Winter haircare and styling advice for clients

Hair gets a tough time in winter and hairdressers that come to the rescue with a selection of rehab-specific services and red-hot insider advice will clean up with those clients for whom looking wan and windswept is both a career faux pas and a crime against fashion.  

The biggest adversary of winter hair is static electricity so anti-static homecare is essential. Show clients how spraying a brush with hairspray  can be helpful and talk to them about anti-static tools and ionic driers and styling irons - better still have them in stock. 

Use conditioners that coat the cuticle, effectively weighing the hair down and focus on treatments that encourage moisture retention. 

Styling wise, work with cream textured products when blow-drying, which weigh hair down, and always use a nozzle because it removes moisture more quickly, protecting the hair. Using heat without protection adds static so applying a heat protector or hairspray beforehand is a must. 

"Winter is a great time to introduce clients to colour," says Nathan Walker, international technical director at Trevor Sorbie.

"Those who haven't previously thought of colour are often won over when they're looking pale and it has the added benefit of leaving hair smoother, shinier and healthier," he adds. 

 

"Bear in mind that colour looks different in winter. Roots appear darker in winter because they don't get lightened by the sun. Counteract this with a lighter shade to give more brightness. Consumers are tuned into shampoos and conditioners that help to illuminate colour for reds and brunettes. For some clients it may be enough to recommend these, but for others, adjust your formulations to change the tone."

Capitalise on the popularity of primetime TV shows such as Mad Men and The Hour and promote your hair-up services for everyday wear rather than for special occasions only. 

"Updos are a great, low-maintenance solution for unruly hair. Clients are comfortable taking inspiration from celebrities and there are lots of pleats, buns and top-knots in the public eye at the moment. A simple ponytail and some grips is a good starting point if a client's not skilled," says Jamie Stevens of Errol Douglas, London. 

He adds: "Another way to manage out-of-control hair is to accessorise with bands and clips, which are inexpensive, but can look professional."

 

Dealing with dull hair is straightforward, providing a client's not feeling under the weather. 

"Clarifying treatments at the backwash are essential to bring hair back to life and shine sprays or serums are great too I mix a little serum with a leave-in conditioner for a fabulous shine," explains London salon owner Karine Jackson. 

"Glossing treatments can also be a goldmine at this time of year, adding a wash of temporary colour that matches clients' existing shade and adds shine for around six washes, with the colour itself lasting a bit longer," 

"As with skin, the hair will also need extra moisturising during the cold weather," advises Isha Samms, senior stylist for Burlingtons. 

"I advise clients to add an intensive moisturiser to their regime and alternate it with their regular conditioner for a surge of special care. For those who are reluctant to wait 10 minutes for this to work, a lightweight leave-in moisturiser will provide some benefit,"

"Long hair is most prone to loss of condition in winter and running your fingers along the hair shaft from the root to tip will reveal pockets of dryness. These are the areas to concentrate on when it comes to applying conditioner and treatments."