The Best Conditioner for Battling Hair Static & Dryness
Winter is just around the corner and we all know that does to our hair – STATIC. DRYNESS. DULLNESS. UGH.
Tackling static is one thing but in combination with winter accessories like hats, scarves, and coats, it’s a lot to consider. Or you know when it gets too warm indoors and you go to pull your sweater off over your head and whoosh, static mayhem, hairs flying everywhere for the rest of the day, sticking to your face and making it impossible to focus.
I personally have another winter hair issue all together. I have this terrible habit of tucking my hair into my coat. Don’t ask why but it’s a comfort thing. I have this idea that if I don’t then my scarf or my handbag will damage my hair form tugging on the strands. In actuality I’m probably just introducing friction to my hair therefore damaging the ends and turning everything into a big static’y mess. (I really need to stop.)
WHY DOES STATIC HAPPEN IN HAIR?
To help me with this question, I tapped into Pantene’s Principal Scientist, Dr. Jeni Thomas who told me that static is caused by lack of moisture - low humidity from indoor heating and harsh winter weather outdoors.
She also explains, “Proteins in our hair fibers give hair a natural charge, but this charge is dissipated by hair’s internal moisture. When it’s cold outside or with electric indoor heating, humidity levels are exceptionally low – our hair tries to match those levels, which means it becomes stripped of static-blocking moisture.
Add a touch of friction, like taking off your scarf, and SPARK! Instant annoying static electricity. Suddenly hair is sticking out in all directions. That happens as the electrical charge on one strand repels the charge from the neighboring strand, pushing each other away from like two opposing magnets rather than flowing together.”
HOW TO GET RID OF HAIR STATIC
Conditioners like the Repair & Protect collection from Pantene help keep static away thanks to the micro-moisturizers in the formula that hydrate every strand. “Pantene conditioners are formulated by carefully balancing moisturizing ingredients that regulate the hydration levels of hair and penetrate each layer of the hair fiber” says Dr. Jeni Thomas.
So now that you know how Pantene works to beat static, make sure that you’re conditioning from root to tip in the shower to keep those fly-aways away. ;)
Here’s to healthy, static-free hair this winter!
WHY DOES MY HAIR LOOK DULL IN WINTER?
Hair can look dull when there’s damage along the shaft and it doesn’t reflect the light on the strands. Pantene’s conditioners features “smart-technology” that targets the damaged parts of the hair.
Since I’ve been growing out my hair I’ve found that I not only tuck it into coats, but sweaters, AND it’s constantly getting caught on the shoulder strap of my handbag.
I kid you not, the damage is evident when I condition with something other than Pantene (look I have two bathrooms and right now only one of them is stocked with Pantene and the other one has a $30 bougie conditioner and shampoo that leaves my hair looking lack luster and frayed.) What can I say? Pantene is where it’s at.
Suggested reading: How To Combat Dry Winter Hair
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pantene. All photos and opinions are my own.
Frizz-Free Summer Hair feat. PANTENE
Summer is pretty much here and we’re all living for it, except me. Sunny skies and 35 degrees of sweltering heat. Do you know what that does to a girl’s hair when she’s rushing around the city going from meeting to meeting? Mayhem. Hair mayhem!
The reality is, I love fall. I love the cool air, the layered fashion and the humidity-free weather. Most of all, I really like that I don’t have to worry about my hair flaring up into a frizz ball that resembles a lions mane.
Summer for me has always meant big, unmanageable, frizzy hair and I’ve always felt too deterred to even deal with it, so it was always tied back in a ponytail.
My pony had so many frizzy fly-aways coming out of every which direction that I should have just gotten myself a hat! LOL! Childhood can be cruel, that I’m sure we can all agree on, and I for one have spent a good chunk of my adulthood trying to figure out how to deal with the hair I was given.
Conditioner is the biggest key player in getting it looking smooth and healthy in the summer months. It’s the best way of fighting humidity, keeping away frizz and holding onto my hairstyle! Without it, my waves fall out and my hair puffs up like a lion’s mane! Remember those before and after pics from my last PANTENE post? ;)
Before I made the switch to PANTENE I was going back and forth between some high-end designer stuff and another drugstore brand. My job as a fashion and beauty blogger means that I’m constantly testing out new products for you guys so I can give you my honest review.
