10 expert winter haircare tips to live by through the cooler months

Winter is all about protecting your hair's moisture, Diana Pratasiewicz, Ouai's Senior Director of Global Education Content, tells BEAUTYcrew.

"Between colder temperatures, indoor heating, hot showers, and heat styling, hair can start to feel dry, dull, and more prone to breakage," she explains. "Your hair doesn't know it's winter, it only knows how it's being treated."

Which is why we tapped the hair expert for her top 10 winter hair tips, as we battle the cooler months.

"Healthy hair is built over time, and small, consistent habits make the biggest difference, [and] winter is a great time to invest in the health of your hair," she tells us.

"If you've been putting off a trim, now's the time, removing split ends helps prevent further breakage and keeps your hair looking healthier overall," she went on to say. "If your salon offers bond-building or intensive conditioning treatments, they're also worth considering, especially if your hair is colour-treated or heat-styled regularly."

But that's not all. Keep scrolling to discover the hair expert's secrets to healthier hair in winter. 

1/ Pay attention to what your hair is telling you

"One of the biggest myths is that everyone needs a completely different routine in winter — some people do, some don't," Pratasiewicz tells us.

"Your hair will tell you when it needs more moisture, more cleansing, or more repair," she explains. "Pay attention to how it feels rather than changing everything because the season changed."

"Think of your haircare the same way you think about skincare — you might reach for a richer moisturiser in winter, and your hair can benefit from the same approach — the key here is listen to your hair," she continued.

"If your current routine is still working, there's no need to change it. The key is paying attention to what your hair is telling you rather than following a calendar," she says. 

2/ Embrace the seasonal reset

If you've had a busy summer of sun, salt water, chlorine, or travel, winter is the ideal time to focus on repairing your hair, says Pratasiewicz.

"Plan your winter hair reset with your hair stylist — one of the best winter services you can book is a healthy haircut — removing split ends helps prevent them from travelling farther up the hair shaft, leaving your hair looking healthier and making it easier to style," she explains.

Cold weather can leave hair looking dull too, which is why the hair expert recommends professional gloss treatments to add shine, refresh colour, and smooth cuticles. It also makes hair look healthier without committing to a full colour appointment, Pratasiewicz points out.

3/ Don't wait until your hair feels dry

"The best winter routine is preventative," says Pratasiewicz. "If you wait until your hair feels brittle, you're already playing catch-up."

To combat dry strands, the hair expert recommends weekly at-home treatments to maintain softness and strength all season long. 

"A salon-grade moisture treatment can replenish hydration that's lost from cold weather, hot showers, and indoor heating," she also suggests. "It's one of the easiest ways to bring softness and shine back to dry winter hair."

"If your hair has been through colouring, bleaching, or frequent heat styling, in-salon bond-building treatments can help strengthen the hair from the inside out," she went on to say.

4/ Your winter wardrobe might need updating

"Cute coat, rough relationship with your hair? High collars, wool scarves, and heavy knit sweaters create constant friction against the hair at the nape of your neck," Pratasiewicz dishes.

"If you're wearing bulky winter layers every day, try a loose braid, low bun, or silk-lined scarf to help minimise tangles and breakage," she advises.

5/ A healthy scalp matters

Winter isn't just about dry ends. If your scalp feels tight, flaky, or uncomfortable, that's often your first sign it needs attention, says Pratasiewicz.

"Many salons now offer scalp consultations using a microscope or camera to assess buildup, oil levels, dryness, and overall scalp health, she explains. "It's a great way to personalize your routine instead of guessing what your scalp needs."

"Scalp spas are having a huge moment, and for good reason. They combine deep cleansing, scalp massage, exfoliation, hydration, and sometimes LED light therapy to remove buildup while creating the ideal environment for healthy hair. Think of it as a facial for your scalp," she went on to say.

6/ Don't skip hair wash days

"It's tempting to stretch washes because it's cold outside, but too much dry shampoo and product buildup can leave your scalp out of balance," the hair expert warns.

"A healthy scalp is where healthy hair begins, so make room for a clarifying wash every few shampoos. Paying closer attention to your wash routine will help bring consistency to your hair health no matter the season... Many [clarifying shampoo] formulas help to gently exfoliate the scalp, remove buildup, and keep your scalp balanced, giving healthy hair the best foundation to grow from," she tells us.

Sounds like the perfect excuse to finally try the top-rated Olaplex No.4C Clarifying Shampoo ($60 from Sephora).

7/ Turn down the temperature of your shower (just a little)

"I love a hot shower. The hotter the better. However, the scolding hot water can cause damage to your hair," Pratasiewicz shares. 

"You don't have to suffer through a cold shower, but dialling the temperature back even slightly helps preserve your scalp's natural oils," she explains. "Super-hot water can leave both your scalp and hair feeling dry and tight."

"I like to give my-self a few moments at the end of my shower for some extra heat — a heat treat if you will."

8/ Treat your hair with the same care you would your skin

"In winter, most of us switch to a richer face cream. Do the same with your hair," Pratasiewicz advises. "It's the perfect time to give your hair a little extra support."

"If your ends are feeling dry, layer in a weekly treatment or swap to a more moisturising conditioner for the season," she tells us. "A treatment like Ouai's Bond Repair Balm ($93 from Sephora) helps strengthen damaged strands while restoring softness and shine in just three minutes."

"If your hair is feeling especially dry or dehydrated, alternating with a deeply hydrating mask is another great option," she explains. "The goal is to maintain your hair's health before it starts showing signs of stress rather than trying to fix damage after the fact."

9/ Give your hair a night routine

"Your skin gets an overnight routine, and your hair deserves one too."

"Sleeping on a silk pillowcase, loosely braiding long hair, or applying a drop of hair oil to your ends before bed can make a noticeable difference by morning," the hair expert explains.

You heard her — it's time to invest in a Slip Pure Silk Queen Pillowcase ($124 from Sephora).

10/ Don't skip heat protectant

"Many people blow-dry more often in winter, because no one wants to leave the house with wet hair," says Pratasiewicz. "That makes heat protection even more important this time of year, not less."

"[Some people skip heat protectant] — I do not want to know these people," she jokes.

We're happy to say that we're in the cool crowd as far as haircare is concerned. Our go-to heat protectant prior to styling is Kevin Murphy's Young.Again Treatment Oil ($70 from Sephora).

Main image credit: @brycescarlett

Looking for more winter beauty advice? Here are 5 expert tips to help your skin survive the sudden cold snap, and the body care steps skin experts never skip in winter.