Follow these 10 simple steps to help maintain your hair condition throughout the winter months

Winter weather takes its toll on all hair types, from the cold weather, whipping winds or the heat from your central heating. Just like your skin, your hair needs to be protected from these elements. Follow our top tips below:

1. Wearing a hat is a huge help to your tresses.

Wearing a hat helps to protect your hair from the dry air, snow, wind and rain, these elements will dry out your hair, making it dry and brittle and prone to breakage.

A satin lined hat such as Only Curls beanie, will help to protect your hair from breakage, as cotton, wool and other fabrics can cause your hair to break.

2. Think about buying a humidifier

The heat from your indoor heating causes the air inside your home to become dry, this removes the moisture from your hair making it dry and brittle. A humidifier can help to rehydrate your hair.

3. Having regular trims with your stylist

It is recommended that you have a trim every 4 to six weeks for styled hair or 8 to 10 weeks for naturally curly hair. By having a regular trim you will be maintaining the health of your hair and ensuring that you reduce the chance of split ends, which can travel up the hair length when left.

4. Lower the temperature when washing your hair

Having the water temperature too hot when washing your hair can result in the moisture being stripped from the hair, leaving the hair dry and brittle and can cause it to break. It is far better to wash your hair in lukewarm water and follow this with a cool rinse.

5. Stop heat styling

Air drying is best, this allows the hair to stay healthy, shiny hair. When blow drying it draws the moisture from your locks making it brittle and dry.

Embrace your natural hair and air dry whenever possible. Try having your shower at night so that you can allow your hair to dry overnight. The harsh winter weather causes your hair to become dry and brittle. By removing the straightening and curling which sucks the moisture from your hair, you will maintain your natural moisture and enhance your hair's health.

This is the time to try different styles, such as plaits, twists and buns.

6. Do not leave your house with saturated hair.

Whilst air drying is best for the hair, you will cause more damage by going outside in the winter as the wet hair can freeze and break. It is better to blow dry your hair rather than go outside with very wet hair.

7) Restore moisture, use an oil treatment.

As winter wreaks havoc with the condition of your hair, you can restore the natural moisture with an oil-based, oil treatment such as only curls. Only curls oil has no sulfates, no silicones, no drying alcohols, no parabens, no animal testing, no mineral oil, no paraffin, 100% vegan, Made in the UK

8) Use a deep leave in conditioner once a week.

Using a weekly deep leave in conditioner helps replenish moisture and the effects of hot styling tools, indoor heating and cold winter winds. You can help keep your hair hydrated and reduce the static in your hair from the cold weather by using a weekly treatment to help combat these problems.

9) Try and commit to a weekly hair mask.

Weekly hair masks can make a huge difference to dry and damaged hair. They can help to reverse the effects of dryness and also protect the hair throughout the year. Hair masks are quick and easy to use and effective within 20 mins. Just like a weekly face mask can be essential for healthy skin, hair masks offer great benefits like softening, hydrating and adding shine.

10) Avoid frequent hair washing.

Over washing can really strip your hair of their natural oils that help keep hair moisturised and protected. This can be especially so in the winter months when those oils can be depleted through the cold, harsh winds, central heating and hot tool styling.

Try extending the time between your washes, if you normally wash your hair every day, then try washing every other day. If your hair is very dry, try washing it every 3 days. As a curly girl you can use a co-wash to use between your normal cleanser. Only curls has a lovely range of products that complement naturally curly hair. Or you can use a dry shampoo, which revives your hair leaving it smelling and looking fresh.

Look after your hair this winter and enjoy gorgeous hair, shine and manageability.