‘Tis the season to be snuggled in a cosy blanket, watching festive films and a hot chocolate in hand. Although this all sounds like an absolute dream, with the winter season comes cold, dry weather that can be just the opposite for those hair extensions you’ve invested a good amount of your Black Friday budget on.

However, our winter hair care guide will help keep your locks looking luscious all year round so that your hair looks great all seasons of the year.

How to take care of human hair extensions during winter

In the winter, hair damage is prevalent, so you need to take extra care of your hair extensions and natural hair. Natural hair oil is removed from cold, dry weather, leaving your hair and hair extensions brittle and flat. By the time summer comes around, your hair will be more than a little worse for wear.

Change up your shampoo and conditioner: You want a shampoo and conditioner that adds extra nourishment to your hair extensions. It’s also important to shampoo less and condition more so that the hair retains its moisture. Consider using conditioners that contain argan oil and leave it in at mid-length. Argan oil contains oleic and linoleic acids that help to moisturise the hair and scalp. Vitamin E helps prevent dryness and frizz while boosting natural shine. 

Avoid going out with wet hair extensions: We all envy those friends who jump out of the shower and head straight out the door. Going out with damp hair extensions is damaging. As cuticles expand, hair is left vulnerable. Air-drying is the best option, and blow-drying is better than going out with wet hair.

Keep your hair extensions trimmed: If you have long hair, it’s a good idea to keep them trimmed during the cold months. Keeping your hair trimmed will help maintain healthy locks. Trim your hair every 6-8 weeks to remove those pesky split ends, even if you’re looking to grow it out. If you’re looking to sport a longer hairstyle after a trim, opt for Cliphair hair extensions that add both length and volume in the meantime.

Tame the frizz: All the hats, scarfs and Christmas jumpers will leave hair and extensions frizzy and fly away. Frizz doesn’t damage your hair extensions, but it can be a downright pain. Good oil or spray to your mid lengths and ends will smooth hair and tame those wild strands. 

How to protect hair in winter season

The cold winter months means your hair extensions require a lot more protection. Here are some of our favourite hair protection tips.

Use heat protection: Using heat protection is absolutely vital when drying and styling hair extensions. Too much heat to the hair over a long period, without protection, will leave it brittle, flat and cause damage to hair follicles.

Embrace the hats: When outdoors, try covering your hair with a hat. Dry winter air will rob your luscious locks of moisture and nutrients. This can cause natural hair and hair extensions to break. Avoid the frizz once the hat is off by using oil hair sprays. Hats can be lined with silk or satin materials to prevent damage from woollen fabrics.

Avoid heat styling tools: We know heat isn’t the best thing for our hair. Heat styling only amplifies the problem. Blow drying hair and hair extensions can be bad for hair and hair extensions as it gets rid of the moisture and nourishment that protects hair from breaking. Embrace the au-naturel air dry where possible or a few more updos. If you must heat style your hair, always use heat protection. This leaves hair looking healthy for longer.

How to take care of your hair in winter

Hair extensions or not, taking care of your hair in winter helps reduce breakage and keeps your hair looking and feeling nourished. 

Care for your hair extensions with specialist treatments: We highly recommend using specific hair extension treatments to keep your hair fresh, such as our Moisturising Silky Hairspray for extensions. It will leave your hair smooth, silky and tangle-free thanks to the natural hair oils and heat protection. 

Choosing the right type for you and correctly caring for them is critical to ensure no damage is caused to your own hair and you will find everything in our "Which hair extensions are the least damaging" blog. 

Use a weekly hair mask: Having a weekly hair mask routine will breathe life back into your hair. It's paramount you choose the best hair mask for you. Ensure it contains the nutrients your hair and hair extensions need (such as oils for dry and brittle hair).

Try a silk pillow: Silk and satin materials help reduce frizz and static hair when sleeping. The silky fabric makes it easier for your hair to move around without causing tangles or frizz. If hair extensions tangle and frizz, this will cause them to break and become damaged over time.

Use a humidifier: This might come as a surprise but using a humidifier during the winter months is a great way to fight back against dry hair. With temperatures dropping, individuals will look to rack up their indoor heating. However, similarly to heat styling tools, exposure to higher temperatures from indoor heating will cause the hair to become dry. A humidifier will help rehydrate the air to hold the moisture in your hair and hair extensions. 

Should you wash your hair with hot or cold water?

It’s cold outside, so the temptation is strong to crank up the heat. However, hot water showers can cause damage to your hair. Like heating tools, the hot water removes moisture from hair extensions, meaning that they become dry and vulnerable to damage. The heat opens and exposes hair follicles that can cause hair to split and break. Avoid hot water and shower using a mild warm temperature followed by a cold rinse.

Read our "how to wash all types of human hair extensions" article, as we have explained how to wash your hair extensions correctly. Whetever they are clip in hair extensions or permanent we have explained the best products, methods and tools to clean and dry your hair and all the things to avoid too. 

How to keep hair healthy in winter

Hair maintenance in winter is crucial for keeping your hair healthy and full of life.

If you find you’re waking up with hair in every direction, you’ll need to make sure you brush your hair extensions correctly. The Cliphair Satin Touch Detangling Hairbrush is perfect for achieving tangle-free extensions without hassle. Helping to remove dead hair and keep your hair sleek, healthy and frizz-free.

How to brush hair extensions with the Cliphair Satin Touch Detangling Hairbrush:

• Gently brush through tangled hair – from the bottom to the top.
• Be careful but don’t be afraid to add pressure. This works on the knots without adding pressure to the scalp.

Another top tip that will help your natural hair this winter is to stay hydrated. We know a hot cup of tea or hot chocolate is preferable on cold winter days, but don’t forget to drink plenty of water too. It supports hair follicles and growth while preventing dry hair and split ends. Drinking water also nurtures scalp health. 

Taking care of your hair extensions will help them last longer and keep them healthy. By following our top tips and using the right treatments, your hair AND hair extensions will always look sleek and nourished. 

You might be interested in....

How to Get Rid of Static Hair... Fast!

How To Apply Clip In Hair Extensions

Battle of the Hair Extensions: Synthetic vs Human Hair