The holiday season is in full swing, bringing festive gatherings, cooler temperatures, and countless opportunities to showcase your latest and greatest hair color. But between party prep, travel plans, and winter weather conditions, anyone with color-treated hair faces unique challenges this time of year.
The good news? With the right products and a color-focused routine, you can keep your hair looking salon-fresh through every holiday event. Plus, enjoy 33% off sitewide through 11/30/2025 with code “COLOR33” — the perfect moment to discover your color crush!
Read ahead for Colorproof’s top five tips for repairing and protecting color-treated hair throughout the most wonderful (and demanding!) time of year.
Winter Hair Health: How to Protect Hair Color During the Holidays
Plan Ahead For Winter Dryness, Starting with Hydration
Cold weather doesn't just feel harsh. It actively strips moisture from your hair, leaving strands brittle, dull, and prone to breakage—and colored hair is especially vulnerable. And between dry air outside and dry heating indoors, there’s no way around it: the next few months are a perfect storm for dehydration, and ultimately, premature color fading.
The best way to avoid this dehydrated fate? Start building a moisture-focused routine before dryness becomes a problem.
Enter Moisture Shampoo and Moisture Conditioner, a fan-favorite duo that delivers lasting hydration to your hair and scalp while providing unsurpassed color preservation. On top of replenishing thirsty strands, they also fight free radicals, making hair more resilient against the conditions ahead.
For even more hydration prep, incorporate Moisture Masque at least once a week. Designed for brittle, dry strands, this ultra-restorative formula infuses moisture and shine along the hair shaft, fortifying hair against future breakage.
By prioritizing hydration now, you'll start the season with the ideal foundation for long-lasting, luminous color all season long.
Pro-tip: Remember that hot water can worsen dryness! On wash days, rinse dehydrated hair with lukewarm or cool water.
Add More Heat Shields Than Usual
You already know that every instance of heat styling without proper protection accelerates color fading and weakens your hair's structure. But consider that the holiday season means more events, which means more styling—which could warrant more heat-resistant formulas while styling.
So, instead of using just Essential Leave-In for styling prep, be sure to apply at least two additional styling products with confirmed heat shields (on damp hair before drying and styling, of course). Here’s every Colorproof styler that wards off heat up to 450 degrees:
- Plush Locks Leave-In Smooth®
- Biorepair® Thicken Blow Dry Spray
- Volume Blow Dry Spray
- Lift It® Mousse
- Super Plump® Whipped Mousse
Go light, but not heavy — these rich formulas work wonders with just a small amount. Add more only if you need!
Seal Your Style For Maximum Moisture Retention
After investing time in hydrating treatments and heat styling your hair to perfection, the last thing you want is for moisture to escape before you even leave the house. Instead, use a finisher to seal your cuticles, lock in the nourishment you've applied, and create a protective barrier against wind, cold air, and indoor heating.
For shine, luster, and frizz control, run a light dab of Smooth Drops over your strands. For bold styles that could use some extra grip, apply All Around® Working Hairspray (which also fights humidity!). For extra dimension, volume, and separation, finish with a few spritzes of Texture Charge® Defining Finishing Spray.
This final step is often overlooked, but it makes the difference between color that looks freshly styled versus hair that falls flat or turns frizzy midway through your event!
Is It Cold, Windy, or Snowy? Cover Your Hair, But Avoid Friction
Wind tangles and roughens the cuticle, cold air zaps away moisture, and snow brings dampness that can lead to frizz. Protecting your hair from these elements is essential, but the way you cover it makes a world of difference!
For example: Scarves and hoods might reduce exposure, but they also cause friction that damages the cuticle, dulls your color, and creates static. So, get creative with reducing anything that might rub your hair. Think claw clips to keep hair above your coat collar, umbrellas instead of beanies, and silk scarves instead of scratchy ones.
Post-Party Reset: Restoring Your Hair Health and Color Brilliance
After a few buzzy social events, all that product buildup and environmental stress can leave strands looking dull, feeling damaged, and struggling to maintain their original vibrancy. The easiest way to course correct? A targeted treatment mask.
You can return to your pre-party Moisture Masque, but the Instant Reboot Treatment Masque revitalizes compromised strands by targeting the cuticle to fortify and seal suffering hair—in other words, the perfect post-party antidote. For blondes battling brassiness after weeks of indoor heating and styling, the Weekly Blonde Masque restores luster while fighting unwanted tones.
If brass is top of mind, Blonde Toning Drops offer a customizable solution that can be added directly to your existing shampoo or conditioner for true toning correction.
Cheers to a healthy holiday season filled with vibrant shades and happy hair! We love seeing Colorproof in action, so tag us on Instagram and TikTok (@colorproohair) using the hashtag #ColorproofHair.
We can’t wait to see you there!
Xx,
Colorproof
