Shortcuts to staying on top of winter hair

Cold weather, combined with the effects of central heating, can do bad things to hair.

Not ideal, especially if there are festive parties to dazzle at.

Don't despair - a few choice buys will see you hair-fabulous long before Santa shows up.

Start as you mean to go on

To have hair that's in the best condition, start with the right shampoo and conditioner, ones that add moisture. Try Trevor Sorbie Beautifully Moisturised Frizz Free Fine/Normal Shampoo (4.99) or Charles Worthington Time Defy Moisture Renew Shampoo (5.29) and seal the deal with Toni & Guy Moisture Injection Conditioner (5.29).

Top condition

As faces benefit from a regular mask, so does hair, so try a weekly application of Herbal Essences Seductively Straight Sleekening Intensive Mask (3.99) to lock in nourishment and shine. And always apply an anti-frizz spray before heading out, try L'Oreal Elvive Smooth-Silk Light Condition-ing Smooth Spray (3.29), for extra protection.

For days when there's no time to wash, avoid dampening hair with water, which will add frizz, and avoid dry shampoo, which will dry hair further. Use a leave-in conditioner instead, Pantene Pro-V Naturefusion Moisture Balance Leave-in Conditioner (3.99) is good.

Style secrets

Make time to dry and style your hair.

The torment of frizz can be solved with a good blowdry and the right dryer. Mark Hill RAW Snow Leopard Style and Shine Power Hair Dryer (29.99, Boots) is funky and effective, with shine technology and cool shot function to really make hair sleek.

Apply a control cream, like John Frieda Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Smoothing Crme (4.79) when hair is wet, not towel-dried, as this will add life to your blowdry. Always aim the nozzle downwards to get a smooth finish, and dry the hair in sections, winding it round a large, round brush, like the Richard Ward Medium Radial Brush (7.99, Superdrug).

Big can be beautiful

Sleek doesn't need to mean flat, and a little volume is nice for a party look, so build some body. Start with Herbal Essences Uplifting Volume Shampoo (3.49), then try Trevor Sorbie Beautiful Volume Thickening Leave-In conditioner (1.95), followed by a head full of Boots Heated Rollers (22.50), given extra power with an application of James Brown London Volumising Mousse (5.99, Boots) prior to drying.

Shining example

A serum or gloss wax will solve frizz issues, but use only a small amount on the ends of your locks. Get Aveda Smooth Infusion Glossing Straightener (18, Jenners), which will straighten, polish and protect hair from heat damage and the effects of humidity.

Chop chop

With dry ends a common frizz-causer, it's worth having a regular trim. Every six to eight weeks should be enough to keep split ends at bay, and keep hair in check.

Final touches

A foolproof and popular way to banish frizz, add shine and give hair a quick style boost is using straighteners. The new Remington Style Professional Pearl Hair Straightener (79.99, Argos) should only be used on dry hair and heat up super-fast to give lasting results.

So take time to stay smooth this season, and you'll look stylish, even if you're short on time - and patience!