Key Takeaways

• Winter weather can leave hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage, so adding moisture and protection is essential for maintaining healthy strands.
• OLAPLEX® treatments like Nº.0, Nº.3PLUS and Bond Maintenance® products help rebuild and hydrate hair while protecting it from cold-weather stress.
• Weekly masks, protective serums like Nº.9, and scalp care treatments such as Nº.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment can restore hydration, reduce frizz, and soothe dryness all season long.
  

Jump to

• For Winter Hair Breakage and Damage Use OLAPLEX Nº.0 and OLAPLEX Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment
• For Dry and Dehydrated Cold Weather Hair Use Weightless Nourishing Mask or Rich Hydration Mask
• For Dull Winter Hair Use OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ and Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum
• Prevent Winter Frizz and Static Use Nº.6 Bond Smoother® and OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™
• To Manage a Dry Scalp Use Nº.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment
• For Loss of Volume Use Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo and Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner

Winter Haircare Tips: How to Manage Dry Hair, an Itchy Scalp, and More

An often-overlooked time of year for haircare, cold weather is incredibly harsh on hair. Summer is known for the beating sunlight that fades and scorches the hair. On the opposite side of the coin, winter weather causes hair that is devoid of moisture, creating an incredibly dry climate that leads to damaged hair. Drastic temperature changes can also cause trauma to the hair, like hot, steamy showers during the cold winter or even strong winds tangling and drying out the hair, leading to breakage. These environmental stressors don’t include heat styling, mechanical styling, and chemical damage done during this season, either.

Lack of moisture is the true winter hair blues culprit, and while many think this just means dry hair, it really is a domino effect. When hair is dry, it’s rough and crunchy, but it eventually evolves into breakage when unaddressed. When it comes to moisture, the OLAPLEX line is packed with products that both rebuild broken hair and moisturize. OLAPLEX is perfect for all hair textures, whether you’re looking for curly or straight winter haircare routine. Use these winter haircare tips to address common cold-weather woes.

For Winter Hair Breakage and Damage Use OLAPLEX Nº.0 and OLAPLEX Nº.3PLUS Complete Repair Treatment

Dry winter air can make hair more brittle and prone to breakage and split ends. To prevent winter hair damage and breakage, look for treatments that prioritize strengthening and bond-building technology. Start off by applying Nº.0 onto the hair as a primer until damp, then comb through to ensure coverage. Leave on for ten minutes, then apply Nº.3PLUS directly on top, combing through to fully saturate. Leave it on for ten minutes, then shampoo with Nº.4 Bond Maintenance® Strengthening Shampoo, which nourishes, moisturizes, and repairs hair. Pair it with Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Strengthening Conditioner to strengthen, repair, and hydrate your hair. Once a week, in place of conditioner, try the Rich Hydration Mask if you have medium to thick hair.

Those with fine hair should use a shampoo that will volumize while strengthening it, like Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo. Follow with Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, which weightlessly hydrates and nourishes hair while building lasting volume, body, and bounce. Use the Weightless Nourishing Mask for fine to medium hair once a week instead of Nº.5FINE to reduce and prevent breakage.

The right leave-in and styling products can help mitigate breakage and damage. Try Nº.5 LEAVE-IN™ Moisturize and Mend Leave-In Conditioner to moisturize, seal split ends, and protect hair. Once you apply the leave-in conditioner to the ends of the hair, follow with a weightless styling hair oil like OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ to strengthen and prevent breakage. “Winter hair needs both repair and protection. [With clients,] I recommend beginning with products that support the strength and moisture of the hair, then finishing with a lightweight product like No.7 Bonding Oil™ to help smooth the cuticle, reduce flyaways, and add shine,” says hairstylist and OLAPLEX Global Brand Ambassador Tracey Cunningham.

For Dry and Dehydrated Cold Weather Hair Use Weightless Nourishing Mask or Rich Hydration Mask

 Yes, your hair is thirsty. This is the time of year everyone’s hair gets a little rough around the edges. That’s because cold outdoor air plus dry indoor heating can strip your hair of moisture. Use a mask once a week in place of conditioner for extra hydration, like the Weightless Nourishing Mask or the Rich Hydration Mask. If you have fine to medium hair, cleanse your hair with Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo, leave the Weightless Nourishing Mask on for 3-5 minutes, then rinse well. Don’t forget to use Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner on days when you’re not using the Weightless Nourishing Mask.

Hairstylist and OLAPLEX Global Ambassador Christin Brown further explains what can make hair drier in the winter: “It's very true that we're about to go into the season with wool, furs, turtlenecks and jackets. Basically, the fibers we wear will inevitably cause friction with our hair, so let's give the hair a ton of moisture to help prevent less roughing-up of the cuticle layer. I would still recommend The Hydration Heroes Set here too!” 

Those with medium to coarse hair can wash their hair with Nº.4 and Nº.5. On days when you don’t use the Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, apply the Rich Hydration Mask, and leave it on for 3-5 minutes. Don’t forget to rinse well. Still not sure which hair mask is right for you? Take the Mask Quiz today!

