There is nothing quite like 19-degree weather that can suck every ounce of moisture out of your hair leaving it dry and brittle.
….which makes your hair more vulnerable and susceptible to damage. Not to mention unmanageable frizz! Yikes!
I spent many winters with incredibly unmanageable hair due to the bitter cold temperatures.
Like many curly girls, I thought the best way to add moisture was with a deep conditioner. And since my hair was super dry, didn’t that mean that I need a heavy, more intense deep conditioner to REALLY treat my hair?
WRONG!
Using a deep conditioner packed with shea butter, argan oil, and Jamaican black castor oil, only left my hair feeling greasy, weighed down, and somehow still slightly dry?
I’m not even sure how that is possible, but it was a thing.
Finally, I developed a wash day system to keep my hair moisturized while maintaining the light bouncing curls I love.
EVEN in the dark, cold, winter months.
Before we get started with today’s topic, I have a special gift for you.
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In today’s post, I am detailing….
4 Tips To Keeping Your Curls Hydrated In The Winter Months (without weighing them down or making them greasy)
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning that at no cost to you, I may make a small commission on anything you purchase through my link. But don’t worry, I never promote products that I don’t believe in or truly love <3 This just allows me to continue publishing quality content regularly. You can read my full privacy policy here.
Layer Moisture
Rather than using an intensely moisturizing, deep conditioning product, try layering moisture.
Adding light layers of moisture through each step of your washday will enable you to fully moisturize your hair from the inside out while avoiding product build-up or weighed-down curls.
The best way I have found to do this is…
- Start with a moisturizing shampoo. Traditional shampoos tend to be drying and harsh on curly hair. Try swapping it out for a moisturizing shampoo so you can add moisture with each step.
- Use a regular conditioner followed by a deep conditioning treatment. I like to use the regular conditioner to detangle then add a deep conditioner once my hair is soaking wet and detangled.
- Rinse using the bowl method (I’ll explain this later on in this post.
- Add a leave-in conditioner before you style.
- Use a curl cream to style
Important Note: When trying to add moisture, it’s important to remember not to overdo it. If you are showing any signs of over moisturized hair (curl pattern won’t hold, unexplained frizz) try re-evaluating your routine and adjust accordingly.
The best way to determine if a washday routine is working is to keep track of how your hair reacts to each step in the process. Then you can add or remove steps based on your results. In my signature course, My Miracle Curls, we teach you how to create a wash day routine that works for your specific hair type as well as a daily tracking method that makes troubleshooting much easier.
You can learn more about My Miracle Curls in this FREE Masterclass.
CLICK HERE TO GAIN INSTANT ACCESS TO THIS FREE MASTERCLASS
Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Water
One of the best (and in my opinion most underrated) ingredients to add moisture to your hair is water.
During your wash day, make sure that your hair is soaking wet ALL THE WAY THROUGH. This helps moisturize your hair and also helps with even product distribution.
You can help retain water in your hair by using methods like the bowl method, roping, and squishing.
- Bowl method: With this method, you fill a bowl with water and soak your hair in it. Once you’ve applied your deep conditioner, fill a bowl with water and let your hair soak in it. Flip your hair over your head into the bowl and dunk it in the water several times. This allows the water and deep conditioner to give your hair an added boost of moisture.
I was hesitant to try this technique and didn’t think it could make a difference. But trust me, it does.
- Roping: During the deep conditioning process, section your hair into small sections and coil it in the most natural direction. Then, squeeze each section up and down (like it’s a small rope). This helps push moisture into your dry hair.
- Squish to condish: scrunch your hair up toward your head until you hear/feel a squishing sound. This is another way to add moisture and really push that water and conditioner into your hair strand.
Deep Condition
A deep conditioner is super important if your hair is lacking moisture. It gives your hair that added boost of hydration.
Here are a few steps to getting the most out of the deep conditioning process:
- Make sure your hair is soaking wet – this adds moisture and allows even product distribution
- Use a brush to detangle and help evenly distribute the product
- Rope your curls clumps to help establish your curl pattern and add moisture
- Squish To Condish (this helps squeeze water and product into your hair strand
- Use the bowl method to add layers of moisture
Optional: You can use a heat cap to help open your hair follicle and allow moisture to penetrate your hair
Be sure to choose a deep conditioner that is right for your hair type.
Add Moisture On Non-Wash Days
Those cold windy days really have a way of drawing moisture out of our hair even when you try your best to layer it in.
To help your washday last longer, add moisture back into your hair on non-wash days.
You can do this by using a serum, steam refresh, dip refresh, or mist refresh.
Check my Instagram video here explaining each of these methods.
Note: It is rare that I use a product during the refresh process and when I do it is typically a serum or light curl cream.
I’ve found by adding water using one of the methods above, it is enough to re-activate the product.
In conclusion:
There are many things you can do to keep your curls moisturized in the winter months without weighing them down.
Layer Moisture
Think of adding moisture as layers instead of a single product.
Don’t Underestimate The Power Of Water
When in doubt, please add water 🙂
Deep Condition
Don’t skip the deep conditioning treatment.
Add Moisture On Non-Wash Days
Add moisture by refreshing your hair on non-wash days.
Xoxo
Curly Colleen
P.S. Are you making these mistakes that are KILLING your curls? Take this FREE Quiz to find out!
