I like fall and spring because it’s not too hot or too cold. My hair likes fall and spring as well, it can tolerate the summer but it doesn’t like the winter.
Honestly, I’ve yet to have someone tell me their hair likes winter. This is probably because the cold, dry air can have a negative effect on your hair causing damage that will haunt you when spring rolls around.
(This post has some affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
(This post has some affiliate links. If you use an affiliate link to make a purchase I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you!)
The colder, dry air dries out your hair making it brittle and susceptible to breakage. Your hair may also experience static and frizz with a bonus of dry scalp.
Not fun. Especially when you tend to style your hair more in the winter because of all of the holiday parties.
Related read: How To Keep Relaxed Hair Moisturized In The Winter
To avoid having damaged hair come springtime, you can use products like the 10 below that will help protect, nurture, and hydrate your hair in the winter.
1. Sulfate-free shampoo
A great way to nurture and not dry out your hair is to use a sulfate-free shampoo. These types of shampoos are great for the winter because they are less harsh on your hair than sulfate shampoos and don’t strip away all of your hair’s moisture.
My current go-to sulfate-free shampoo is the TGIN Sulfate Free Moisture Rich Shampoo. This is probably one of the best moisturizing sulfate-free shampoos I've used yet. After using it my hair feels so soft and hydrated.
My current go-to sulfate-free shampoo is the TGIN Sulfate Free Moisture Rich Shampoo. This is probably one of the best moisturizing sulfate-free shampoos I've used yet. After using it my hair feels so soft and hydrated.
2. Co-wash
Yes, I just said that using a sulfate-free shampoo in the winter is good for your hair but sometimes using a gentler cleanser like a co-wash is better. The Keracare Moisturizing Cowash is a favorite of mine. It’s really gentle on the hair, smells great, and most importantly it makes my hair feel great all year long, especially in the wintertime.
3. Deep conditioner
Deep conditioning on a regular basis is a must for keeping your hair hydrated in the wintertime. I like to deep condition at least once a week. And when I deep conditioning I like to use a hydrating deep conditioner like the TGIN Miracle RepaiRx Hydrating Hair Mask. It's nice and thick, has a wonderful scent that isn't overpowering, and packs some serious hydration.
4. Deep conditioning cap
Sometimes deep conditioner on its own isn’t enough. Sometimes your deep conditioner needs a little help. That’s where the Hot Head Microwavable Deep Conditioning Cap comes in.
This deep conditioning cap enhances your deep conditioning session by letting you apply safe heat to your hair to open up the hair cuticles allowing the deep conditioner to penetrate even more.
I love the Hot Head Microwavable Deep Conditioning Cap because it’s so easy to use, and store, and I’m not regulated to staying in one spot when I use it.
This deep conditioning cap enhances your deep conditioning session by letting you apply safe heat to your hair to open up the hair cuticles allowing the deep conditioner to penetrate even more.
I love the Hot Head Microwavable Deep Conditioning Cap because it’s so easy to use, and store, and I’m not regulated to staying in one spot when I use it.
5. Leave-in conditioner/hair moisturizer
Keeping your hair moisturized in the winter is a must for avoiding brittle hair and breakage. And cream leave-in conditioners are perfect for keeping your hair hydrated in the winter.
A great cream moisturizer I like to use in the winter is the TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer because it’s really creamy and brings my dry hair back to life.
A great cream moisturizer I like to use in the winter is the TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer because it’s really creamy and brings my dry hair back to life.
For leave-in conditioners, I have two that I like, the TGIN Green Tea Super Moist Leave In Conditioner and the Mielle Avocado Hair Milk.
6. Scalp oil
When the colder air hits, your hair might not be the only thing feeling it. Your scalp may as well.
I naturally have a dry scalp, but my scalp is even drier in the wintertime which can result in white flakes that are extremely visible against my dark brown hair (sigh).
To help with this I apply an oil like Jamaican Black Castor Oil or the Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil to my scalp. Doing this helps to keep the dryness and flakes away.
Other ways Jamaican Black Castor Oil can be used on your hair in the wintertime is a sealant on your ends and in a hot oil treatment which is also great for hydrating your scalp and hair.
I naturally have a dry scalp, but my scalp is even drier in the wintertime which can result in white flakes that are extremely visible against my dark brown hair (sigh).
To help with this I apply an oil like Jamaican Black Castor Oil or the Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil to my scalp. Doing this helps to keep the dryness and flakes away.
Other ways Jamaican Black Castor Oil can be used on your hair in the wintertime is a sealant on your ends and in a hot oil treatment which is also great for hydrating your scalp and hair.
7. Sealing oil
When your hair starts feeling dry in the winter you may notice that it starts at the ends of your strands which makes sense because they’re the oldest part of your hair. This can leave your ends more vulnerable to breakage and splitting.
