Brrr!!!… Wintertime in Chicago is brutal! As I watched the snow fall, I realized taking care of my curls in this below-zero, cold weather is no easy task. As with everything else in my curly hair journey, I had to learn how to take care of my hair during the long winter months. If you read my previous blog posts, you know I am an air-dry fan! My curls are natural so I (often) choose the most natural methods, products, etc. However, I can only control so much. I can’t control the weather, but I eventually learned what it took to have beautiful curls even if it’s gloomy and extremely cold outside.
Wash Day
If you read 2024 Step-by-Step Wash Day Routine for Natural Curly Hair, you know I wash my hair with cold water. I know it does not sound like a great plan to wash your hair with cold water when it’s already cold outside. However, despite winter being a great reason for a hot shower, the water to wash your hair should be warm or cold, this is important in order to avoid dry curls. Also, hot water can harm your scalp, which will weaken it and therefore affect your hair roots, and the length as well. So yes, friend! Even though it does not sound like a fun thing to do, washing your hair with cold water will ensure the health of your curls.
In addition to washing your hair with cold water, you should also follow a routine, conditioning it as usual. I also like to apply, some not much, leave-in conditioner combined with my styling hair cream.
As always, you will want to be careful with the products you use, and also, be cautious about the excess of products in your hair. Product excess, by the way, is the reason why wash days are so important. You must maintain a good wash day routine so you remove any product residues that can weaken your curls and cause dandruff. If you don’t remove products correctly, and apply more products on top of what is already in your hair is not a good idea. The product excess will prevent the absorption of nutrients by the hair fiber which will result in brittle hair. So investing in a clarifying shampoo is also a good idea, not only for winter time but always!!
Lastly, during winter, I choose to wash my hair early in the morning – and yes, it is true! I always choose to wash my hair early in the morning since I prefer to air dry. – so that it dries during the day. Obviously, if it is not possible to wash your hair in the morning, you can always diffuse. OH! And before I forget, seal your hair cuticles with an oil of your preference, so it creates a protective layer and prevents frizz.
Haircare Schedule
Have you heard about the haircare schedule method? No!? Not to worry, you can read and learn about it: Curly Hair Tips – Grow Your Natural Hair with a Simple Hair Care Schedule
A good hair schedule will definitely ensure beautiful and healthy curls during winter!
I know many of us are often discouraged with schedules because the truth is, it does take a commitment of time. But truly, the hair schedule is an amazing method! Your curls will look beautiful if you follow it.
So if you read the previous article, you know that the hair schedule is structured into 4-8 days in a month and consists of three stages: hydration, nutrition, and reconstruction.
The hydration stage provides vitamins and minerals our curls lose throughout the day, during washes, and chemical procedures. Nutrition will compensate for the lack of lipids and minerals. Reconstruction provides more vitamins, minerals, and even proteins to the hair.
So during wintertime, I’d definitely advise you to follow a haircare schedule so your curls stay healthy even though the weather is working against them.
Refresh!
Curlyheads already know that refreshing our curls is essential and part of our routine. So, naturally, refreshing is crucial for maintaining the health of our curls in the winter.
Refreshing is the period between one wash to the next. Especially in winter, when I am more likely to extend the time between washes, refreshing becomes even more important to keep my curls in top shape.
Refreshing your curls needs to be done very carefully. As with everything else, it took me some time to learn how to better refresh my curls. I know I say this a lot, but it’s because I want you to know that in this curly hair journey, learning the ins-outs of curl maintenance takes time. If you don’t know anything about refreshing, start by washing it with shampoo and conditioner and style it as usual. Then, the next morning/day, you will use a water bottle spray and your styling hair cream to refresh it.
Again, it’s important to remember that curly hair is quite delicate and tends to receive less natural oils along the length. That’s why refreshing is important, because with longer intervals between washes, natural oils are preserved and it maintains the health of your curls.
Another valuable tip is to invest in a satin pillowcase or satin cap for sleeping. As satin is lightweight and soft, it causes less friction with the hair, promoting prolonged definition and preventing frizz – making the day after wash last even longer.
Taking good care of your curls during wintertime will be a differentiator, especially during Spring, that’s why your curls will blossom. So even though wintertime can feel like it’s never-ending, your curls can rise above it! Follow these tips for strong hair care during wintertime!
With love,
Eve
