Sometimes it’s nice to just wash your hair, do a quick comb through and then be on your merry way. This is especially the case for those colder months where washing your hair daily isn’t always the best option. But freezing your ears and head off isn’t ideal either! While wash and go hair is quick and can last up to five days (especially for kinkier textures”>, the first day usually consists of your rocking your damp curls. In the summer months, this isn’t a big deal, but when it gets colder, something has to be done!
For most of us, protective hairstyles are our go-tos for the winter months since they allow us to wear hats and keep warm while still protecting our hair. But even a dry wash and go can offer your warmth! So if you’re missing your large summer curls and want to toss out protective styles for a few days, then read on. You’re in good company!
Dealing with Wet Hair in Below Zero
First, let’s talk about how to do wash and go hair to begin with. For this method, there’s several items you need: a wide tooth comb, a conditioning product, a sealant (coconut oil or pomade”>, a gel with added shine (highly recommended”>, a hand towel and a hair dryer with a diffuser attached (this is the winter month’s extra step”>. When it comes to materials, you can either use a lot or choose to use a little. You do not necessarily need a wide tooth comb if you use your fingers, and as for conditioning products, you can use anything from a leave-in conditioner to a variety of oils, including olive oil and flax seed oil. Sealants help keep your hair looking fresh and new. Coconut oil or a pomade are good options.
Winter Wash and Go Products
- Leave-in conditioner to run through your hair after the shower: Kinky-Curly Know Today Leave-in.
- Finishing product that is perfectly suited for winter months and diffusing techniques: Jane Carter Solution Nourish & Shine
- Seal your wash and go with an oil like the Moroccanoil Treatment which is great for winter months and diffusing treatments. Beware, though, that if you are a non-silicone using curly, this product has silicones (which aren’t necessarily bad!”>.
- Wash your hair. Make sure it’s completely damp and clean before beginning this process. Also, have everything out and ready to go before proceeding.
- Section out your hair into chunks. For the wash and go method, this is really important to achieve those perfect curls without the frizz. you can create as many chunks as you want, but preferably at least three. How many you create will depend on the length and thickness of your hair. If needed, use a clip (duck bill clips work great!”> to keep chunks separated. Remember to never separate your curls. Work with your natural curl pattern to create the chunks.
- Take one chunk at the bottom of your scalp and work through your first product of choice (usually an oil or leave-in conditioner”> from root to tip. Comb through that section either with a wide toothed comb or you can use your fingers. If you are using a second or third product (such as gel”>, finger that through the same chunk after your put in the oil or the leave-in. Repeat for each individual chunk of hair. If at any time during the wash and go method your hair becomes dry, wet it before applying the product in your hair.
- For the colder months, you will want to use a hair diffuser to dry your curls. For curlies with longer curls, turn your head upside down and place sections of your hair in the diffuse and bring the diffuser to your scalp. Continue this around your head until hair is dry. For curlies with shorter hair, begin at the scalp, placing the diffuser prongs on your head. Continue around your head until the scalp in damp and then move on to the ends. Continue until dry.
- Even better for when the weather is frigid is doing a wash and go at night and then placing your curls in a satin bonnet to sleep on. Do not completely dry your hair. Instead, dry until it is damp, then place it in a satin bonnet and simply go to bed. When you wake up, take the bonnet off and shake out your curls. Use a moisture mist or a water and gel mixture to help shape the curls. If they are still wet, diffuse.
So how do you keep your head warm without ruining your style with a hat? We have a solution for that!
Keep Your Head Warm and Your Curls Hot!
In case you haven’t noticed, naturally curly hair isn’t really a big fan of hats. Either our hair is too big for a hat, or hat hair just encourages a flat top. But in the cold weather, we seem forced to choose between vanity and keeping warm. No more! No more hiding under protective styles which are great for the winter and your curls, just not the most fun for the entire winter season or hats. Instead, we bring you two cute and trendy ways to keep warm and let your curls out!
Earmuffs to the Rescue
We aren’t talking about the earmuffs your wore in elementary school! Earmuffs can be cool and fashionable — you just have to be smart. When out shopping for a new pair, be sure you choose something that has a lot of texture — animal hair works great! Also, be sure that the color of the textured muffs is drastically different to yours. If you’re going to be rocking a style, you want it to be seen! So if you have blonde hair, look for black muffs. If you have black hair, looks for lighter colored muffs.
- Use the earmuffs as a headband. Simply push your hair back, letting it shine in all of its big glory, and rock a fashionable (and warm!”> look with your earmuffs. Again, it is essential that the muffs be a different color than your hair in order to add that extra “fashionable” edge.
- Rock out with your bangs out! Instead of simply using the earmuffs as a headband, pull a section of your hair, usually the front section, out from the rest and then simply place the earmuffs on over your hair. This way, your “bangs” will be out from behind the band, but the rest of your hair will be big and beautiful behind it. As a bonus, your ears will be warm and frostbite free!
A Scarf of a Different Use
Scarves rock They keep our necks warm and the cold air out and away from getting in to our jackets, thus preventing many a cough, sneeze and cold. So why not put those scarves to even better use and extend its productivity! Before we begin, we sure that you are using an extra long scarf. Short scarves will not be able to accomplish this look.
- Wrap an extra long scarf around your forehead and cross the two section under your hair at the nape of your neck.
- Pull the extra lengths of the scarf around your neck and tie like you would a normal scarf.
- Push the scarf back a bit over your hair, as you would a headband, or adjust it as your see fit to keep both your forehead and ears warm. The scarf will look more like a band and scarf set, but we all know it is only one piece!
Want More?
Worried about what to do with your curls in the winter? Read up on our essential top ten curly hair care tips for cold weather.