To help with that I like to apply a natural oil to my ends to help seal in the moisture from my leave-in conditioner. While I do this all year round, I like to use a heavier oil in the winter than I do during the warmer months.
One of my winter oils of choice is sunflower oil. This oil is thick, but not so thick that my hair feels greasy and like an oil slick after applying.
Sunflower oil also has an abundance of minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron; omega fatty acids; and vitamins A, D, K, and E. All of this makes my hair soft, shiny, and more manageable by reducing dryness and frizziness.
Plus sunflower oil contains ceramides a fatty lipid that’s essentially the glue holding the hair cuticle together.
In addition to using it as a sealing oil, I can use sunflower oil in hot oil treatments and as an enhancer for my deep conditioner.
To help with that I like to apply a natural oil to my ends to help seal in the moisture from my leave-in conditioner. While I do this all year round, I like to use a heavier oil in the winter than I do during the warmer months.
One of my winter oils of choice is sunflower oil. This oil is thick, but not so thick that my hair feels greasy and like an oil slick after applying.
Sunflower oil also has an abundance of minerals such as calcium, zinc, and iron; omega fatty acids; and vitamins A, D, K, and E. All of this makes my hair soft, shiny, and more manageable by reducing dryness and frizziness.
Plus sunflower oil contains ceramides a fatty lipid that’s essentially the glue holding the hair cuticle together.
In addition to using it as a sealing oil, I can use sunflower oil in hot oil treatments and as an enhancer for my deep conditioner.
If you prefer a hair serum the TGIN Argan Oil Serum and TGIN Miracle RepaiRx Anti-breakage Serum are good options.
8. Hair ties
Winter clothing can be really harsh on your hair. The materials that most scarves and sweaters are made of tend to pull moisture from hair strands, cause split ends, and even break hair strands with the constant rubbing.
I’ve found that satin scrunchies and hair ties can be very useful to keep my hair up and off of my clothes. With them, I style my hair in high ponytails and even buns.
Because these are made of satin which is a smooth material, my hair doesn’t get stuck and tangled up in them like the ponytail holders with the ends glued together.
I’ve found that satin scrunchies and hair ties can be very useful to keep my hair up and off of my clothes. With them, I style my hair in high ponytails and even buns.
Because these are made of satin which is a smooth material, my hair doesn’t get stuck and tangled up in them like the ponytail holders with the ends glued together.
9. Non-heat styling tools
A great way to baby your hair in the wintertime is to not use flat irons or curling irons on it. The heat from them can damage your hair. And with constant use, they can damage your hair to the point of no return. I just cringe thinking about it.
As a result, I try to avoid heat-styling tools like the plague. Especially in the wintertime though that’s not an easy task. In the winter there are several holiday parties and events that I attend and want to style my hair for. Many times I want to wear my hair down in a curly or wavy type of style.
To get my desired curls or waves I pull out my Caruso Steam Rollers. I’ve been using steam rollers since I was in middle or high school and I love how easy they are to use. Plus, my hair never feels dry, damaged, or fried. Instead, my hair tends to feel soft, the curls bounce, and my hair looks shiny.
As a result, I try to avoid heat-styling tools like the plague. Especially in the wintertime though that’s not an easy task. In the winter there are several holiday parties and events that I attend and want to style my hair for. Many times I want to wear my hair down in a curly or wavy type of style.
To get my desired curls or waves I pull out my Caruso Steam Rollers. I’ve been using steam rollers since I was in middle or high school and I love how easy they are to use. Plus, my hair never feels dry, damaged, or fried. Instead, my hair tends to feel soft, the curls bounce, and my hair looks shiny.
10. Satin cap or scarf
Taking care of your hair doesn’t stop when you get in bed. Nope. You even need to protect your hair at night. That can be done with a satin cap or scarf.
While I wear a satin cap or scarf all year round, I take extra care to wear one during the winter. In fact, if I’m home for long periods of time during the winter many times I’m wearing a satin cap or scarf.
Keeping my hair covered with satin protects my hair from dry air and from rubbing on my clothes. This is another way I avoid my hair drying out and split ends.
An alternative to satin caps and scarves from the beauty supply store is the SLAP Cap by Grace Eleyae.. These are beanie looking caps that are lined with real satin. So they don’t look like nightcaps, but true stylish caps that can wear out and at home without looking silly.
While I wear a satin cap or scarf all year round, I take extra care to wear one during the winter. In fact, if I’m home for long periods of time during the winter many times I’m wearing a satin cap or scarf.
Keeping my hair covered with satin protects my hair from dry air and from rubbing on my clothes. This is another way I avoid my hair drying out and split ends.
An alternative to satin caps and scarves from the beauty supply store is the SLAP Cap by Grace Eleyae.. These are beanie looking caps that are lined with real satin. So they don’t look like nightcaps, but true stylish caps that can wear out and at home without looking silly.
What hair products do you like to use on your hair in the winter?
Get my free winter hair product checklist by clicking the image below
0 comments