Winter Frizz: Just Another Reason We’re Cursing the Cold

Wed, 11 July 2012 4:01PM

It can be tricky to keep your hair looking lustrous in the colder months, à la Taylor:

In fact, strands with any kind of natural kink enjoy coming out to play when the temperature drops. Which is annoying and somewhat surprising, as frizz is a term as synonymous with summer as sunscreen, sweat and Sunday sessions.

The sad fact is that just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a silky style. Why? Well, quite. I was wondering the very same thing, so I picked up the phone to Unilever’s resident hair guru, (otherwise known as research and development manager of personal care) Daniel Mullette, to get the inside story.

“Frizz is caused by rapid changes in humidity – going from high to low humidity or vice versa,” Daniel patiently explains. “In winter, when you step out into the cold, dry air, your hair loses moisture quickly, which causes it to change shape.” So, basically, you’ve gone from your toasty, steamy bathroom, where you’ve maybe blow-dried your hair so it’s all warm and perhaps still a teensy bit damp, to waiting for the train on a freezing cold platform complete with blustery wind. Cold, dry, frizz-causing.

But how do you stop your strands from changing shape in this unruly way? Daniel? “It’s hard to completely eliminate, but can be better controlled with anti-frizz or dry hair products that lock moisture into hair, and make it harder to evaporate,” he advises, adding that it’s all about maintaining that moisture balance as best you can. Big changes equal big hair (and not in a good way). “Use a serum throughout the day – if you use it in the morning after washing, you’ll trap in moisture and the film it leaves will stop it evaporating,” says Daniel. If frizz is a big issue for you, he also recommends taking a small bottle of serum out with you and reapplying regularly for a soothing moisture boost.

Three fluffiness fighters you might want to get your hands on ASAP are:

1. Dove Nutritive Nourishing Oil Care Treatment, $9.99, from pharmacies and supermarkets

This is Daniel’s pick for instant smoothness. The purse-sized pack makes it totally portable, while the coconut and sweet almond oil pair up for a take no prisoners approach to frizz fighting.

2. John Frieda Frizz Ease Secret Weapon Flawless Finishing Crème $16.99, from pharmacies

It’ll work to replace natural oils and restore softness while fixing flyaways. Great for a smoothness hit on dry hair.

3. David Babaii Hair Polish, $26.50, from Adore Beauty

Nourishes frizz-prone strands with 10 natural extracts from cucumber to orchid that assist in damage control.

And heed this parting shot from Daniel, too: “Similar to dry skin, you need to be kind to your hair in winter. Consider changing your shampoo to a moisturising formula – especially one with added oils – to promote smoothness.” Right you are, Daniel.  Try Tresemme Moisture Rich Shampoo, from $3.49, from pharmacies, which is packed with sunflower, hazelnut and almond extracts for a moisture boost as you wash.

 

Now tell me, Primpers: are you suffering unseasonal frizz right now?

And what are your solutions for staying smooth?

 

Until next week,

Emily xx

Posted by: Emily Taylor

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Tags: david babaii, dove, frizz, frizzy hair, john frieda, taylor swift, tresemme, winter, winter hair