It’s that time of year where the temps are dropping and you might be wondering what you need to do to protect your curls during the winter. Here are my top pro-tips for making sure you keep your hair hydrated and healthy! (You can watch the LIVE replay Q&A on my Patreon with subscription.)
1. Don’t skip out on deep conditioning.
When the humidity drops, your hair may begin to feel dry and brittle, that’s when having a solid regimen will save you! Deep conditioning weekly with a treatment/mask/masque will ensure you strands are hydrated, protected and nourished. The Elasticity Restoring Treatment in MoKnowsHair collection does all of this PLUS restores the protein-moisture balance in your strands to keep breakage away. You can use a heated conditioning cap, ceramic hooded dryer or hair steamer to boost the moisture penetration.
2. Use ceramic tools for thermal styling.
If you’re planning on silk pressing, use ceramic tourmaline tools. Titanium heats the strands from the surface which can lead to holes in the cuticle, and that means moisture loss and heat damage. Ceramic uses ionic technology to gently straighten strands with less stress and frizz and improved moisture retention. And don’t forget to a heat protectant when using direct heat!
>>> check out my favorite FHI Heat Platform flat and curling irons. Use code “moknowshair” for additional discount.
3. Be careful with wool coats, sweaters and hats.
Acrylic wool is warm, but it can also create a lot of friction and frizz in your hair. Too much rubbing can cause hair to become dry and break, especially around the hair line and ends. Try satin/silk-lined hats, silk scarf around the collar of your coat or less abrasive materials like cashmere. You can also choose to wear your hair up on days you want to wear a wool sweater or coat.
4. Add a finishing oil to your ends each day to keep them protected and “lubricated.”
A quality, absorbent finishing oil can help shield your ends from brittle cold temps and friction of harsher winter clothing material. For example, Aveda Dry Remedy is a silicone-free oil that can be used daily. Just scrunch a few drops into your ends and you’re all set!
5. Dry your hair on washday!
If you like air-drying your curls, you should switch to diffusing or hooded dryer to set your style. If your hair is damp and you go outside in freezing temps, it can cause the water in your strands to freeze causing internal damage, breakage and dryness. Drying your hair will help it to be less frizzy, your styling products will hold better and you’ll get a lot of your time back! If you live in negative-windchill areas of the country, you should cover your hair if you’ll be outside in those temps for long durations of time.
>>> try a ceramic dryer from FHI Heat or a ceramic hooded dryer.
6. Get your ends trimmed.
You may be tempted to do more long-term styles this time of year like mini-twists or even sew-ins, but don’t neglect getting your regular trims to prevent breakage from creeping up the hair shaft. On average, you should aim for every 8-10 weeks unless you rarely have any issues with breakage and can stretch it to 12 weeks.
7. Use a humidifier in your home.
If the air around you is dry, it could impact the moisture level of your hair and skin. A humidifier will help, especially if your home uses radiator heat.
8. Stay hydrated and eat a balanced diet.
Sweet treats and savory dishes are everywhere you go from Thanksgiving through New Year’s, but don’t forget the basics of drinking water, eating nutrient dense, non-processed foods and exercise. You are still growing hair during the winter so don’t throw your progress out the window by letting your nutrition go downhill. Your body needs essential vitamins and water to keep you healthy and support healthy hair growth.
9. Use a different leave-in conditioner or styler if your hair feels dry/brittle.
If you are a lightweight leave-in or gel styler kind of girly, you may find your hair is a little parched without humidity in the air to support them. You can switch to a thicker, creamy leave-in conditioner and styling cream or foam/mousse instead of the gel to get more hydrated, softer, smoother results.
10. Be kind to your curls!
With all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season it’s easy to just rip and run through your hair. Be gentle with your curls – ditch the hard nylon bristled brush for a natural boar brush, use satin/silk scrunchies instead of elastics or rubber bands, use a microfiber towel to dry after washing, make sure you sleep in satin/silk and clean + disinfect your hair tools!
>>> also, if you don’t have one, a shower filter will do wonders for your hair and skin! Contaminants in the water (chlorine, debris, mineral deposits) can damage hair and cause dryness and breakage. Use code “moknowshair” at Filterbaby and save!
