Winter is here again – my favorite season of all time!
While it may be the most magical time of the year, winter has proven time and time again to be a sworn arch-enemy to my beautiful curly hair. Just like Tom and Jerry who never see eye to eye, the winter air is usually rough on curly hair, leaving it frizzy, dry, and pretty difficult to manage.
If you’re still reading then I’m 100% sure you can relate to the exhausting struggles of managing curly hair in the winter. From the cold outside air to the dry indoor heating, it can quickly seem like all the forces of “nature” are working against your progress and hair health.
As painfully normal as this may sound, it really doesn’t have to be that way. With the right hair care routine, you can combat the struggles and keep your curls looking healthy, vibrant, and beautiful all season long!
In this post, we’ll explore the challenges of caring for curly hair in the winter and equip you with the necessary knowledge needed to keep your curls thriving during this trying time. From in-depth details on how this chilly season affects your hair, to easy practical steps on how to ensure optimal health. And as a bonus (if you stay till the end), we’ll dive into some possible questions that may come up in regards to winter curl care.
Ready when you are – let’s dive in and explore the best ways to care for your curly hair this winter. Stay focused and pay attention; we’ve got everything you need!
First Off, How Does Winter Affect Curly Hair?
Curly hair has a unique structural pattern that makes it more prone to dryness than straighter/looser hair textures. This is because the curly shape in which the hair emerges from the scalp makes it severely difficult for natural scalp oils (sebum) to travel down the strands from root to tip.
During the cold winter season, this natural proneness to dehydration can (and will) be amplified if you do not follow due process to keep your curls alive and healthy. The extremely cold temperatures, dry air, and lack of humidity will reduce your hair’s ability to access or even retain moisture, leading to the following effects:
- Increased Dryness: Curls are naturally more prone to dryness than straight/wavy hair because of the difficulty in the flow of sebum. The winter air just worsens this dryness by combining those difficulties with a lower humidity level.
- Frizz and Flyaways: When your curls are dry and thirsty, they tend to seek moisture from the air. This causes the hair cuticles to lift, thereby resulting in frizz. In addition to that, flyaways are a result of the increase in static energy due to the dry winter air.
- Breakage and Split Ends: Dry curly hair is more prone to knots and tangles, or even just a lower elasticity which makes it more prone to breakage from detangling, styling, or just normal day-to-day activities.
- Loss of Curl Definition: When winter strikes, the cold temperatures and low humidity can reduce the elasticity of your curls, disrupt their pattern, and leave you with seemingly flat or lifeless curls.
- Slower Hair Growth: Cold temperatures can reduce the rate and amount of blood to the scalp, slowing down hair growth and making it more difficult to achieve long, flowing curls.
10 Easy Ways To Take Care Of Your Curly Hair In The Winter
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The following are not the only steps you could take, but these are the top and easiest things to consider when taking this step to care for your curly hair during the winter season.
1. Investing in Good Products
Though the thought of spending money on brand-new hair products may seem daunting, it is definitely the most rewarding thing you could do for your curly hair during a time when it’s likely going through a lot
Swap your lightweight summer products for richer and more moisturizing options specifically formulated for curly hair. Look for formulas that contain moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, glycerine, shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and natural oils (argan, jojoba, coconut) to lock in moisture and keep your hair just the way you would love it: soft and bouncy.
READ MORE>>> Best Winter Hair Products for Curly and Wavy Hair
2. Deep Condition Regularly
This is one of the essentials for curly hair during winter. Treating your curls to a deep conditioning treatment (at least once a week) will provide you with the intense hydration you need to combat dryness, reduce breakage, repair damage, and ensure your curls stay healthy all season long. Make it a staple in your weekly hair routine, and you sure will get the result you crave. Remember; adequate moisture prevents lifeless curls.
3. Strengthen With Protein Treatment
While moisture is important, protein treatments have to be your best friend too because they help strengthen the hair shaft, while preventing and repairing the damage caused by this dry winter air. To maintain a balance between moisture and strength in your curls, use the protein treatment judiciously and sparingly (think twice a month or once every two weeks). This balance is important as too much protein can leave your hair brittle and stiff.
4. Steam Your Curls
Would you love some fresh, lively-looking curls? In that case, hair steaming might just be the thing for you!
Remember when we said the winter air could make your curls look limp? Or even the part where we pointed out the reduced hair growth rate? Well, the good news is we cam prevent those unwanted predicaments with the use of hair steamers.
