Common winter hair problems, solved

Now that the temperatures have well and truly dropped (hello, winter!), it's not uncommon for my hair to misbehave. Like clockwork, when winter strikes I bid farewell to my oil-slicked strands and instead face super (super) dry and frizzy ends. Oh, and they just love to tangle! Turns out I’m not alone.
RELATED: Your top-to-toe winter beauty essentials
We asked you, our beloved members, about the hair problems you face during the winter months. We then got Joey Scandizzo, Co-Creative Director of ELEVEN Australia and three-time Australian Hairdresser of the Year to offer some advice. So here you are – your common winter hair problems – solved by somebody who knows his stuff.
PROBLEM: DRY ENDS
SOLUTION:
As the moisture levels in the air drop, so too do the moisture levels in your strands. It’s no wonder I (and many others) wake up with super dry, frizzy ends on a crisp winter’s morning.
“[When it comes to winter hair problems,] dry hair is the big one,” says Joey. “Make sure you add extra moisture to your routine, a leave-in treatment is great and a once a week moisture/protein boost always helps.”
We recommend applying Schwarzkopf Extra Care Nutri Protect Express Repair Leave In Conditioner to dry, damaged ends after every wash. Combine this with a rich mask like ELEVEN Australia 3 Minute Rinse Out Repair Treatment (which Joey says is the perfect mix of moisture and protein) once a week – and you can thank us later.
PROBLEM: FRIZZY STRANDS
SOLUTION:
Is frizz your main winter hair concern? If you’re going in and out of hot and cold environments (from warm, cosy heating indoors to the freezing cold streets), the change in temperature can cause the cuticle layer of the hair to open and close, leaving you with a helluva lot of frizz. To counteract this, apply KMS California Tamefrizz De-Frizz Oil to strands in need of a bit of love.
PROBLEM: RAINY DAY LOCKS
SOLUTION:
If you often find your freshly styled hair ruined by winter drizzle on your umbrella-less walk to shelter, chances are you feel pretty peeved at Mother Nature.
Joey’s on-the-go hack? Dry shampoo, of course! “[It] is a great way to freshen up hair and make the texture created look intentional.” Pop a mini-sized ELEVEN Australia Give Me Clean Hair Dry Shampoo in your handbag, and you’ll be prepared for rain, hail or shine!
PROBLEM: TANGLED, KNOTTY TRESSES
SOLUTION:
Wearing high neck jumpers, beanies and scarves to keep cosy during the colder months is great – until your hair gets caught among the layers and becomes one big knotty, matted mess by the end of the day. Joey recommends carrying a wide tooth comb in your bag, as “the wide teeth separate the tangles and don’t create a fluffy texture.” This means you can detangle hair on-the-go without turning your locks into a lion’s mane (or is that just me?). We like Scunci Brushology Detangling Comb for an everyday option, or Mason Pearson Comb Detangling if you’re after something a little more luxe.
PROBLEM: DULL HAIR
SOLUTION:
Combat dullness by taking a leaf out of Bella Hadid’s book, and go darker! “Going a littler darker and keeping your colour fresh helps [keep hair in tip-top condition during winter] as it adds a great shine to hair and makes it appear healthier.” Dark hair suits the colder months, so if you already were thinking of making the change, there’s no time like the present. If you need a little more convincing, this is why you should cross over to the dark side.
bh recommends: John Frieda Brilliant Brunette® Visibly Deeper Colour Deepening Shampoo and Conditioner, Schwarzkopf Perfect Mousse in Chocolate Brown
Do you suffer from any winter hair problems? If so, how do you solve them?
Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?
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99 Member Comments
My hair gets all dry and frizzy in winters.. This really helped me! Here are some tips that will help your haircare routine during the winter. https://www.femina.in/beauty/hair/how-to-care-for-your-hair-during-winter-114104-3.html
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Wind causes my oily fine hair to look so oily
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Thank you for sharing...
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My head sweats so much when I exercise, its hard to make my thin hair look after exercise
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Frizz is a big problem for me and dry hair
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I really want to try the ELEVEN products
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Frizz and dry hair are my winter hair woes, so I usually try to up my deep treatments and moisturising products
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Thank you thank you thank you for this article! My naturally curly hair gets so dry and frizzy in cold weather, this info is just what I needed! :) :)
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Why do modern day conditioners fail our hair types so badly? The fact we need to add extra product after using conditioner does not speak highly of what the brands are giving us at all. I have had more success lately with just using shampoo alone, then putting in leave in sprays or creams after I have towel dried my hair. The 'after-shower' products seem to work much better when they don't have to 'fight' with washout conditioner.
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Gah! I suffer from all of the above so this info is very helpful.
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I have very fine oily hair which is much easier to manage in winter than in summer
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Just had my long hair cut into a lob, see you later split ends!
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Nice post,.. Thank you
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Some good tips. I really like ELEVEN products.
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The first thing I do after washing my hair is pop a leave-in conditioner into my hair. It's an essential requirement for my locks regardless of the season!
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Unless it's rainy or windy, winter doesn't affect my hair too much.
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My hair always gets tangled and knotty if I wear a scarf. Static is also a problem in winter.
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My hair always gets tangled and knotty if I wear a scarf. Static is also a problem in winter.
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I need a Mason & Pearson.
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Good tips. I just tried a new shampoo and it calmed my frizz and made my hair look blow dried when really its just air dried.
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Ugh, rainy day hair is the worst!
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My hair gets so flat on a rainy day, even more than normal & starts to get dry ends now in winter :( really need to start using some products to help that don't weigh it down
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I suffer from dry hair which is sometimes frizzy as well. I use a leave in Moroccan oil treatment from ALDI - it is cheap and works great and lasts a long time.
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I have been upping the oil as my hair gets frizzy in this weather. Great tips and advice.
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Very curly, dry hair here, all year round! I use coconut oil as a deep conditioner prior to washing (leaving it on for a few hours). I add essential oils to the coconut oil...sandalwood is especially good for dry hair, as is rosewood, geranium, lavender, or some rosemary for strengthening. This helps enormously, but I also use a leave in conditioner and an argan hair oil to finish off.
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