Your clients are about to embark on exciting winter break and adventures! Whether they’re chasing sunshine, exploring bustling cities, or escaping to the tranquility of the countryside, their hair deserves to look as amazing as they feel.
Before they jet off, recommend a luxurious deep conditioning treatment to combat the drying effects of sun, salt, and chlorine. For city adventures, advise on styling products that will conquer humidity or brave the cold, and offer quick and easy styling tips for those always on the move. And for those seeking a countryside escape, suggest products with hold and moisture to withstand the elements.
Before they embark on their adventure, recommend a deeply nourishing treatment and a trim to ensure their hair is ready for anything. Encourage them to pack their haircare essentials – think leave-in conditioner, UV protection spray, and a travel-sized dry shampoo for those on-the-go touch-ups. Upon their return, welcome them back with a revitalising treatment to replenish moisture and revive their strands. If their hair experienced a bit of a holiday fling with the sun or chlorine, consider a professional bond repair treatment to bring it back to life. Remember, by providing expert advice and top-notch services, you can help your clients maintain healthy and beautiful hair all winter long!
Here is some extra, more in-depth advice from some of our expert contributors:
Heading for the slopes
“Extreme cold and wind are drastically dehydrating for your clients’ hair. Braving the cold on a ski break can also lead to static resulting in lots of frizz and fly-aways — fine when they’re speeding down the slopes, but not so great when they want to look fabulous for evening cocktails. A range of moisturising products, including shampoo, conditioner and a treatment would be the ideal partners to pack for a skiing break. An intense moisturising hair mask would also be a good shout if they have room in their suitcase. Also, advise clients heading to the slopes to invest in an in-salon treatment before leaving – hydration masks and deep conditioning treatments are ideal.
“Extreme cold, coupled with damp hair can also lead to breakage – an oil or a leave-in conditioner can offer extra protection against this. Over-use of heated products is also a ski holiday no-no as it can make dehydration worse.” Michelle Summers Davies at MD Hair, Pembrokeshire –
European city break
“Clients opting for a city break in a country with a cold climate are likely to spend a lot of time indoors – mooching around shops, enjoying galleries and museums and eating leisurely meals. Centrally heated, warm, dry air can cause hair to become dry and brittle; it can also make conditions like dandruff worse and lead to itchiness because it strips the scalp of its natural sebum. Once again, your clients’ hair heroes will be moisturising products, including shampoos and conditioners. Applying a leave-in conditioner before heading out for the day is also recommended. These measures will also help counteract the effects of cold weather for any time spent outside admiring the architecture and basking in the atmosphere of a foreign city.
“Advise clients to avoid shampoos that are packed with sulphates, as these will strip the hair of its natural oil, contributing to dehydration. To avoid an itchy scalp, recommend a moisturising scalp treatment or serum that can be applied daily.” David Corbett, David Corbett Hairdressing, Bothwell, Glasgow
Relaxing at a spa
“What could be more relaxing than a few days at a spa resort, taking leisurely laps of the pool, lounging in the steam room and easing into a range of massages and beauty treatments?
“It’s definitely a great choice for mental and physical well-being, but when it comes to hair, chlorine in pools can strip locks of natural oils, plus make them more porous, leading to colour loss or change. It can also weaken hair, leading to split ends. One trick is to wet hair under a shower before diving into a pool. This means hair is already at saturation point and less likely to absorb too much chlorine-treated water. Also, recommend clients add some leave-in conditioner to act as an extra layer of protection. It’s always a good idea to rinse hair in clean water and a mild shampoo straight after swimming and treat it to another dose of leave-in conditioner or a moisturising serum.
“While saunas and steam rooms can offer the ultimate in relaxation, the extreme heat can dry out hair, leading to split ends and even breakage. Recommend applying a moisturising hair mask before the sauna, leaving it in for a good 15 minutes before rinsing. It’s also a good idea to apply some leave-in conditioner and tie hair up to avoid it getting tangled while in the steam room. Another great way to protect hair from the effects of hot steam is to wrap it in a towel.” Carol Ritchie, Carol Ritchie Hair, Portsmouth.
Enjoying the UK countryside
“The UK offers some beautiful locations for a winter get-away. What is more idyllic than cosying up in a rented cottage in front of an open fire and taking long walks in stunning countryside, even if the weather is chilly and the wind bracing?
“While your clients are enjoying the beauty of the British countryside, they should avoid hot showers as these can strip moisture. Recommend applying a deep conditioning treatment at least once before they head off and once while they’re away. And while they may be eager to embrace nature every morning, whatever the weather, advise them not to go outside with damp hair. Damp hair follicles may expand in cold weather, leading to breakage and split ends.
“If clients opt for a woolly hat, they should apply a small amount of oil through the ends to avoid static when they remove the hat. A silk scarf is a great alternative to wool as it’s gentler on the hair and won’t cause static.” Harry Andreou
Chasing the sun
“Some people just want to avoid the British winter and chase the sun. Those countries that offer the opportunity for a winter beach holiday include destinations such as Tenerife, Mexico, Dubai or Bali. Sun seekers can expect temperatures of 25 degrees and above, hotter for destinations as far afield as Australia, where temperatures are likely to soar to around 40 degrees Centigrade.
“While basking in the sun may seem the dream way of escaping the cold British winter, a beach holiday can take its toll on hair in a variety of ways. Without taking the proper precautions sun chasers will return from their winter vacation with hair that is dry, frazzled and distinctly lacking in lustre.Your clients’ best beach buddies are moisturising masks and leave-in conditioners. Ideally, they should start and end each day with either one.
“Another great piece of advice is to avoid shampoos loaded with sulphates, as they’ll just add to the drying-out effects of the sun. Before they head to the beach each day, advise using a clarifying shampoo such as Build-up Be Gone by The Hair Movement to rid hair of any debris from the day before, and using styling products with UV protection.” Kimberley Moore, The Hair Movement, Sidcup