Winter Hair Care Tips

My daughter at 5 months (2005)

As the different seasons transition from one to the next...the way we dress, our activities and even our diet changes too. (I would say it has a lot to do with being indoors and the abundance of food during the festive holidays.) 

With these few adjustments we would want to also consider maintaining the health of the hair. Wanting the hair to stay healthy is one thing, but doing something about it is another. In general, consistency and patience are key to a successful hair journey. While we may have great products that cater to our hair needs, we also need to adjust to our environments to maintain the health of our hair.

Moisture, moisture and moisture
Throughout this post, MOISTURE will be mentioned a lot! Moisturizing the hair is not just limited to the summer, but also recommended for the winter too. Between the extreme temperatures of the indoors and outdoors, moisturizing enough will help the hair to stay nourished. Many of us can agree that hair does thrive on well moisturized hair.

Deep Condition/ Cowash more often
Many of our workplaces, schools, homes are heated with artificial heat and can therefore dry the hair along with the cold brisk air outside.  Shampooing less and conditioning/cowashing more will keep the moisture the hair needs to withstand the changes in the environment. After shampooing, sometimes there is a stripping feeling to the hair where following up with a moisturizing conditioner is a must.

Oils & Hot Oil Treatments
A great way to moisturize the hair is to do a hot oil treatment before washing to restore the moisture your hair is losing. Massaging oils onto the scalp, mixing it with shampoos, conditioners help seal in the moisture the hair needs to stay healthy. Not only do oils moisturize the hair and body, but different ones do have several beneficial factors. Research the oils to see what best fits your healthy hair and skin needs.  (For those who are pregnant: Please do your research before using ANY OIL, know the effects of using them, the pros and cons to your changing body during this miraculous time.)

Moisturizing Hair Products
In some cases, you may have to use a product(s) that will do a lot for the hair this winter season. Something that may have been a bit too heavy for the summer, may be great for the winter.  Use a sufficient amount of moisturizing products your hair consumes to balance the amount of needed to keep your tresses quenched.

Wash-N-Go’s
Many love the “Wash-‘N-Go’s" or wearing the hair slightly damp.  It is a simple, low maintenance style.  Being that it is now colder outside, let us remind ourselves that one can get extremely sick by wearing their hair wet in those types of temperatures. Another reason why you would not want to do a Wash ‘N Go during colder months, is to not experience the hair freezing, drying and breaking.

Protective styling

We wear warmer, thicker clothing. With protective style, the hair will not rub as much on the sweaters that will cause hair dryness. Tucking your hair ends away during the harsh weather season will keep your hair from damage while staying moisturized. Not to mention that they are beautiful, you can also have fun with different styles to enhance the beauty of your hair.

Using less to NO heat
Using heat will help the cold air cause more dryness to the hair. This is where protective styling and moisturizing more comes into play too. Using indirect heat such as using a hooded dryer for roller sets is a good way to using less penetrating heat versus a using a flat iron. There are many heat-free hairstyles that can work for you.

Scarves & Hats: Making them friendly for your hair

During the winter we wear scarves, hats and sweaters that are made with fabrics such as wool and cotton. For example, wool tends to dry out the tresses and also pull on the hair causing slow breakage. The areas that tend to get affected the most are the edges and the nape of the neck. To avoid these types of problems, you can line the hat with a satin or silk fabric as a barrier to protect the hair. If you are not crafty, you can simply tie a scarf around the head prior to putting on the hat. Putting the hair up while wearing a scarf will also aid in keeping the hair healthy. The more protected the hair from these elements, the less damage you will sustain.

Stick to what works for you

There are several ideas when it comes to hair care. But remember to always stick to what works for you! If you have an awesome hair care regimen to help your hair combat the evil forces of nature during the winter, then you should do well!

What tips would you like to share in regards to the colder months and what products, techniques and methods has worked for you?

"That's That Stuff I Don't Like" (Hair Bloggers Edition)

The lovely Tathiana, the blogger of My Pound Cake, came up with an idea to do a bloggers edition on stuff that we don't like.  Many of you may be familiar with several YouTube Tags on the same topic sharing their pet peeves.  This should be fun and tell me if you share any of my pet peeves! 

That's That Stuff I Don't Like....

1. I do not like the phrase "mixed hair".  Everyone has mixed hair because of the several hair types we have on our head.  What is mixed hair?  I thought we all, as a human race have straight, curly, kinky or tightly coiled hair.  Maybe, SOME people who are biracial tend to fall in a category with a certain hair type, but to me, it would not be "mixed" hair.  Then I'm mixed since I have 4 gazillion hair types on my head.

2. I do not like when a product worked on my hair and it made it look amazing!  Then next time, it makes my hair look like crap, even if I used it the same exact way.

3. I do not like to spend a lot of money on hair products. I am one of those who will pick up the product, check out the price, look at it and start thinking of all my uses of the products.  I go through a mental list of 100 reasons why I need it and a list of 5 reasons why I do not.  I put it back down on the shelf, walk away. Then I charge down the aisle to find myself picking it up again, to get to the register and tell the cashier that I will not buy it while he/she is ringing up my purchases.

4. I do not like when I get questioned by cashiers for the hair products I purchase, such as VO5 and/or Herbal Essence's products.  "I thought that was only for white people..." Yes it does work for many of us too!

5. I do not like negative comments from people I know who thinks documenting my "hair journey" is silly and pathetic.  But then come to me later for hair advice.  I'll let you guess if I actually help them.

6. I do not like after I do my daughter's hair, she complains about the way just ONE twist falls over her head. 

7. I do not like when I get comments that my hair is long because my mom has long hair and therefore my daughter will also have long hair.  Hair length is not hereditary. There are many who never had long hair in their families, but acquired long hair because of their healthy hair journies.

8. I do not like when I have no clue what to do with my hair, especially if I am going out with friends or my husband. I want to look hot!

9. I do not like RANDOM people touching my hair, I do not know you, so kick rocks and bounce.  Do not just ram your fingers into my scalp without even having the audacity to ask.  Last time someone did that, her hand was smacked hard...and it happened in church too ;-)!  Don't bother to touch my childrens' hairs too...we are going to fight!

10. I do not like when I am told that I do not look Haitian because my hair is long...and that Haitian people have short, brillo pad looking hair.  Stop watching TV all the time and believe everything you see.  Black people all over the earth come in all colors of the spectrum along with different types of hair.  Everyone is beautiful!

That's That Stuff I Don't Like...

I originally started tagging bloggers, but consider all of you tagged, especially if you are a hair blogger!

What's the stuff that you don't like?