Dullness, thinning, dryness, breakage, frizz… we all know the havoc certain weather conditions can wreak on our hair. If you’ve already invested in the best hair care products, well done! But even with high-quality goods, you may still experience problems. The solution? Well, it depends on the season! 

Let’s find out how to care for your hair all year round.

Seasonal hair care tips

Depending on your hair and skin type, different seasons may require different hair and body solutions. The warmer months may have you planning hiking trips or days at the pool, which run the risk of leaving you with frizzy hair from humidity or damaged strands from pool chemicals. By contrast, winter poses the threat of dry, damaged hair and the dreaded static, following you around everywhere you go. However, knowing how to care for your hair throughout the year can alleviate any issues you may otherwise run into. Here are our top hair care products and tips for every season.

Summer and spring

Spring-clean your hair care products

Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home: your cosmetics bag deserves a good product purge, too! Get a fresh start to the warmer months by going through your serums, cleansing, and styling products. If a product smells bad or is showing signs of going rancid, toss it (making sure to recycle all recyclables). Get rid of products that have reached their expiry date, as well as any that have undergone a change in texture or smell from when you first purchased them.

Deep-clean your styling tools

If you weren’t already, you should be regularly cleaning your styling tools. Be sure to wash your brushes and combs, wipe your styling irons, soak your hair ties and clips, and clean out the filter of your hairdryer.

Prep your hair before taking a dip

Saltwater and pool chemicals can dry out and damage your hair. To combat this, wet your hair with clean water before entering the water, or apply a leave-in moisturizer to your hair on days you’ll be swimming to stop it from absorbing any damaging chemicals. Also, be sure to rinse your hair after a swim. If there isn’t a shower nearby, use a spray bottle filled with fresh water as a substitute.

Go for a natural look

Summer is the perfect time to opt for a natural, beachy look and, more importantly, to give your hair a break from blow dryers and flat irons. The warm weather allows you to air-dry your hair more frequently, and braiding your hair before bed will give you a gentle beachy wave.

Outwit frizz

While we love the warmer months, we could do without the frizz. Regular trims and conditioning will take you a long way in your battle against it, and a leave-in serum will do the rest. Wander Beauty’s Scenic Route Hair Treatment will give you silky, frizz-free, and style-ready hair. The three-in-one formula can be used as a conditioner after washing, as a hair mask, or as a leave-in treatment. During the spring and summer months, simply apply a small amount of product to your fingertips, and comb through wet or dry hair to seal in moisture and hydrate your locks.<product>1</product>

Winter and autumn

Commit to weekly treatments

The harsh, dry air in the colder months can dehydrate your hair, making it more prone to breakage, and leaving it feeling dry and brittle. A weekly hair mask using our Scenic Route Treatment will nourish your hair and replace lost moisture. Let it sit for 20 minutes while the coconut oil adds luster and shine, the grape oil creates a natural sealant, and the bilberry fruit extract provides antioxidant benefits, helping to protect your scalp from free radical damage. Also, it’s worth using a humidifier at home to help combat super-dry hair when you have heaters and fires going.

Don’t go outside with damp hair

Wet hair in cold temperatures makes your hair more vulnerable to breakage and causes its color to fade more rapidly. This makes it essential to properly dry your hair before heading outside during the winter months. 

Line your winter hats

Hats and beanies can be a great way to protect your hair from the potentially damaging effects of cold, dry air, snow, wind, and rain. However, wool, cotton, and other coarse fabrics can cause breakage, which is why experts recommend lining your headwear with satin or silk to protect your hair and keep it looking slick and fresh.

Reduce static

Sniffly noses, dry skin, and static hair are every girl’s worst winter nightmare! The lack of moisture in the winter air can increase friction, giving your hair an electrical charge. These floating strands can be combated with regular hair treatments and deep conditioning, ensuring your hair remains hydrated and static-free.

Stay hydrated

Hot chocolate and soup help keep us cozy in the winter, but with the colder weather, many of us forget or shy away from drinking enough water. Dehydration may slow the growth of your hair and cause it to become brittle, increasing the likelihood of split ends. This makes it essential to drink enough liquids, as water makes up almost 25 percent of the weight of each strand of hair. Drinking at least 72 ounces of water a day will promote hair growth and strengthen your hair.

Watch the water temperature

We all like to take steaming-hot showers during the colder months, but this can actually be very damaging to your hair. Hot water strips the hair of its natural oils. This dries the scalp, making it more prone to dandruff and irritation; causes hair to frizz; and damages your roots and hair texture. So when taking hot showers, avoid getting your hair wet. Instead, dial the temp down and wash your hair with lukewarm water.

Year-round hair care tips

Wet your hair less often

While some do it every other day, others swear by their once-a-week rule; still, the question remains – how often should you wash your hair? Because water makes hair swell from the inside, wetting it too often can cause breakage and frizz. While there’s no blanket rule, what’s important is not to wash your hair more often than necessary. Every two to three days seems to work for most people.

Choose the right shampoo

Life is kind of just an endless search for the best shampoo, is it not? While shampoo choices will differ for everyone depending on your hair type, there are a few key elements to look for when choosing the one that's right for you. First off, it’s best to avoid sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh chemicals. Wander Beauty’s sulfate free shampoo and body wash reinvigorates dull hair and skin, leaving your hair softer and more lustrous.

Don’t skip the conditioner

Not only does conditioner make your hair appear softer and more shining, combating dryness and frizz, but it also acts as a heat protector, making it essential to your hair care routine. 

Check your diet

Your hair requires an array of vitamins and minerals to be strong, healthy, and full-bodied. This makes it important to ensure you’re consuming nutrient-rich food that encourages hair growth and longevity. Vitamin C, contained in citrus and berries, is imperative for collagen production, which strengthens your hair. Omega-3s, found in salmon and avocado, create a soft, shiny appearance to your hair. Leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, and melons are a fantastic source of beta-carotene, which is converted into vitamin A, known to promote overall hair health. So if you want to have enviably luscious hair all year round, make sure you eat a well-balanced diet and remember to keep hydrated. You’ll really see the difference!