So much for looking forward to spring – with snow on the ground and the mercury hovering around zero it seems a long way off right now. The combination of cold weather, wintry winds and central heating is sure to play havoc with your hair, so I’ve pulled together a few of my current favourite winter hair heroes to help nourish and boost your locks during the cold snap.
I’ve been using Rusk’s Sensories Moist Shampoo (£9.29) as it’s perfect for dry, thirsty hair and is specially formulated with sunflower extract and apricot extract to moisturise and lubricate your locks. The Healthy Conditioner (£9.29) is the ideal regular treatment for weak, stressed hair that lacks shine and lustre. Available in salons or online at www.rusk1.com
For literally squeaky clean hair, look to Phyto. The Phytoneutre Clarifying Detox Shampoo (£10.50) is highly concentrated in botanical active ingredients and formulated to eliminate product build up without stripping hair of its protective barrier. Eucalyptus essential oil purifies the hair fibre, while stimulating and oxygenating the scalp. The Phytobaume Hydration Express Conditioner instantly detangles hair without weighing it down. Jojoba oil, used for its emollient and regenerating benefits, is combined with castor oil to hydrate and protect. Available from John Lewis.
A decent deep conditioner needn’t cost the world. I adore Boots Coconut & Almond Oil Intensive Mask (£2.03) – I always look for a treatment that’s thicker than a normal conditioner, and this almost jelly-like treat is deliciously dense and leaves my silky soft. For optimum results slather it on and wrap your hair in a warm towel for 20 minutes before rinsing out.
One of my favourite go-to brands for hair rescue is Kérastase. The new Resistance Fibre Architecte (33.50) has been specially formulated for brittle hair with extremely damaged lengths and split ends. The reparative weightlessly seals and repairs damaged hair restoring health, vitality and shine. Their Elixir Ultime (£33.50) is an iconic hair oil every should have in their bathroom. Yes it’s pricey, but totally worth it. Enriched with a complex of four precious oils, Elixir Ultime combines the best they have to offer.
Pracaxi Oil, originating from the Amazonian regions, is known for improving cellular renewal. A powerful cocktail of emollient and active anti-oxidant ingredients bring shine, nourishment and condition to the hair. Argan Oil, one of the rarest oils in the world and originating from Morocco, is prized for its reparative and regenerative properties helping to restore the vibrancy and strength of the hair. Maize Oil, a Kérastase heritage oil (it was was the star ingredient in Kérastase’s first ever hair mask “Masque l’huile de Maîs” back in the 80s) is rich in vitamins A, E and Omega 6 and offers the hair an advanced emollient and active anti-oxidant ingredients for shine, suppleness and protection. Finally Camellia Oil, drawn from camellia flowers from Central and Eastern Asia, is the most fragrant and luxurious of the oils. A source of Vitamin F and fatty acids Omegas 3 & 6, this oil helps to smooth the hair fibre giving shine and suppleness. It can be used in five ways: as a pre-cleanse product to prepare the hair, (helping to remove impurities while adding deep nourishment) as an intensive leave-in conditioner when hair needs extra nourishment, applied to lengths and ends before blow drying, nourishing the hair with a restructuring action, as a finishing product to perfect your look as well as to control flyaway hair and frizz or simply on demanding hair that needs retouching throughout the day for
added control and nourishment. Both available from Kérastase salons. See www.kerastase.co.uk for your nearest salon.
Love Laurel x
