5 Ways to Keep your Curls Moisturized in the Winter

Have you noticed that your hair feels drier in the winter? The winter can bring about cool and dry air that is not exactly the best thing for your curls.

Don't worry! A lot of curly natural's experience dryness in the winter and there are 5 things you can do this winter to keep your curls moisturized all winter

In this post, you’ll get 5 ways to not only avoid dryness in the winter, but how it protects your curls in the process. If you want tips for moisturized and defined curls all season long, keep reading.

1. Have a Hair Care Routine

Routines are really important when it comes to caring for your natural hair because that is the only way you will find out what products work for you and the only way to see results. Not only should you have a routine, but you must be consistent.

You will need products that both cleanse your hair and give it the moisture it needs, especially in the winter months. Our Mango Moringa Moisture Max System does just that and was specifically created to combat dryness at all times. It's a super easy system to use that includes everything you need on wash day: a shampoo, conditioner, styling cream, and gel. Here's a little bit about each:

Mango Moringa Moisture Max Shampoo, 8 oz.

The shampoo has the power to add moisture to your hair and cleanse it without stripping away your natural oils. Some shampoos can actually dry out your hair completely, which is why it is not important to shampoo every wash day.

Mango Moringa Moisture Max Conditioner, 8 oz.

This conditioner adds the needed moisture for your curls and allows for great slip for detangling. Slip is how easy it is to glide your fingers or a wide tooth comb through your curls.

Mango Moringa Moisture Max Styling Cream, 8 oz.

The styling cream offers a soft hold and a lot of moisture being that it is rich in vitamin C, nourishing fatty acids, and healing antioxidants. All of the ingredients work together to provide lasting moisture.

Mango Moringa Moisture Max Holding Gel, 8 oz.

The gel is an anti-frizz gel that gives you a firm hold without the crunchiness! A little does go a long way.

2. Protective Styling

Protective styling can really help keep moisture in your hair during the colder months and is not just limited to braids. Yes braids are fun, cute, and convenient, but they keep our hair put away for too long, which can cause dryness!

There are so many protective and low maintenance styles that you can achieve using different accessories and methods like braid/twists outs. Our Snappee Hair Ties are a great way to push your hair back, create that perfect puff, or to hold whatever style you do in place. Protective styling that you can alter weekly is ideal because you are able to still add moisture to your strands daily (using water) and weekly with wash day.

If you're looking for even lower maintenance, you could even throw on a Satin Head Scarf and style it to your liking. Just don't forget to take everything off at night, spritz your hair with water, and throw on your bonnet!

Your bonnet will help to continue to protect your curls while you sleep because too much friction on harsh surfaces removes product from your hair causing it to become dry and possibly break.

3. Ditch the Wash and Go's

We love a good wash and go in the warmer months, but in the summer it's just not ideal. Wetting your hair opens your pores, which is the last thing you want to do on a cold winter morning.

Don't panic if wash and go's are your go-to because there are other methods you can use to achieve similar and even faster results.

Here at SwirlyCurly, the Wash n Dry method is the go to because not only does it take less time than a traditional wash and go, but it locks in moisture and reduces breakage all at the same time. You can definitely use heat in moderation, but not on high. Our new CurlDefiner Natural Hair Dryer was created just for naturals and has the perfect heat settings for the best wash n dry results.

Learn more about this method and how to do it step by step in Curl College.

4. Keep a healthy diet (drink your water)

What you eat can directly affect the health of your hair. It's important to get all the nutrients, protein, and water that you can, especially in the winter months. It may be harder to drink water in the winter, but you should still aim to get your 8 cups daily.

Drinking water helps promote healthy hair growth from root to ends, by keeping your scalp moisturized and free of problems like dryness and itchiness. Once your hair is moisturized, it will break less and length can then start to be retained.

5. Sleep with a Satin/Silk Pillowcase

Your night time routine has to be just as important as your normal hair routine. You should always make sure to sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase if your bonnet is not lined with silk or satin.

A lot of curly naturals struggle with their curls looking super bomb when they do it and for the entire day, but then not so good the next morning. It's probably because they did not protect their curls at night properly.

Sleeping with a satin or silk pillow case will allow you to lose less moisture because less product is rubbing off of your hair and onto the pillow. Your curls will also still have shine and not be as frizzy.