How do you prepare your hair for winter? 

1. Water! This may seem counter-intuitive, as we're generally less inclined to hydrate when it's cold and temperatures are dropping outside. But you'd be wrong! Between hats that suffocate the scalp, and moving from cold, damp areas to environments that are sometimes overheated and too dry (public transport, cars, homes and offices or shops, etc.), the body has to adapt to maintain a constant temperature. The body, which is made up of around 65 % of water, has to replenish its water reserves to ensure all its vital functions remain constant. The body eliminates its water reserves by sweating, breathing and maintaining its daily functioning, which consists of irrigating our cells, facilitating the transport of nutrients and oxygen and managing the flow of inter-cellular information. The critical threshold below which the body is in relative danger is quickly reached if we don't regularly replace our water reserves. So, summer and winter alike, keep your flask well filled with mineral or spring water, possibly flavoured if it helps you to drink more. The right amount? Around 1.5 litres to 2 litres every day. Water is also found in fresh fruit and vegetables. With the right amount of water, the sebum that naturally protects the scalp and hair is produced in sufficient quantities - otherwise, beware of a tight, itchy scalp.

Water, dedicated care = hair full of life even in winter

2. Pamper your hair! Electric, brittle, frizzy hair? Your hair is drier and lacks shine? now's the time to stay warm and give your hair some "special cold weather" care. Take a break from the cold with a nourishing hair mask (with jojoba, shea or sweet almond vegetable oil or castor oil). Leave it on for at least half an hour to reap the maximum benefits and help the active ingredients penetrate deep into the hair fibre. After a thorough rinse with lukewarm water, you're left with nourished, hydrated, supple, healthy hair. The scales are closed and the hair shines. Afro hair, which is very curly, is particularly sensitive to external elements and has specific needs. Incorporating an oil bath into your hair routine is a good idea for nourishing textured hair that is always thirsty and delicate. The right frequency? Once a week for effective repair.

3. Keep covered! a hat, a cap or any other head covering that will protect your skull from external aggression. Not too tight so as not to suffocate the scalp and prevent the proliferation of bacteria or overheating that can cause irritation, dandruff and general discomfort. 

4. Be kind! with natural hair care products that are less aggressive for the skin of the skull, which is so sensitive, and the hair, which is potentially weakened by chemical colourings and repeated cosmetic manipulations (chemical straightening opens the scales of the hair and weakens it permanently). Natural care products without silicone or sulphate (be careful, there is sulphate and there is sulphate), gentle shampoos with a neutral pH and a plant-based cleansing base to respect the hair's balance. To help dull hair regain its radiance, Clauderer recommends Emulsion n°18: rich in ginseng extracts, brewer's yeast and vitamins, it's the ideal hair boost in a super-gentle, ultra-concentrated formula!

5. A healthy scalp = strong hair! It's not a myth. Strong, healthy hair that's neither too dry nor too greasy can only grow on a scalp that's purified, sufficiently moisturised but not hyper-seborrhoeic, free of dandruff, supple and neither itchy nor scratchy. So, in the event of a skin imbalance, cleanse your scalp with a purifying and soothing milk, whose emollient action will help to gradually eliminate any problems: eliminate oily or dry dandruff, soothe sensations of discomfort or even burning or itching during dermatitis or psoriasis attacks, regulate sebum in the case of oily hair, etc.

6. Ouch, ouch, ouch! When it's windy, rainy or under a hood, hair has a tendency to tangle, especially if it's fine or thinning. When untangling, there's a big risk of pulling on the lengths and breaking the fibre by pulling out the knots.  The right tool ? a wide-toothed comb, made of wood or tortoiseshell (but not plastic, which can encourage static electricity), gradually combing upwards from the ends, without pulling. There are special combs for very curly Afro hair. Your fingers are excellent tools for detangling wavy or slightly curly hair. After shampooing, a light cream to rinse out - or not - will make detangling easier.

7. Watch out! If possible, avoid the use of straightening irons, which can damage keratin by burning the hair fibre permanently. A few frizzes are better than irreparably damaged hair; in this case, the only alternative would be to cut your hair to avoid split ends and breakage. The same goes for blow-drying with a hairdryer set to maximum power. The right gesture: hold the appliance 10/15 cm from the hair, on a medium heat setting.

8. Fill up on vitamins! Because beauty also comes from within, add oilseeds (walnuts, almonds, etc.) or vegetable oils such as linseed oil, avocados or oily fish, which are rich in fatty acids (including the famous Omega 3s, essential for cell regeneration). And don't forget the vitamins: