With over 400 million views on the term "dry hair" on TikTok, as temperatures plummet, both the scalp and hair can become dull, dry, dehydrated and brittle. Thanks to the cold weather and constant switch from outdoors to central heating, just like our skin, hair needs a helping hand to ensure its vitality over the colder months.
Hailed as a 'genius' by Supermodel Gigi Hadid and the 'gifted one' by the late Karl Lagerfeld, Sam McKnight is one of the most influential and celebrated hair stylists in the world. As his longtime client and friend Kate Moss puts it, "Sam has the magic touch."
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Sam McKnight has worked with the Hadid Sisters, Kate Moss and Kendall Jenner
Luckily for us the celebrity hairstylist, who was famously Princess Diana's private hair stylist for seven years, reveals his pro tips on how to hydrate, strengthen and achieve megawatt shine for the winter months and beyond.
Sam McKnight's Guide to Combating Dehydrated Winter Hair:
1. Use A Hair Mask
"Hair treatment masks are essential for those whose hair needs extra moisture, repair or strength," explains Sam, "Weave the Deeper Love Treatment Mask into your routine at least once a week to help repair hair. Apply to just-washed hair, combing it through to distribute evenly, then leave on for at least five minutes. It’s the ultimate moisture shot for strands."
2. Change Your Hair Care Routine Seasonally
"Your hair needs change – as well as seasonally, its health can be impacted by anything from medication and illness to hormones," says Sam, "In winter, hair needs more moisture and your focus will be on fighting frizz, so finding the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair helps with manageability and effortless styling. Don’t get stuck in a world of just using one formula forever – if your hair care has stopped working, your hair needs may well have changed."
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Sam with his long-term collaborator and friend, Kate Moss
3. Prevent Frizz
"If hair is fragile or brittle, or you want to prevent frizz, avoid rubbing the hair," reveals Sam, "When it’s wet, it’s at its most fragile so always towel dry gently. Squeeze hair lightly with a towel, as close to the head as possible, and move down towards the ends. Then, detangle with a wide tooth comb or detangling brush with flexible wide teeth. And finally, bear in mind that changes in clothing – coats, jumpers, scarves and hats – cause friction and can lead to frizz."
4. Condition With Care
"My top tip on how to condition effectively? Bring your hair into a ponytail at the nape of the neck and apply my Rich Nourish Conditioner (which is rich in hydrating panthenol, omegas 6 and 9, and castor oil) to the mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots," says Sam, "Lightly rinse your hands and do a pressure point massage – there are acupressure points (like the temples, top of the head, and occipital ridge, which is at the nape of the neck) all over the scalp that are easy to stimulate yourself. They reduce stress and help create a healthier scalp."
Sam attends to Bella Hadid's hair backstage during Fashion Week
5. Prevent Moisture Loss
"The key to heat styling in every season is using the right products to protect and style. When it comes to blow drying, begin with hair that is not dripping wet to prevent moisture loss," Sam explains, "Apply Happy Endings Nourishing Balm to deeply condition strands, nourish, boost shine and mend half of split ends in one use."
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