The winter season brings with it a unique set of challenges for hair and skin care. The dry air, low humidity, and harsh weather conditions can often leave our hair feeling brittle and our skin parched. To maintain healthy and radiant hair and skin during the dry Colorado winter, it is essential to understand the impact of the weather on our bodies and develop effective care routines.
The lack of humidity in our dry air can wreak havoc on our hair and skin, leaving them feeling as parched as a cactus in the desert.
So, why does this happen?
Well, when the air doesn't have enough moisture, it sucks it out of wherever it can find it - namely, our precious hair and skin.
With this, our lovely locks can become dull, brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage. Not exactly the look we're going for, right?!
As for our skin, let's just say that dry air is like a vampire, sucking the life out of it. In the cold months, our skin can feel tight, and itchy, and even develop those dreaded flaky patches. It's like the winter winds are launching a full-scale attack on our poor skin, leaving it feeling, dry, dry, dry!
But fear not, there are ways to combat these pesky effects.
When it comes to surviving the dry winter in Colorado, the best salon and spa in Denver has your back!
At Uplift, we know moisture is your hair and skin’s best friend. Your hair needs all the hydration it can get, so incorporating moisturizing products and techniques into your routine is key. Think of it as giving your hair a much-needed drink.
To combat the dryness, opt for hydrating shampoos and conditioners that will give your hair a moisture boost. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter, jojoba oil, aloe vera, honey, avocado oil, or almond oil. Avoid products containing alcohol, sulfates, and fragrances, as they can further dry out your hair and skin.
Our favorites are Aveda’s Nutriplenish Shampoo and Conditioner in Light or Deep. You love this as much as we do because the formula is creamy, lathers really well, and does not weigh down your hair.
We also love Oway's Moisturizing Hair Bath and Mask! We love this because it delivers intense hydration while rebalancing the hair fibers which prevents split ends. The hair masks from Oway are fabulous as well because their rich concentration of botanicals allows you to use this daily, if you only leave it on for a short while, or to be treated like a deep conditioning mask by leaving this for extra time and getting more intense benefits.
And hey, if you're feeling adventurous, you can even try out leave-in conditioners for an extra hydration kick.
These are our must-haves! Aveda’s Nutriplenish Leave In or Botanical Repair Strengthening Leave In or Oway’s No-Rinse Moist Conditioner. All of these are super easy to apply to the hair and will help prevent breakage while combing wet hair.
Now, we don't want all that moisture to escape into the dry Colorado air, do we? To minimize moisture loss, try not to over wash your hair, as frequent washing can strip away those precious natural oils. Chat with one of our expert hairstylists to learn more about the recommended times to wash per week based on your lifestyle, hair texture, and hair length. When you do wash, use lukewarm water instead of hot water, as hot water can further dry out your hair. (We know, easier said than done when it's colder than an ice cube in Antarctica)
Oh, and don't forget to lock in that moisture by using a good-quality hair oil or serum. Your hair will thank you for it!
Our go-to picks for hair oils are Aveda’s Nutriplenish Oil or Oway’s Glossy Nectar. Both of these hair oils smell delicious! AND they add incredible hydration and shine without weighing down your style.
Our favorite home hack is to pretreat your hair with an oil treatment for scalp and hair and brush with a natural bristle brush before your shampooing. Simply take 8-10 drops of your hair oil of choice (the amount of oil should be about the size of the width of your ponytail in your hand) and apply it to your hair from your ears down followed by brushing for 2-3 minutes with a natural boar hair brush (like this one). The natural boar hair brush is essential as this helps to carry the product along your hair strand. With the mixture of bristles found in this brush, it also acts as double duty, the longer bristles are great for stimulating your scalp which helps to get blood flow going. (Which is imperative to growing healthy hair!)
We also love the HeadSpa service we offer at UpLift Salon and Spa. This hour-long service starts with a customized consultation to assess your scalp and hair health. Our stylists will create a treatment plan to balance, soothe, and protect the health of your scalp using specific products and massage techniques. This is followed by a naturally derived bond-building conditioning treatment for your hair where we wrap you in a hot towel and treat you to a hand massage. The service is finished with a beautiful style leaving you with the healthiest scalp and hair you've ever had!
Now let’s not forget about your skin..
Don't forget to tweak your daily skincare routine to accommodate the dry Colorado winter. Opt for gentle cleansers that won't strip away your skin's natural oils, and consider adding a hydrating toner to your routine to provide an extra layer of moisture and a good moisturizer. Make sure to finish with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, even on cloudy days, to shield your skin from the sun's harmful rays. And when you venture out into the winter wonderland, don't forget to bundle up with scarves and hats to keep your precious skin shielded from the biting cold winds.
You will love Aveda’s Botanical Kinetics Purifying Cream Cleanser or Oway’s Luminous Oil Cleanser (okay, we seriously can't get enough of this oil cleanser!!) It's a 3 in 1 product that can remove makeup, cleanse the skin while keeping you hydrated, and can be applied onto of makeup or even bare skin to illuminate your face.
And Aveda's Hydrating Treatment Lotion is like a toner amplified! It's great for all skin types, it won't clog your pores, and it helps to carry the next steps of your skincare regimen deeper into your skin.
Our favorite home hack is double cleansing First, cleanse with oil cleanser on dry skin. Then, wet your hands and continue to massage the face. This will emulsify the oil. Then rinse the oil, and finally do the "double cleanse" by washing with your go-to cleanser. Rinse your face completely and continue with the rest of the routine. And don't forget to apply your moisturizer while your skin is still wet from your toner. Pro tip: line up your skincare products and take the lids off before getting started so you can easily move from one step to the next.
Hydration is also the name of the game when it comes to our skin. Look for moisturizers that are rich and creamy, Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and ceramides can work wonders in keeping your skin plump and hydrated throughout the dry winter days.
Our top-picks for boosting hydration are these serums/concentrates. Aveda’s Intense Hydrator Serum or Oway’s Soothing Face Concentrate. You'll love either of these as both the serum and concentrate are easy to apply and have instant effects. Follow these serums/concentrates up with your usual moisturizer. We love this moisturizer for everyday use.
In addition to choosing the right products, it's important to note healthy hair and skin start from within. By making some adjustments to your diet and lifestyle, you can promote moisture and radiance even in the driest of winters.
Staying hydrated is crucial for maintaining healthy hair and skin. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body and skin properly hydrated. You can also increase your water intake by incorporating herbal teas or infused water with fruits like cucumber or lemon for an extra refreshing twist.
Certain foods can work wonders for your hair and skin. Include foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and walnuts, which help nourish your hair and keep your skin supple. Vitamins such as A, C, and E, found in fruits and vegetables, are also beneficial for promoting healthy hair and glowing skin.
Besides adjusting your diet, there are other lifestyle habits you can adopt to promote moisture retention in your hair and skin. Avoid long, hot showers, as they can strip away natural oils. Instead, opt for shorter, lukewarm showers. Additionally, invest in a humidifier to add moisture to the air in your home, which can significantly benefit both your hair and skin. We also suggest using a silk or satin pillowcase to prevent hair breakage. We love this silk pillowcase for just $16!
Remember, a little extra care and attention can go a long way. By following these tips, choosing the right products with natural ingredients, adjusting your diet and lifestyle, and seeking expert advice from the best stylists and estheticians in Denver, you can keep your hair and skin healthy and vibrant, even in the dry Colorado winter.
Stay warm and moisturized, our friends!
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