Save Your Hair This Winter
Natural hair needs a new routine when the season's change and hair oiling needs to be at the top of your fall/winter hair care routine.
Your natural strands thrive on moisture and using oils are the best and cheapest way to lock it all in. I have a ton of ways for you to utilize all of your favorite oils to transition from summer to autumn.
1. Pre Poo Oil Treatment
Shampooing in the winter can be a little harsher on your natural hair than it is in the summer.
Avoiding shampoos with sulfates may not be enough to prevent dull, dry autumn hair, so using a pre-poo before every wash is the safest way to protect your curly strands.
To perform any pre-poo, all you have to do is mix all of your ingredients and apply the mixture, generously, to your entire head. I usually divide my hair into four sections and work through each one evenly, use the combination from root to tip.
Try one of the luxurious pre-poos listed below as a part of your self-care routine. If you have a blend of your own, drop it down below!
Traditional Olive Oil Pre-Poo
- 2-3 tbsp olive oil
- Two tsp raw honey
- A heat source and a small pan
- Shower cap
Bouncy Curls Pre-Poo
Castor oil, in particular, Jamaican Black Castor Oil has got to be part of any naturalistas product stash. It’s not only good for conditioning but also has excellent hair growth properties and anti-fungal powers for a healthy scalp.
What you need:
- 1 tbsp JBCO
- 2-3 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
- Ten drops of geranium essential oil
- Shower cap
2. Detangler
The second added benefit to oiling your hair is its ability to act as a lubricant.
Add a lubricating product on your kinky curl, and you’ve got yourself a detangler! This tip is excellent for naturalistas who are repairing their hair from color and heat damage or are in the process of transitioning.
After you perform your regular wash routine, section your hair off, so that it's more manageable. Apply about a tablespoon of olive oil to each quarter, making sure to work the oil from the roots to the very tips of the hair. Use a wide tooth comb to work from the very tips of the hair to the roots.
Oiling should give your hair extra slip and not only help you maneuver the column a little easier but the knots to slip out with ease. If you're having difficulty in a small area, apply some oil to your fingertip and then directly to that area.
Don't be worried about using too much oil your hair soaks it up constantly so use it where you need it.
3. Sealant
Oils act as a great hair health booster, which is why it's so great to implement it during your winter hair routine.
During the winter your hair is more vulnerable to the cold weather and is continuously getting weaker and weaker. Your hair is also less likely to grow as fast and thick as it usually does in the summer.
Most oils contain fatty acid which replaces the lipids in your hair when it starts to get thin. When there's nothing left holding it together the lipids in oils rebuild those gaps. I use oils as a sealant daily.
After I complete my wash day routine, I style my hair with leave-in and oils. I divide my hair into four sections and clip each one away. I apply a generous amount of leave in to eat section, and I work it through with my Denman brush. Immediately after, I slather on my oil concoction. Generally, during the winter, it consists of avocado oil olive oil and jojoba oil. I do not use coconut oil during the winter because the same way it solidifies at cooler temperatures in a container it does the same on the shaft of your hair.
What's I've I usually leave it that way for long periods of time. Another way that I use sealants on a daily basis is by applying olive oil to my twist daily before taking them down and wearing them out.
Oiling them keeps them moisturized and prepped for the takedown. Travis technique every day for a week and you'll be amazed at how smooth and frizz-free your curls are once you take them down!
Oiling as a sealant is probably my favorite way to use oils so let us know how it works for you.
4. Strengthener
Hair is nothing more than a protein strand that has roots beneath the surface.
Hair tends to become brittle and lead to short hair due to the weekend hair protein. Hair oil such as castor oil almond oil and olive oil help to strengthen the proteins. Oils protect the hair shaft from damage that can be caused by the elements.
The shaft of hair is frizzy and brittle by nature with little grooves oils like vitamin e are great for filling in the gaps and making hair smoother. Healthy hair reinforced with oils is less vulnerable to heat damage and breakage.
Once you got breakage of control, your hair will grow noticeably longer and retain more length.
Winter Is Coming!
Start the autumn and winter months off right by adding oil to your regular hair care routine.
Implementing in any if not all these techniques will not only help you maintain moisture through the colder months but also length. Don't let the winter stop your natural hair magic! Share your DIY oil blends with me in the comments down below.
If you have another use for hair oiling leave those down below as well, I love adding new techniques to my natural hair care routine!
