With the cold and the snow comes a hot cup of cocoa, warm embraces, and curly hair problems! Now, that doesn’t mean people with a head of curls can’t love and enjoy winter. It’s just going to require a little more time and effort than what we already dedicate to our hair on a good day.
The drop in temperature mixed with the dry air makes your already-dry hair even drier than ever before. No need to fret, though! Listed below are some tips on how you can weatherproof your crowning glory so that you can still rock that wintry hairstyle you’ve been itching to do since spring.
Best Ways to Moisturise
With the way the weather’s like during the colder seasons of the year, it’s going to be tempting to turn up your thermostat to keep your home warm and cozy. This, however, is bad news for your hair as it obliterates any kind of moisture from the air. And you know what that means for your curls.
Here are a few things to remember when keeping your gorgeous tresses moisturised when you’re indoors:
Use Cooler Water
A hot shower sounds like a dream during the winter, but the hotter the water is, the more it’s going to have a drying effect on your hair and even your skin. Hot water also strips moisture from your hair shaft, leaving you with frizzy curls.
When rinsing shampoo or conditioner from your hair, do it with the coolest setting you can stand. This helps in shocking your hair cuticle closed which keeps hair strong and shiny.
Lower The Thermostat When Sleeping
Before you fly off to dreamland, make sure to keep your thermostat’s temperature low to make the air less drying on your hair, scalp, and skin. It’ll even help you save a few bucks on your heating bill!
Sleep on Smooth & Soft Silk or Satin
If you don’t have one yet, invest in a fancy-schmancy silk pillowcase. The smooth fibers of silk or satin prevent unwanted frizz or breakage of your curls while you’re sleeping. Alternatively, you can use a satin bonnet.
Whether a silk pillow or a smooth bonnet, one thing’s for sure: your hair will still look fresh and beautiful the moment you wake up.
Use a Humidifier
A good way to keep the air in your room moist for the sake of your curls is to place a humidifier on your nightstand. If that’s not enough to convince you, this amazing piece of a device also helps you breathe easier through this treacherous flu season. Hit two birds with one stone and invest in a nice humidifier.
Winter Hair Care Changes
Just like your clothes that change depending on the season, your hair care routine will undergo a few swaps here and there too. Here’s your winter hair care cheat sheet so that the cold won’t bother your natural curls anymore.
To do less frequently:
- Wetting your hair. Keep your strands healthy by going an extra day between washing your hair. Leaving the house on a frosty morning with damp hair is a no-no. Your hair will end up freezing and subsequently breaking. Keep shampoo and conditioner at a minimum amount—once a week is enough. You can co-wash in-between shampoos to lock in moisture.
- Heat styling. Indoor heating is bad enough, but using curling irons and blow dryers will only make it worse and you might just end up with curls too brittle, dull, and dry. Whenever you use heat tools, however, make sure to prep your hair with products that will protect your strands from environmental stressors.
To do more often:
- Deep condition. Beat winter hair care blues with deep conditioner and hair masks that will help your strands hold in moisture and keep them nourished. Aside from keeping your hair moisturized, these also promote growth and luster.
- Use natural oils. Winter is the best time to use products with natural moisturizing ingredients. Look for hair care products that do not have any sulfate and contain ingredients that your strands will love such as argan oil, mongongo oil, and keratin. These oils will help you manage frizzy and dry hair.
- Style with protection in mind. Protective styling works well during the colder months as they protect your hair from any damage caused by the weather. Whether it’s snow, heat, or sleet, your hair will suffer less or even no damage if you style them in gorgeous wintry looks such as micro box braids, straight-backs, or faux locs.
Healthier You For Healthier Hair
Keeping your hair moisturized with a great winter hair care routine is great and all, but another important thing to bear in mind during this season is to take care of your body. Your overall health affects your hair, too.
Stay hydrated by drinking the right amount of water for your body. Eat foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as spinach, walnuts, tuna, and salmon. Not only are they healthy and filling, but they also help keep your hair healthy and strong.
When you nourish your body, you’re nourishing your hair as well.
Winter can get a little dreary sometimes, especially for us who love flaunting our natural hair. While our strands may need more TLC from us during this season, it doesn’t mean that we can’t enjoy every bit of it! By sticking to a winter hair care routine that your curls will absolutely love, you will still definitely slay any winter look.