The Expert Guide to Naturally Caring for your Auburn Hair in Winter
Auburn haired women have long been celebrated in many cultures as being both beautiful and rare.
But whether dyed or natural, all of us lucky enough to enjoy flame-haired tresses know that the changing of the seasons prevents challenges our blonde and brunette sisters don’t necessarily experience.
That’s why we’ve created our ultimate guide to naturally caring for your auburn hair in winter; the best tips and advice from our hair experts to see you through the colder months without compromising your shine.
Why Winter Is Tough on Auburn Hair
We have up to 10% more hair than other hair colours, but the structure of the hair follicle means it is less able to hold hydration naturally and is more prone to breakage.
On colder, wintery days the air humidity is much lower, so we can’t benefit from moisture in the air. That’s great if you’re frizz prone, but not so good if your hair is already dry.
Central heating takes moisture from the air, and wind and rain can all hit redheads harder than other colours.
All hair colours lose vibrancy in winter, and redheads are no different, meaning hair that looks bright and glossy in the warmer months, can appear dull and flat in winter.
Finally, lots of us up our use of heated hair products through the colder months. It’s much less appealing to let your hair dry naturally when it’s freezing and we often prefer more ‘done’ styles, unlike summer’s beachy waves.
Daily exposure to heated hair tools like curling wands, dryers and straighteners all put red hair at stress.
Hydrate Your Hair
All hair types benefit from a weekly treatment, but auburn hair especially needs it to look its best.
We like to do ours on a Sunday evening. It’s a lovely way to enjoy some ‘old school Sunday night’ vibes and #sundayselfcare as well as being good for your hair.
We’re big fans of the ayurvedic approach to hair, which advocates for balance and nurture. Mix a tablespoon of organic Bhringaraj with a few tablespoons of a gently warmed hair oil (anything with Moroccan argan will do wonders for shine).
The Bhringaraj supports healthy colour maintenance and prevents breakage and shedding. Argan is nurturing and adds shine, whilst also protecting the outside of the hair shaft from dryness and snapping.
Alongside that, make sure you stick to 8 glasses of water a day, and consider rinsing with a herbal tea, like chamomile or beer. You won’t smell like a brewery, but your hair will reflect light like never before.
A daily, light conditioner, applied then combed through with a wide tooth comb will keep the hair from extra fall.
Support Your Colour
Whether your hair is dyed or natural, if you’re auburn toned, winter is a great time to consider adopting a regular Henna treatment.
Dyed red hair loses tone very quickly with box colours, and natural looks dull. Over time the natural hair colour is damaged by the peroxide in many dyes.
Henna works by staining the outside of the hair strand, so it is longer lasting.
It also interacts with the hair’s keratin to keep it stronger and ease winter breakage.
The recipe is super easy, just mix 1 part henna, with strongly brewed tea for a darker colour, or lemon for brighter.
You could also try a natural hair colour (made with Henna) but no harsh chemicals like sulphates or PPD.
Remember that whilst it’s rare to react to Henna, it’s vital to do both a strand test to get the colour right and a patch test to ensure you won’t have an adverse reaction. You can’t use Henna over bleached hair, and it won’t lighten hair either.
Protect Your Hair from Heat Damage
Auburn hair is second only to 4c curls in how prone to heat damage it is, so we highly recommend using a heat protectant spray all year right, but especially during winter.
Following blow drying or styling, using a hair tip treatment on the very ends of the hair can help to seal your hair.
The hair is weakest here – it’s older and has faced more of a beating, so it’s worth extra attention. Don’t apply it until you’re finished though. Heat and oil don’t mix.
Lastly, when styling, choose products with little to no alcohol and organic ingredients. Mousse and hairspray can both strain the hair. We’d also recommend you avoid harsh elastics when tying up the hair. Choose fabric bands with a light stretch or covered pins.
For more advice on treating your auburn hair naturally, speak to our friendly hair experts today