With winter now in the revision mirror, it's time to get our locks ready for the warmer seasons. If you're anything like us, the dry, harsh conditions have wreaked havoc on your hair, leaving it feeling a tad worse for wear.
So, to bring moisture back and say goodbye to dreaded brittle hair, BD spoke with Australia's multi-award-winning hair stylist, Anthony Nader from RAW by Anthony Nader, to get all the top tips.
Nader, who was recently named Editorial Hairstylist of the Year at the ANZ Hair Industry Awards Creative 2025, shared what causes brittle hair, his advice on treating it, and what service he would refuse to do on a client with damaged hair. Keep on reading to learn more...
Tell us, what causes brittle hair?
Two things can contribute towards brittle hair, with those being over colouring and heat tools.
1. Ongoing colour applications of using powder lighteners and high-volume peroxides can have a long-term effect of damaged ends and feeling frail. When having your colour service done, it’s not every time you need colour applied to the ends. Instead, ask your hairdresser for a clear gloss on the ends. You can go past the healthy gloss, and this doesn’t have any harsh chemicals in it either.
2. And when it comes to styling, go easy on the excess heat and try a lower heat temp from today. Heat from your hot appliances will dehydrate your strands without a doubt, so always aim for a lower heat setting.
What would you say is the best way to treat brittle hair?
Moisture masks are fab for feeding hair strands the goodness they deserve.
Moisture will plump up strands a little until you can get to your hairdresser to have the ends snipped off to healthier days ahead.
What type of products do you recommend using if you suffer from brittle hair?
Always aim for products that feed strands nutrients that have been lost over time from excess colouring and using hot tools.
Serums, heat protector sprays and moisturisers will be your new besties to worn off brittle hair days ahead.
Although these products are low with the hold factor, they will feed your hair strands with ‘health’ rather than unnecessary alcohol-based products such as mousses and sprays that can dry out the hair.
What advice would you give to your clientele if they come to you with dry, damaged hair?
First thing I always recommend is a healthy haircut. Cutting off the ends is the most important and vital way to remove brittle hair strands.
There’s no point in ‘masking’ brittle ends when really, at the ends of the day it doesn’t solve the problem. When you remove the ends, your hair will grow stronger and faster.
As a hair stylist, is there a service you would refuse if your client came to you with extremely damaged and brittle hair?
Having a colour service that requires bleach lightener paired up with a high-volume peroxide. It’s not worth the heartache for the client nor the hairdresser.
For healthy, nourished locks BD recommends:
System Professional Repair Conditioner is a rich conditioning cream ideal for anyone with damaged, weak and brittle hair, who is looking for effective care. It helps restore softness and strengthen to the hair in just 30 seconds.
Sebastian Professional Penetraitt Repair Masque for Damaged Hair provides deep repair to weak hair, fortifying chemically treated hair when it is most vulnerable. Formulated with an active rescue system, it leaves dry, dull hair soft and shiny.
John Frieda Frizz-Ease® Miraculous Recovery Silk Drench Smoothing Water is a salon-quality formula that smooths frizz, leaving hair with a glossy shine. The Silk Water reduces breakage, split ends and even prevents future damage.
Nioxin Scalp Recovery Scalp Soothing Serum Soothe is a calming leave-in treatment made with wild mint oil to cool, hydrate and relieve discomfort from dryness or irritation.
Kerasilk Hydrating Essence is a highly-concentrated yet lightweight rinse-off treatment that provides dry and compromised hair with instant hydration for a healthy look and beautiful shine. It is enriched with biomimetic silk, a vegan silk alternative that improves hair structure on the journey to stronger and more beautiful hair.
Clairol ColourStrong is a revolutionary hair colour line that merges multi-dimensional colour with state-of-the-art hair-strengthening benefits. ColourStrong incorporates skincare-inspired ingredients like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) to strengthen and revitalise hair. The result is a long-lasting colour that ensures healthy hair from the inside out.
JUSTICE Professional Thinning Hair Rescue Lotion stimulates hair growth and boosts density through a powerful synergy of active botanicals, including soy proteins, wheat sprouts, baicalin, eucalyptus oil and menthol. Rich in flavonoids, it protects against environmental damage, supports cellular activity for healthy hair growth and leaves the scalp feeling refreshed.
Image credit: Getty/Supplied
