Want to know how to nourish and protect your strands this winter?

Okay, it's officially freezing outside. Like so damn cold that we absolutely refuse to leave our snuggly beds. Alright, not quite, but if we could, we would. And honestly our hair and skin would probably be seriously thankful for the frigid reprieve. 

We're all over the winter body care routines, and we're totally aware that we need to change up our routines to take care of our skin in winter, heck we even change our hair colour for the season. But what we haven't totally gotten behind is changing up our haircare routine. 

And boy our strands are suffering for it here people, which brought us to the realisation that we seriously need help, and professional help at that. 

Thankfully BEAUTYcrew have the brilliant Tracey Cunningham, Celebrity Stylist & Ambassador with the Olaplex Global Ambassador Board who chatted us through the changes we needed to make. So, let's see what we need to do...

How to take care of your hair in winter

Look, is everyone's winter haircare routine going to look identical? Nope, but as long as you're following along with some of the hydrating steps (and not forgetting your scalp care) then you're bound to come out the other side, with your tresses still in tact. 

So, why is winter so impactful on your hair? 

According to Cunningham, it's important to adjust your hair care routine during the winter as the cold weather can take a toll, leaving your hair dry and brittle. 

"During winter, combat hair dryness by switching to moisturising shampoos and conditioners with ingredients like shea butter or argan oil," she advises. "By incorporating weekly deep conditioning treatments for extra hydration, you're guaranteed to rejuvenate your hair after a long winter of heaters and wind that can suck the moisture out of your roots to ends." 

Cunningham's hot tip? Wash your hair less frequently to help preserve your natural hair oils and of course, aim to use heat styling tools less frequently. 

Much like our skin, our hair suffers at the hands of the drastically changing temperature. And by no means are we suggesting not cranking the heater (it's the only thing getting us up in the morning TBH), but it's time to be mindful of your choices. And maybe turn the shower down from scalding to just a light searing when washing your hair. 

Ahead, five easy steps to follow for hydrated, nourished strands.

1/ Clarifying Scalp Care

Although it might be an odd thing to consider, your scalp is perhaps the most important factor in maintaining healthy hair. This means that ensuring your scalp is clean and clear by using clarifying products is a must, so that any masks or hair treatments you apply directly to the scalp can penetrate the skin on the scalp properly, and your hair can reap the benefits of the products you're using.

Investing in a few reliable scalp care products will save you a lot of money on additional haircare in the long run, trust us. 

We suggest starting with a chemical or physical exfoliant that will help to remove any product build-up, dead skin cells and excess oils from the scalp. We like Alpha-H Healthy Scalp Exfoliating Treatment ($40 from Sephora), which contains a blend of antioxidant rich Australian Desert Lime, exfoliating salicylic acid, and rice vinegar extract (to enhance shine and smooth hair). 

Next, it's on to a classic: clarifying shampoo.

Davines NATURAL TECH Purifying Scalp Shampoo ($53.95 from Adore Beauty) detoxes the scalp of any dead skin or product build-up, which could potentially be causing irritation or damaging the hair follicle. Plus, it's infused with antioxidant rich and anti-inflammatory dandelion extract to help soothe the scalp too. 

Lastly, we hate to be the ones to tell you this, but you need to be moisturising your scalp. However, that doesn't mean you need to start slathering your favourite Jergens body lotion all over your head, as well as your limbs. Act+Acre's Daily Hydro™ Scalp Serum ($42 from MECCA) has been formulated specifically for such tasks and utilises lightweight humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin to hydrate the scalp, and amino acids to reinforce the skin's natural moisture barrier.

2/ Hydrating Winter Hair Masks

Hydrating hair masks and chilly winter evenings go hand in hand. Aside from being a seriously fantastic ritual, your strands need all the help they can get in the cooler months. And slathering your strands in a nourishing hair mask is just the thing to give them all the help they need. Most hair masks are designed to not only hydrate your hair but are also enriched with revitalising, frizz-fighting benefits. Now for our top three, because, of course we couldn't choose just one.

