Although the temperatures are rising in many places around the country – and it’s officially the first day of Spring – another Nor’easter has its site set on the East Coast this week. The cold and wind are especially hard on curlies, dehydrating the hair. As you prepare for Winter Storm Toby, here are 5 winter tips for natural hair to make sure your curls come out of the season as beautiful as ever.
1. Wash less often
This might sound like old news. But one of the easiest winter tips for natural hair doesn’t require to take on more work at all but instead might lighten your workload. In the winter, dry air can strip hair of natural moisture it needs to stay hydrated and healthy. Cutting back on the frequency of wash day can help keep more of your oils intact for a longer period. Over-washing can dry out scalp and strands, so in the winter, consider cutting back a little. When you do shampoo, opt for sulfate-free shampoos or cleansing conditioners like Mielle Organics Detangling Co-Wash, Ouidad Curl Immersion No-Lather Coconut Cleansing Conditioner and AG Hair ReCoil Sulfate-Free Curl Care Shampoo.
2. Check the lining of hats
While you may think checking your hat isn’t that important, it is one of the winter tips for natural hair. In the winter, cold temperatures make having a beanie or hat a necessity to stay warm. To make sure your curls aren’t being robbed of moisture by abrasive caps, opt for beanies that are loose fitting or lined with satin material to keep curls safe. Take a tip from your nighttime routine and when breakage and frizz are possibilities, wear a satin-lined cap. Make sure you put all of your hair into the cap because although they will protect you from the frizz of a normal cap, if you wear them with your hair down you are still prone to having a head full of flat, volume-less curls.
3. Wrap hair
Most naturals wrap their hair at night to avoid damage and lock in products at bedtime but wrapping in the winter can be your go-to style. With cold air and moisture from snow, your curls can take a beating if left exposed. By wearing a stylish wrap look during the day, as well as at night, your strands will get the total coverage they need to survive the season. Check out these beautiful Ruby Sampson Head Wraps, and here are 45 gorgeous ways to wrap them.
4. Oil ends
An easy way to combat the effects of the seasons is by oiling your ends. When you use your favorite oil, whether it’s coconut oil, olive oil, or one of your own choosing, it seals the ends of your strands to help prevent moisture loss, so your strands stay healthy. Natural oils such as jojoba, rosemary and lavender are so important in the cooler months because they help keep your scalp and hair in good condition. Check out Darshana Natural Indian Hair Oil and Mielle Organics Mint Almond Oil.
5. Swap out lighter moisturizer with heavier ones
If you are still using the same game plan in the winter that you used in summer, it is time to upgrade. Your rotation of products should change with the changing seasons. Make sure you evaluate the state of your hair to get the right moisturizer for your needs. Some good ones to ty include As I am DoubleButter Cream Rich Daily Moisturizer, Mane Choice Green Tea & Carrot Deep Strengthening & Restorative Mask Treatment and Crème of Nature Pure Honey Moisture Replenish & Strength Hair Mask.
How CurlTalk Community Members Deal with the Cold
“I used to only airdry for 7 years, but discovering the pixiecurl method of diffusing won me over to the diffusing side. I diffuse for 30 minutes and then it takes about 3-4 more hours to completely dry. Still annoying and cold in the Winter, but at least it’s not sopping wet and literally freezing up.” – Shalomcurls
“Myself, I can use more cream stylers than gel in the winter. In the spring and fall when the weather is half-n-half, it can get frustrating to figure out what works :shock.” – LavenderCurls
“When the dewpoints are really low, most hair usually needs less protein and more moisture. ” –Kathymack
“I’ve started washing at night again because who wants to go outside with wet hair?!” –Russianprncss
“A big hood is definitely gentler for me than a hat.” – Naturecat
“The L.O.C. method is now O.L.C. The other method was working well until my hair for some reason began to drier. Then I remembered an oil I used a long time ago, and now am using it–pure Vitamin E. After it’s applied to second day dry hair, yes, my hair is greasy and sticky. But the next morning, it’s soft, moisturized and no stickiness. And after application, it lasts about 2 days. Not sure what’s happening, but I’ll change the method again if needed. Right now it’s the O.L.C.O. method, lol!” – Greatcurls
“I switched back to a silicone conditioner a few days ago and that actually seems to have made a world of difference! I think a lot of my hair’s problem was that it was so tangled. ” – Alyssa.Godfr
“These are my winter 1,2,3s:
1. Pre Poo W Coconut oil (I’ve been slacking as of late”>
2. Co Wash / Deep Condition / Detangle
3. Brush hair / braid in 5 braids / Seal / Plop and Air dry” -BeautyOG
How do you change your curly hair routine in the winter?
Read next:
5 Tips to Winterize Your Curly Wavy Hair
Have Dry Winter Curls? It’s Time to Use the LOC Method
