How To Protect Your Wavy Hair During Autumn/Winter
Autumn is here. Which as us Brits know, means cold, wet, blustery days. Days that can cause havoc with our natural wavy hair.
Reality is, our hair can experience dramatic changes in the winter months, as we fight to keep it healthy and hydrated. Which means we need to adapt our routine slightly to keep our hair looking incredible.
Here are 5 tips you should consider when preparing for the darker, colder months ahead...
1. DEEP CONDITION
Wavy hair craves moisture. Yet during the winter months the cold air can really dry out our hair, leaving it brittle and frizzy. It robs it of the moisture it needs to thrive.
You may find in the summer that you only need to deep condition once or twice a month. Yet in the winter you might want to increase this to once a week. Gently detangle and brush through the conditioner, then leave on for at least an 30-mins to give it time to soak deep into your hair.
Top tip: wear a shower cap to catch all those drips!
2. seal in that moisture
If you’re not yet using a hair oil then now is the time to start!
A natural lightweight oil will seal in the moisturising properties of the conditioning products layered beneath. The oils fatty acids will lubricate your hair strands, which will prevent your hair from drying out too quickly.
As well as adding shine and lustre to your waves, the oil will offer protection from the colder, drier air outside. It’ll also add a layer of protection against internal and external heaters. It's like a coat of armour.
Click here to discover more about the Merwave Wavy Hair Oil.
3. protective hair styles
To shield your hair from the elements, consider wearing protective hairstyles.
Braids, buns, and twists can help keep your wavy hair from getting tangled and exposed to the wind and cold air.
Additionally, you can use silk or satin hair accessories like scrunchies or headbands to reduce friction and prevent breakage.
4. wear hats to retain moisture
For me, winter is all about being wrapped up, which includes wearing a hat.
Problem is, your normal woolly hat may be drying out your hair and creating friction, which causes breakages and frizz. Don’t panic, there’s a solution to this in the form of silk or satin lined hats.
Not only will they keep your hair hydrated but they’re also super comfortable.
5. never leave the house with wet hair. ever.
Air drying is great in the warmer months. Yet if you have thick hair (or hair that holds the water) you do not want to be walking around with wet hair.
Leaving your hair wet or damp when going outside can cause the hair to freeze and break off, which obviously causes damage. It’s therefore crucial to ensure your hair is dry before leaving the house.
Try plopping with a microfibre towel before diffusing, the microfibre towel will remove some of the excess water without disturbing your wave pattern. The diffuser will then speed up the drying time and ensure your hair is completely dry.
Another tip is to simply wash your hair on the day you plan to spend lounging around the house. This way you can wash it in the morning, then allow it to air dry naturally (always my preferred method).
While these winter tips work wonders for myself, they may not work for everyone. Like everything when it comes to natural hair, you need to test different tactics to discover what works best for you. It’ll be a little frustrating when you first start, yet once you find that winning regime you’ll never look back!