My hair completely transformed as soon as I started using PANTENE’s Smooth & Sleek Conditioner. It’s way more manageable now and can withhold even the hottest of summer days in the city. I have to admit that one of the coolest outcomes from using PANTENE these last few months has to be that my hair is much stronger and healthier now!
If you want to read about how I style my hair, keep reading below.
How I Style My Hair for Soft Waves
1.
The foundation of all good hair days starts in the shower. I use PANTENE’s Smooth & Sleek Shampoo and Conditioner collection to bring out my natural waves and keep the frizz away. PANTENE’s conditioners are all formulated to protect and strengthen hair, and they have over a dozen different ones to suit all hair types, so be sure to get the right formula for you.
2.
Right out of the shower I use their combing crème in my damp hair before running a wide-tooth comb through it. The product allows the comb to glide through wet hair, minimizing any breakage.
3.
I air dry when I can but if not, I set the blow dryer to medium heat and always use a heat protector.
4.
Now that my hair is dry, I divide my hair into four sections. I work through each one by taking a small 1-inch piece at a time and glide my flat iron down my hair, twisting my wrist mid-way to create a soft curl.
5.
As I work my way through each section of my hair, I set the curls with PANTENE’S Airspray, an alcohol-free aerosol hairspray with flexible hold. I love this one because it doesn’t leave your hair sticky or crunchy and doesn’t have that alcohol scent that a lot of hairsprays have!
6.
Once I’m done my whole head and the hairspray is set, I take a hairbrush and gently brush my hair, converting all of those curls into soft waves.
That’s it!
BONUS STYLE TRICK: At night I put my hair into a super high ponytail, right on the top of head, and I sleep on a silk pillow case. I find doing this doesn’t flatten my curls at all. In the morning, I just let it out, give it a quick brush and I’m ready.
DISCLAIMER: This post is sponsored by Pantene. All photos and opinions are my own.
SPONSORED: How to Combat Dry Winter Hair
Did you know that many women out there don’t use conditioner because they don’t think they need it? I know! My jaw dropped when I first heard this because I can’t live without conditioner.
Winter haircare is challenging enough as it is between static, dryness, and breakage. Add hats, scarves, and if you’re like me, tucking your hair into your coat to the mix, and that’s a heck of a lot of stress on our hair. Luckily, the solution is actually pretty simple and that includes using conditioner as a regular part of your haircare routine.
If you’re a newbie to conditioning your locks, you’ll notice the benefits right away – beautiful shiny hair, that’s hydrated with less breakage, and less frizz!
Knowing that, why would you want to skip this step?
TIME-SAVING HAIRCARE TIP
Did you know that using conditioner cuts down on drying time?
I recently learned from Justin German, Pantene’s Consulting Stylist, that conditioner “helps release excess water, known as de-watering. This actually speeds up the drying process, and a shorter dry time equals less heat damage!”
Just another reason to condition your locks this winter!
6 Haircare Tips For Beautiful, Healthy, Shiny Hair This Winter
1. Treat Yourself to A Hair Mask!
Try hair masking once a week! This is actually super easy and any conditioner that’s suitable for your hair type will work. Before a shower, simply brush your hair and apply conditioner.
Start by applying the conditioner to the ends of your hair, working up to the roots.
Fun fact: Pantene features “smart technology” that micro-targets the damaged parts of your hair.
Any excess conditioning that your hair doesn’t need just rinses away so don’t be afraid of “over-conditioning”.
Turns out the whole “apply conditioner only to your ends” thing is a total myth.
Because even hair at the roots can be exposed to damage and stress from daily elements, you’ll definitely want to condition all over.
Be sure to use a conditioner that targets your hair needs for the best results. For example, my hair tangles easily and the ends are dry, so I use Pantene’s 3 Minute Miracle.
Now let that conditioner sit for a couple of minutes and you’re ready, wash your hair as you normally would and then condition again in the shower! It might seem like a lot, but trust me, you’ll want to do this and the results are totally worth it.
