How to solve pesky winter hair problems according to an expert

11 May 2022
By Fashion Quarterly

From unexpected downpours to blasting air-con, the chilly season sure can cause turmoil where tresses are concerned. Fortunately, award-winning hairdresser Michael Beel is here to ensure every day is a great hair day, whether it's rain, hail, or shine.

Image: Gallery Stock

My hair takes forever to dry! But I obviously can’t leave the house with damp hair come winter. How do I master a very speedy at-home blow wave?

Towel-dry well and then apply a good amount of a heat protectant product, whether crème or oil, as most of these help speed up drying time. Also, I adore my Dyson Supersonic hairdryer as it blow dries hair faster at a lower temperature to maintain hair health. Drying your hair roughly till it’s about 80 per cent dry before using a brush to help smooth it out will also reduce your drying time.

Concentrating on the hair around the face and the top layer is also a great time-saver tip. No one’s seeing your hair at the base of your neck.

With that in mind, when the temperature drops I don’t want to wash my hair every day. How long can I go in between washes? Any tips for keeping things looking fresh between wash days?

It all depends on your hair type and texture. If you have super fine hair or are super active and your scalp produces a lot of oil or sweat, you’re going to need to wash it a little more often than some. But on average, every two to three days is the norm.

You can always rinse it and condition the mid-length and ends between washes or consider investing in a good dry shampoo. But please, when using a dry shampoo at the roots, make sure you brush your hair afterwards as this will remove the dirt and oil.

The summer sun has left my hair feeling brittle, knotty and hard to manage. How do I restore it to its former glory before winter arrives?

First of all, a good haircut or trim will work wonders. It removes all those split ends and, unfortunately, no number of treatments will re-bond those ends together.

Once you have done that, treat yourself to an in-salon deep moisture treatment; your hair will benefit from an intense moisture and protein boost, but a little bit of self-love with a longer head massage, hot towels, and general pampering will be worth every dollar.

Doing a little at-home hair mask once a week will bring back radiance and health to tresses, and you can do a clear shine gloss in the salon to bring back shine and lustre.

No one wants to get caught in a winter downpour! Do you have any tips for quickly sprucing up your tresses if the heavens open on you?

Add some gel and embrace the wet look! But in all seriousness, whip it into a sleek pony once you have dried out a little. Either keep the pony out or plait the ‘tail’ and pin it into a chic little ballet bun.

My scalp always seems to get dry and flakey over the winter months. Please help! 

The constant change in temperatures from the cold, moist outside air to drier air-conditioned spaces means our scalps, which is technically skin, dries out a little – just like our complexions can through winter. Using a specialised scalp shampoo–Kérastase has some amazing ones–within your normal shampoo regime will help minimise scalp irritation and sensitivity

What are your go-to hair products for keeping tresses looking their best over the cooler months?

As mentioned a heat protectant like Kérastase Nectar Thermique is a no brainer. 

My Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer is always by my side, I never leave home without it, it also comes with a flyaway attachment to help keep those pesky things at bay.

L’Oréal Professionnel Tecni Art Liss Control Creme–it’s a smoothing, lightweight anti-frizz creme for those flyaways and it also gives your hair a little shine and moisture.

And last but not least, a deep conditioning at-home treatment. I love Pureology Nanoworks. The smell alone is enough to buy it.

Michael Beel is the Creative Director of Buoy Salon and Spa in Wellington. Hairdressing since the late 90s, Michael has travelled the world teaching other hairdressers and worked backstage at London, New York, Australia and of course, here at New Zealand fashion weeks. Working on fashion shows and shoots is his passion but making people feel good when they sit in his chair is his mission.

For more expert hair advice, follow Michael on Instagram @michaelbeelhair .

Discover why you need a Dyson Airwrap Hair Styler in your arsenal this season.

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Fashion Quarterly Winter 2023 Cover
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