Thanksgiving has passed and it’s officially time to think about the winter. That means it’s time to think about keeping your natural hair bouncy and shiny. Unfortunately, with the holidays being right around the corner, we tend to lose track of time and maintaining a routine can be difficult. Here are some easy things you can squeeze into your schedule to maintain beautiful, hydrated hair.
In regards to washing your hair, using a milder shampoo will greatly help you avoid stripping the natural oils that moisturize the cuticle. If you’re not using a sulfate-free shampoo already, then switching to one during the winter months is a smart choice. Most shampoos contain sulfates which tend to stop these oils that give your hair luster. MoroccanOil’s shampoos are gentle and packed with nourishing oil to help keep moisture. However, if you’ve already been using a sulfate free wash, but need to combat dryness a little more, a co-wash is a great compliment to your routine. Aveda’s Be Curly line carries a co-wash that helps clean any build up in your hair without the harshness of a shampoo. These are especially great to use every other time you wash in place of your shampoo.
Another way to help with dryness is by using a deep conditioning treatment once a week. For hydration, MoroccanOil carries a light and intensive treatment mask that you can use to restore shine and luster. All you need is 30 minutes a week and you’re golden. If you’re having a hard time finding space in your schedule, you can always put on a shower cap and do some weekly house cleaning while the conditioner does its stuff!
When it comes to changing your routine for the winter, you should focus on what works best for you hair. If you wash your hair every other day, try twice or even once a week. Though you should never wash less than bi-weekly, you should strive to find the “happy medium” for your hair to maintain a healthy sheen.
As far as protecting your hair from the dry air goes, sealing it with oil after you towel dry can help lock in moisture. Just squirt a few pumps or more- depending on how thick and how long your hair is- and massage it into your ends, working your way up to the scalp. MoroccanOil not only smells great, but also has the nourishment you need to help your ends. In consideration to styling products, avoid using humectants. Humectants draw in moisture from the air, but when the air is dry; they have the opposite effect and can actually dry your hair out even more. Use an anti-humectant, like Aveda’s Anti-Humectant Pomade, if you need to have that extra holding power.
When you can, try to avoid blow-drying your hair in the winter time. Even try washing your hair at night and allowing it to dry before you go to sleep to help fight the urge. Opt for a silk hat or a softer material (similar to silk is best) to keep your head warm and your hair protected while running errands or heading to work. Don’t forget to set up regular appointments with your XEX stylist to trim your ends, because, let’s face it, there’s no way to completely avoid the damage of winter air without staying indoors all season.
Happy Holidays! Enjoy a winter full of beautiful hair.
