If you’re a curly-haired individual like myself, you understand the struggle of maintaining those beautiful coils, especially during winter. With the cold air and harsh winds, our curls often become dry and frizzy, needing extra care and protection.
Here are 15 practical tips to safeguard your curly hair throughout the winter season, ensuring it stays vibrant and healthy:
1. Protect Your Curls While Outdoors
When venturing outside in cold weather, shield your curls from harsh winds by wearing a hat or scarf. Opt for accessories lined with satin or silk to prevent dryness and reduce friction, which can cause breakage. Remember to secure your hair underneath to prevent it from getting tangled or damaged by the elements.
2. Stay Hydrated
Ensure your curls remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water, especially during outdoor activities in the cold. Adequate hydration supports overall hair health from within.
3. Deep Condition
Combat the effects of cold air and indoor heating by regularly using a deep conditioner. Apply it at least once or twice a week to restore moisture, strengthen your curls, and protect them from winter damage. For an added boost, cover your hair with a shower cap or warm towel while deep conditioning to help the product penetrate deeply into your strands.
4. Use a Humidifier
Consider using a humidifier, like the Air Innovations model, to maintain moisture levels in the air. This passive method can help combat dryness, benefiting your hair, skin, and overall health during winter. Place the humidifier in your bedroom or living space to ensure your curls are exposed to adequate moisture throughout the day and night.
5. Diffuse Curls
When using heat-styling tools like a diffuser, opt for the warm-to-cool setting to prevent heat damage to your curls. Additionally, minimize the use of heat styling tools whenever possible to prevent excessive dryness and damage. Embrace air-drying or use heatless styling techniques to preserve your curls’ health during winter.
6. Don’t Go Outside with Wet Hair
Avoid going outside with wet hair, especially in freezing temperatures, as this can cause your curls to freeze and become brittle. Ensure your hair is completely dry before braving the cold. To expedite drying, consider using a microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt to blot excess moisture from your hair before styling gently.
7. Less is More
Use minimal amounts of styling products to avoid weighing down your curls and experiencing product buildup. A little product goes a long way in styling your curls effectively. Opt for lightweight, water-based products that provide hydration and definition without leaving residue or causing stiffness.
8. Rinse with Cool Water
Finish your shower with a rinse of lukewarm or cool water to help seal the cuticle layers of your hair, promoting shine and overall hair health. Additionally, consider incorporating a weekly apple cider vinegar rinse into your hair care routine to remove buildup and restore pH balance to your scalp and hair.
9. Natural Oils
Combat dry winter weather using natural oils like coconut oil to moisturize your curls. Focus on applying oil to the ends of your hair for added hydration. You can also create your own DIY hair masks using oils like argan oil, jojoba oil, or avocado oil to nourish and condition your curls deeply.
10. Hot Oil Treatment
Treat your curls to a hot oil treatment using coconut oil or other penetrating oils. This helps combat dryness, split ends, and breakage caused by exposure to cold weather. To enhance the effectiveness of the treatment, gently massage the oil into your scalp and hair, then cover your hair with a shower cap or warm towel for 30 minutes to allow the oil to penetrate deeply into your strands. Rinse thoroughly with warm water and follow up with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
11. Take Care Of Your Scalp
Your scalp plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of your hair, as it houses the hair follicles from which your strands grow. During the winter, it’s essential to prioritize scalp health to ensure optimal hair growth and moisture retention.
- Scalp Treatment: Incorporate a scalp treatment into your routine to nourish and moisturize your scalp. You can create your own DIY scalp treatment by combining one teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of olive oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp, massaging it gently to promote circulation and absorption. Leave the treatment on for twenty minutes before rinsing it out with lukewarm water.
- Herbal Rinse: Alternatively, you can create a herbal rinse using rosemary and thyme to invigorate and moisturize your scalp. Simply add ¼ tablespoon of dried rosemary and ¼ tablespoon of dried thyme to a pot of water and let it steep for ten minutes. After steeping, add a cup of cold water to the mixture. Use this herbal infusion as a final rinse after shampooing and conditioning your hair. Allow it to sit on your scalp for a few minutes before rinsing thoroughly.
