7 Winter Hair Care Tips for Healthy Hair and Scalp (2024)

Winter is coming, bringing the dreaded trifecta of chapped lips, parched skin, and static-stricken strands. But fear not because your winter hair survival guide is here. Whether you're battling a lack of luster, stubborn tangles, relentless dryness, or the threat of breakage, the secret lies in strategic product investments.

The right products can transform your hair from dull and distressed to shiny, hydrated, and downright healthy. Today, we're divulging our must-have winter hair care essentials and the lowdown on non-damaging, semi-permanent hair colors. We'll guide you through the art of application and sprinkle in some insider tips to combat the cold, dry air that threatens to wreak havoc on your hair.

Keep reading for our picks on weather-resistant hair care that will leave your strands feeling fantastic, even in the frostiest temperatures.

1: Apply a Weekly Deep Treatment

Reach for a hair mask to nourish and condition dehydrated hair from root to tip. The Remedy and Remedy For Fine Hair contain plant-based oils that help stimulate the scalp and support healthy growth, such as evening primrose, spearmint, and rosemary. Pair the mask of your choice with a Scalp Massager to boost circulation and help remove excess buildup.

2: Reduce Heat Styling

Heat styling can further sap moisture from your strands. Try air drying or blow dry on a lower setting to help reduce damage. If you must heat style (c'mon, we don't expect you to give it up completely), reach for a thermal protectant spray like The Style Shield to help shield your hair from temperatures up to 428ºF while helping to resist color fade.

1: Apply a Weekly Deep Treatment

Reach for a hair mask to nourish and condition dehydrated hair from root to tip. The Remedy and Remedy For Fine Hair contain plant-based oils that help stimulate the scalp and support healthy growth, such as evening primrose, spearmint, and rosemary. Pair the mask of your choice with a Scalp Massager to boost circulation and help remove excess buildup.

2: Reduce Heat Styling

Heat styling can further sap moisture from your strands. Try air drying or blow dry on a lower setting to help reduce damage. If you must heat style (c'mon, we don't expect you to give it up completely), reach for a thermal protectant spray like The Style Shield to help shield your hair from temperatures up to 428ºF while helping to resist color fade.

3: Avoid Frequent Hair Washing

Washing hair too often can strip moisture from your strands and shorten the life of your color. Try washing only a couple times a week with a sulfate-free shampoo such as The Hydrator to moisturize while gently cleansing. Another great way to get more time between washes is with dry shampoo.

4: Cover Your Hair When Going Outside

We know how cold weather can affect our skin, often leaving it dry and chapped. The same is true for your hair. Make sure it's completely dry before heading outside into frigid temps, and when possible, cover your hair with a hat or scarf.

5: Protect Your Hair from Static & Tangles

A super important step in your winter hair care routine occurs once you're out of the shower when hair is most vulnerable. After gently towel drying hair, apply a light leave-in conditioner and carefully detangle hair, starting at your ends and working upwards. We recommend a Wet+Dry Brush designed to help eliminate knots and tangles without pulling on or damaging your delicate hair and scalp.

4: Cover Your Hair When Going Outside

We know how cold weather can affect our skin, often leaving it dry and chapped. The same is true for your hair. Make sure it's completely dry before heading outside into frigid temps, and when possible, cover your hair with a hat or scarf.

5: Protect Your Hair from Static & Tangles

A super important step in your winter hair care routine occurs once you're out of the shower when hair is most vulnerable. After gently towel drying hair, apply a light leave-in conditioner and carefully detangle hair, starting at your ends and working upwards. We recommend a Wet+Dry Brush designed to help eliminate knots and tangles without pulling on or damaging your delicate hair and scalp.

6: Schedule Regular Trims

This one's a no-brainer. While regular haircuts are necessary year-round, they're especially essential in winter. Book a trim with your hairstylist every six to eight weeks, and make sure to have at least a half inch removed to keep hair healthy and help prevent split ends.

7: Use Hair & Scalp Nourishing Hair Color

When hair is at its dryest, you don't want to give up your color. Look for a formula that not only deposits rich color but also nourishes, enriches, and deeply moisturizes your hair and scalp. OVERTONE's award-winning Coloring Conditioners help you achieve radiant, head-turning color while you condition your hair. These semi-permanent, vegan, cruetly-free hair colors are the long-lasting, less-toxic alternative to traditional hair dye. To keep your color popping all winter long, reach for OVERTONE's color-depositing Daily Conditioners to help keep your hair vibrant, touchably soft, and oh-so-shiny.

See, winterizing your hair care routine is easier than you may have thought. Making small adjustments to your existing regimen will help keep your hair looking and feeling healthy all winter long.