As we welcome the cold, dry seasons, we must also prepare for the challenges they bring, especially for our natural hair. Harmattan and winter are characterized by cool temperatures and low humidity in the air which make our hair more prone to dryness, breakage, tangles and split ends.
Adapting to the changing seasons is crucial for maintaining healthy natural hair. In this blog post, we’ll explore the practices, products and all the essential components of an effective moisturizing routine for harmattan and winter that will help you keep your natural hair soft and resilient.
Effective Natural Hair Moisturizing Routine for Harmattan/ Winter
Step 1: Moisturizing Shampoo
In the journey to well-moisturized natural hair, the first step is crucial—cleansing. If your hair and scalp are dirty, they won’t be able to absorb new moisture because they will be clogged up with buildup. To remove dirt and buildup without stripping away your natural oils, use a sulfate-free conditioning/moisturizing shampoo.
Wash your hair and scalp at least twice a month to prevent excessive buildup though washing your hair once a week is highly recommended.
Step 2: Deep Conditioning Treatment
Deep conditioning is your hair’s best friend, especially in times of excessive dryness. A good deep conditioner goes beyond the surface, penetrating your strands with a burst of hydration and nourishment. It's the secret weapon against dryness, brittleness, and breakage.
Apply it to your hair after shampooing, cover with a plastic cap and leave for 30-45 minutes. Then rinse it out thoroughly and feel the difference.
Step 3: Leave-in Conditioner
Now that your hair is clean and freshly deep-conditioned, the next step is ensuring that the outer layers of your hair receive their share of moisture. This is where the leave-in conditioner comes in.
Opt for a lightweight, moisturizing leave-in that is water-based and has nourishing ingredients—something that won't weigh your curls down but will keep them happy and healthy. Apply it generously to every strand of your hair for the best results.
Step 4: Cream or Butter-based Styler
In the cold and dry seasons, a cream or butter-based styler is better than a gel-based one because it will help seal moisture into your hair, keeping it soft and manageable for longer.
After applying your leave-in conditioner, coat your hair with a curl cream or butter, ensuring that the hydration from your previous steps doesn't escape quickly while your curls stay popping!
Step 5: Scalp Oil
When you’ve finished doing all the previous steps to your hair, it’s easy to forget that the dryness affects your scalp too, and that you ought to show your scalp some love. When it comes to healthy hair, it all starts at the roots—the scalp. A moisturized scalp is a happy scalp, and a happy scalp fosters the growth of strong, vibrant hair.
Apply a soothing, nourishing scalp oil to maintain a good moisture balance on your scalp. We're not talking about heavy oils that clog up your pores and weigh down your hair; Opt for lightweight oils or oil blends.
Step 6: Moisturizing Hair Mist
Now, let's talk about combating dryness on the go. Your hair, like your skin, can sometimes need a little moisture boost in the middle of the day. This is where the magic of a moisturizing hair mist comes into play.
The benefits are twofold. First, it keeps your hair hydrated, preventing it from becoming a victim of the day's dryness. Second, it rejuvenates, your curls and brings them back to life. Get yourself a hair mist enriched with natural hydrating ingredients like aloe vera juice. Apply it as often as you need to during the day to ensure your hair stays hydrated throughout the day.
General Tips for Enhanced Moisture Retention in the Dry Season
In the battle against dryness in your hair, your first line of defense is adopting a simple yet effective moisture routine. However, you can go a step further to make your routine even more effective with a few extra practices. Let's dive into some general tips that can make a world of difference in maintaining moisture and keeping your hair happy and healthy.
1. Embrace Protective Styles
When your hair is in a protective style, your strands are packed closely together, preventing the moisture in your hair from escaping into the dry air. Consider braids, twists, or buns—styles that look chic and provide that added layer of protection your hair craves during the challenging dry seasons.
2. Satin Bonnet or Pillowcase
Using a satin bonnet or pillowcase creates a frictionless surface for your hair to glide over as you sleep, reducing the risk of moisture loss. Additionally, satin is not as absorbent as the cotton your pillowcase is made of. This allows your hair retain the mositure you have given it with your routine.
For extra protection, keep your satin bonnet or scarf on when you are indoors. The less exposure your hair has to the dry air, the better.
3. Regular Trims
Trimming your hair eliminates unhealthy split ends, which are notorious for soaking up moisture like a sponge. What’s worse is that if left untreated, they work their way up your hair strands, ruining your hair even more! By getting rid of these culprit, you'd be preventing excessive dryness and ensuring that your hair remains in top-notch condition.
4. Hydration from Inside Out
Good hair starts from within, and staying hydrated is the golden rule. Drinking enough water helps maintain the moisture balance in your body. But it's not just about water; a balanced diet rich in vitamins and nutrients is the fuel your hair needs to shine even in the driest of seasons.
Conclusion
These simple yet powerful steps can make all the difference. By adopting these practices, you're not just caring for your hair; you're ensuring that it thrives, even in the face of the most challenging weather conditions.
With a well-crafted routine and the added wisdom from our general tips—such as protective styling, satin bonnets, regular trims, and staying hydrated—your natural hair can not only survive but thrive even in the driest seasons.
So embrace the moisture, and let your hair shine with the vitality it deserves. Happy hair days await!