How to manage and use hot tools during the winter months
By Carla Snuggs

As we daydream about the summer days and our hair blowing in the wind with the car windows rolled down, winter’s arrival means hair planning.  Evo’s International Creative Director, Lauren McCowan, offers advice and tips on how to manage and use hot tools during the upcoming winter months.

The most important thing when using hot tools on the hair is making sure you have a good base to start on.

• Using a good shampoo and conditioner to build moisture and strength in your hair is the most important step. You need to fill in the gaps in the hair's health and then use your hot tools to seal that in. It will make your style last longer and give better shine and quality hair.  Ritual Salvation Shampoo and conditioner from evo have a repair and hydration factor as well as a UV/UVB factor without being heavy or greasy. 

• Once the hair is prepped, a good leave-in conditioner will create an even porosity and also an extra layer of moisture to counteract against the heat. Day of Grace leave in conditioner spray is totally weightless and will give an extra UVA/UVB protection for all hair types.

• Icon Welder by evo is one of the most versatile heat protectors on the market. While giving the hair amazing protection from hot tools, it also has a hold and shine factor that will keep your style in place as well as being completely brushable. Spray over the whole head wet and dry in or spray in dry and brush in before heat styling.

• One of the major mistakes that women make when using hot tools is to spray the section with hairspray BEFORE putting the hot tool on it. Hairspray contains alcohol in its formulation and when you apply heat over a layer of hairspray it dries the hair out even more and can create static as well as causing your curls to drop.

• When the hair is dried out, it will attract what it needs on a base moisture level from the atmosphere around it - hence the reason hair that has had too much heat applied to it 'drops out'. By building a good foundation with product and using your tools on moderate to medium temperature, you will essentially 'seal' the moisture in the hair and your hair will look better and last longer. 
   
• Set the hair first and spray with hairspray after to set the style you have created. Evo's Helmut Light is a strong hold hairspray that is completely brushable and will leave an invisible finish in the hair so you are never stuck with 'crunchy' curls.

 Feature Image: Purdyandpower.co.uk 

What is your best winter haircare tip? Leave your tips below!