8 Tips on How to Best Winterize Your Natural Hair Regimen!
I think it’s safe to say it’s winter time for most of us, right?! Last winter I experienced how to manage a TWA during winter but now that I have a head full of hair – game on! I have seen many naturals talk about winter regimen vs. summer regimens and I always wondered what the difference was.
Although I personally believe in giving your hair just as much attention in the summer vs. winter there are a few ideas, tricks and suggestions I have that will aid in making sure your hair is tangle free, moisturized without a dry scalp!
A lot of naturals love to protective style during the winter and if you are one of them – no biggie if that works best for you and your curls, coils and kinks… just please don’t neglect your hair. Let’s take the time & resources we have been given to ensure your hair isn’t dry & brittle this winter. Calling all dry naturals with itchy scalps… tired curls, coils and kinks!
Co-wash and shampoo
This would be the time of the year to back away slowly from the shampoo and run to your co-wash! I am all for a healthy balance of co-wash vs. shampoo but if your hair is really dry during these winter months and scalp is always flaking then how often you shampoo may need to be cut back.
If you choose to shampoo always use a sulfate free moisturizing shampoo this will ensure more moisture stays on your hair and doesn’t get stripped.
We naturals don’t need any additional help on losing moisture. Co-washing is a staple routine of mine and I make sure to use one that has cleansing properties and will ensure to leave my hair soft, moisturized, tangle free and curls defined.
Hair Moisturizers
Moisture is the key! I would highly recommend a rich butter or cream during the winter months. A lot of naturals complain about not retaining moisture very well during the winter months.
If you normally in the summer moisturize your hair once a week or every 4-5 days. I personally moisturize daily whether I am going somewhere or not.
I always spritz my hair with my DIY hair refresher prior to adding my hair moisturizer to help the moisturizer better penetrate my hair shaft.
I%20know%20you%20are%20like%20wait%20–%20oils%20don’t%20moisturize?!%20True%20–%20although%20there%20are moisturizing oils%20and sealing%20oils.%20What’s%20the%20difference? Moisturizing oils%20are%20able%20to%20penetrate%20the%20hair%20shaft%20and%20are%20best%20used%20with%20water%20based%20leave%20in%20or%20water.%20These%20oils%20are%20best%20used%20to%20oil%20the%20scalp%20and%20banish%20those%20winter%20flakes.
Examples:%20Olive%20Oil*,%20Coconut%20Oil*,%20and%20Avocado%20Oil*.%20Sealing%20oils%20are%20used%20to%20lock%20in%20the%20moisture%20and%20don’t%20penetrate%20the%20hair%20shaft.%20These%20types%20of%20oils%20sit%20on%20the%20hair%20which%20make%20them%20excellent%20for%20shine.%20Examples:%20JBCO,%20Grapeseed*,%20and%20Jojoba*.
I%20personally%20like%20to%20oil%20my%20scalp%20daily%20and%20seal%20in%20my%20moisture%20with%20my%20hair%20oil*%20especially%20during%20these%20winter%20months.%20If%20you%20seal%20in%20your%20hair%20with%20an%20oil%20after%20you%20moisturize%20your%20hair%20your%20moisture%20level%20remains%20intact%20a%20lot%20longer.%20*Remember%20if%20you%20suffer%20from%20a%20dry%20itchy,%20flaky%20scalp%20–%20oil%20your%20scalp%20when%20needed%20to%20shut%20this%20issue%20down.
Hot%20Oil%20Treatment
I%20love%20giving%20my%20hair%20and%20scalp%20this ridiculous effective%20treatment.%20You%20can%20do%20your%20hot%20oil%20treatment%20before%20you%20wash%20your%20hair%20or%20after%20you%20wash%20your%20hair%20as%20it%20is%20super%20versatile.%20I%20have%20even%20slept%20overnight%20with%20mine!
Hot%20oil%20treatments%20are%20so%20beneficial%20as%20they%20will%20soften,%20detangle,%20moisturize%20and%20will%20make%20your%20curls,%20coils%20and%20kinks%20pop!%20I%20didn’t%20do%20many%20of%20these%20this%20summer%20but%20now%20that%20the%20weather%20has%20changed%20I%20will%20be%20bumping%20up%20this%20treatment%20to%20pamper%20my%20curls%20and%20bring%20them%20back%20to%20life.
Leave-In%20Conditioner*%20
I%20know%20some%20naturals%20feel%20for%20their%20texture%20some%20LIC’s%20are%20just%20way%20too%20heavy%20for%20the%20summer%20–%20but%20for%20the%20winter%20it’s%20a%20necessity!%20Most%20naturals%20will%20agree%20with%20me%20that%20conditioners%20are%20a%20naturals%20best%20friend%20so%20how%20amazing%20is%20it%20use%20one%20that%20you%20can%20leave%20in.
A%20good%20LIC%20will%20perform%20as%20a%20first%20level%20of%20protection%20and%20nourishment%20for%20your%20hair.%20My%20LIC%20not%20only%20moisturizes,%20adds%20shine,%20strengthens,%20and%20defines%20my%20curls%20but%20preps%20them%20for%20other%20steps.
As%20the%20winter%20environment%20leaves%20our%20hair%20dry%20and%20thirsty%20this%20product%20will%20ensure%20to%20effectively%20treat%20and%20condition%20your%20hair.
I use the Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor* and my hair loves this vital step in my hair regimen. I know I have mentioned a lot about moisture levels but I never want to neglect the protein/strength levels of our hair. Strong and healthy hair is less likely to shed, break, or end up dry and brittle.
A lot of naturals fear protein treatments due to bad experiences with other treatments but this one will soften and strengthen your hair all in one and only takes 2 minutes!
As I always I believe in keeping your moisture/protein level in check especially in these winter months. Remember if you are properly moisturizing your hair and your experiencing shedding/breakage/damaged hair this winter try a protein treatment!
Stylers
My hair personally year round works best with creams over gels but I know many naturals prefer gels as their stylers. Gels tend to be on the drying side and during these winter months I would highly recommend limiting your gel usage and opt for moisturizing based creams.
If you must use a gel I would suggest a botanical gel or even a moisturizing gel. Another tip I would suggest if you are not budgeting in limiting your gel usage make sure before you apply your gel you deeply moisturize your hair before application.
Deep Conditioners
Who doesn’t love a fabulous deep conditioner*?! This treatment I do religiously all year round as it will restore life back to your hair.
If you aren’t much of a DC fan in the summer please don’t skip this vital step as your hair needs to be conditioned weekly. DC’s will also help you maintain moisture in your hair along a host of many other benefits.
I personally love most of the DC’s from the Shea Moisture* line if you are looking for any suggestions. You can also create a DIY recipe of your own from many ingredients you probably have in your kitchen. Also always use heat to deep condition your hair for maximum penetration, especially during the Winter.
Extra Tips
Drink plenty of water
Detangle GENTLY and with tons of conditioner
Keep your hands out of your hair when it’s not necessary
Invest in a satin pillowcase* or satin scarf
Invest in a steamer*
Limit heat
Protective style
Have you winterized your hair regimen lately?
