Though we’re sad to see the end of summer, the cosy season is finally here, which means exciting new hair trends are set to grace our social media feeds. But as the days get colder and wetter, hair of all textures and types can suffer. So, it’s important you take steps to protect your hair from the elements.
Haircare expert Nicole Petty of Milk + Blush shares her top tips and tricks for prepping your hair for the autumn season.
Change up your colour
Now that summer is over, it’s time for a hair refresh before the harsh weather sets in. Try swapping out light blonde locks for glossy, maintainable darker shades like rich chocolate, or even deep espresso for the hottest brunette hues this season, or try upgrading classic autumnal shades. The balayage trend isn’t going anywhere, so look to darker roots with red, plum or copper ends for a multi-dimensional fall look.
If you can’t bear to part with your blonde tresses, face-framing highlights aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. Take inspiration from Queen Bey herself with her stunning caramel money piece look for a subtle way to brighten hair without having to use too much damaging bleach.
Change up your diet
With Halloween and Christmas creeping up, it’s easy to over-indulge during the holiday period. But did you know missing a well-balanced diet can significantly affect the quality of your hair and even prevent growth? To best maintain the lustre of your locks, add foods that are high in nutrients, such as oily fish, legumes such as lentils, peas, and chickpeas, lean protein, nuts, and leafy greens.
Autumnal favourites such as pumpkin, mushrooms and butternut squash are full of nutrients including iron, vitamin E and vitamin C which all help promote healthy, strong hair. Just remember to lay off sugary treats over the Halloween period – high blood sugar levels can inflame your scalp which could lead to hair loss.
Shampoo less often
Dry shampoo is a girl’s best friend all year round, but even more so in the A/W seasons! The harsh weather can easily dry out your hair so you’ll want to avoid washing your hair so often and stripping it of its natural oils.
Swapping out your hairspray for dry shampoo is a simple solution for minimising hair washing, adding volume and keeping your mane in check when on a busy social schedule. For best results, try applying dry shampoo before you go to bed. Your hair produces the most oil overnight, so this will help you wake up with refreshed, non-greasy hair.
Switch out your hairbands
Traditional hairbands, especially those with metal fastenings, can wreak havoc on hair, particularly when it is more vulnerable to breakage during the colder months. Consider changing up your hairbands to avoid unwanted layers, scrunchies won’t pull your hair and can reduce headaches from hair being pulled too taut by a hair elastic. Plus, they come in all different colours, patterns and fabrics, making them the perfect hair accessory to match your autumn wardrobe.
Tackle static hair
Do you find your hair becoming more static as the weather changes? That’s because there’s less moisture in the air during the colder season, drying your hair out and causing it to take flight. The best way to prevent static is to keep your hair moisturised, so give your hair a little extra TLC with a hydrating hair mask once or twice a week.
You should also look for hair products containing ingredients such as honey, mango or shea butter and coconut, almond or argan oil – all known to hydrate, moisturise and soften brittle and dry hair.
You could even consider investing in a humidifier to rehydrate the air in your home and add more moisture to your mane. For an easy quick fix when you’re out and about, keep a dryer sheet in your bag to wipe away static, like this viral TikTok video.