First up, Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Mask ($56 from Sephora) — infused with squalane and Omega-9 — it helps to nourish and replenish hair from the inside out. Another of our faves? Amika Midnight Mender Overnight Strength Repair Treatment ($73 from Sephora), which conditions, smooths, repairs, and reduces for stronger hair by morning.

And how could we miss Olaplex for their bond-building No8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask (usually $54, now $45.99 from Chemist Warehouse). Designed to turn back the clock on damage, you're going to want this in your routine year round.

3/ Luscious Leave-In Treatments

What's the difference between a hair mask and a leave-in treatment? Honestly, everything. And when it comes to leave-in conditioners, the same rules apply. But let's talk about giving our tresses a little treat, shall we? Because, much like us, our manes deserve a little treat too.

Love the effortless look of Scandinavian hair influencers? Then you need to add MANDA's The Styling Cream ($74.99 from MANDA) to your arsenal. The lightweight styling cream is the perfect companion to an air dry hair care ritual, and has been enriched with a slew of nourishing haircare ingredients like antioxidant rich blueberry extract, and castor, rosehip and macadamia oils to promote healthy strands. 

Want a leave in treatment that simultaneously conditions, detangles, fights frizz, and smells like a European vacation (without having to purchase a plane ticket)? Great news, OUAI's Leave In Conditioner ($49 from Sephora) now comes in a limited edition St. Barts scent! The ultra-fluid formula feels like nothing on the hair, but trust that the hydrating tamarind seed extract, conditioning panthenol and vitamin E, and damage preventing hydrolyzed proteins are doing their job all the same. 

If you're dealing with extra dry and dull hair then let us put you on to the NAK Hair Signature Replends Creme Leave in Moisturiser ($38.95 from Adore Beauty), it's lightweight and non-greasy, but it's also packed with some seriously strengthening moisturisers like baobab seed Extract, aloe vera, coconut oil and rice protein.

4/ Nourishing Hair Oils

If you're not using a nourishing hair oil, you're missing out (sorry). Why? Well, not only are they seriously hydrating, but many oils are now bolstered with extra treatments. Yep, it's pretty cutting edge. Case in point? MANDA's The Luxury Oil ($84.99 from MANDA), which contains antioxidant rich blueberry extract: Rich in antioxidants, moisturising and shine enhancing argan oil, hydrating coconut oil, and strengthening acacia concinna fruit extract. Plus, a gorgeous floral rose and lily of the valley fragrance to enhance an already luxurious experience. 

Kérastase Chronologiste Oil ($135 from Adore Beauty) is one you're going to want in your bathroom cabinet considering it reduces breakage, tames flyaways, and boosts shine, leaving hair beautifully soft and exquisitely scented with a fragrance developed by Alberto Morillas (the nose behind some of the world's most beloved perfumes). We'll take several bottles please!

And for all the blondies out there? Kérastase Blond Absolu Oil ($100 from Adore Beauty) should do the trick. It nourishes, strengthens and smooths blonde hair, reduces frizz, enhances shine, and protects the hair from heat up to 230°C.

5/ Taming Hair Tools

Now, we bet you're thinking, how are hair tools going to totally transform my tresses? Well to start off, we'd be nowhere without our hair tools (um, hello birds nest) and two, they work perfectly in tandem with our haircare products to help boost the effects. First up, the Moroccanoil Scalp Brush ($37 from Sephora) works to boost your scalp’s circulation. Your strands will be thanking you for the extra nourishment, plus it feels like a luxe shower ritual. 

STRAAND’s The Mane Master Wet-To-Dry Detangler Brush ($25 from Oz Hair & Beauty) is a handy little tool that's going to spread your hair masks thoroughly through your strands. Yep, using it in the shower to help disperse the nourishing products while detangling is going to be a game-changer for your hair. 

But once you're out of the shower and looking to dry your hair, opt for lower heat to minimise damage. The Shark Flexstyle Air Styling tool ($400 from Sephora) works wonders at maintaining hair health if you're in the market for a new (luxury yet worth the splurge) hair styler.

Main Image Credit: @kendalljenner