To all, it’s the winter season. For the curly girls, it’s much more than that. This is a time that might include wearing more protective styles and heat styles, in addition to cold temperatures affecting our strands. When the temperature shift causes a rotation in styles, it also calls for specific treatments to maintain those styles.
No matter how you choose to style your locks, the girls are capitalizing off of the season’s reduced-frizz risk by sporting more stretched or heat styled looks, and we’re here to encourage healthy hair maintenance across the board. Whether your styling choices find you pulling out the silk press, rocking those knotless braids into hibernation mode, or maintaining your usual curl routine, winter often calls for a little more care in your weekly regimen.
The lack of humidity and heat in the air may help in the frizz department, but it also comes with heightened potential for dehydration. A deep conditioning treatment can restore both slip and shine to your hair, and, as a result, improve the appearance of your styles while targeting health. With more slip to your hair comes easier detangling processes and a decreased risk of breakage and other related damage brought on by weak hair strands.
Less moisture during colder months may lead to hair feeling brittle, and lacking the elasticity that helps it to be more malleable to styling and natural elements. When styles that call for heat or higher manipulation such as silk presses and braids are in rotation, locking in hydration becomes priority. By deep conditioning, you are coating the hair cuticle, protecting against the aforementioned and boosting shine. All things considered, there is plenty of reason to incorporate deep conditioning treatments into your winter hair care practices.
Going the extra mile when conditioning your hair can be as simple as leaving your go-to hydrating conditioner in as you do a steam treatment, so the added heat can help the product penetrate your curls. If you find yourself leaning towards minimalist routines sans the additional products, a high quality conditioner may be all you need. When it comes to deep conditioning, additional time or heat is key. If you’re opting for this route, hydrating conditioners such as Innersense’s Hydrating Cream ($30), Amika‘s Hydra Rush Conditioner ($26), or Camille Rose’s Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard ($12) are great options.
You can also elect for specific deep conditioning products that can prioritize added hydration or damage repair, and cater to your individual curl-needs. Specialized treatments for strength are essential remedies during a time of year where our hair integrity may be more vulnerable. In the case of protein or bond repair treatments however, it is important not to overdo this step, as an overuse of protein can in fact weaken the hair strand, causing damage and exacerbating the issues you aim to tackle. In the same vein, excessive deep conditioning practices such as leaving the product in wet hair overnight can yield similar results.
While all good things must be done in moderation, incorporating periodic deep conditioning sessions as we brave these chilly months is a hair maintenance-must. Below, find five deep conditioning masks to dip into.
Squeeze out excess water from freshly cleansed hair. Apply a quarter-size amount, starting from the ends and working to the roots. Chill out for 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water to lock in moisture and shine.
Available at OUAI
After shampooing with The Rich One Moisture Repair Shampoo, apply to damp hair, focusing on the mid-shaft and ends. Rake through to ensure even distribution. Rinse well. PRO TIP: For those with high-porosity or very dry, damaged hair, use this as your go-to conditioner. As a last step, rinsing with cold water can help to boost the appearance of shine and smoothness.
Available at Fenty Beauty
