Winter is one of that times of the season when the air outside gets so much drier, it sucks the moisture from our natural hair, leaving it dry, hard, and susceptible to breakage, tangles, and other hair damage. The indoor heating systems are just as drying for your hair (talk about a real bummer) but you don’t have to walk into the winter unprepared. Our hair care arsenal is loaded with essentials needed to enable our curls, coils, and waves to combat the harshness of the weather and keep it thriving. The weather may be tough but these items are tougher. So without further ado, from hair cleansing products to repair creams to protective hats, here are some of the winter holy grail essentials we are thankful for:
COWASHES
Cowashes are a great substitute to condition and cleanse our hair between wash days. During harsh weather conditions that can come in the winter, we really don’t want our hair stripped of its natural oils, which is what a shampoo does.
Here are a couple of cowashes that help to gently cleanse our hair without stripping them of their natural oils:
1. EDEN BODYWORKS COCONUT SHEA CLEANSING COWASH
This is a sulfate-free gentle-cleansing conditioner that helps to remove product residue and build-up in the hair between regular washings to promote an overall healthy hair environment for growth.
2. CAROL’S DAUGHTER HAIR MILK COWASH CLEANSING CONDITIONER
Carols’ Daughter is formulated with Agave Nectar to help your curls, coils, and kinks get intense hydration (which is needed during Winter) and Pro-Vitamin B5 and shea butter to help strengthen your strands and keep them conditioned and detangled.
DEEP CONDITIONERS
Unlike regular conditioners, deep conditioners are formulated with intense moisturizing and/or protein ingredients to strengthen, repair, and replenish your hair strands with hydration, leaving them softer, shinier, and healthier. Deep conditioners not rinsed out immediately but are left to sit in the hair for at least 10 – 15 minutes to help nourish and replensih moisture in the scalp which makes them an essential winter holy grail product to have.
3. AFRICAN PRIDE MOISTURE MIRACLE MOROCCAN CLAY & SHEA BUTTER HEAT ACTIVATED MASQUE
African Pride Moisture contains Moroccan Red Clay that detoxifies and removes impurities and product build-up from the hair. It also contains shea butter that replenishes the hair with moisture and also strengthens it.
4. ONE ‘N ONLY ARGAN OIL HYDRATING MASK
If you’re looking for a hair mask that packs a punch, look no furhter. One ‘N Only helps to restructure the hair’s protective film to shield it from damage, leaving the hair with an overall healthy look and feel.
LEAVE-IN CONDITIONERS
Leave-in conditioners are applied to damp or dry hair and left in instead of being rinsed out like regular conditioners and deep conditioners. As a winter holy grail essential, investing in a good leave-in conditioner can be the difference between dry and moistuirzed hair. They provide the hair with moisture, making it smooth and manageable.
5. CURLS BLUEBERRY BLISS REPARATIVE LEAVE IN CONDITIONER
Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparitive Leave-In Conditioner is a fan favorite that repairs, restores, and conditions overworked curls. It has also been clinically proven to repair damaged hair, encourage hair growth, and prevent breakage.
6. AS I AM LEAVEIN CONDITIONER
As I Am is helping to keep the tangles away and provides a great foundation for natural styling. It contains an organic strengthening agent, plus natural ingredients that promote hair growth.
MOISTURIZERS
We’ve been talking this whole time about what makes a good holy grail product during the winter, and moisture is key. These are water-based creams formulated to penetrate the hair shafts with moisture and a couple of our favorites include:
7. SHEAMOISTURE COCONUT & HIBISCUS HOLD & SHINE MOISTURE MIST
A moisture mist that penetrates thick, curly hair, this is a special blend of nourishing silk protein, and hydrating coconut and neem oils that restore moisture and body while providing curl control for bouncy, healthy curls.
