7 Tips For Natural Hair Care During Winters

Natural curly hair is naturally dry, so it's important to keep your curls hydrated at all times. With winter approaching, the cold, dry air doesn't really help! We're sharing seven natural hair tips to help you survive harsh weather this season and fight dryness, itchy scalp, and repair brittle hair.

Why is winter so bad for natural hair?

It's a perfect storm of bad conditions. Wind and harsh cold air suck moisture from your hair and cause tangles. But once inside, the heated air is so dry your desk can be almost as bad as sitting under a hairdryer! All that dryness accelerates frizz, breakage, and split ends, and the shock of extreme temperature changes puts extra stress on your hair. If that wasn't bad enough, hats, scarves, and sweaters are made of a material that insulates heat, keeping your body warm, yet they pull and cling to your hair, breaking strands left and right. Whether you are indoors or outdoors, hot or cold, there seems to be no escape.

1. Deep Conditioning Ever 2 Weeks

Deep conditioning masks help your hair's penetrated with healthy ingredients deep into the hair shaft and promote growth, hydration and shine. Section by section, spread your favorite deep conditioner from root to tip and let sit for about 20 minutes.

Recomended Products: Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque | Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque | Alikay Naturals Honey & Sage Deep Conditioner

2. The LOC method

For hydration that will last all week, try the LOC method when styling your hair. The LOC method consists of a leave-in conditioner to hydrate, an oil to seal in moisture and a cream to define. This trio is a triple threat in the fight against the winter dryness!!

Style Tip: The best results are often obtained when using products of the same brand and line, because they are formulated to work together. However, if your favorite products are from multiple brands, test them for compatibility by rubbing a dime size of each. Do they crumble when mixed together? If this is the case, the mixture probably won't work in your hair.

Recomended Products: Mixed Chicks Leave-in Conditioner | Kinky-Curly Knot Today | Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave In Conditioner

3. Black castor oil for dry scalp

Many in the natural hair community are moving away from thicker oils and embracing lighter options, but Jamaican black castor oil is great for relieving a dry, itchy scalp during the winter. Just massage the scalp every day and it will even promote hair growth especially for those who may experience hair loss. 

4. Use protective styles to your advantage.

You don't need to braid your hair in November and leave it until March, but winter is NOT the time to wash and go every day. Wind and cold / dry air suck moisture from your hair, leaving it brittle, weaker, and more prone to breakage. Protective styles reduce handling of your hair, which will prevent breakage, and they keep ends and strands safe from the wind and cold air. (Know more about the protective hairstyles)

These styles will help your hair retain more moisture but eventually your hair will dry out, even in a protective style. Pay attention to your hair and refresh or change your style often. We recommend changing or redoing the style every week or two.

5. Use steam to hydrate your hair.

Steam is just hot, airy water particles, which can easily penetrate and moisturize your strands of hair. One of the easiest ways to treat your hair with steam therapy is to take a hot shower and drop the shower cap. Just make sure you don't leave the house with wet hair!

6. Anti-humectant

Use anti-humectant to seal in moisture especially after washing or moisturizing your hair. We recommend olive oil or jojoba oil, or other oils that are liquid at room temperature (no one wants their curls frozen with solidified coconut oil!)

Recomended Products: As I Am Curling Jelly Coil & Curl Definer | Mizani Thermasmooth Smooth Guard Serum

6. Knitted hats and scarves

The rough material will cling to the natural curls and cause breakage. Don’t worry, you don’t have to let your ears freeze! Just use a thin silk cap between your hair and your hat. It may seem like an inconvenient step to take, but your hair (and ears) will thank you for it. You can do the same with scarves - line the outside of your scarf with a thin silk scarf to protect your hair from chafing.

7. Co-wash, co-wash, co-wash

Even our curly and wavy hair needs as much moisture as possible. Now is the time of year to get the most from your Co-Wash or Cleansing Conditioner. Since it is free of sulfates and foaming detergents, it helps your hair to stay at max hydration levels while cleansing.

If you are using products that contain silicones or heavy waxes, shampoo once in a while, then we will still suggest covering the length of your texture with a co-wash first. This way, the shampoo simply cleanses the scalp. If you follow the Curly Girl Method or use only all-natural products, using only a co-wash during the cooler months should work well.

Recomended Products: Creme of Nature Creamy Hydration Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner | As I Am Coconut Co Wash Cleansing Conditioner