Winter Hair Tips From NYC’s Top Stylists

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By now, you've probably noticed: it's a little cold out there. And the dropping temps and imminent arrival of snowfall signals your inner snow bunny to take all the appropriate blustery weather steps—bundling up and slathering on the moisturizer before stepping out. But not so fast, argues your tresses. You can only hide that dry, lackluster hair under a hat for so long—and,uh, definitely not during party season. To combat the wintery effects that leave your hair as raw and thirsty as your wind-whipped cheeks, you need some expert advice. Luckily, we tracked down three tip-top New York City stylists to give their best cold weather hair tricks that'll have your strands shiny and bouncy instead of static-y and dull in a snap.

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1. Tip #1—Shake up your shampoo/conditioner routine (and moisturize on the go)!:
Clyde Elezi, stylist and owner of the Drawing Room, recommends you change up your hair routine during the winter months: "Our hair gets accustomed to daily routines, and using a great moisturizing shampoo and conditioner helps, but it doesn't hurt to change things up. Plus, this time of year is notorious for static-prone hair, so when you apply hand lotion, run a little extra through your hair to add moisture, and carry a flexible, travel-sized aerosol hairspray with you for touch-ups throughout the day."

Above, from left: Dove Therapy Intense Damage Repair Conditioner, $4.69, available at Target; Leonor Greyl Shampooing Creme Moelle de Bambou, $39, available at Leonor Greyl; Aveda Brilliant Shampoo, $21, available at Aveda.

The Drawing Room, 148 Spring Street, Second Floor (between West Broadway and Wooster Street), 212-226-2600

2. Tip #2—Say NO to breakage and bad blow-outs!
Rodney Cutler and his Cutler product line sponsored 44 shows at New York Fashion Week this fall, so he clearly knows hair. Plus, he just opened his fourth salon at the new Gansevoort Park. Here, his take on winter hair-care: "Winter has just as many damaging effects as summer because of the artificial heating we experience indoors, dryness in the air, and the probability of more blow-outs. When tying your hair back, don't use hard elastics as they create breakage. And, a great tip is to shampoo every second day, which allows your hair's natural oils to sit on the cuticle of the hair. Be sure to use styling products with reparative benefits too—Redken's Nature Rescue Radiant Sea Spray (out in January) or Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray are great options."

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Above, left: Cutler Protectant Treatment Spray, $21, available at Cutler; Biolage Thermal Active Repair Gloss, $12.59, available at Sleekhair.

Cutler Salon at Gansevoort Park, 420 Park Avenue South, Third Floor, (between 28th and 29th streets), Third Floor, 646-380-5336.

3. Tip #3—Try a really good gloss that's not just for your lips!
Whether you're switching up your color or just maintaining, the dilemma of fading shades isn't only reserved for summer. Bumble and bumble Senior Colorist Tzipi Sheinwald shares her hair color secrets: "Cold winds can cause your ends to become brittle and fade prematurely. To protect against this, work in a leave-in conditioner or a bit of a silicone styling product, like Bumble and bumble Defrizz, from midshaft to ends. Moisturizing in winter is important (use an intensive masque like Bumble and bumble Quenching Masque once a week), but visiting your colorist regularly for gloss treatments will also help add shine. Since glosses lay on top of the hair cuticle, they aren't damaging and help seal in moisture, with results lasting up to six weeks."

Above, from left: Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, $12, available at Sephora.; Bumble and bumble Defrizz, $25, available at BBumble and bumble.

Bumble and bumble Downtown, 415 West 13th Street, 8th Floor, (between 9th Avenue and Washington Street), 212-521-6500.

R29 DEAL:
Because we know you'll be busy party-hopping until the clock strikes midnight on December 31, the Drawing Room is offering Refinery29 readers 20% off on all holiday updos and hairstyles. Just mention this Refinery29 deal when booking the appointment.