This cold weather is whipping my hair's a$$

[apemay1969]

I don't have pics because somebody stole, used, broke and returned my camera last week.

Is there a thread out there to help me with my natural 4b hair? I really got into the forum during the summer so I am not up on my hair's needs for the winter.

What's the most important thing to do to keep hair happy and healthy for the winter?

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

I voted for protectove styling but moisture can also be an issue as well. The winter months as you know are harsh on the hair. I find that my hair does better when I keep it protected during the winter. I continue my reggie but my hair won't be worn out until March!

 

[JustKiya]

I voted for moisture. I know it's holiday season, so a lot of people (me included!) want to do something a lil different and more 'out' with their hair, so protective styling might be a bit more a struggle than other times of the year.

Personally, even though I'm still maintaining my protective styles (laziness is a blip!) I've increased my moisture by steaming weekly, instead of every other week/once a month as I was before. I also seal my hair, now, to try to help keep my moisture in.

 

[PhiLee]

What do you seal with, JK?

 

[JustKiya]

What do you seal with, JK?

A 50/50 mix of Eqyss Survivor Detangler (sucks for detangling though ) and castor oil.
I seal once on semi-wet hair, in the middle of my airdry before I braid, and I seal again once I've done my two strand twists with my leave-in.

 

[PhiLee]

Thanks, JustKiya!

 

[Rastafarai]

UNREFINED Shea Butter is my friend during these winter months.

Also keeping my hair protected with two strand twists and flat twists.

 

[lavenderchic]

Co washing, Oil rinsing, ayurveda, combing only on wash day and deep conditioning has saved me this winter so far.

I bun it, faux bob, leave it in pin curls or just neatly pin it up with a decorative. Pin or clip. When I wear it down only on special occasions.

My hair is always completely covered with a scarf and a hat if I am outside. Most of my hats are lined if not I wear a bonnet under the hat.

 

[Junebug D]

For me, it's all of the above! I'm trying to keep my hair in twists until April of next year. That way, I can get my lined hat over my hair too!

 

[hillytmj]

I live in Houston, so it's not super duper cold here. We were freezing last week and it was in the upper 50's! LOL! I find that moisture is the true key. I continue to deep condition and wash weekly and moisturize/seal ends nightly.

 

[BostonMaria]

Hillytmj, 50 degrees to us is a heatwave! Its going to be in the low 20's tomorrow. I'm working from home so it won't be too bad, but I take the bus and train to work every day and I can see the difference in how I feel when I walk around with wet hair all day.

I'm rollersetting till the spring, heat damage or not I'm not going to risk it.

 

[Cleve_gryl]

I voted protective styles. I think most of us keep up our moisture game, but that's real important too. I just can't have my strands whipping around the harsh winter wind, breaking my ends off

I'm going to find a half wig this weekend...

 

[BrooklynSouth]

"High of 31 today, low of about 21, feel like 7." I say do 'em all and keep that hair well hidden..I am amazed when I see women bare headed in this weather.

 

[naijamerican]

I have braids. I just received the Eqyss Rehydrant spray and I will be using that along with the Avocado spray. I'm still trying to figure out how to seal it, given that I have microbraids and am trying to take care of my hair while maintaining its appearance.

 

[nurseN98]

"High of 31 today, low of about 21, feel like 7." I say do 'em all and keep that hair well hidden..I am amazed when I see women bare headed in this weather.

That's right, my hair does best with all 3. I've just discovered the homemade steam treatments and that has REALLY been good for my hair.

 

[laCriolla]

anyone use a humidifier in their bedroom?

 

[Solitude]

I voted for the lined hats. My winter coat has a satin-lined hood & when I wear other hats, I wear a bonnet underneath.

 

[Kurly K]

i just want to add im hating the winter

 

[Avaya]

My hair doesn't see the outside from the end of November until the beginning of April. I wear a head scarf, bonnet, and hat when outdoors. I never suffer winter breakage or dry hair.

 

[Lynnerie]

I would say all 3 are important but i voted for moisture because you can bun all day... if you neglect on moisturizing and sealing you defeat the purpose of protective styling. To me, Protective styling means taking all of the important measures into consideration.

Since you are natural I say go for a style that causes less manipulation during this time. Do some 2-strand twists. Cause I think you can still wash with your hair that way. You can use the stocking cap method to wash your hair. Increase your hot oil treatments and try to steam your hair when you deep condition. Increase water intake. HTH

 

[*KP*]

Protective styling, I try to braid or weave my hair every winter

 

[apemay1969]

UNREFINED Shea Butter is my friend during these winter months.

Also keeping my hair protected with two strand twists and flat twists.

I still can't do a flat twist to save my life.

 

[bludaydreamr]

I voted PS. I want to straighten again this weekend, but when I think about last winter my hair broke from DEC until like late FEB, I was like

 

[CurliDiva]

I've upped my deep contioning treatment w heat to TWICE per week and can see a HUGE improvement in my hair! My natural hair is soft to the touch and has not had the dry/crunchy/brittle feeling in ages.

 

[Cleve_gryl]

anyone use a humidifier in their bedroom?

I use a warm mist humidifier in my bedroom. It's a wonderful addition...I forgot about that, it really does help keep my hair and skin moist.

 

[Rezgirl]

My hair loves the winter. I think it's b/c I can sit under the dryer for mad long without over heating. With the costs to heat the house you stay under that dryer to keep warm! lol I deep condition for 15-30 minutes and it takes my hair between 1 1/2 - 2 hours to dry fully so it looks fly when I get out cause I just stay under there like its nothing in the winter!!

 

[natstar]

Moisture is a must for me since I live in Chicago. I have increased my DCing to 2x a week for at least an hour. Also, daily moisturizing 2x a day is needed too. Protective styles don't mean much to me if my hair is snapping all the time from dryness.

I do somewhat like the winter though for the lack of humidity-my braidouts last longer and look better

 

[BeautifulRoots]

Spritzing my hair w/ water and sealing with shea butter nightly has been my friend this winter.

 

[carletta]

I've upped my deep contioning treatment w heat to TWICE per week and can see a HUGE improvement in my hair! My natural hair is soft to the touch and has not had the dry/crunchy/brittle feeling in ages.

I do this also and it does work. And .... I use African Royale Braid spray at least 2x a day ( morning & before bed ) this keep my hair soft / not brittle.

I always add kemi oil to my bottle of braid spray to help lock in moisture.

 

[Reinventing21]

This winter I am armed with: humidifier, protective styles, H.Silky 14 in 1 & H. Silky Oil Moisturizer, & CASTOR OIL (health store brand). So far so GREAT! Better than ever. No breakage in sight for a change.