Winter Hair Care Secrets

Happy Winter! 

The cold weather gives us good reason to snuggle up inside. It’s a time for indoor projects, reflecting on the past year, and sharing.

Speaking of sharing...here are our TOP 6 hair-care secrets to keep your scalp and hair healthy and beautiful this season.

Winter can be tough on your hair. Cold, dry weather takes a toll on your scalp just like it does the rest of your skin. And moving between the heat from indoors and the cold outside makes staying moisturized a legitimate challenge. 

Not to mention the static and friction that comes from hats, scarves, and coats! During this season your hair is especially prone to breakage and frizz. 

The biggest challenge is staying hydrated. Dry weather makes your scalp flaky and itchy. If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “nope, it’s not snowing, that’s my scalp” then this guide is for you. 

We put together our top winter-slaying tips so that you can protect your hair from damage and feel beautiful all season long. Think of this guide as a rulebook to live by this season - enjoy!

Self-Care and Our Hair

Winter can be stressful; we’re no stranger to its challenges here in Wisconsin. Staying indoors and shorter days means less Vitamin D.  And as beautiful as the holidays are, sometimes they’re downright exhausting. 

Remember to do things that relax and rejuvenate you. The more self-care you can do this winter, the more resilient to stress you will be. This will improve your overall health, and it will be reflected in the shine and strength of your hair. 

Self-care doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Sometimes it just means waking up early enough to have some alone time before you start your day. Or saying “no” to a social engagement that you know you won’t enjoy. 

But there are also certain activities that you can do to make yourself feel good. And they’ll be different for everyone. The important thing is that you choose a few and stick to them. 

We all know it, but it's good to remember that stress and hair are connected.  Learn more from US News here. 

Here are some of our favorite self-care strategies. 

Stress Eliminating Self-Care Strategies

Strategy #1: Keep a Journal

Journaling is a great way to get to know yourself better, work out why you feel certain feelings, or just have a place to put your thoughts. You can use prompts, questions, or put your pen to paper and write for ten minutes each day without stopping. Feeling stuck?  Check this out from SELF magazine.

Strategy #2: Practice Yoga and Meditation

Yoga and meditation do wonders for the mind and the body. Yoga helps to counter the physical toll that our lives have on our bodies and helps us to stay relaxed and open during cold months that make us tense our muscles. Meditation is calming, grounding, and consistent practice actually changes the structure of your brain. Both David and I mediate by taking a walk alone in nature, we know that others prefer quiet time.  Looking for an easy to get started?  Try Tree Bathing!

Strategy #3: Carve Out Time For Friends

Sometimes all you need is to spend time with a friend. It’s easy to get too busy for social time, but we have to remember that our social connections are an integral part of our health.  Take a walk outside if you can, or a quick FaceTime or Zoom call will brighten any day.

Strategy #4: Read A Good Book

We love getting lost in stories, but we also love reading insightful books about the things we’re interested in. Books help us to stay inspired, learn new things, and look at the world in a new way.  We love USAToday's list of best books to escape with.

Strategy #5: Do a Random Act of Kindness

We believe that what you put out into the world comes back to you.  Doing something nice for someone that you don't know feels great.  When it is unexpected, it changes the energy in the world.  Check out these ideas for inspiration.

Of course we want you to look your best through all of this... So, here are ourTop Winter Hair Tips For 2020

Now that you’ve got your self-care plan, you’re ready to dive into some specific ways that you can counter the harsh conditions of winter. Here are our 6 tried-and-true tips. 

1. Massage your scalp regularly.

Remember, beautiful hair starts with a healthy scalp. It all starts there, at the top of your head. And it really does feel good. You can add this to one of your self-care strategies.

There are so many benefits of a scalp massage:

• Increases blood circulation to your hair follicles
• Promotes hair growth and thickness
• Removes dead skin cells from your scalp
• Prevents itching and encourages moisture by redistributing your natural oils
• Naturally relaxes you by increasing your serotonin

           You can buy a massaging brush or do it the old-fashioned way: with your hands. If you choose to massage with your hands, be sure to use your finger pads rather than your nails.

