When it’s freezing cold in January your hair might feel like straw, and come July’s humidity you could swear your mane has a mind of its own. Seasons change, fellas, and your hair and beard feel it. At Brock Street Barber Shop, we get a ton of questions: “Why is my beard so flaky every winter?” “How do I keep my hairstyle from poofing up in the summer?” The secret is adjusting your grooming routine with the seasons. Just like swapping your wardrobe, you’ve gotta swap up your hair care habits when Mother Nature turns the dial to “extreme.” Here’s how to keep your hair and beard looking on-point through the dry chills of winter and the sticky heat of summer.
Winter Hair & Beard Care Tips
Winter can be brutal on your hair. Cold air outside, dry heated air inside – it’s a double whammy that sucks moisture out of every strand. The result? Dry, brittle hair, a flaky scalp, and a beard that feels like a Brillo pad. But don’t worry, you don’t have to hibernate until spring. Try these winter-proof grooming tips:
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Deep Condition Weekly: Cold weather saps moisture from your hair. Combat that by using a deep conditioning treatment or hair mask once a week. Look for ones with shea butter, argan oil, or coconut oil to really nourish your hair. This helps replenish hydration that winter air steals away. You’ll notice your hair is softer and more manageable, even when it’s freezing out.
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Avoid Overheating Your Hair: It’s tempting to take long, hot showers when it’s chilly, or to blast your hair with a hot blow-dryer. Try to resist! Hot water and excessive heat styling further dry out your hair and scalp. Wash with warm (not scalding) water, and when you can, let your hair air dry. If you must blow-dry, use a heat protectant and keep the setting medium. This prevents extra damage on top of winter’s dryness.
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Scalp Care for Flakes: Ever notice more dandruff in winter? You’re not imagining it. The dry indoor heat can give you an itchy, flaky scalp. Switch to a moisturizing or dandruff shampoo (something with zinc or coal tar) once or twice a week to keep flakes at bay. And don’t forget to hydrate your body too – drink water, use a humidifier in your bedroom – your scalp is part of your skin, and it needs moisture from the inside and out.
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Shield Your Hair Outdoors: When the wind is howling and the temps drop, wearing a hat or beanie helps protect your hair from the elements. Just make sure it’s not super tight; you don’t want to yank hairs out or grease up your scalp. A loose beanie or a lined winter hat can prevent cold air from whipping moisture out of your hair. Plus, it keeps you warm – win-win.
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Beard SOS – Moisturize, Moisturize, Moisturize: Winter is the season of beard dandruff (those annoying white flakes in your beard) because the skin under your beard gets drier than dry. After you wash your beard (with a gentle beard wash a couple times a week), apply a heavier beard oil or balm than you would in summer. Look for balms with beeswax, shea butter, and oils – these create a protective layer and seal in moisture to combat the harsh winter air
. You might even apply oil and balm: oil first to hydrate, then a balm to lock it in. Your beard will stay softer, and your skin won’t flake like a pastry. Don’t Over-Wash Your Beard: In winter, scale back how often you shampoo your beard. You can rinse it daily, but wash it 2-3 times a week at most. This preserves natural oils. On non-wash days, you can just condition it or use a co-wash. The idea is to avoid stripping what little oil your skin is managing to produce in the dry cold. Trust us, this one tweak can make a huge difference in comfort.
Summer Hair & Beard Care Tips
Ah, summer – your hair’s having a frizz party and your scalp is an oil slick. Humidity and heat bring a whole new set of challenges. The goal in summer is to keep your hair clean, cool, and protected without letting it puff up like a pomeranian. Here’s what to do when the mercury rises:
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Fight the Frizz: Summer humidity is notorious for turning even the neatest style into a poofy mess. (Curly-haired guys, we feel your pain especially.) The science: moisture in the air makes your hair swell and strands go every which way, leading to frizz. To battle this, use an anti-frizz serum or a leave-in conditioner in the mornings. These products coat your hair and help keep excess moisture out. A drop of argan oil can also work wonders to keep hair smooth. For curly hair, a good curl cream applied to damp hair will define curls and fend off frizz. And whenever possible, let your hair air dry in summer – less heat means less frizz.
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Lighter Products for Hair: In the heat, your scalp produces more oil and you’re sweating. Heavy pomades or creams can melt and make things worse (hello, greasy forehead). Switch to lighter styling products in summer. Try a styling powder or a light hair mousse for volume without weight, or a clay that has a matte finish (they tend to handle sweat better). You might also find you need to shampoo more often in summer – and that’s fine. If your hair gets greasy or sweaty daily, a daily gentle shampoo will keep you feeling fresh. Just make sure to condition enough, because sun and chlorine can dry your hair out even if your scalp is oily.
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Scalp and Hair Sun Protection: Yes, your hair can get sun damage, and your scalp can burn (ever had peeling on your part line? Not fun). If you’re out in strong sun, consider a leave-in spray with UV protection. These are like sunscreen for your hair. Spray it on before hitting the beach or playing sports. It’ll help prevent that dry, bleached-out look hair gets after too much sun. And for your scalp, wearing a hat is the simplest protection. A cap or hat not only shades your hair and scalp from UV, but also keeps your head cooler and protects from dust and pollution.
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Keep it Cool and Clean: Unlike winter, in summer you might need to wash more frequently – especially your beard, which can trap sweat and oils. Wash your beard every few days or even daily if you’re active, using a gentle beard shampoo. Afterwards, use a lighter beard oil (like grapeseed or jojoba) rather than a heavy balm, so you don’t feel like you have a blanket on your face. You want your beard hydrated but not weighed down or greasy in the heat. As for hair, if you find yourself shampooing every day due to sweat, use a mild shampoo and a light conditioner each time. Sweating can also lead to more scalp oil and even pimples at your hairline – keeping your hair clean will help with all that. And whenever you go swimming in a chlorinated pool, rinse your hair with fresh water beforehand and after. Pro tip: if you saturate your hair with clean water or conditioner before you swim, it’ll absorb less chlorine. Chlorine can turn your hair into a dry, brittle mess or give lighter hair a green tinge – no thanks.
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Embrace Shorter Cuts (if inclined): Many guys opt for a shorter haircut as the temperature rises. There’s no shame in a summer chop – shorter hair is cooler (literally) and easier to manage in humidity. Fades, buzz cuts, high-and-tights, or undercuts on the sides can reduce the volume that humidity likes to fluff up. If you keep some length on top, consider styles that work with a little messiness (like a textured crop or messy quiff), so if you do get some frizz or volume, it looks intentional. And remember, regular trims (every 4-6 weeks) in summer will keep your style fresh and remove any dry ends from sun or saltwater exposure.
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Hydrate Inside and Out: Summer can dehydrate you, which in turn dehydrates your hair. Drink water – your whole body (hair included) will thank you. Also, don’t skip conditioning because it’s hot; use a lighter conditioner or even a vinegar rinse occasionally to keep hair’s pH balanced and cut down on sweat grime. And if your hair still gets poofy, a cool rinse at the end of your shower can help close the cuticles.
Whether it’s dry winter air causing beard flakes or humid summer weather puffing your ’do into a cloud, a few adjustments to your routine can save the day (and your style). Remember, grooming isn’t one-size-fits-all year-round. The guy with the great hair and beard isn’t necessarily working harder – he’s just working smarter, adapting to the season. So take these tips, make them yours, and keep looking like a boss no matter the weather. And of course, if you need a seasonal tune-up – be it a moisturizing treatment, a summer cut, or just some advice – you know where to find us. Brock Street Barber Shop has you covered, winter, spring, summer, and fall. Stay handsome, gents!