Ah, winter. The season for thick, woolly socks, hot cocoa with marshmallows, guilt-free Netflix marathons – and a whole lot of dryness. While (nearly) everyone loves sweater weather, winter can become a whole lot less appealing when the dry, cold air zaps out the moisture in your skin and hair, leaving the latter a brittle, flaky mess. So if you’re starting to see snow on your shoulders, it’s time to step up your hair care game. Here are some tips to try out this winter. 8 superfoods for sexier skin – without splurging on creams and masks Switch up your diet Beauty quite literally starts from within. To keep your hair healthy, you have to keep your body healthy, too. Maintaining a diet that is rich in proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals can help to keep your hair smooth, shiny and strong. In particular, look for foods that are high in vitamins A, C and E, which are antioxidants that help to protect your cells and prevent hair damage or loss. Healthy fats, such as omega-3 fatty acids, help to nourish your scalp, replenish natural oils and promote healthy hair growth. Did you know that your hair can get thirsty, too? When you don’t drink enough water, your hair is directly impacted. Dehydration can slow hair growth and lead to thin, brittle hair that is prone to breakage. Aim for six to eight glasses of water a day and try sticking to a schedule to ensure you’re getting your day’s worth. Oil it up View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kerastase (@kerastase_official) During the winter months, the drier air can pull the moisture out of your hair and scalp, leaving it feeling flaky and itchy. Introducing a hair oil to your routine can work wonders to help restore moisture and encourage healthy hair growth. Once a week, try coating your hair with argan or jojoba oil to revitalise dull, dry hair. If you’re seeing dandruff, try using a heavier oil like coconut or castor oil directly to the scalp for deeper hydration. Massaging your hair with natural oils enhances blood circulation and helps to strengthen your hair follicles, stimulating hair growth. The LED mask that our favourite Korean stars swear by – does it work? Chill out Although it may be tempting to jump into a steaming shower on a particularly cold day, frequent washes with hot water will strip your scalp of its natural oils, leaving your hair dehydrated and frizzy. Instead, keep your showers short, cut back on lathering up and opt for lukewarm temperatures. Cooler water helps to seal the moisture in your hair follicles, helping you retain that shiny, frizz-free look. You can even try taking cold showers once in a while (but be careful not to get sick!). If you’re not all too keen to stand in freezing water, you can quickly rinse off with cool water at the end of your shower. Same goes for your hair dryer. Your hair is already dry in the winter – add heat damage to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster on your hands. But if the thought of having cold water drip down your back while waiting for your hair to air-dry doesn’t sound appealing to you, try using lower temperature and speed settings on your blow dryer to cut down on heat damage. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dyson Hair (@dysonhair) Better yet, switch out your regular blow dryer for an ionic dryer. Unlike traditional hair dryers, ionic dryers work by releasing negative ions, which help to break down and evaporate water molecules faster. This not only speeds up your drying time, but also cuts down on damage and frizz by reducing the time your hair spends in direct heat. The negative ions also help seal in moisture, leaving your hair looking soft and shiny. Besides, ionic dryers are known to last longer than regular hair dryers, making it a worthwhile investment in the long run. #STYLEvoices: meet Emi Wong, Hong Kong fitness influencer at large – video Mask u p View this post on Instagram A post shared by Leonor Greyl Paris - Officiel (@leonorgreyl) We’ve heard this phrase often enough (thanks, 2020!). Just as you would put on a face mask to replenish your food stock on your weekly grocery run, indulging in a hair treatment mask once a week can help to replenish the moisture to your dry hair and scalp. Hair masks can help to combat dryness, strengthen your hair and prevent further damage by repairing the protective layer in your hair. Look for hair masks that incorporate oils and butters (for instance, coconut oil or shea butter), which can help restore moisture and softness to your hair – or whip up some of your own using common ingredients that can be found right in your pantry. Humidify View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hey Dewy (@heydewy) If you’re used to living in a more humid climate, the sudden drop of moisture in the air can wreak havoc on your hair. Fortunately, this can easily be counteracted by keeping a humidifier nearby to help restore moisture levels in the air. You can also pair this with an overnight hair mask for an extra hydration boost. At the end of the day, there is no one-size-fits-all for hair care. Be sure to pay close attention to your hair’s needs, be flexible with your routine, and don’t panic – with a little extra time and effort, you can keep your hair looking smooth, silky and healthy all year round. Want more stories like this? Sign up here . Follow STYLE on Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and Twitter .