The heat from steaming helps open up hair cuticles, allowing better moisture absorption. This gives your curls a needed hydration boost which helps reduce frizz and prevent many forms of damage to your strands. In addition to the extra moisture, the moderate heat from frequent steaming promotes blood flow to the scalp. This ensures that your hair grows long and healthy, despite the seasonal setbacks on your curly hair journey. I recommend you do this once every week, right after your deep conditioning treatment.
BUY ON AMAZON>>> Hair Steamer for Natural Curly Hair
5. Practice Consistent Co-washing
You may be wondering why this is also included. Well, instead of frequent shampooing, just co-wash because frequent use of traditional shampoos will strip your curly hair of much-needed natural oils, especially during winter. Choose co-washing (washing with conditioner) more often to clean the scalp gently while maintaining moisture without overdrying your beautiful curls.
6. Detangle With Care
Taking your time when detangling is not a waste of time; if you have a function to attend and not enough time to get ready, it’s important to prep early in order to avoid rush hour. The cold weather makes your hair more fragile, so be extra careful and gentle when detangling. Consider spritzing your hair with warm water from your spray bottle, then use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers and detangle gently from the ends and working your way up to minimize breakage. Be sure to detangle your hair when it is wet (damp) and saturated with conditioner.
7. Go For Protective Hairstyles
Wearing the right hairstyle is key in protecting your curls from the winter turbulence. Embracing hairstyles like braids, twists, and buns reduces manipulation and minimizes exposure to dry air while keeping moisture locked in. Instead of going back-to-back with your usual middle part or curly leave-out that is not really helpful to your hair, opt for these and watch your curls stand strong and flourish during winter.
READ MORE>>> Winter Hairstyle Ideas for Natural Curly Hair
8. Seal in Moisture With Oils
After conditioning your hair, always remember to use natural oils to lock in moisture. Seal in moisture with curl-friendly oils like jojoba, argan, avocado, coconut, or olive oil to ensure continuous shining and hydration of your curls. You can also consider using store-bought oils as they are also very effective. These oils create barriers that prevent moisture loss, keeping your curls as nourished as ever.
9. Protect Your Hair When Going Out
As we said earlier, winter has a way of making you look unkempt and unhealthy through your hair, so covering your hair when going out does not only protect your curls, it also ensures that you look your best even when you may not have time to style your hair. A satin or silk-lined covering will be your best bet because cotton and wool tend to absorb moisture from our hair.
Wear a satin-lined scarf, hat, or hood when stepping outside, or just simply wear a bonnet before putting on your regular winter coverings. The silk also helps protect your hair from breakage due to friction and frizz.
10. Avoid Going Out With Wet or Damp Hair
Not only do you feel cold during winter, but your hair does as well. And just like water freezes during winter, so can your hair. When your hair is wet or damp, the cold air makes it freeze and become brittle, leading to breakage and damage.
Always ensure your hair is well-dried before stepping out, as this will save your scalp and leave your curls in a thriving state during winter.
FAQs on Caring For Curly Hair In The Winter
1. Why does my curly hair look frizzy during winter?
During winter, the air and temperature are cold, and with very low humidity sometimes. This is not the most comfortable situation for your hair, as it strips your curls of moisture, causing your cuticles to lift and leading to frizz (which is a sign of dryness) and difficulty to manage.
2. How do I fix frizz on curly hair?
As we know, the causes of frizz in our curly hair have a particular pattern but are different in a way, so fixing it could be a bit tricky. Your main focus should be hydration because of the winter air. Try using moisturizing products like deep conditioners, a curl-defining cream or gel, and finally, lock in moisture with a curl-friendly oil to add shine and reduce frizz.
3. How often should I wash curly hair in the winter?
Washing your hair 1–2 times a week is the best depending on your hair’s needs, texture, and lifestyle. Overwashing strips your curls of moisture and natural oils, but co-washing is encouraged if you need to wash multiple times per week.
Conclusion
Like a mom would take care of her newborn baby, so should you take care of your curly hair – especially during winter. Caring for your curly hair in the winter requires extra moisture, protection from the elements, and gentle handling.
Having read this article till the end, do well to say goodbye to winter’s dramatic pull on your curls. By following these easy-to-do steps, you will keep your curls healthy, defined, and full of life throughout the winter period. Remember; hydration and protection are key to maintaining beautiful and fresh curls all season long.
It has been amazing having you in our space – we hope you had a nice read! Do well to share this post with friends and family of your choice. We will see you in our next article!
Hello! I hope you’re having a great day. Good luck 🙂