           Using small, circular motions, work your way all over your scalp. For added benefits, breathe deeply to increase the oxygen flow throughout your entire body.

           You can even place a drop of natural hair oil on your fingers to soothe an irritated scalp. For the best results, do this for a few minutes each day. 

Take turns giving your significant other a scalp massage. It’s a great way to unwind and connect. 

Not convinced about scalp massage?  Don't take our word for it, see what the reporters at Healthline have to say here.

2. Invest in a humidifier. Doctor recommended!

Your humidifier is your best friend in winter! If you have a dry, flaky, or itchy scalp in the colder months, this is a must-have. 

The cold, dry air of winter pulls necessary moisture out of your scalp. Humidifiers add moisture to the air and help prevent your scalp from drying out. 

Get a small one for your bedroom and run it while you sleep. Your scalp will thank you! 

3. Dry your hair before you leave the house. 

We’ve all been told not to go out in the cold with wet hair. But did you know that it’s not only because you could become vulnerable to catching a cold? It also makes your hair prone to breakage.

When you go outside, the water in your hair expands, forcing the hair shaft to expand as well. Freezing temperatures also freeze your hair strands, making it easy for them to break. 

So to keep your hair strong and damage-free, you’ll want to dry your hair completely before you step outside. 

4. Ditch products with harmful ingredients. 

Toxic ingredients in your hair products aren’t doing you any good when it comes to building strength and encouraging hair growth and thickness. In a lot of cases, they’re inhibiting that by clogging up your pores. And they’re stripping your hair of its natural oils, making it harder to self-regulate. 

Go for plant-based products that nourish your scalp and hair like our Winter Hair Bundle. Here’s what it includes:

• Chamomile Shampoo

• Jojoba Hair Repair Conditioner

• Avocado Styling Cream

• Nourishing Oil

5. Eat and drink foods rich in Vitamin C. 

Vitamin C is so good for you. It supports your immune system, maintains blood pressure, and improves your memory. But it’s also great for scalp and hair health. Winter hair loves Vitamin C because it counters the effect that cold, dry weather has on our skin.

How does Vitamin C keep our hair healthy? Let us count the ways.

• Helps strengthen our hair and prevent breakage
• Prevents a dry, itchy scalp by retaining moisture
• Increases blood circulation which encourages hair growth
• Fights dandruff

 It’s easy - and delicious - to incorporate Vitamin C into your diet. Here are some things that you can eat during the cold months to enjoy the benefits.

• Winter squash
• Broccoli, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts
• Lemons 
• Tomatoes
• Spinach and kale
• Green and red peppers

6. Embrace hairstyles that will protect your hair in the winter.

Protective hairstyles do two things: they help retain moisture and protect your hair from breakage due to the cold. These include buns held with non-damaging hair ties and headbands, or braids. 

Here are our favorite hairstyles for wintertime that protect and add beauty to your look. 

• The low, messy bun.There are so many ways to do a low, messy bun. They’re easy, casual, but can also be romantic if you let some wisps fall freely around your face. 
• Banana bun.The banana bun is also low, but adds a little more texture. It’s low maintenance and stylish.
• Side braids.For longer hair, side braids keep your strands protected and they add a feminine touch. Sleep in them to add texture and wave to your hair.
• Braided crowns.Braided crowns are a little more advanced, but they’re fun eye-catchers that you can practice at home. They’re great for a more elegant look, but can also be dressed down to add a fun element to your go-to t-shirt and jeans.
• French braids.French braids will never go out of style. They can be done on short hair or long hair. You can add one to the side of your head, braid one across your forehead, or go the traditional route. 

             Keep these tips in mind as you get ready for the winter months. Taking care of your hair is in itself a wonderful form of self-care, an expression of self-love, and an outlet for your creativity. 

           If you do some mindful maintenance during winter, you won’t be doing damage control come spring. 

           What do you think? Will you cosy-up with some ANTIDOTE this winter and see if it makes a difference in your scalp and hair health?

If you liked this post, check out last year’s winter hair tips here.

           Drop us a comment below and tell us about your winter hair regimen!

            - Abigail + David