Party hair: How to keep your locks luscious this Christmas
Because heat styling, central heating and inevitable rain do not a good hair day make
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It’s December – which means your diary is likely full of glamorous events, your wardrobe brimming with sparkly party dresses and you’ve been perfecting the cinnamon girl makeup look you saw on TikTok for weeks. But what about your party hair?
Booking a blow-dry before a big Christmas party is all well and good but, between work events, inevitable impromptu trips to the pub and, of course, the big day itself, some at-home styling is necessary. And, no matter how deft you are with the curling tongs or how regimented your hair-washing routine, the upshot of endless rounds of heat styling, product application and the adverse effects of downpours and central heating can be a mane that, by New Year’s Eve, is dry, damaged and in need of some serious TLC.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right preparation, a few carefully chosen restorative products, and a little insider knowledge, luscious, glossy locks can be guaranteed into the New Year and beyond. We’ve called on two of London’s top stylists, Siobhan Haug, co-founder of Haug London Haus, and celebrity hairdresser Neil Moodie, for their top tips for caring for your hair throughout the party season.
How often should I wash my hair?
If you’re applying lots of product to help keep an elaborate updo in place it can become tempting to wash your hair every day. While this may lead to clean, soft hair in the short run, long term you’ll be stripping the scalp of its natural oils and risking dryness and breakage. Instead, both Haug and Moodie recommend washing hair 2-3 times per week, using lukewarm water to lock in shine combined with a sulphate-free cleansing shampoo.
“Leaving a build-up of product in your hair for too long can start to make your scalp feel dry and flaky,” explains Haug. “Post-party, it’s best to cleanse your hair with a clarifying shampoo to remove excess build-up. Clarifying shampoos are different from regular shampoos as they are designed to remove silicones, perfumes and product build-up from the hair. It is important to follow this with a hydrating conditioner to leave the hair feeling soft and nourished.”
Haug also offers a clever styling trick for those between-wash days: “Switch up your parting! Oil builds up where you touch your hair the most, by switching your parting and spraying a little bodyfying dry shampoo underneath it, you will create lift and a matte finish giving you an extra day or two.”
Limit heat styling
The best way to avoid dryness and damage from heat styling is, of course, to not use any heat at all. The technology inside both straighteners and curling tongs is the same, meaning each causes similar levels of damage and both should be used sparingly – so it may be wise to start experimenting with chic ponytails or buns day-to-day instead of reaching for the tongs every morning. The good news is, if it’s curls you’re after, from foam rollers to silk hair curlers, there are plenty of heat-free methods for creating big bouncy waves – speak to your hairstylist about the ones best suited to your hair type.
If you are going to use heat, however, it’s important to make sure your hair is protected. Haug offers up this simple step-by-step guide for minimising damage:
- Spritz each section with a thermal protection spray.
- Next, make sure your hair is fully dry before using any heated styling equipment.
- Check the temperature on your electricals, finer hair types shouldn’t have a very high heat setting.
- Finally, adjust the size of your sections according to the density of your hair, thicker hair needs small sections to allow the heat to penetrate through. Finer hair needs thicker sections to avoid damaging it.
Invest in a good hair mask
Unless you’re a serious party animal, Sunday nights and that Twixmas period when no one is quite sure what day of the week it is are perfect for treating locks to a nourishing hair mask. “Masks are often overlooked but applying them once a week helps to give your hair back what it needs,” explains Moodie. “Make sure the mask is combed all the way through and wrap your hair in a hot towel or even cling film and leave on for a good 20 minutes. This will keep the heat in, and open the cuticle of your hair more, so the ingredients of the mask can penetrate the hair shaft better. You'll notice a huge difference in the condition of your hair afterward.”
Moodie also recommends applying treatments containing coconut oil, olive oil or argan oil overnight, sleeping on a silk pillowcase (also excellent for reducing signs of aging in the skin) and switching to a wide-tooth comb during the winter to keep hair in tip-top condition.
How do I keep my hair colour looking fresh?
“The great news about the cold months is that hair doesn’t get that constant blast of the sun that makes colour fade in the summer. So you should naturally get more longevity from your colour,” says Haug. “However, winter elements like central heating can still have an effect on your hair, taking the humidity out of the air and creating much drier environments, which causes dry hair and colour fade.”
The solution, she explains, is to use a high-hydration shampoo and conditioner every time you wash your hair and follow up with a light reflective serum to ensure healthy, shiny hair. Haug recommends Fibre Clinix’s Hydrate Treatment (use as you would shampoo but leave on for 10 minutes before washing out) and applying a couple of pumps of Osis Glow before blow drying.
Don't forget your diet
The party season is a notoriously indulgent time and while you may be used to noticing the effects of alcohol, sugar and salt on your skin and energy levels, have you ever considered what it’s doing to your hair? Just like everything else in our bodies, hair is made up of cells which require certain nutrients and vitamins in order to grow and maintain health. Moodie recommends a diet rich in omega fatty acids, iron, protein and vitamins A, C and B12, which can be found in dark leafy greens, pulses and legumes. You may also want to consider investing in a hair supplement to give your locks an extra boost during the party season.
