dry air often equals static hair. When you’re on the the go, you need a quick fix to tame fly-aways. Smoothing sheets tuck easily into your purse and can help keep your hair looking its best all day long.
Product Pick: Ted Gibson Hair Sheets

TOOLS

What: Ion Blow dryer
Why: A good blow dryer can make all the difference between a great and a horrible hair day. Ion dryers work by infusing negative-ions into their heat to fight static electricity, keep the hair shaft feeling smooth, and leave it with a luxurious shine. This tool is definitely worth the investment.
Product Pick: T3 Featherweight Lux 2i Dryer
What: Microfiber Hair Towel
Why: Twisting hair into a regular towel reeks of damage and breakage. Be nice to hair that is already weakened by using a microfiber hair towel instead. These gently absorb excess water from your hair without excess yanking and pulling.
Product Pick: Aquis Microfiber Hair Turban

What: Wide Tooth Comb
Why: Most hair damage is actually caused by manual exertion on the hair. Hair is most prone to breakage when it is wet, so it is essential to rake through it with a wide tooth comb that can easily separate tangles. This is also an excellent tool to fight out knots caused by winter winds.
Product Pick: Cricket Ultra Smooth Hair Conditioning Rake Comb