There are a ton of things about winter that I find utterly depressing (frigid temperatures, the sun setting at 4pm, etc.), but my main beef with this time of year is that the extreme cold always ends up doing a number on my hair. I used to spend part of the winter months tucking my ends away in protective styles like box braids, but since the chemicals in braiding hair can be slightly damaging, the next best solution has been to wear my natural curls—but even then, things like snow and the temperature falling below 40 degrees on any given day can be overly harsh on my hair, causing it to feel dry and brittle.
Curly hair is already a lot more prone to dryness to begin with, and my tightly-coiled, type 4 curls are also color-treated, so these things combined with some pretty harsh temperatures means that I have a handful of factors working against me at the moment. It's for this reason that I spent the last few weeks preparing to give my haircare routine a seasonal overhaul and focus mostly on products that can moisturize, prevent damage and breakage, and keep my color looking vibrant and fresh.
To see which products have made the cut, keep reading.
Gentle Cleanse
I wash my hair once a week, so I try to make sure I'm mainly using shampoos that are hydrating, gentle, and can clean the product buildup off of my hair and scalp without stripping them of moisture. Below you'll find two of my favorites.
This shampoo was recommended to me by a hairstylist a few years ago, and I've been a fan ever since. No shampoo has never managed to make my hair feel this soft, not to mention that it has a really soothing vanilla scent.
This is another shampoo that I bring out when I want a super-gentle cleanse. It's easy on the hair and scalp, but it's also infused with hydrating ingredients like sea buckthorn, which can also help to reduce breakage.
Good Condition
When I'm a little short on time or when I want to be able to condition my hair in a pinch without any fuss, I throw these formulas on for 10 minutes in the shower—and my hair absolutely loves them.
My favorite kind of conditioner is one that hydrates while also making detangling a breeze, which is exactly what this formula does. It includes hyaluronic acid (an all-star moisturizing ingredient in plenty of skincare products), which helps keep my dry hair extra-hydrated.
Ever since I dyed my hair over a year ago, this has been one of my go-to conditioners that I've used consistently—it pretty much saved my hair when I was experiencing extreme dryness and split ends. After just one use, my brittle hair felt softer to the touch and my color also looked more refreshed.
Cécred already has a stellar lineup of products (I wouldn't expect anything less from a brand founded by Beyoncé and Tina Knowles), but if I had to recommend just one product, it'd be this conditioner. It's another one that detangles and hydrates at the same time, but it also gets the job done in under five minutes, which is incredibly convenient if you want to get through your wash day routine when you're pressed for time.
Moisture Boost
Every other week when my hair is craving just a little bit more moisture, I like to bring out my powerhouse lineup of hair masks and deep conditioners. I try to focus on formulas that can reduce and prevent breakage, while also protecting my color.
If your hair has ever even been slightly damaged by anything from color treatments to chemicals to over-manipulation, Olaplex is one brand that can help you out. This mask is meant to be used on coarse and thick textures, and it uses a special technology to smooth the cuticle in order to get rid of frizz and roughness.
I was recently introduced to this mask during a hair appointment, and I was in awe of how quickly it whipped my dry, fried ends (which desperately needed to be trimmed) into shape. It's a hydrating mask that focuses on keeping chemicals and metals from hard water from damaging your hair and causing breakage, but it can also be used on color-treated hair to make it appear more vibrant.
This is another hairstylist recommendation that I've quickly become loyal to. I started using this as an alternative to the brand's Don't Despair, Repair! deep conditioner (that one is more of a protein treatment, which should be used sparingly) since it's protein-free and more appropriate for weekly use. It has amazing slip and a small, palm-sized amount is enough to distribute throughout my thick, coily hair.
Lovely Leave-Ins
The key to choosing a great leave-in product is finding something that can add one last bit of moisture to your hair while also defining your curls and not leaving film or residue on your strands once it dries down. These are my all-time favorites.
This is a gel-cream hybrid that adds so much definition to my curls. I typically use it during twist outs to make my curls look extra springy.
This is another leave-in product with a creamy formula that isn't too thick, and even though it features jojoba oil as one of its star ingredients, it doesn't make my hair feel greasy or weighed down. I typically apply it right before adding a quarter-sized amount of mousse, and it makes my curls feel soft and hydrated once I unravel my twists.
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