Our hair has a huge impact on how we feel. No matter what clothes we wear, how our makeup looks, or shoes or handbags we accessorise with, if we are not happy with our hair, our mood can deflate. This applies to any time of year, but perhaps concerns over our locks peak around the holiday season when we are inundated with work events, holiday drinks and family gatherings. While I cannot alleviate holiday stress, I can certainly offer advice on how to make your tresses look their very best. Here are some lesser known tips on how to maintain healthy, beautiful locks throughout the season:
Eat And Be Merry
Many women I speak to stress about their diet during the holiday season. It can be, without doubt, a season of indulgence. However, while you might be wary of consuming extra calories, your follicles may in fact be rejoicing over the buffet of extra available nutrients; a lot of seasonal ‘delicacies’ are very beneficial to the formation of hair cells. For instance, beef stews and liver pates are excellent sources of iron, a mineral that helps to produce hair cell protein. Turkey, smoked fish, poultry and pecans are great sources of protein – the substance that your hair is made of. Almonds and pork provide the body with biotin, another hair essential nutrient. And those delectable devilled eggs served at many a soiree contain all of the above. So take advantage of these seasonal foods!
However, if you suffer from dandruff the holidays can have their drawbacks. Full fat dairy products, white wine and champagne can worsen flaking and itching in predisposed individuals. Instead, opt for skimmed or soy milk and enjoy your meal with a glass of red wine. If you simply can’t resist imbibing, keep a targeted shampoo and scalp toner handy. Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Shampoo and Flaky/Itchy Scalp Toner work like magic.
Mane Management
Donning new hairstyles is part of the fun of party season. However, if your locks are dry and damaged, it can really limit your options. To improve the manageability and condition of your hair, apply a pre-shampoo conditioner once to twice a week. I sleep with our Elasticizer in my hair the night before a big event to ensure a shiny, bouncy blow-dry. It works after just one use, with benefits improving over time.
Immune Booster
Hair is incredibly sensitive to general health. Psychologically it holds vast importance, but physiologically it is dispensable. Basically, whenever we are unwell, our hair is often the first part of us to suffer the consequences. While I cannot offer a fool-proof method to ward off flus and fevers, you can help keep your immune system robust by eating well, getting enough sleep and keeping stress levels to a minimum. Not an easy feat I know – and I, myself, am often guilty of falling short! What I have found helpful is taking our daily multi-vitamin, Tricho Complex; a supplement we formulated with the unique need of the hair in mind. In terms of stress, gentle swimming and Pilates can be very helpful. And as for a restful night – try opting for a book before bed rather than checking your emails. The light from a computer is known to disrupt sleep patterns.
Fighting Frizz
Every time we step from cozy heated buildings into the chilly and blustery outdoors, changes in atmospheric moisture content cause our hairs to change shape. AKA to FRIZZ. And at no time is this more common (and annoying!) than during the peak of winter. To diminish the likelihood of frizzies and flyaways, use products that prevent moisture in the air from penetrating the hair shaft. I love our Preen Cream– a lightweight leave in conditioning cream that keeps locks manageable and shiny without added weight.