If you’ve noticed your hair looking flat, lacklustre and shiny in all of the wrong ways — even immediately after shampooing — you are not imagining it, and you’re definitely not alone.
As it happens “greasy hair after washing” pretty consistently ranks among the UK’s most-googled hair woes, right up there with “how to get rid of frizz” and “solutions for thinning hair.”
And the fact of the matter is that winter, with its cold air and woolly hats, only makes things worse. “This time of year is notoriously hard on hair,” explains Joel Goncalves at the Nicola Clarke Salon. “Even people who shampoo regularly can find that their roots are oily while the lengths feel dry and brittle. This frustrating combination comes down to how the scalp reacts to winter conditions and how our habits change with the seasons.”
In short, the stress that cold weather, dry air and central heating place on the scalp can cause it to overproduce oil, which even with regular washing, is hard to manage.
After speaking to countless hairstylists about this over the years, the consensus is clear: nine times out of ten, it’s not how often you wash – but how you wash. The good news is that most of the time the fixes are quick, easy and effective.
If this sounds like you, here are the speedy tweaks that can turn things around.
ES COMP
Your shampoo isn’t right for your hair and scalp
This sounds too simple, but using the wrong shampoo is one of the biggest culprits behind flat, greasy hair. This is especially true if you have fine hair or an oily scalp, but keep reaching for formulas that are rich, creamy or overly hydrating.
“Opting for rich, repairing formulas when your hair doesn’t actually need them is a common winter mistake,” says Taylor Clifton at Jo Hansford Mayfair. “Instead of boosting condition, they can leave strands weighed down, dull and difficult to style. Think of winter as the time to really understand what your hair needs — choosing targeted products that will keep it looking glossy and full of life.”
Fix it by using a lightweight, daily use shampoo. “Virtue, Living Proof and Sam Mcknight have great options that keep the scalp and hair clean without stripping it” says Gonclaves.
You’re not rinsing properly
Rinsing may be the least glamorous step, but it matters if you want to get the best from your hair. When shampoo and conditioner isn’t fully washed out, residue clings to the hair and weighs it down almost instantly. Make a habit of rinsing for 30 seconds longer than you think you need too. When the bubbles have completely gone and your hair feels a little “squeaky,” you’re good to go.
La Bonne Brosse
Your conditioner or mask is creeping to close to the roots
Conditioners and masks become The Enemy when they touch your head — especially rich, moisturising ones. Remember that they’re formulated for your hair, not your scalp, where they can instantly flatten things.
Avoid this by applying them strictly to the mid-lengths and ends. And if you feel your roots genuinely need moisture choose ultra-light options like Rahua Hydration Detangler UV Barrier (£38, sephora.co.uk) or Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer, (£13, cultbeauty.co.uk).
For more nourishing winter treatments, Clifton recommends Kérastase Serum Therapiste (£47, lookfantastic.com) and Shu Uemura Urban Moisture Hair Mask (£62, boots.com) which “help repair damage, lock in moisture, and protect hair from heat, so you can enjoy shiny, resilient locks all season long.”
You’re over washing — and your scalp is fighting back
When your hair feels oily, daily washing feels like the fix — but it can actually backfire.
Shift to shampooing every-other-day, and use a “bridging” product like Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Advanced Clean Dry Shampoo (£27, cultbeauty.co.uk) or Arkive The Reset Dry Shampoo, (£14, boots.com), to keep roots fresh without adding weight.
“The best way to use these in the winter is to spray them onto a brush and then brushing it through,” says hairstylist and founder of Arkive by Adam Reed salon. This removes dirt and build-up, but also gives great volume.” He recommends the La Bronne Brosse Hairbrush (£142, labonnebrosse.com) for even distribution. Stylists also swear by using a touch of dry shampoo before the oil appears, to keep hair fresher form longer.
In short, greasy, flat winter hair is usually just a tweak or two away from being fixed. Switching your shampoo, rinsing properly, applying your conditioner strategically, and adding a weekly clarifying wash will clear build up, restore balance and leave your hair shinier, lighter and far more swishable, all season long.
