Is your hair ready for the autumn-to-winter transition? It’s not just our skin struggling with dehydration once the cold season rolls around. Thanks to dropping temperatures, the lack of humidity in the air and simultaneous blasting of indoor heaters, winter is just as bad as summer for your tresses. Luckily, you don’t have to put up with split ends and rough-feeling lengths anymore. There are so many exciting new products for deep hydration and supreme softness. We’ve rounded up the best to ease into a cooler weather regimen with shine and style. 

Editor’s pick: Kérastase Chroma Absolu Collection 

A quick scroll through Instagram and you’re flooded with recommendations that will ‘change your life’. The question is, how do you know what’s really worth it in this age of hyperbole? We experience the beauty industry’s biggest new launches before they hit the shelves, but not all products make the cut into our own regimes. The Kérastase Chroma Absolu Collection for coloured hair, however, has earned our seal of approval – in other words, it’s truly amazing and will change (at least the beauty routine part of) your life. The new range is built around centella asiatica, an antioxidant-rich medicinal herb from Central Asia, and a trio of shine-enhancing acids – amino acids, lactic acid and tartaric acid. It’s all topped off with a sensual fragrance, with notes of neroli and orange blossom, to bring the salon experience into your bathroom. There are currently seven customised home products that are perfect for keeping that new colour thriving, regardless your colour-treated hair’s type or texture. We first apply the Bain Chroma Respect Shampoo, massaging the gel-like formula until it lathers just enough for us to know that it’s working hard to cleanse. After rinsing with cold water, we squeeze a generous dollop of the Fondant Cica Chroma Conditioner and use it on the full length of our hair. Our thick, porous hair tends to get weighed down quickly, but that doesn’t happen after we use this conditioner. For an extra dose of hydration, we reach for the Masque Chroma Filler once a week, which only needs to be left in for five minutes after shampoo to soften, boost shine and protect colour. Once or twice a month, in place of the conditioner or mask, we turn to the Soin Acide Chroma Gloss – a high-shine, cuticle-sealing gloss treatment that transforms into a lovely, milky consistency on contact with water. For the final step, we spray the Sérum Chroma Thermique, a heat protectant with frizz-fighting capabilities that protects at temperatures up to 450 degrees. The first few weeks of winter might be a little dull, but our hair certainly isn’t. Prepare to be your most vibrant with this ultimate colour-care solution that deserves to take over your entire haircare routine! 

R490, R620, R750, R525 and R695 respectively from www.retailbox.co.za and select salons 

NUXE Rêve de Miel Gentle Shampoo Bar 

Since winter is all about cocooning and self-care, why not take advantage of the next few months? Give your mane some extra love with this newbie that moisturises like no other while also detangling the hair. We understand that a shampoo bar probably isn’t the first thing you’d reach for if you have damaged hair, but this bar works for every hair type and texture using Provence honey and organic camelina oil. The supremely nourishing formula is silicone and sulphate-free, yet it still produces a noticeably light, fluffy lather. But we’d be remiss not to mention the appetite-whetting Rêve de Miel honey scent, one of our favourites of all time – it will have everyone asking what perfume you’re wearing. After a week of use, this hydrating bar helped reset and deep clean both our hair and scalp for consistently glossy, manageable hair. 

R245 from www.orleanscosmetics.co.za as well as select Woolworths, Foschini and Truworths stores 

Moroccanoil Blonde Perfecting Purple Conditioner 

Blondes have more fun, but that fun doesn’t last long! Icy cool tones such as blonde, platinum, silver and grey are notorious for being the hardest colours to maintain. Over time, such shades can turn yellow and brassy. This supercharged purple conditioner, tinged with deep violet pigments, is a new staple in Moroccanoil’s Blonde Perfecting line. It starts neutralising unwanted yellow and orange tones after just one use, while drenching brittle hair with antioxidant-rich argan oil. A special ArganID technology dives deep into fragile bleached strands for a strengthening boost, so you can also expect great moisture and shine. Plus, it’s designed for blondes and lightened brunettes alike – it’s a nice boost for bringing highlights out to lustrous effect. Start by using it once a week to keep hair colour vivid and only build up if needed. 

R495 from Splush, www.retailbox.co.za and select salons 

John Frieda Hydrate & Recharge Deep Soak Masque 

No matter your hair type, one thing’s for sure – in winter, we could all benefit from taking the time to hair mask one a week. If you’ve tried the Hydrate & Recharge Shampoo and Conditioner from John Frieda, you’ll already know this brand is sent from the haircare gods. As an extra treat, this intensive hair treatment will return your dry, damaged strands to their healthy glory. Thick and buttery, it features a high-performing formula packed with drops containing monoi oil and keratin, meaning your locks will be left significantly less frizzy. Your hair will feel better just looking at this tub! Smooth this on for a mere two to three minutes and it can make a big, shiny difference to your crowning glory. It’s best used with the shampoo and conditioner to transform your hair in one application, but is also brilliant on its own. The large pot also goes a long way. 

R136 from Clicks