While the holiday season can be the most wonderful time of the year, wrestling with winter hair, skin and nail problems can become a headache for clients. For the season of giving, beauty authorities share their best solutions. ✂ —Desiree Cole
Cool-Headed
Itchy scalps become a nuisance during winter months, a result of frequent changes from frigid temperatures outside to heated interiors. “I suggest clients swap out their regular regime of products for others that specifically target dryness and provide an extra boost of moisture,” says Damien Carney, North American creative director for Schwarzkopf Professional. To give hair an added dose of moisture, HairMax Chief Technology Officer Randy Veliky says it’s important to look for products that have argan oil, fatty acids and panthenol. Laurence Dahan, tea tree brand manager for Paul Mitchell, recommends products with tea tree oil, peppermint and lavender to refresh the scalp. “Massaging an aromatherapy blend into the scalp will really lift up dead cells and repair barrier lipids, too,” says Annet King, director of global education for Dermalogica and the International Dermal Institute.
Dermalogica Stress Relief Treatment Oil, dermalogica.com; Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair And Scalp Treatment, paulmitchell.com; HairMax for Density Conditioner, hairmax.com; JKS Scalp Rehab Shampoo, jksusa.com; Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Repair Rescue Treatment, schwarzkopf-professional.com
Static Attack
Static hair is a result of dehydration, so applying natural oils as a finisher will add luster, shine and control, says All-Nutrient Educator Tony Difraia. Products that deposit a conditioning layer to the hair can also ramp up moisture to keep strands tame, says Tiffany Fielder, group leader technology development at Zotos Professional, parent company of Bain de Terre. Jordana Lorraine, certified Brazilian Blowout stylist, suggests looking for ingredients like açai, because it helps fight cold-weather static while maintaining body and style. “I prefer a product that uses more organic ingredients, such as direct argan kernel oil, and green tea leaf and marigold extracts that protect the hair while providing anti-frizz benefits,” says Rebecca Gregory, education director for Organic Salon Systems. “I also love a product that is adaptable so I can apply it to either damp or dry hair.”
All-Nutrient Shine+ Flat Iron, allnutrient.com; Brazilian Blowout Açaí Brazilian Dry Oil, brazilianblowout.com; Organic Salon Systems Organic Control Argan Oil Gloss, organicsalonsystems.com; Bain de Terre Safflower All Day Straight Smoothing Gel, baindeterre.com
Cap It Off
Winter hats are ideal for keeping the ears and head warm, but they can cause unwanted, deflated hair, especially if strands are semi-wet. Erin Nelson, Aloxxi artistic advisor, chooses texturizing sprays to battle flat locks. “It’s a perfect pick-me-up that will wake up hair with dry texture that won’t wet hair down, which is perfect when it’s cold outside,” she says. Hair texturizing products like zeolite crystalline minerals absorb dirt and oil at the root, creating the lift needed to restore volume, adds Michele Burgess, manager of product development at Oribe Hair Care. Jim Markham, CEO and founder of ColorProof Evolved Color Care, says something as simple as sprinkling and massaging in a superfine silk powder at the root area will provide instant lift to combat limp locks. “Dry shampoo also allows you to quickly revamp lifeless hair by brushing it into the roots and tousling with fingers for instant volume,” says Niki Galanomatis, Keratin Complex international educator.
Aloxxi Texturizing Spray, aloxxi.com; ColorProof Evolved Color Care PowderFix Instant Volume Texture, colorproof.com; Keratin Complex Volumizing Dry Shampoo Lift Powder, keratincomplex.com; Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, oribe.com
Up to Speed
If clients are rushing their beauty routines in the morning, this might mean they are neglecting to use their blow-dryers, which can be detrimental during colder, dryer weather. To speed things up, GKhair Educator Mandi Milner says using a blow-dry accelerating product can become a game-changer for clients. “I’m known for my sexy blowouts, but time plays an important part in achieving those looks,” says Matrix Global Artist Franco Della Grazia. Rocco Barbetto, a New York City Cadiveu Professional celebrity stylist, always recommends these blow-drying products for at-home use. “Clients love them because they make blow-drying much faster,” he adds.
Cadiveu Professional Plástica dos Fios Primer, cadiveuamerica.com; GKhair Fast Blow Dry, gkhair.com; Matrix Oil Wonders Flash Blow Dry Oil, matrix.com
Show of Hands
Some experts, like CND Education Ambassador Heather Davis, recommend products with jojoba oil, an ingredient known for its deep penetration abilities. Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI co-founder and brand ambassador, says as she washes her hands throughout the day, she follows up with a dose of a cuticle formula to seal in moisture and protect from environmental changes. “Products formulated with a nourishing blend of ingredients, such as coriander and glycerin, work to replenish skin’s moisture during the dry winter months,” says Gino Trunzo, director of education for Essie.
CND SolarOil, cnd.com; Essie Spa Many Many Mani Intensive Hand Lotion, essie.com; OPI Avoplex Cuticle Oil to Go, opi.com
THE BIZ OF FRIZZ
Brian Zinno, celebrity hairstylist and education director at Antonio Prieto Salon in New York, is best recognized for his on-trend techniques and modern classic cuts. Here, he offers tips to help clients brush up on fighting winter frizz.
1 Use a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to minimize moisture absorption from the elements.
2 A lightweight serum after washing can lock in moisture and seal the hair cuticle when blow-dried with warm then cool air.
3 Extremely dry, less humid winter air coupled with dry indoor heat can dehydrate strands, so rely less on washing hair and use a dry shampoo instead.
4 Get trims more frequently to reduce split-ends.
5 Be gentle while brushing hair because dryness makes strands more fragile. —D.C.