Deep Conditioning:
Moisture is the name of the game!! Running the heater can dry out your hair. Increasing the frequency of deep conditioning will go a long way to combat the excessive dryness. Use products that hold in moisture, and deep condition once a week.
- To save money, use your regular conditioner, and add a carrier oil like olive oil or jojoba oil to add an extra punch of moisture.
- There are also plenty of hair masques and deep conditioners on the market.
- Make your own deep conditioner. Combine half an avocado, one egg and ¼ cup of olive oil in a blender until smooth. Apply the mixture to the hair, cover with a plastic cap, and let it set for no less than 30 minutes. Sit under a dryer, use a heated conditioning cap or wrap with a warm towel to give some extra love. Rinse and style as usual.
Hot Oil Treatments:
As the winter season progresses your hair becomes more prone to dryness, your scalp especially. In combating this problem, I would suggest doing a hot oil treatment at least once a month. Olive oil is readily available at the grocery store, but some others that work are Jamaican black castor oil, jojoba oil or grape seed oil.
To do a hot oil treatment, place jar of oil in a bowl of hot water to warm it up. Don’t let the oil get too hot because you could burn your scalp. Part hair in sections and apply oil liberally to each section from root to ends. I recommend using an applicator bottle. Cover the hair with a plastic cap and leave on for at least 15 minutes. Here’s another situation where using heat would give your hair extra love. Rinse hair, wash and style as usual.
Protective Styles:
As you know, I’m a big proponent of protective styles year-round. But they will especially go a long way in protecting your delicate ends in snow, rain and extreme cold. Buns, braids, twists, weaves or wigs are some of the options to choose from. Just remember these are low-maintenance, not no-maintenance. Your hair still requires some pampering. If your hair is too short for most protective styles, I highly recommend braids. That is how I grew my hair out when I first started my journey.
Avoid Over Styling:
Excess use of styling tools can result in very dry, brittle hair which results in breakage. Limit the use of these tools as much as possible. Over styling can also result in your hair losing its natural curls as well as becoming frizzy. Opt for a style that requires little to no heat, if you don’t choose a protective style.
Wrap Hair at Night:
This should be done year round, but it’s really important to not skip this step in the winter. If you prefer, you can use a satin pillowcase instead.
Wear a Hat:
Here in Southern California, hats are optional, but in colder climates, they’re usually a necessity. If you do wear a hat, make sure that it’s lined with silk or satin. If there is no lining, wear a silk cap underneath. A stylish option that I love is the Slap Cap.
Ensure That Your Hair is Dry Before Leaving Home:
This is quite essential during the winter season as your hair shaft can become damaged if it isn’t dried properly. Also, your hair becomes more prone to frizzing due to the temperature of the winter air. If you don't have time to allow your hair to air dry naturally, use a blow dryer with a diffuser attachment before leaving home.
Stay Hydrated:
Dehydration of your hair is bound to happen in the dreaded winter period. The best way to ensure that your hair stays hydrated is to drink tons of water. Once your body is hydrated, it’ll show in your hair. Water really is the staff of life.
Eat Healthy:
While this might seem a bit off topic, it is always advisable that you maintain a balanced diet; full of vitamins and minerals. Those viable nutrients are known to promote hair growth, and who doesn’t like having a full meal.
Invest in a Humidifier:
While it is essential that you stay warm during the winter season, the air in your home might become a bit dry due to the excess heat. As this is not the most ideal environment for your hair, opt for a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Your hair will thank you.
The Precious Tresses Starter Kit will make a great addition to your winter hair care regime. Enter WINTER at checkout to receive a 10% discount.