Davines’ Top Picks: Best Hair Products for Winter 

As the temperature drops and winter takes its icy grip, your hair needs a whole new level of care. Just as you switch up your skincare (hello, chapped lips and crepey skin), so should you for your hair care during the winter months. That’s where we come in. Explore the transformative world of Davines with the ultimate winter hair care guide. Bid farewell to breakage, frizz, dryness and otherwise dull, static-ridden locks with the products and techniques that will empower your hair to shine bright, even in the harshest of winter conditions.

So many aspects of winter are damaging for hair, not the least of which is the dry frigid air. Not only does it zap our moods, but it also zaps the moisture from our hair which means dehydration, and that’s just one of winter’s wonderful (insert sarcasm) hair side effects. So instead of putting your hair goals on pause until spring, understand what you’re facing and the ways to to overcome it. 

Moisture, moisture, moisture. Winter weather, as well as indoor heating, can strip hair of its natural moisture, leading to increased vulnerability and damage. Adjusting your routine to address these challenges with hydrating products and protective styling is essential in maintaining the health and beauty of your hair throughout the colder months.

The artificial heat indoors tends to reduce humidity levels, leading to a lack of moisture in the air. As a result, the hair strands can become dehydrated and more prone to breakage. Additionally, the dry indoor environment can cause the cuticle layer of the hair to lift, making the hair appear frizzy and dull. To counteract this, it's essential to include moisturizing products—such as a deeply hydrating shampoo and reparative hair mask—and protective measures during the winter months.

If you find that your hair is suffering from brittle ends and struggling to retain moisture, rest assured it's not just your imagination, and you’re certainly not alone. To get technical for a second, the increased presence of negative ions in the air during the winter contributes to heightened exposure to friction damage, resulting in (you guessed it) hair frizz and static.

Avoid too much heat in the winter when styling your hair as it can exacerbate the lack of moisture your strands are already facing, leaving them brittle and prone to breakage. If heat styling is a must, just take care to use protectants. 

Since winter demands extra TLC for those tresses, knowing the proper ingredients to keep your hair healthy is key. But first—some insider tips. Number one: Lukewarm water. Though nothing sounds more luxurious than a steaming hot shower in the dead of winter, hot water can strip away your hair’s natural oils, leaving it prone to dryness. Lukewarm water when rinsing is the better, gentler approach, especially during the winter.  

Next, know your foe—specifically, in your shampoo. Sulfates are silent troublemakers that can lead to dryness and irritation, especially when the temperature hits sub-freezing. Opt for sulfate-free alternatives to pamper your hair, and don’t over-wash. Your hair’s natural oils are its winter shield, so find the balance between clean hair and moisturized, healthy hair. This will not only keep those strands healthy, but also your scalp. 

To give your routine a jumpstart, look for power-boosting ingredients like natural oils. 

Your hair naturally produces oils that are essential for fabulous, healthy-looking hair, but adding hair oil into your routine can be a beneficial step during the winter months, and all year long. 

• Argan Oil—Rich in vitamins, antioxidants and fatty acids, argan oil provides deep hydration and helps improve the elasticity (not to mention shine and overall health) of the hair. The magical potion within argan oil is the vitamin E, which is key to fixing damage from everyday pollution, free radicals and things like heat styling. 
• Coconut Oil—The real appeal here is that this miracle worker penetrates the hair shaft to moisturize and reduce protein loss, leaving hair smoother and more manageable.
• Jojoba Oil—This mimics the natural oils of the scalp, helping to balance moisture levels and prevent dryness.  
• Sunflower Oil—Rich in moisture-locking properties, sunflower oil nourishes and protects hair during winter's dryness, preventing breakage and adding natural shine. Its lightweight texture makes it ideal for addressing dry scalp concerns without weighing your hair down. 

To shield your hair from winter's harshness, it's crucial to prioritize the health of the cuticle. Look for products enriched with silk proteins and amino acids, known for their cuticle-smoothing properties. These ingredients form a protective barrier, sealing in moisture, and effectively combat static and frizz, ensuring your hair stays hydrated and polished despite the challenging winter conditions.

Go one step further by swapping out your cotton pillowcase with something a little… silkier. Yep, silk and satin are the way to go. The simple switch not only preserves your hair's smoothness and shine but also adds a touch of luxury to your beauty sleep.

Now for the good stuff. These winter hair heroes will help combat the harshness of everything winter weather brings. From silky conditioners to deeply hydrating treatments and heat protectants, these products are on our wishlist—and hopefully soon, yours.  

This one is all about moisture after cleansing. Especially during the winter, choose a formula that provides extra hydration and protection. Davines offers a wide range of conditioners, but this one from the MOMO line is a game-changer. 

The ultimate winter hair care essential is a leave-in conditioner, not only for hydration and shine throughout the day, but also to fight the dreaded f word—frizz. OI All in One Milk is a leave-in treatment that provides hydration, detangling and heat protection—a great option for the winter months.  

Rich in antioxidants and nourishing ingredients for extra winter protection is the Davines NOUNOU Hair Mask. It’s intensive, replenishing and exactly what a winter hair care routine needs. Or for color-treated hair, opt for the MINU Hair Mask, offering similar benefits. 

Defend against the ravages of heat styling during the winter with our arsenal of solutions. The MELU Hair Shield is a great option to protect as well as nourish, and the LOVE Smoothing Perfector for those with coarse or unruly hair also tops our list. 

If you’re putting out a specific winter hair SOS, help is here. 

Frizz fighters: Tame unruly locks with the anti-frizz wonders from OI All in One Milk or This Is A Dry Texturizer. Both will leave your hair feeling smooth, and effortlessly chic. Or explore the plethora of other hair serums and creams to help save your sanity when it comes to winter hair. 

Hydration heroes: For dryness and breakage, turn to hydrating champions like the NOUNOU Hair Mask and Nourishing Oil. Packed with nourishing ingredients like aloe and hydration-boosting acids, they strengthen your hair, combat dryness and reduce breakage.

While these products work wonders, consistency is key. Use them regularly—weekly for optimal results, or daily for the finishing-touch-products—especially through the winter season, and your hair will thank you. 

Now it's time to fortify your hair care routine against the seasonal challenges with a step-by-step guide. 

Begin with a hydrating shampoo like Davines' MOMO Shampoo to combat winter dryness, followed by a hydrating conditioner. You can also swap in another shampoo with MOMO; try the Nourishing Shampoo to further help restore hydration and nourish the hair. 

Boost hydration and address winter damage with a weekly deep conditioning treatment like the NOUNOU Hair Mask. Simply replace your conditioner with this once a week. Apply a small amount to towel-dried hair and leave in for up to 15 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

If there was ever a time to embrace your natural hair, it’s during the winter. But obviously heat styling is sometimes necessary, so when it is, take care to reduce it as much as possible and place an emphasis on protective products. 

Stimulate blood flow and nourish your scalp with gentle massages using natural oils like argan or coconut oil. Your scalp needs extra TLC during the winter, and this sort of healthy hair practice can make all the difference to see you through the season—with a healthy scalp and head of hair. 

With the right products and routine, you and your locks can weather any winter weather Mother Nature throws your way. To get started with a personalized plan, take our hair quiz to figure out which products work best for your hair. Davines’ holiday gift guide and best sellers list are also great options for product bundles—or singles—to give, and to get. Bottom line, don’t let the frigid winter weather define your hair. 

by Morgan Hanson, featured contributor