As temperatures drop, it’s easier for your hair to lose moisture due to a variety of factors including dryer air outside and indoor heating. If you struggle with dry hair, especially in the fall and winter, here are some expert tips for maintaining moisture and keeping your curls activated and healthy!
Pre-Treat to Enhance Moisture Retention
Oils have gotten a bad rap in the curly community but, when used correctly, they are an invaluable tool in enhancing moisture retention. Lipids (a fancy word for fats and oils) are an essential component of the cuticle (outer layer of the hair) and cortical membrane complex, which binds the cortex to the cuticle. They are essential to the hair’s ability to retain water and protect the hair from damage.
For those with dry and damaged curls, occasional pre-treatment with an oil-based product like Emollience can help to supplement and restore the hair’s internal lipids and keep the hair supple, shiny, and moisturized even during cold, dry weather. The key ingredients of Cupuaçu Butter and Castor Oil help dry hair hold onto moisture and boost shine while creating a protective barrier around the hair shaft. Use it as needed or every time you wash your hair.
Nourish with a Hydrating Mask
Hydrating masks go beyond conditioners and leave-ins to intensively repair and rehydrate the hair with long-lasting benefits, such as strength, elasticity, and curl retention. We recommend adding this into your routine bi-monthly to monthly depending on how frequently you wash your hair.
Enriched with natural osmolytes, which create long-lasting hydration pathways in the hair, Hydrofuse Moisture Treatment Mask is a take-home professional treatment that detoxifies, moisturizes, and strengthens your hair. Used after shampoo and before conditioner, it helps remove build-up and restore the hair’s ability to retain water, which is essential for keeping curls hydrated during the winter months.
Deep Condition Regularly
In cold, dry weather, it may be necessary to upgrade your usual conditioner for a high-quality deep conditioner. Intense Quench Deep Conditioner is packed with botanicals, amino acids, and nourishing emollients to nourish the hair from the inside out. Process into the hair with steam or gentle heat for additional penetration and hydration.
Boost Hydration with a Humectant Primer
During the winter, there is less available moisture in the air and, therefore, less in our hair. This can deflate curls and leave them feeling dry and brittle. Layering a humectant primer with your usual moisturizer will help draw more water into the hair for plump, moisturized curls.
Oasis Hydrating Primer is a versatile product that serves as a leave-in, curl activator, and hydrating primer. It enhances the hair’s ability to absorb moisture, making it perfect for dry climates or winter weather. For optimal hydration, pair it with your other leave-in products (tight textures) or use it solo as an oil-free moisturizer (loose textures).
Pamper Your Scalp
A supple, moisturized scalp is essential for healthy, hydrated curls. Giving your scalp some extra love during the winter can help keep natural oils flowing and stimulate healthy growth. Scalp Therapy Complete Care Lotion is the perfect companion to a gentle scalp massage. A few drops moisturize, soothe, and tone, providing fast and lasting relief from dryness and irritation while ensuring your scalp stays healthy.
With the right products and a few simple adjustments to your hair care regimen, you can keep your curls healthy and hydrated during the cold winter months. Embrace the chill with confidence, knowing your hair is nourished and protected!