Don’t forget to use moisturizing leave-in products for dry winter hair. A hydrating styling cream like Nº.6 Bond Smoother® will become your go-to to soften and hydrate hair. Pair it with OLAPLEX Nº.7 for soft, healthy-looking hair. “Many clients express concerns about their hair feeling drier during the cold winter weather. The holiday kits with OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Oil™ are perfect for maintaining our hair’s supple moisture and shine,” says hairstylist and OLAPLEX Global Brand Ambassador Guy Tang. 

For Dull Winter Hair Use OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ and Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

 All hair types are prone to dullness in the winter. If you have lighter-colored hair, you might notice dullness a bit more, but don't worry—there are easy ways to bring back its shine! In cold weather, low moisture within the strands reduces natural oils and can make your hair lose luster. Cleanse with a shampoo like Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo® to nourish hair, leaving it smoother and shinier. Follow with Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner to boost shine. If you have fine hair, Nº.4FINE and Nº.5FINE will detangle and smooth hair while building lasting volume, body, and bounce.

Say goodbye to dull winter hair with the right styling products. Add the Nº.9 styling serum to your winter haircare routine for a satin shine that protects color. Apply to damp hair right before styling to protect the hair from environmental damage and heat up to 450ºF. Pair it with OLAPLEX Nº.7 to boost shine and color vibrancy.  “Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ is always one of my favorite products to gift or because it feels luxurious but is also incredibly useful,” shares hairstylist and OLAPLEX Global Brand Ambassador Jenna Perry. “It’s one of those products that almost everyone can incorporate into their routine. I love it for adding shine, smoothing frizz, protecting against heat, and giving the hair that really polished finish without weighing it down. During the winter especially, a beautiful hair oil feels like the perfect little luxury.”

Prevent Winter Frizz and Static Use Nº.6 Bond Smoother® and OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™

Static and flyaways are common winter hair concerns. The lack of humidity, combined with more frequent wear of hats and scarves, makes your strands more susceptible to static and frizz. “I always say static is a moisture problem wearing a bad disguise. I walk clients through it: your hair isn't ‘frizzy,’ it's thirsty and stressed from bond damage plus dry air,” says hairstylist and OLAPLEX Global Brand Ambassador Naeemah LaFond.

Add our favorite styling combination to your winter haircare routine: OLAPLEX Nº.6 and OLAPLEX Nº.7. Together, these products repair the hair internally while moisturizing, smoothing, adding shine, and protecting from heat up to 450ºF. Keep this hair oil handy in your bag for touch-ups throughout the day. A couple of dabs of oil through your hair will keep it silky and repaired in between treatments. OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ also controls frizz and flyaways for sleek, healthy-looking winter hairstyles.

Curly-haired folks know windy weather can make hair extra frizzy. Not with OLAPLEX Nº.6 Bond Smoother, however. Nº.6 reduces frizz for up to 72 hours, making it your not-so-secret defense against frizz. 

When it comes to managing frizz, Tang recommends the Iconic Styler Set, which includes Nº.6 Bond Smoother® and OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™. “This set smooths the hair and prevents flyaways and frizz. Additionally, No.7 Bonding Oil™ gives reflective shine and hydration.”

To Manage a Dry Scalp, Use Nº.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment

Winter conditions like low humidity and dry winds can contribute to a dry, itchy scalp. To hydrate and soothe your scalp, try OLAPLEX Nº.0.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment. This scalp treatment promotes soft, shiny, visibly healthy hair while strengthening and protecting the scalp barrier and microbiome.

Start with Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo® in the shower. This shampoo gently cleanses without stripping or drying to keep your hair and scalp hydrated. Finish with Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner to condition and moisturize your ends, or for deep hydration, try a hair mask like the Rich Hydration Mask or Weightless Nourishing Mask. Use Nº.05 directly on your scalp before styling wet hair or as an overnight treatment on dry hair. For best results, use it three times a week. For a boost of shine and softness on dull winter days, apply OLAPLEX Nº.7 Bonding Oil™ to the ends of damp or dry hair.

For Loss of Volume Use Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo and Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner

In the winter, fine hair is prone to volume loss. Heavy conditioners or even outerwear can weigh down your hair. Use an ultra-light shampoo that volumizes and strengthens fine hair like Nº.4FINE Bond Maintenance® Shampoo. Don’t forget to use it with Nº.5FINE Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, which weightlessly hydrates, nourishes, and helps build lasting volume, body, and bounce.

If you have medium or coarse hair that needs a volume boost, Nº.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo® will gently cleanse, nourish, and detangle strands. Follow with Nº.5 Bond Maintenance® Conditioner, which nourishes and makes hair more manageable with every wash.

Using the right hair mask can also help add volume to your hair in the winter. The Weightless Nourishing Mask was formulated specifically for fine to medium hair and provides instant volume that lasts all day. Just use it in place of your conditioner once per week for lightweight hydration that lasts through 5 washes.*

Make this your best winter haircare season yet with OLAPLEX. Explore more winter haircare products or discover trending winter hair colors.

*On virgin hair tresses

Sources

1. https://www.realsimple.com/beauty-fashion/skincare/dry-scalp