When you have curly hair, winter can be especially harsh on your hair. The cold dry air and the harsh temperatures can leave your curls super brittle and prone to breakage. So, switching up your hair care routine in the winter is very important for maintaining healthy hair.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the best hair care tips that will help keep your curls hydrated and healthy all through the winter.
How Does Winter Affect Your Hair?
As the temperature drops and the weather gets colder, the air becomes very dry and loses much of its humidity. This causes the outer layer of your hair strands, also known as the cuticles to become lifted, allowing for moisture to escape out of the hair very easily. Now, when you have curly hair that is already notorious for being prone to dryness, this can really leave your hair super dry and brittle as it struggles to maintain adequate moisture.
This is why most people experience more breakage, frizz, and lack of definition in the winter. Unless you take steps to combat these effects, your hair will start to look and feel very lacklustre and unhealthy, so it is very important to incorporate some changes into your routine now that winter is here.
1.Layer Your Products
Product layering is the key to keeping your curls soft and moisturised all through the winter. While you may have been able to get away with applying only a dollop of leave-in conditioner in the warmer months, that simply won't cut it in the winter.
So try to use the LOC (liquid, Oil, Cream) or LCO( Liquid Cream Oil) method in your routine. This means you will need to apply a liquid-based product like our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner or Everyday Curl Refresh. Then layer up with our Coconut & Jamaican Castor Oil Curling Creme and the Hair & Scalp Oil.
A combination of multiple layers of products will help seal moisture into your hair for longer and help minimise frizz. This technique is extremely beneficial to all hair types but it is especially important for those with high-porosity hair.
2.Up Your Moisture Sessions
To ensure your hair gets adequate moisture, you need to moisturise more often. If you usually moisture 1-2 times a week during warmer months, now it's time to kick things up a notch and moisture 3-4 times a week. You may need more or less than that but the key is to pay attention to how your hair feels every day and use your leave-in conditioner or curl refresh spray as often as you think is necessary.
3.Use Silk-Lined Hats And Scarfs
It is very common for people to wear hats and scarves in the winter to protect their hair from the elements. Now, while this is great and will help keep your hair from being exposed to the harsh weather, it is very important to make sure you use the proper head covering. Hats made from cotton and wool can cause unnecessary friction and further dry out the hair so it is important to make sure your hats are lined with silk or satin. If you're using scarves to protect your hair, make sure they are silk or satin.
4.Opt For Protective Styles
Winter is a great time to rock protective styles if you're worried about frizz and dryness. Hairstyles like braids cornrows twists, Bantu knots, and even braided ponytails are great for keeping your ends tucked away and protected from the harsh weather. They also help your hair retain moisture for longer since your curls are not fully exposed to the elements.
5.Incorporate Heat Into Your Routine
Winter is the perfect time to incorporate heat into your routine–we're talking about steaming your hair so don't go thinking it's okay to flat iron your hair every day. In fact, try to avoid heat styling in the winter as much as possible as it can cause further dryness.
Instead, introduce a hair steamer into your hair routine in the winter to help open the cuticle and allow easy penetration of the moisturising ingredient in your hair products. This will help keep the hair more supple and better hydrated. The best way to do this is to steam your hair while deep conditioning with our Manuka Honey Deep Conditioning Mask or after applying our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner. All you need is 10-15 minutes of steam and your hair will feel so much better.
6.Use A Hot Oil Treatment
If your curls are feeling extremely brittle and dull, a hot oil treatment is a great way to give them an extra boost of nourishment. You can do this treatment before shampooing your hair or after, but regardless of when you do or, it is guaranteed to help improve the shine and softness of your hair.
If you use a deeply nourishing oil like our Hair & Scalp Oil, it can even help to keep your hair more hydrated. Just pour a generous amount of the oil into a bowl and place it in a pot of hot water. Cover it for a few minutes and once the oil is hot, apply it evenly from your ends to your roots. Cover the hair and leave it for about thirty minutes before rinsing.
7.Style Your Hair With Hydrating Products
Whether you're rocking a protective style or letting your curls out, in the winter it is extremely important to use styling products that are hydrating and do not contain harsh ingredients that will dry out your hair. Our Twist & Braid Gel, Flaxseed Oil & Rosewater Curling Mousse, and Curl Elongating Gel are all perfect styling products for this season. They all contain moisturising ingredients and nourishing oils that will not only keep your hair hydrated but also help to seal in moisture.
8. Use A Gentle Shampoo
Using harsh shampoos that strip your hair of its natural oils can make your hair feel even more brittle and dry in the winter. Instead, opt for gentle shampoos like our Hydration Shampoo that cleanses without stripping your curls and keeps your hair soft. Additionally, try to avoid over-shampooing your hair. Curly hair does not need to be washed as frequently as other hair types so to avoid drying out your hair, keep your wash day to no more than 2-3 times a month.
9.Stay Hydrated
Quench the thirst of your curls from the inside by staying hydrated all through the winter. If your body is extremely dehydrated, it will ultimately start to show in your hair and make things even worse. So try to drink enough water and maintain a healthy diet.
10. Load Up On Conditioner
A conditioner like our Moisture Rich Conditioner is going to be your bestie all through the winter as it helps smooth the cuticle and replenish your curls with moisture. For extra nourishment, Manuka Honey Deep Conditioning Mask even goes a step further and works to strengthen the hair while improving its shine.
Try to deep condition once a week or after every wash rejuvenate your hair and keep it healthy.
11. Use A Humidifier
When you're indoors, it can be very helpful to use a humidifier to help reintroduce moisture back into the air. This will keep your hair better hydrated and refreshed.
If you want to keep your hair healthy and safe from damage as the weather gets cold, be sure to follow all the tips we've outlined in this article. No matter how brutally harsh the weather gets, your curls will remain hydrated, soft, and frizz-free all through the season.