The Festive Hair Health Challenge

December is a beautiful, social, celebratory time - but for your hair, it’s often the most demanding month of the year.

After years behind the chair, one pattern always stood out:

most people enter the festive season with freshly highlighted, lighter hair, then expose it to more heat styling, more products, and more washing than usual.

The result? Hair that looks great for the first event… then slowly begins to feel:

• Brittle and prone to split ends

• Dry, rough or overly porous

• Dull, flat or limp from over-styling

• Frizzy or unpredictable when air-dried

• Dehydrated from repeated use of alcohol-based styling products

And once hair loses its softness or shape, we tend to style it more - creating a cycle that’s hard to break.

 

The good news? With a few small shifts, you can enjoy every event and protect your hair health at the same time.

 

The December Hair Health Philosophy: Less Heat, More Intention

Healthy festive hair isn’t about doing nothing — it’s about doing less, more intentionally.

Think of December as a month of strategic styling:

• Fewer full washes

• Fewer heat applications

• More nourishing treatments

• More styles that work with your hair, not against it.

1. Embrace Air-Drying (Even Partially)

You don’t need to fully air-dry your hair to see benefits.

Air-drying just 50–80% of the way dramatically reduces:

• Heat exposure

• Styling time

• Mechanical damage

Every minute less with a hot tool matters.

 

If your hair frizzes when air-dried, try this:

• Switch to a more nourishing conditioner

• If you usually use Thickening Conditioner, try Lengthening

• If you usually use Lengthening, try Youthful

• Use a soft cotton t-shirt instead of a towel to absorb water gently

• Let your hair dry in its natural shape — this creates smoother texture and more body with less effort later.

 

2. Layer Hydration to Reduce Styling Altogether

Your post-wash routine can dramatically change how your hair dries — and how much styling it needs afterward.

After washing:

1. Apply The Leave-In Treatment through mid-lengths and ends

2. Swipe Sleek + Treat over areas you usually heat-style (hairline, part, face-framing pieces)

When applied to damp hair, this combination:

• Absorbs deeply

• Seals in hydration

• Reduces frizz and flyaways once dry

• Creates smoothness without heat

 

3. If You Have Multiple Events in One Week…

Instead of fully shampooing every time, try this for one wash that week:

The Rinse + Condition Reset

• Skip shampoo

• Rinse thoroughly

• Lightly condition

• Use the ROBE Scalp Brush to gently exfoliate and stimulate circulation

This removes product buildup (dry shampoo, hairspray) while:

• Preserving natural oils

• Improving softness

• Boosting volume and movement

4. Choose Gentle Cleansing When You Do Wash

All ROBE shampoos are sulphate-free, meaning they cleanse thoroughly without stripping.

December is also the perfect time to incorporate Clean + Finish once or twice a week:

• A non-lathering, deeply nourishing cleanse

• Ideal for air-drying

• Adds body, texture and softness

• Leaves hair looking styled without styling

It pairs beautifully with The Leave-In Treatment and The Tonic for effortless, natural movement.

5. The 3-Event Styling Strategy (With One Heat Application)

This is one of the simplest ways to protect your hair during a busy social week.

Event 1: Fresh Blow-Dry

• One smooth, bouncy blow-dry with volume

• Apply The Tonic at the scalp for soft lift and treatment benefits

• Use minimal hairspray — opt for elasticity-boosting products instead

• Try a headband or side clip to avoid touching your hair

Event 2: Soft Hair-Up

• Utilise the remaining texture and style memory

• Low or swept-up styles work beautifully here

• Use the Scalp Brush to revive volume at the crown

• Comb through gently before styling

Event 3: Sleek & Polished

• Perfect timing for a refined look

• Use Sleek + Treat to smooth the hairline and part

• Embrace natural oils for shine and sophistication

• (No one needs to know this look is mostly effortless 😉)

Three hairstyles. One heat application.

 

Finish the Cycle With Scalp Care

Before your next wash:

• Use the Scalp Brush for a thorough massage and gentle exfoliation

• Encourage circulation

• Support long-term scalp and hair health

Then begin again — rested, nourished, and ready.

 

Final Thought

Healthy hair doesn’t disappear in December -  it just needs a little more intention.

By air-drying more, styling less, and choosing products that treat while they style, you can enjoy the festive season without compromising the health of your hair.