New for your 'do: Products to help repair hair post-winter

Regardless of what province we're living in, it's safe to say winter did a number on us. Record-breaking snow and cold, plus roller-coaster temps, had us waving the white flag early. Now, our bodies are weary, and our hair is right there with it. Your strands are probably dry and dull, and they might even be damaged.

With spring weather in sight, it's time to get going on your hair rehab plan. Need a little help? Here are eight of the newest shampoos, conditioners, masks and serums to rebuild and restore your Canadian winter–damaged hair.

Get your strands on this shampoo and conditioner combo to strengthen and repair dry, damaged hair. The key word for this duo is "moisturizing" — it's like a gulp of hydration for your locks. Argan and meadowfoam seed oils work together to build up weak hair. Also, now that the sun is out a bit longer, you'll appreciate that this pair also provides some natural UV protection with the addition of sunflower seed extract. For thicker, coarser hair, a pre-wash detangle is a good idea.

Verb Hydrate Duo Kit, $32, sephora.com

Getting back to your pre-winter hair is easy, thanks to this brand new hair mask — just smooth on the buttery goodness once a week. After you use this 100 per cent vegan mask, not only will your hair feel nourished and soothed, but your scalp will, too. The Body Shop gets all its shea butter through a community trade partnership in northern Ghana. Consider using the shampoo and conditioner from this line before this mask for increased protection from breakage.

Shea Butter Richly Replenishing Hair Mask, $16 (on sale for $11.20), thebodyshop.com

This conditioner is one of the latest Shea Moisture offerings here in Canada. And for us 3C to 4C hair types, it's what good hair days are made of. Around this time of year, you might start giving the twists and updos a break and opt for a good shake out, and this conditioner will leave your coils feeling soft and hydrated. But its claim to fame is that it's designed to make shrinkage-prone hair appear longer with a combination of cocoa butter, flaxseed and vitamin-rich red palm oil.

Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Leave-in or Rinse-out Conditioner, $11.96 (on sale for $9.96), walmart.ca

Ouai finally heard our calls and have now put their beloved treatment into an easier-to-use tube. You can use this mask once a week instead of your regular conditioner to treat damaged, staticky hair (if you have really coarse hair, feel free to use it daily). Be sure to comb it through after you smooth it on, and leave it for five to 10 minutes before rinsing. Your hair will be noticeably less dry and much softer. It's also paraben-free, and contains ingredients such as artichoke leaf extract to help seal hair cuticles and battle frizz. The scent is reminiscent of roses and cedarwood.

Ouai Treatment Masque, $40, sephora.ca

This soothing shampoo is like a mini spa day in a bottle with the addition of calming lavender oil. Aside from the aromatic experience, I know lavender oil to help with itchy scalp and dandruff, too. The nourishing coconut oil in this shampoo will also gently hydrate brittle ends. When you consider the price and the fact that this EverPure line is 100 per cent sulfate-free, perfect for maintaining colour-treated hair, it's a must-try.

L'Oreal EverPure Soothing Shampoo, $10.99, londondrugs.com

Healthy hair starts at the root, and this scalp treatment oil aims to help you get to the bottom of your hair woes. Line your scalp evenly with the product and massage it in; you may feel it tingling, but that's just the formula — made of blueberry seed oil, corn mint and coconut oil — doing its thing. Designed to treat a dry, itchy scalp and encourage hair growth, too, you'll be surprised at how lightweight this treatment is, making it suitable for all hair types. And just like most of the Curls line, it's sulfate-, silicone- and paraben-free.

Curls Blueberry & Mint Tea Scalp Treatment Oil, $16.99, clorebeauty.com

Spring showers won't be an issue with this new multitasking cream from Redken. Not only does it battle frizz, but it's also a detangler and promises to add extra moisture to your hair. Use it after your shampoo and conditioner but before heat styling or air drying. (If you opt for heat styling, it will help to tame those flyaways while protecting your hair from further heat damage.)  

Redken Frizz Dismiss Rebel Tame Heat Protective Leave In Cream, $32.25, ulta.com

If your crown is out here looking rough and dull, you might need something serious to save the day. That's where Pantene's new Intense Rescue Shots come in. They're designed specifically for colour-treated or heat-damaged hair, and all they need are one minute to work their magic. Each shot is a single-dose tube packed with glycerin and conditioning agents to help all hair types regain softness and flexibility — just in time for that spring makeover!

Pantene Pro-V Intense Rescue Shots, $7.99, amazon.ca

Nneka Elliott (@nnekaelliott) is a lifestyle blogger, host and actor. She shares her adventures with fashion and beauty in her pursuit of a gutsy life. nnekaelliott.com