Georgina Mullan – Winter Hair Care

Just like skin, hair needs protection from the cold to remain soft and healthy. Winter weather can take a real toll on your hair. It is harsh on all hair textures and types so it is important to protect your crowning glory from cold air, whipping winds, static electricity, and even indoor heat.

Professional hairstylist and curly hair specialist Georgina Mullan who has the most glorious mane that Nicole Kidman would envy – gives us her expert insight into winter haircare with a few top tips to keep your hair in great shape:

• Avoid heat styling and embrace the texture you were born with. There is nothing better than allowing your hair to dry naturally and rocking that natural look. It keeps your hair shiny and healthy. Blow drying draws moisture out of your hair increasing the chance of breakage. Take a break from straightening or curling your hair during the winter. Explore new styles like twists, braids, and buns.

• Lower the water temperature when you shower. Hot water can zap moisture from your hair making it brittle and more vulnerable to breaking. Instead, wash your hair with lukewarm water and follow with a cool rinse.

• If you’re someone who washes their hair every day, it’s time to switch things up and start avoiding the frequent washes. Over-washing your hair strips it of its natural oils that help to keep it moisturised and protected. This is especially important during winter when those oils are needed even more. Extend the time between your washes as much as possible. Use a dry shampoo. It will also keep your hair smelling and looking fresh.

• It is important to cover your hair during the winter months to help protect it from the elements which dry your hair out and make it more prone to breakage. Wool, cotton, and other fabrics can also damage your hair, so make sure to line your hat with silk or satin. It is also important to protect your hair at night. Use satin or silk pillowcases or even better, use a bonnet. 

• Brush your hair when it is dry and less vulnerable and to help avoid breakage, brush and detangle your hair with a soft bristle brush.

• Deep condition once a week as winter hair care is all about moisturising. Use a leave-in conditioner, oil treatment or a weekly hair mask to replenish moisture, protect and combat the effects of indoor heating and the cold weather. Hair masks help to soften, hydrate and add shine.

• Always brush conditioner and base product through for even distribution. I also strongly advise people against using a conditioner as a Co Wash particularly if you have curly hair. As a conditioner is not made to cleanse the hair and can leave a heavy build up on the roots, blogging follicles and creating hair loss.

• Don’t use deep conditioner as an overnight treatment – 30 mins max is what it’s made for.

• Add styling products onto soaking wet hair as a good hair product works to lock moisture in.

• A good simple home-made conditioner for damaged hair would be to mash an avocado into a paste. Take half a banana and add about 2 tbsp of olive oil. Mix it well with the avocado paste. Add an egg and blend until soft. Apply to dry hair starting from the top section of your hair, ensuring that it is not on your scalp. Work your way down concentrating mainly on the hair tips which are more likely to be damaged. Leave the conditioner for about 10 mins and rinse it off with water. You will see that your hair becomes soft and shiny.

• Buy a humidifier. Indoor heating causes the air in your home to become very dry, pulling moisture out of your hair. Humidifiers help rehydrate the air to keep your locks looking lustrous.

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s that we all love a trip to the hairdressers. Once again hairdressers are unfortunately closed but remember it is important to get your hair trimmed every four to eight weeks to help maintain healthy hair and keep your locks looking luxurious. By taking a good inch off the bottom you will greatly reduce the chances of developing dry, split ends.

About The Author

Georgina Mullan’s career began in business and management before going on to study law and a career as a senior clerk at a Chambers of barristers in Birmingham.

After returning to Newcastle Under Lyme where she qualified as a hairstylist, she joined the luxurious hair and beauty salon 81 Rose Garden in Newcastle-under-Lyme; a family owned, one-stop shop for hair, nails, beauty, tanning, aesthetics and non-surgical treatments founded by the award-winning, Jennifer Regan – a hairdresser turned interior designer who cleverly created 81 Rose Garden ( www.81rosegarden.com) four years ago.

Georgina now specialises in curly hair as part of her much broader remit as Styling Director of 81 Rose Garden. In just 3 years, Georgina, known on Instagram as @TheCurlGirl_ has established herself as one of  the top curly hair experts in the UK. In fact, she has built up such a loyal following that her customers travel from as far away as Scotland to have their locks treated by her while her online consultations reach people from all over the world.

With a mane of curly hair that Nicole Kidman would be proud of, Georgina had battled with her own curls all her life, but her skills in hairdressing and a passion to help others struggling to embrace their curly hair changed all that. Now she offers special consultations that include a cut to complement her client’s curls and face shape, curl catered treatments and step by step advice on how to look after curly hair along with organic perms for those that envy the look!

You can find more tips and advice from Georgina Mullan as well recommended products at www.thecurlgirl.co.uk or via her Instagram shop @thecurlgirl_ and @81rosegarden