I hope everyone had a fabulous thanksgiving and I'm sure is looking forward to the start of the beautiful Christmas Season! Winter can be a beautiful, exciting season filled with Christmas Spirit, magical snow, and cozy nights by the fire. This season is also, unfortunately, accompanied by dry, frizzy hair.
With the combination of the dryer air, the higher heat blasting in the house and car, and the constant styling with your curling iron and/or flat iron for those holiday parties we all love, it is quite a vulnerable time for ones hair cuticles! Thus, we must take extra precautions in moisturizing your flowing strands.
First of all, always use conditioner after shampooing your hair. The best way to use
conditioner(always be sure your conditioner is free of paraffin) is to stay away from the roots and concentrate on the mid-shaft and the ends of your hair. If your hair is feeling extra frizzy and dry, I recommend leaving your conditioner on over-night with a shower cap and rinsing in the morning. Some extra-hydrating conditioners I have fell in love with are Paul Mitchell Super-Charged Moisturizer® and the Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Cream Rinse®. These both have intense hydrating qualities that leave your hair feeling both luscious and silky. I also love an overnight deep conditioning treatment with extra virgin coconut oil. Coconut oil works miracles for dry and damaged hair.
Next step would be to have a leave in conditioner for the day you are not washing your hair. I highly recommend the Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde® Dramatic Repair® . Don't be fooled by its name, it is not only for blondes, but anyone with dry, damaged, frizzy hair needing extra loving attention. This product is full of KerActive protein which helps repair hair, safflower oleosomes which are full of rich plant oils to restore moisture and nutrients, macadamia nut oil insures hydration deep into your hair cuticle, and also acts as a detangler! Need I say more?
For further care of your hair this season, be sure you are using a thermal protectant before you blow dry AND before you use heat tools on your hair. Your hair goes through so much when you use heat to style it. The least you can do is give it a little protection from the elements. My favorite pre-blow dry thermal protectant is Paul Mitchell Seal and Shine®. Not only is Seal and Shine and thermal protectant, it is also conditioning! This lovely product won't weigh your hair down and its essential fatty acids add the extra shine you need. Because high heats can dehydrate your hiar, it is essential for you to prevent excess moisture loss by using a thermal protectant such as Seal and Shine. My favorite thermal protectant for flat irons and curling irons is Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press®. Hot Off The Press® is a thermal protectant hairspray. This is sprayed throughout your hair prior to putting a flat iron or curling iron to you locks. It not only protects your hair from the high heat, it also prevents frizz and helps retain the shape you are going for. There are multiple fabulous thermal protectants you can use, obviously I am a Paul Mitchell girl and love every single one of their products.
Lastly, stay away from shampoos with sulfates in them. Sulfates can be very drying to your hair and if you are not properly hydrating afterwards this is doubly damaging to your hair. Try shampooing every three days, optimally, but if you cannot stand waiting that long try every other day. A great shampoo that really cleanses but doesn't dry out your hair is Awapuhi Wild Ginger Moisturizing Lather Shampoo®. This shampoo is completely sulfate free and the keratin protein helps rebuild your hair.
Shampooing too often, even with sulfate-free shampoo can also be drying because cleansing your scalp too often of its natural oils causes dry scalp. Many people experience flaky scalp because of over-shampooing. If your hair feels too oily to go an extra day, I recommend a dry shampoo such as Paul Mitchell Dry Wash®. Spray a little on your roots, brush through, and voilà, you can go an extra day without shampooing!
Now that I have shared some of my knowledge, you can carry on with your magical winter season unhindered by dry, frizzy, unmanageable hair!