You’ll notice how insanely soft your hair is after! Tangles will brush out so much easier now! If you’re prone to frizz, like me, you’ll notice smoother, more manageable hair.
2. Try A Moisturizing Shampoo
Because winter is so dry, and we’re dealing with dry winter air outdoors, and the extreme dryness from heaters indoors - our hair can go through a lot this time of year. Try a moisturizing shampoo to keep locks hydrated and and nourished. One of my go-tos is Pantene’s Daily Moisture Renewal Shampoo because it strengthens and moisturizes hair and is formulated for everyday use!
CHOOSE THE RIGHT FORMULA FOR YOU
Not all conditioners are created equal, but the key is to look for a formula that’s right for your hair type. Skipping conditioner all together isn’t the answer.
“
Make sure to use the collection that’s right for you. It’s a mistake women make all the time, and often they’re reaching for conditioners that are too rich for them. Then, they think they’re too rich so they stop using them, then their hair gets dry and brittle and starts to break and they go back to that rich conditioner and it’s a vicious cycle. Choosing the right product is so important.
”
- Justin German
3. Protect, Strengthen, And Hydrate with Conditioner
My hair is long, thick, frizz prone, and the ends get really dry this time of year. My go-to conditioner and haircare savior is the Pantene 3 Minute Miracle Moisture Renewal daily conditioner. I love how easy it is to comb my hair right out of the shower, and how it detangles. It’s packed with vitamins and anti-oxidants and the ingredients actually penetrate the hair to strength on the inside (not just the surface). My hair feels stronger, more manageable and I have less breakage now. Plus, my hair looks and feels hydrated and shiny.
If you have thin hair and are looking for volume, you’ll want to condition with a lightweight formula that won’t weigh hair down. Opt for a volumizing formula like Pantene’s Sheer Volume to get a full-body style that you’ll love. Remember, the key is about finding the right formula for you.
4. Use A Wet Hair Brush
Yes, wet hair brushes are a thing and if you don’t already know, there’s a whole industry out there dedicated to them.
“
When hair is wet it’s way more fragile than when it’s dry. With a wide-tooth comb, because the space between the “teeth” of the comb is wider, it doesn’t pull and tug on hair (which can lead to breakage).
”
- Justin German
You’ll want to use a brush designed for wet hair brushing to minimize breakage and frizz. My favourite personal is a wide tooth comb that I’ve had since childhood.
5. Always Use Heat Styling Protection
Did you know that common heat styling tools can actually melt metal? Considering the average styling tool can reach 450°F, it’s no wonder.
Heat damage from styling tools such as hair dryers and flat irons can leave hair vulnerable to breakage and split ends. Using a conditioner every time you wash is a great way to have built in protection, but if you’re heat styling your hair often, consider using a heat protector first, like Pantene’s Smooth Heat Protection Spray. It protects and shields hair from heat damage with the micropolymer packed formula.
Choose to blow dry over flat iron whenever you can. Blow dryers can reach 225°F while flat irons can heat up to 425°F so be sure to always keep that iron moving to avoid hot spots!
Finally, styling creams can also help smooths fly-aways and add a boost of shine to dry ends leaving hair soft, manageable, and healthy all winter long!
6. Air Dry
Put down the hair dryer and try air drying when you can to minimize the stress you put your hair through with heat damage.
Wash your hair in the evening and give it enough time to naturally dry before going to bed. Long-term, skipping the blow dryer will minimize split ends and breakage.
Also, invest in a good quality blow dryer that has good airflow to cut down on the drying time.
Beauty Bonus!
If you’re truly serious about getting your hair in shape this winter, invest in a silk pillowcase! Sleeping on a silk case is said to protect hair from breakage, and also helps fight the signs of aging on your face. Just make sure it’s one hundred percent, pure silk and not one of those polyester blend imposters.
Even if you don’t have time try out all of these steps, the easiest, and the best thing you can do is include conditioner as a part of your regular hair care routine. You’ll see the difference right away, and your hair will feel so good, that you won’t be able to stop running your fingers through it.
Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Pantene. All photos and opinions are my own.