How can I keep my hair straight on a rainy day?

Hair S.O.S How can you keep your hair shining and healthy all winter? Good Medicine’s Shonagh walker talks to the experts.

When the temperature drops, hair takes on an unruly life of its own — from static fly-aways to frizz, to straw-like tresses. To help you through winter’s bad hair days, we asked three leading hairdressers for their top tips.

I want to wash my hair less often, but it gets too oily too quickly. “It is indeed healthier to wash your hair less frequently in the cooler months,” says Sydney hairdresser Anthony Nader. “Natural oils protect the scalp from drying out and too-frequent washing can strip the scalp of these protective oils. Be patient, you will find your hair will become less oily as it acclimatises to washing every other day. To keep hair fresh between shampoos, try a dry shampoo.”

TRY

* Klorane Gentle Shampoo With Oat Milk, $12.95
* Bumble and Bumble Hair Powder, $68.

My split ends are worse in winter! Why? “The lack of humidity in the cold air and its stark contrast to the harshness of indoor heating can make your hair brittle,” explains Nader. “Have your hair trimmed every six to eight weeks. Use products that will replenish and protect your hair,” says Nader. “A once- or twice-a-week treatment is a must too, while a leave-in moisturiser will protect hair against environmental aggressors.”

TRY

* Raw Essentials By Anthony Nader Care Shampoo and Protect Conditioner, $12.95 each
* Raw Essentials by Anthony Nader Repair Treatment, $12.95
* Matrix Biolage Fortethérapie Leave-In Treatment, $23.40

My hair is breaking through the mid-lengths. How can I stop it? “Don’t go outside with wet hair,” warns Nader. “Wet hair is vulnerable and, in a cold climate, it becomes brittle, which quickly leads to breakage. Likewise, never go to bed with wet hair — the friction on your pillow may cause breakage to the mid-lengths. If you are blow-drying, keep the heat low and use a heat protector.”

TRY

* Schwarzkopf Professional Osis Flatliner Iron Serum, $24.95
* Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Leave-in Protectant, $23.95.

My normally glossy hair is lacking in shine What can I do? Slower circulation may reduce oil flow, and hair can quickly become lacklustre. Use a shine-enhancing shampoo and conditioner. “You may wish to consider a gloss refresher, which will add natural-looking shine to the hair,” says Sydney hairdresser Alan Buki.

TRY

* Garnier Fructis Nutri-Oil Repair Fortifying Shampoo and Conditioner, $5.69 each
* Atlantis Hair Watercolour, $25.95
* Matrix Biolage Colorcare Shine Mist, $23.40. 

My hair feels like straw. How can I nurture it back to health?

“In winter, oil production slows down, making skin naturally drier,” explains Buki. “Less oil is distributed through the oil glands in the scalp too, which results in drier hair. Use a salon-quality shampoo and conditioner and do twice-weekly protein and moisture treatments.”

TRY

* Matrix Biolage SmoothThérapie Smoothing Shampoo and Conditioner, $23.40
* Joico K-Pak Reconstruct Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor, $23.95
* Wella Biotouch Extra Rich Self-Warming Mask, $19.50.

My colour has faded. How can I fix it? “Colour-fading happens whenever we are exposed to the elements,” says Buki. “This includes wind, cooler temperatures and even rain. “Regular conditioning treatments will help to keep your colour vibrant, but also try using a colour-saving shampoo to guard against colour fade,” he advises. “A coloured gloss may also help infuse hair with more colour.”

TRY

* Dove Advanced Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner, $7.85 each.
* Li'Tiya Quandong & Ylang Ylang Hair Treatment, $29.
* John Frieda LuminousColor Glaze, $19.99.

My hair is oily, with dry ends. Is there a solution? “The more you shampoo, the more you will stimulate the oil glands,” says Buki. “This also can contribute to dry ends. Wash your hair less frequently and over time, oil flow will regulate. For dry ends, use a natural bristle brush and brush hair from roots to ends to allow the oil from the scalp to coat the ends. Apply regular hydrating treatments to the mid-lengths and ends.”

TRY

* Fudge Dynamite Deep Conditioning Repair Treatment, $17.95.
* Garnier Fructis Intense Leave-In Smoothing Cream Nutri-Oil Repair, $10.29.

When styling, I get static and fly-away strands. Can I prevent this? “When blow-drying, point the nozzle in a downward direction from the roots to help flatten the cuticle,” explains UK hairdresser Mark Hill. “Styling with an anti-static styling brush can also help reduce fly-aways. When the hair is dry, apply a finishing product to assist in smoothing the cuticle down.”

TRY

* Mark Hill De-Frizz Texturizing Polish, $21.95.
* Brushworx Ceramic Your Hairdressers Secret Brush 60mm, $16.95. 

My straight, fine hair sits flat. What can I do? Use volumising products and try these styling techniques. “Use a large, round brush when blow-drying to create volume and ‘reverse-dry’ away from where the hair naturally falls for additional body,” says Hill. “When the hair is 80 percent dry, take three to four sections of hair around the crown area, spray with volumising spray, and wrap around jumbo Velcro rollers. Leave for 10 to 15 minutes and then blast with cool air from the dryer. Then use a finishing spray.”

TRY

* Ego Soap Free Hairscience Purifying Shampoo and Volumising Conditioner, $9.95 each.
* Spornette #G-36 Brush With Pure Boar Bristles, $14.95.
* Hair FX Self Gripping Rollers, $6.20 pack of six. Mark Hill Root Volumising Mist, $18.95, and Finishing Spray, $19.95.

Despite the cooler weather, I am plagued with frizz in my naturally wavy hair. How can I achieve smooth, shiny hair? “Naturally wavy hair tends to be dry and porous, so keeping hair hydrated and conditioned is essential,” advises Mark Hill. “You also need to protect hair from the elements that cause frizz, such as humidity.”

“Use a dedicated de-frizz regime that will not only calm unruly hair but will feed the hair with the necessary moisture needed to keep it soft and shiny. This includes your styling products — find one that eliminates frizz.”

TRY

* Mark Hill De-Frizz Cleansing Shampoo and Moisturizing Conditioner, $18.95 each
* Wella SP System Professional Sleek Essence, $27
* Fudge Unleaded De Frizz Natural, $19.95.

I know excactly what you mean my hair does the same! One thing I can recomend is to use a heat protection spray that also hold your hair like (tresemme heat and style) and spray with hairspray after styling. I no it is obvious but using a umbrella can also help a bit. Ihope this helps you !!! xx

I have same prole my hair is naturally curly and I av tried everythingg(ghd’s,serums,heat protection spray,super sleek straitening balm and umbrella’s)but none of it works

Umbrella