12. Styling Products
Enhance protection against the elements by applying a leave-in conditioner or curl cream to your curls before venturing outdoors. These products create a barrier that shields your hair from the cold and wind, helping to maintain moisture and reduce frizz.
13. Wash Schedule
Adjusting your wash schedule during the winter months can help keep your curls healthy and hydrated. If you typically wash and deep condition your hair bi-weekly, consider increasing it to once a week to combat dryness. Alternatively, if you already wash your hair weekly, incorporate a hot oil treatment into your routine for added moisture.
Consistency is key to maintaining healthy curls, so ensure you stick to your cleansing and moisturizing regimen without skipping a day. By staying consistent, you’ll help keep your curls nourished and protected throughout the winter season.
14. Humectants
Dispel the misconception that you should avoid glycerin and other humectants during colder months! It’s not as simple as “stay away from certain ingredients because they cause dryness.” Remember, you’re not purchasing individual ingredients but complete formulas. While the ingredients list offers valuable insight, it doesn’t tell the whole story.
A skilled cosmetic chemist can formulate products to mitigate negative effects and enhance positive ones. For instance, determining whether a shampoo will excessively strip moisture from your curls isn’t solely based on a single ingredient.
When assessing products, consider the entire ingredient list. Look for specific cleansing agents and combinations of surfactants, polymers, oils, and conditioning agents like humectants and vitamins. To explore incorporating humectants into your winter hair care routine, refer to our blog post “Glycerin For Hair: What You Need To Know.”
15. Protective Hairstyles for Winter
During the winter season, many individuals with curly hair face the challenge of protecting their locks from the harsh elements. Cold weather can lead to frizz and dryness, requiring extra care and attention to maintain healthy hair.
However, protecting your hair doesn’t have to be complicated. Consider trying one of these protective hairstyles to shield your curls from the winter weather while keeping them stylish and healthy all season long.
- Braids: Braiding your hair is an excellent way to safeguard it from the cold. It keeps your hair off your neck and prevents frizz. With various braid styles available, you can effortlessly choose one that complements your personal style.
- Ponytails: Ponytails offer a simple yet effective solution for keeping your hair tidy during winter. They are versatile and can be styled in numerous ways. Ensure to use a hair tie without metal parts to prevent any damage to your curls.
- Bun: The classic bun is ideal for curly hair, providing style and protection from the winter chill. Whether worn high or low, a bun keeps your hair away from your face while shielding it from the cold.
- Bantu Knots: Bantu knots are a convenient protective style that requires minimal time and effort. They are perfect for individuals seeking to keep their hair away from their faces during winter.
- French Twist: For a more sophisticated look, consider the French twist. This elegant style keeps your hair off your face and protects it from harsh winter conditions.
- Ponytail with Bun: This style combines the convenience of a ponytail with the elegance of a bun, offering the best of both worlds. It’s ideal for those who want a versatile and protective hairstyle.
- Crochet Braids: Crochet braids provide long-lasting protection, lasting up to six months. This makes them an excellent option for winter, ensuring your hair remains safeguarded throughout the season.
16. Hair Cleaning Frequency
Maintaining healthy, moisturized hair hinges significantly on how often we cleanse it. Over-washing can strip curly hair of its natural oils, resulting in dryness. Curly-haired individuals should aim to wash their hair once or twice a week, adjusting as needed.
In winter, there’s a common belief that we should reduce washing frequency or solely co-wash. However, this approach can backfire. By washing less frequently, we might unknowingly layer products on our strands, suffocating them beneath layers of buildup.
This cycle often leads to dry, coated hair that eventually becomes brittle and breaks off. Instead of solely relying on co-washing during winter, it’s essential to incorporate a clarifying shampoo into your routine at least once a month to prevent excessive buildup.
