Winter can be hell on our bodies. With the most brutal temperature dips, we know to protect ourselves from wind burn and frost bite, and even to moisturize our dry skin, but did you know your hair requires a little extra care, too? It’s technically part of your skin, which means it’s subject to environmental changes. Winterizing is particularly important if you have curly hair. “Curly and textured hair is already at a disadvantage going into winter time,” says celebrity hairstylist David Lopez. “It is naturally dehydrated because of the way the follicles were formed, so oil has a harder time leaving the scalp and lubricating the hair.”

During winter, moisture is literally sucked from your hair at every turn, from the frigid air outside to the warm, dry air inside thanks to heaters and radiators. This means that any moisture left in your hair or on your scalp will evaporate more quickly. “On top of that if you're wearing a hat, the fabric is soaking up any sort of oil or moisture your hair would have,” says Lopez.

Here are the 6 steps to take to make sure you and your hair get through winter in one piece, curls intact.


Use Oil Before You Shampoo

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Hair Serum
Shea Moisture

Using a hair oil before you set foot in the shower will not only moisturize your hair, but your scalp as well. “Your scalp is just like the skin on your face, so you need keep it moisturized,” says Lopez. Always add the oil onto dry hair, when follicles have better absorption, and give your scalp a good, deep massage.

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil, $15.99

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Brush Your Hair Before Your Shower, Too

curly hair solutions flexy brush
Curly Hair Solutions

If you have tighter curls or more textured hair, using a brush in addition to the head massage can help ensure better coverage. Even distribution of the oil helps ensure the ends of your hair get enough hydration and won’t frizz out over time.“Use a really soft brush with very wide teeth and flexible bristles so you don't cause breakage,” says Lopez.

Curly Hair Solutions Flexy Brush, $19.00

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Rethink Your Shampoo

DEVACURL No-Poo Original Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser
Deva Curl

If you think all shampoos are created equal, think again. “Everyone should be using a certain kind of shampoo based on their hair type,” says Lopez. It’s especially true for people with curly and textured hair since the cleansing ingredients in traditional shampoos can be too drying. Things like detergents and surfactants clean by taking away oil, but can take away too much. Look for sulfate-free cleansers that use minimal detergents (like conditioning washes) and don’t wash your hair as often.

DevaCurl No-Poo Zero Lather Conditioning Cleanser, $46.00

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Use A Hair Mask As Conditioner

Garnier Hair Care Whole Blends Nourishing Hair Mask
Garnier

Hair masks are deep conditioning treatments with highly concentrated ingredients, designed to use a few times a week instead of every day. You typically leave them on for longer than a normal conditioner, but you can still reap the benefits if you don’t. “Even if it’s only in my hair for a minute or two, I need as many active ingredients as possible when I condition,” he says. Once a week, leave the mask on for the full recommended time to reap optimal benefits.

Garnier Hair Care Whole Blends Nourishing Hair Mask, $10.98

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Only Use The Cream of The Crop

American Crew Cream Pomade
American Crew

What kind of styling product you’re using can have as much to do with your hair health as what you’re washing it with. Think about it: your product sits on your hair all day, where your shampoo is rinsed out within a couple of minutes. For curly hair, look for cream-based products that will help retain moisture as well as style. “Stay away from anything matte, powdery, or texturizing. They’ll just create dryness,” says Lopez. Apply cream products to damp hair to help control frizz as it dries.

American Crew Cream Pomade, $13.35

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Use More Oil!

Murray’s Cream Beeswax
Murray's Cream

It seems counterintuitive, but water-based products can actually do more harm than good when it comes to curly hair, especially coarse, more closely-textured curls. To maintain longer textured styles like Donald Glover or Jay-Z, it’s all about wax. Beeswax and heavier oil balms to be exact. “Typically that texture needs to stay away from products that have water as an ingredient,” says Lopez. “It's going to reactivate the texture and unravel whatever style you created.

Murray’s Cream Beeswax, $7.79

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