8. OBIA NATURALS TWIST WHIP BUTTER
This triple treat of unrefined Shea Butter, Tucuma Butter, and Mango Butter is formulated to intensely moisturize, seal, add shine, and protect the hair. It is also packed with the essential oils of Lemongrass and Lavender to keep your strengthened strands soft and to achieve lasting curl definition.
9. COCONUT RESTORE CASHMERE HAIR SOFTENING TONIC
The Coconut Restore Cashmere Hair Softening Tonic is formulated to help improve texture and manageability; it also conditions and softens hair for soft bounce-back curls and waves.
10. HOT OIL TREATMENTS
The purpose of hot oil treatments is to revive your dull strands, strengthen and replenish them with moisture, repair damage, and improve their appearance, among others, something you definitely need for winter. You can do a simple hot oil treatment at home by following these easy steps:
- Pour your favorite hair oils into an applicator bottle (these could include coconut, castor, jojoba oils, etc.).
- Leave the applicator bottle to sit in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
- Apply the warmed oils to your scalp and hair.
Watch this video here to see how to do a hot oil treatment:
HEAT PROTECTANTS
We always try to reduce the amount of heat on our hair, but if you’re going to use heat styling tools, you want to keep your curls, coils, and waves protected. It’s important to have a protective barrier between our hair and the heat so as not to cause any form of damage during this season.
11. FANTASIA IC HEAT PROTECTOR STRAIGHTENING SERUM
This highly concentrated formula protects the hair against heat damage from flat irons, hair dryers, and curling irons. It also leaves your hair silky soft with a vibrant shine.
12. RUCKER ROOTS LEAVE-IN HEAT PROTECTANT
Rucker Roots is bringing a leave-in treatment that helps you get your desired styles without damaging your hair.
OLAPLEX BOND TREATMENTS
Olaplex is a hair solution designed to repair and restore broken hair bonds that may have been damaged as a result of heat, color application, or other chemical and mechanical damage.
13. OLAPLEX NO.6 BOND SMOOTHER
This leave-in reparative styling creme eliminates frizz, hydrates & protects all hair types. It also strengthens, hydrates, moisturizes, and eliminates frizz and flyaways for up to 72 hours.
14. OLAPLEX HAIR PERFECTOR NO 3 REPAIRING TREATMENT
This is a single molecule, free of silicones and oils, that dramatically improves hair strength, protects from within, and provides immediate results.
SATIN-LINED HATS
If there’s one thing wool, cotton or other non-satin/silk hats do to your hair when you wear them, it intensifies the frizz and worsens the dryness. However, with satin-lined hats, your hair can retain moisture, and frizz is reduced to the barest minimum.
15. LVAIZ WINTER KNIT BEANIE FOR WOMEN SATIN LINED CABLE
This classic winter fashion trendy beanie is lined with satin to keep your hair smooth and maintain the hair moisture from being exposed to the dry air meanwhile the thick outer preserves the warmth providing extra care to your head and ears.
16. HYSUNLAND WOMEN’S SATIN LINED KNITTED BERET
Winter is here which means it’s time for fun accessories like this satin-lined beret which was designed to protect the women’s hair and keep hairstyles frizz-free.
CLARIFYING SHAMPOOS
Clariyfying shampoos can be used sparingly during the winter season (because of their drying properties), but these contain surfactants to help rid your hair of grease, oil, product buildup, and other impurities.
17. TALIAH WAAJID BLACK EARTH PRODUCTS STIMULATING HERBAL CLEANSER
The winter time can create layers of product build up on your scalp so you need a great product to cleanse your scalp. This product can soothe itching and other minor scalp irritations while stimulating your scalp for optimal hair growth.
18. PURE BY MADE BEAUTIFUL PUREIFYING CLEANSER
This detoxifying cleanser gently removes impurities and product build-up from hair. A unique blend of sea kelp, aloe, lemon, and cucumber, it helps the hair maintain moisture and strength.
Have you spotted any favorites to add to your shelf? You can shop these holy grail products for during our Black Friday sale at the NCSHOP!
