Winterize Your Hair Regimen With These 4 Tips From Our Fav YouTube Hair Gurus
Whether you are natural or relaxed, maintaining healthy hair should always be your first goal. “Good hair” isn’t inherently long, wavy, or straight – it is instead hair that retains its length, its moisture, its elasticity, its sheen, its smoothness, and healthy ends.
In addition to what we believe are quintessential methods on how to winterize your hair regimen, we spoke to popular YouTube hair and beauty gurus of all different hair textures to get their input on some of the tips and tricks of their winter hair care regimens. Whether you have locs, rock your natural curl, or keep it sleek and chic with a relaxed hair look, look no further, your winter hair routine adaptions are below.
Consider Changing How Often You Make it a Wash Day
“I wash my locs once a month and the amount of times I wash doesn't change throughout the seasons. Wash day is a long process for me and I like to minimize the amount of times I have to do it! My hair has been loving rosemary infused water. My dermatologist found that rosemary leads to the stimulation of follicles and thus promote hair growth.” – Jasmine Rose | @ms.jasminerose, Natural Hair & Beauty Vlogger
The frequency of how often you wash your hair should be cut during winter months. Your strands may crave the extra washes in the summer, but excessively wetting your hair might not be as necessary with less humidity, less sweating, and less direct heat from the sun. Fade out wash n’ go styles to hibernate until spring and summertime. Practice trial and error and address your hair care needs accordingly.
Don’t Be Afraid of Heavier Products
"I use an oil mix that consists of different oils with varying weights including, jojoba, olive, avocado, and Jamaican black castor oil, and I use this on my hair throughout the year after every single wash. It helps to seal the moisture into my hair, and it provides essential nutrients to keep my hair strong, shiny, and healthy. After it sits on my hair in the shower, I'll just give my hair a quick rinse to remove that 'oily' feeling, and what's left over is soft, moisturized hair. This is something that I find benefits my hair throughout the year, so I keep it in my routine regardless of the season. I do, however, like to apply more to my scalp in the colder months, as it can get really dry." - Whitney White | @naptural85, Natural Hair, Beauty, & Life Vlogger
Hair loves heavier products in the winter time, so don’t be afraid to gravitate towards pomades, shea butter, mango butter, butters in general, or even cholesterol products. That goes for oils as well! As beauty guru Megan says, gravitate towards heavier oils like Jamaican black or avocado oil, or even a moisturizer that is oil-based. This not only provides moisture to your strands, but, as moisture sealants, also acts as a layer of protection for your hair from the cold.
Step Up Your DC Game
"During the winter months I deep condition weekly. I also use heavier moisturizers; my favorite being Cantu and Shea Moisture creams. I’ve found that as a natural with my hair type, my hair responds best to water based products.” – Sadora Paris | @sadoraparis, Natural Hair & Beauty Vlogger
Deep conditioning is an important step in any hair regimen but as we emphasize moisture again and again, it becomes increasingly significant to do them in the colder months. Moisture is constantly playing a tug and pull game on your strands with the extreme differences in environments between indoor heat and the outdoor cold so it’s important to have layers on layers on layers of moisture. Deep conditioning is the foundation for that. DIY it with a homemade concoction or use a store-bought one – just be sure to use it with heat for a minimum of half an hour (our favorite is the heat cap). For an added moisture bonus, do a hot oil treatment for 20 minutes.
Protect Yo’ Self
“Protective styles during the winter help with dryness and breakage. Braids, wigs, protective braids under wigs, buns, and sew-ins are styles that help with over manipulation and aid in retaining length during the cooler/dryer months.” – Megan | @ulovemegz, Relaxed Hair & Beauty Vlogger
Protective styles do wonders when it comes to protecting fragile ends and can be just the alternative the weather demands because brittle cold weather can be just as damaging to hair as the excessive summer heat. Wear your hair up in buns, sweater hats (lined in satin), underneath scarves or head wraps, in synthetic braiding weaves, or even underneath sew-ins or wigs. If you’re doing less with your hair and protecting your ends, you’re promoting growth, which is quite the win-win.
How do you switch up your routine for the cold months to achieve healthy hair? Leave your tips below, sharing is caring!
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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Curate The Vibes With These Black-Owned Candles For Every Mood
Black women of the 90s and early 2000s had incense, and Black women of today are fully embracing our luxury candle era. Candles have become just as important as our perfume selections, and as a luxury candle connoisseur, I keep all of my favorites in stock in my storage closet.
Whether you’re moving out for the first time and want to try new scents or looking to set the mood for a self-care day or sexy evening, consider these Black-owned candle brands to curate the vibe you’re looking for.
If You’re Feeling Bad & Bougie
The Original Candle
If you’re the bougie friend of the group, this candle is for you. Hanifa has become a staple luxury brand; with celebs like Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Hudson, Naomi Campbell, and Danielle Brooks seen in her designs, they have become everyone's favorite brand. They recently launched their first candle, The Original. The candle is infused with notes of mandarin, orange blossom, caramel, sandalwood, jasmine sambac, and vanilla.
When Wash Day Comes...
"Wash Day" Candle
Cavo
Need some inspiration to get up and section that hair so you can get to washing? Not to worry. This pineapple, mango coconut milk, and sugar candle will have your house smelling as good as your favorite conditioner.
Wellness Girl Necessity
Sunday in Brooklyn Candle
If you’re a girl who loves clean scents that clear the energy in your home and feel like the best Sunday you ever had, you need this candle. Infused with wild basil and lemongrass, it’s guaranteed to help you find your zen.
For Sunday Brunch If You’re Hosting
Champagne Showers
Champagne Showers is the perfect candle for a birthday celebration, Sunday brunch night in, or toast to your next big win! The candle includes a blend of bright bergamot, peach fizz, and creamy woods. It’s a bubbly fragrance that’s as sophisticated as our girl, Jackie Aina.
After You Listen To SZA
"After A Good Cry" Candle
Cavo
Let the tears flow, and let the healing begin. This rainwater, lavender, vanilla, and bean and bourbon candle is just what the doctor ordered if you’re getting over a breakup. But once you’re done crying, just remember you're worthy of much more, okay?
For The Lover Girl Era
"Love" Luxury Candle
If you’re done crying and have found the one you’ve been waiting for, let this candle burn as warm as your love for your new boo. Harlem Candle Co.'s "Love" fragrance represents a dramatic, romantic theme with both masculine and feminine accords melding beautifully together, infused with crisp apple and watery green notes.
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Featured image by Maskot/Getty Images