Winter Hair Care in Central Otago

Central Otago winters are beautiful, but the cold, dry air, the heat pump running all evening and a beanie on every day leave hair dehydrated, static and dull by July. We see it in the chair every year: ends that feel like straw, scalps that are tight and flaky, and colour that's gone flat. Here's what we'd do to keep it healthy until spring.

Why does hair get so dry in a Central Otago winter?

Cold air holds very little moisture, and the air here is dry to begin with. Then you come inside to a heat pump or a log burner, which dries the air out again. Hair loses moisture to the air around it, so it gets hit twice a day.

Add long, hot showers, wool against the hair all day, and a blow-dryer on full heat because you're cold, and the outer layer of the hair roughens up. That's when you get frizz, static and that dull look even on healthy colour.

How should you change your routine for winter?

You don't need to buy a whole new shelf. A few swaps make most of the difference.

For dry hair, the Kérastase Nutritive range is where we'd start. Bain Satin ($54.60) is the shampoo, and Masquintense ($83.16) is the weekly mask. If your hair is very dry and coarse, Bain Satin Riche ($54.60) is the richer version.

Prefer Pureology? Pureology Hydrate Shampoo ($58.08) is the one we'd suggest for dry, colour-treated hair.

How do you stop winter static and fly-aways?

Static is mostly a dryness problem. Dry hair holds a charge, and wool and synthetic layers rubbing over it make it worse.

• A couple of drops of oil through the mid-lengths and ends before you go out. Kérastase Elixir Ultime L'Huile Originale ($105.00) goes a long way, so one bottle lasts.
• Put your beanie on over dry hair, never damp.
• Use a good bristle brush rather than a cheap plastic comb.
• Swap tight elastics for soft scrunchies, especially under a helmet.

What about heaters and hot showers?

We know nobody wants a cool shower in Queenstown in July. You don't have to. Just turn it down a little for the last minute, and keep the hottest water off your lengths. Very hot water lifts the outer layer of the hair and strips the oils your scalp makes.

Indoors, don't sit with your hair right in front of the heater or fire to dry it. If you blow-dry, use a heat protectant and a medium setting. Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique ($65.52) is a heat protector made for dry hair.

Does snow and sun glare affect your hair?

Yes, more than people expect. Sun reflects off the snow, and UV is stronger up on the mountain, so a day of skiing or boarding gets a lot of light on any hair sticking out of your helmet. Colour fades and blonde can turn brassy over a season.

Keep your lengths tucked in where you can, wear a hat on the walk between lifts, and book a toner refresh mid-season if your blonde starts looking warm. Our guide to blonde that survives Queenstown has more on this.

Look after your scalp

Heating and hot showers can leave the scalp tight and flaky. A gentle shampoo, lukewarm water and less scrubbing usually settles it. If your scalp feels uncomfortable, ask us about the scalp range at your next visit. If the itch or flaking doesn't settle within a few weeks, or the skin looks red or sore, see your GP or a dermatologist.

Is a salon treatment worth it in winter?

For a lot of our clients, yes. A treatment at the basin gets more product in, with heat and time, than a mask in the shower. Kérastase Fusio is $45 and Kérastase Première is $75, and either can be added to a cut or colour. See our treatments page.

Winter is also a good time for a richer, glossier colour or a toner refresh to fight the flatness. Book online or call us on 03 441 8555. We're upstairs at Level 1, 22 The Mall in central Queenstown.