5 Winter Haircare Tips You Need To Know

Baby, it's cold outside! Tis' the season for dropping temps, snow, and cold air. As winter creeps in it's time to make a few essential changes to your curly hair care routine to protect it from damage. These simple tricks will help you maintain healthy natural hair this season.

Steam Treatments

Steam treatments are a guaranteed way to get hot and bothered. Steam is an indirect form of heat that adds moisture to your hair by gently opening up your cuticles so that moisture can enter your hair strands. The heat from the steamer will soften your curls and refresh dry hair. 

To really turn up the heat coat your strands with Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner and sit under a hooded steamer for 5 - 10 minutes. If you have a hand held steamer apply conditioner to sectioned hair and steam each section for 3 - 5 minutes. If you don't have a steamer, no worries...after applying conditioner put a plastic shower cap over your curls and then cover the shower cap with a hot damp towel. Once the towel is secured in place turn your bathroom into your personal steam room by taking a hot shower. After your shower remove the towel and shower cap and allow your hair to soak in the steam. Then style your hair as normal.

Moisturize Daily

Not only is the outside air cool and dry but the dry heat from the heaters in your home can wreak havoc on your hair. To replenish the moisture the heat zapps from your hair you must moisturize your hair daily. The best way to moisturize is to apply moisture in layers.  If you use the L.O.C. method (applying a liquid, followed by oil and finishing with a cream) it's time to switch to the L.C.O. method (switching the order and applying oil last). Also, if you use water only as a liquid moisturizer switch to a liquid leave in conditioner. I recommend using Knotty Nectar Leave-In Conditioner because it conditions and moisturizes your hair using aloe vera juice to keep your curls hydrated and healthy. The most important tip is to finish with an oil to lock in the moisture so it doesn't evaporate so quickly. Also, give you ends a little extra love  by coating them with oil to reduce breaking. This is so important because your ends are fragile. As the ends of your hair rubs against sweaters and wool dryness and breakage can increase. However, a little oil will protect them from breaks and knots.

Scalp Treatments

As your hair becomes dry so does your skin, especially on your scalp. During the winter you may see an increase in the dryness and flakes on your scalp. The best way to combat flakes and itchiness is by adding scalp treatments into your routine. At least three to four times per week you should apply warm oil to your scalp and massage it in. May I suggest the Flower Bomb Hair Growth Oil it's a light and potent oil so it won't make your hair too greasy, it helps prevent flakes, and smells amazing. 

Wrap Your Curls In Satin

One of the easiest ways to protect your naturally curly hair from the cold weather is to wear a hat. However, if not worn properly hats can do more harm than good. Before you slip on your fav wool hat, beanie or scarf make sure you wrap your hair in a silk or satin scarf. It will help protect your hair from static and damage caused by your hair rubbing against hats. 

No Wash N' Go's

Protective styles are ideal for cold weather because they are low maintenance meaning less hair manipulation and possibly less breakage and because they keep your fragile ends protected.  They also help you maintain moisture during the dry months. Protective styles can range from mini-twists, braids, or even buns which is my winter time fave. If you're not a protective style kinda girl I understand just make sure you avoid wash n' go's like an ex-boyfriend from hell. Wash n' go's take a long time to dry and you never want to leave the house with wet hair. Not only can wet hair cause you to get sick but wet hair mixed with cold dry air is a recipe for damage that'll lead to dry brittle hair.

These simple adjustments to your winter regimen will lead to healthy locs now and through the summer when you can flaunt your curls. How have you changed your haircare routine and what tips would you add?