Chances are, winter has already wreaked havoc on your hair. Harsh conditions like cold and wind strip the cuticle (the outermost layer of the hair strand), making it rough and susceptible to dryness and static. When properly hydrated, the cuticle lies flat, sealing in moisture and giving hair shine. Yet here's no need to hibernate until spring: Here are some tried-and-tested tips on preventing the dry, static-prone (and hat-head) hair that's all-too-common during the winter months.

1. Be gentle with wet locks. Dehydrated hair is more likely to break when brushed.  To protect hair after showering, lightly treat ends with a leave-in conditioner (opt for Redken Clear Moisture; or TIGI Catwalk Curls Rock Leave-In Moisturizer)  to help make strands more pliable. Then comb tresses gently with a wide-tooth comb and blot with a soft towel (vigorous rubbing can cause further breakage).

2. Shampoo every other day. This helps prevent the natural scalp oils from being stripped. On days when you don't shampoo, give your scalp a thorough rinsing and massage with your fingers; it's enough to keep hair clean and your scalp invigorated -- even for oily types or after a sweaty session at the gym. Can't bear not sudsing up? Work a peasize amount of moisturizing shampoo through the roots only, and then rinse well.

3. Smooth your hair's cuticle. Dry, jagged cuticles reflect light poorly, making strands susceptible to winter dullness. Ending your shower with a cold-water rinse and/or your blow-dry session with a blast of cool air (most dryers have a cool setting) can help smooth and seal the cuticle. Also look for products with labels that contain words like "illuminate or "shine." (Our favorite:  Biosilk Sild Therapy.) Using just a drop, rub evenly on the hands and work through the hair moving from back to front and avoiding the roots. Another option is to get a glaze or gloss treatment at your local salon.  These treatments, which cost about $35, add shine that lasts up to eight weeks.

4. Pamper strands once a week. All hair types can benefit from a moisture boost. If your hair is fine and limp, treat it weekly with light conditioning products like Redken Extreme Rescue Force.  Or use more intense conditioners if you have thick, curly, frizzy or extremely damaged hair. Best hair bets:  Redken All Soft Masque with avocado oil

5. Nourish tresses with the right food. What better way to combat Old Man Winter than with Mother Nature? Natural, intensive moisturizers like aloe, jojoba or avocado oils, and shea butter (found in moisturizing shampoos and conditioners) can hydrate and revitalize the driest strands. When added to products, these ingredients can help avoid that squeaky-clean feeling - a sure sign that your hair is overly dry. Two of the best drinks for winter hair are Redken All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner and Redken Clear Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner).

6. Tame flyaways. Dry air can cause static, making even well-moisturized hair wild on a whim. Try carrying a few unscented anti-static dryer sheets (such as Bounce) with you in the winter. "Pass one over the top of your head to immediately calm flyaways. Not laundry day? Anything that adds weight to the top strands works. This ranges from a spritz of hairspray to hand or facial moisturizers. Distribute a tiny amount evenly over your palms (just enough to make them slightly damp or slick), and then run your hands over the top, flyaway strands only.

7. Learn how to fight hat head. Your first mission: Buy cotton hats - they generate less static electricity than wool or acrylic (if you're worried about warmth, wear a loosely tied cotton bandana or scarf under a wool hat). And always wait until hair is completely dry (or has cooled off from a hot blow-dry) before putting on a hat. Otherwise your hair will be set in the position in which it dried or cooled. If you have long hair, use a clip to pull hair toward the top and front of your head before putting on your hat. That way, when you take off the hat and remove the clip, you'll have more volume.

 

Natural At-Home Remedies

Create your own Perfect Hair Conditioner

Ingredients needed: 

1 tsp. almond oil

1 tsp. avacado oil

1 tsp. olive oil

1 egg yolk

1 Tbsp honey

1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together and stir thouroughly.  Massage into hair and scalp.  Wrap your hair in plastic wrap or use a plastic shower cap and leave conditioner on your hair for 15 minutes.  Shampoo hair as usual and rise well.  Makes approximately 2 ounchs, enough for one treatment.