Winter is here and we are all wrapped up, reaching for hot chocolate, warming ourselves in front of the fire. Our wardrobes are all switched out from cottons and linens to knits and tweeds.  The air outdoors is chilly and dry and air indoors is warm but also dry! This can cause havoc on your locs leaving them looking and feeling crunchy and dull. Here are a few tips to keep your locs cared for during the winter season.

Wrap

To protect your hair from the elements, you will want to reach for a hat or headwrap when going outdoors.

Hats may be the easier, cosier, warmer choice but I beseech you, choose wisely. The woolie, fluffy cosy looking hats are warm…I know! But they will leave uncurable lint in your locs and may also actually dry out your hair. so what are the alternatives? For one, a satin lined hat or beanie like this one you can find on amazon. The satin lining will prevent friction, prevent your hair from drying out and avoid contact with the lint from the wool.  Another great alternative are hats and scarves knitted with cotton satin yarn. This type of yarn has minimal fluff so will not leave lint in your locs. Pictured here is a beanie and scarf my friend Veronica knitted for me in cotton satin. I’ve had it for years now and love it for those sub zero temperature days.

A headwrap is also a stylish yet surprisingly warm way to keep your head covered and locs protected. It’s my favourite way to add a little colour to my winter wardrobe and keep me warm at the same time. Trust me they go perfectly well with your knitted dresses and jumpers. The headwraps in my collection also double up as scarves so this is a good alternative to a woollen scarf. A top hack I have used on those blistery cold days is to cover a woollen scarf or the neckline of my woolie jumper with one of my wraps so I get the added warmth but none of the fluff in my hair.

Hydrate

All year long, the mantra remains…hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Hydration is the key to combatting dryness.

Drink

Dry hair is thirsty hair and hydration begins from the inside so drink your water. You may want to switch to tea in this season and that is perfectly fine- just keep drinking. My personal goal is to drink 2 litres a day but if that sounds like a lot…just start with a 1 litre a day. You will be surprised how much more your body will crave it.

Wash

Clean hair is the cornerstone of all healthy hair routines and also plays a big part in preventing dry hair. If your sisterlocks or loose natural hair begin to feel really dry, kickstart rehydration with a deep cleansing wash followed by a nourishing conditioner to close the hair cuticles and seal in moisture. ***Only use conditioner on mature locs, NEVER on baby locs. I wash with the Almocado Hibiscus shampoo and condition with the Almocado herbal hair masque. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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With a dry and flaky scalp, a good cleanse ensures your pores remain open and unclogged and will allow the production of sebum- your scalp’s natural moisturiser to work its magic.

Spritz

Products are the last step in hydration. Look for products with a high-water content (water /aqua should be listed as one of the first 3 ingredients) and infused with plant extracts and emollients that trap the moisture in the hair shaft. My personal go to is the Almocado Cherry Vanilla moisture mist. It contains distilled water, herbal extracts and glycerin which moisturizes and refreshes without feeling greasy. ⠀⠀⠀

Humidify

As the air indoors is very dry due to heating, consider using a humidifier in your home. and especially in your bedroom. At minimum, ensure you place a cup of water next to your radiator as this humidifies the air as it is being warmed. A humidifier has numerous benefits beyond your hair- it will boost your skincare, prevent dry throats and airways and if used with essential oils such as lavender, help you sleep better.

Style

On days you wear a fluffy sweater jumper or scarf, style your hair in a messy top bun or sleek chignon to keep it away from the fluffies. Braiding your hair down into cornrows or twists can also help protect your hair from losing too much moisture. Click here for a tutorial on one of my favourite hairstyles…the messy bun

Protect

So here is the thing; most bed linen is made from cotton or linen which is designed to be absorbent to keep you cool at night. In the winter many people even switch to flannel sheets for added warmth. While this is great for your body, it is not so great for your hair because it strips all the moisture from your locs, leaving them dry. Flannel sheets also tend to have a lot more fluff which will leave lint in your locs. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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So, to avoid this, sleep in a satin bonnet to protect your hair. Alternatively, switch out your pillowcase for a satin one. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Remember: always change your bonnet & pillowcase on hair wash day to keep your locs fresh😉⠀⠀

That’s it! Those are my tips to keep your hair healthy in the winter. I would love to hear what YOUR winter haircare tips are…leave a comment below this post 🙂

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