Winter Hair Tune Up

Did you know that winter can cause more damage to your strands than your skin? Just like you switch to a thicker body moisturizer, you need to update your hair care routine (and everyday practices) to maintain beautiful, healthy locks. From more frequent trims to a hair mask every week, looking after your mane should be an essential part of your beauty routine. We spoke with Los Angeles-based celebrity LA colorist Johnathan Gale (his clients include Diane Keaton and Charlize Theron) for some key tips on maintaining healthy hair in the cold months.

Winter presents lots of dangers to your hair. Ferocious winds, colder temperatures, hotter showers, and indoor heating all affect your locks. These extreme conditions make your strands split and lose hydration—which is why hair will look dull instead of shiny. To prevent it from drying out, Johnathan suggests using a color-protecting or extra-moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. “Also, I would advise using a hair mask once a week to put more moisture back into your locks," says Johnathan. “It’s essential to add another protective layer to your hair, similar to how you would apply thicker hand cream or wear gloves to protect your hands.

In addition to changing the products you use, it's also time to rethink hairstyles. Loose strands blowing around in a blizzard won't just get tangled, the wind will also strip it of its natural oils. In order to prevent damage, you should tie your hair back. Pulling hair back will protect its color—which can fade from the wind and sun—and prevent split ends. "Charlize Theron constantly wears her hair off her face and her color is amazing," says Johnathan. For Beauties with short hair, try wearing a beanie to protect your strands. If your mane is long enough to pull back, a ponytail is fine, but longer haired Beauties should consider a braid. “A braid protects your hair from the elements and can show off the dimension in your hair, especially if it's colored," says Johnathan. You can also apply a moisturizing hair oil to the ends of your strands before braiding and leave it in all day! No one will notice it's in there, and you'll get a lengthy conditioning treatment.

Beautylish recommends:

1. Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil

Slather this cult-favorite onto the ends of your hair before you go to bed, then wrap your head in a warm towel so your strands really absorb the oil. Any hair type can use a hair oil, but this formula works particularly well for Beauties with thick, coarse hair.

2. Aveeno Nourish and Strengthen Shampoo and Conditioner

“All hair types should switch to a thicker shampoo and conditioner in winter,” says Johnathan. This new duo (which isn’t available until next month) is gentle enough for colored hair and contains wheat germ oil and wheat protein, which provide extra moisture to the weak parts of your hair shaft.

3. Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask

This ultra light mask contains ingredients that will replenish moisture in all hair types and textures. It contains fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins A and E (to protect strands against free radical damage), argan oil, and smells like coconuts!

This article was originally published on January 14, 2012