Winter Hair, Don't Care: The Ultimate 5-Step Winter Hair Care Routine

Suffering from dry, brittle hair during the winter is not uncommon. Temperatures drop, and so does your hairs’ ability to stay hydrated!

It can be frustrating to try and find ways to keep your hair looking alive and well. If you have thick, curly hair like I do, making sure your hair is moisturized and voluptuous throughout a dry weather spell can seem next to impossible.

With so many different products and so many different routines that you could choose from, it can very easily become overwhelming to find an easy, manageable process that you can repeat day over day.

So, how can you fight a winter hair dry spell in a few simple steps? Read ahead to discover my perfect five-step winter hair care routine.

Apply Pre-Shampoo Oil

Yes, pre-shampoo hair oil exists, and it’s amazing! This is your first step in combating dry winter locks, and it really makes a big difference.

My current pick for you to try is The Body Shop’s Coconut Oil Brilliantly Nourishing Pre-Shampoo Hair Oil (but of course, you can experiment and choose your own favorite!). This should be applied to dry hair about five minutes before you plan to step into the shower.

Since I have very thick hair, I tend to apply a generous amount of this oil from my roots to my hair tips, but be cautious about the amount you choose if your hair is thin or oily. Massage the oil into your dry hair and let the magic take place.

Choose a Moisturizing Shampoo

Every type of hair is different, and it’s important to choose a shampoo that’s right for your specific hair type (dry, oily, combination, etc.). That being said, a moisturizing shampoo does double duty: it keeps your hair moisturized, and it keeps your scalp moisturized during the winter season as well.

How do I choose a shampoo?

Any type of shampoo that is infused with oils, such as argan or Moroccan oil, coconut milk are fantastic to use. Look for phrases on shampoo bottles such as “hydrate”, “moisture”, and “replenish” to ensure the type you are purchasing was specifically created to help with dry hair. I have personally been using Marc Anthony Nourishing Argan Oil Of Morocco Extra Hydrating Shampoo to infuse my hair with maximum hydration!

Again, this specific shampoo might not work for you depending on your hair type. It might yield oily hair if you aren’t used to an extra moisturizing shampoo. Check out this roundup of shampoos for dry hair for more options: 9 Best Shampoos for Dry Hair, According to Beauty Scientist.

Another great option is using one of LUSH’s shampoo bars. Not only are they packed with a ton of essential oils and fresh ingredients, they are also package free! Keeping your hair beautiful and helping the environment: A win-win situation.

Opt for a Hair Mask

Now that you’ve applied pre-shampoo oil, and washed it out with some moisturizing shampoo, it’s time to move on to a hair mask. This is a crucial step for winter hair care and one that I never skip!

A hair mask is sort of like a supercharged conditioner that you can apply from your roots to your hair tips. Again, which hair mask you choose will depend on your hair type, but every hair mask is all about infusing moisture back into your hair.

How do I choose a hair mask?

A great bonus is that you can actually make most hair masks using ingredients from your own kitchen. If you’d rather purchase a hair mask, here are some top picks for 2020 to help you nail down your favorite one: 20 Best Hair Masks For Every Single Hair Type.

My personal favorites are Revlon’s UniqONE Supermask and Garnier’s Repairing Mask Honey Treasures. I highly recommend trying these ones to start out.

Use a Hair Turban, Not a Towel

I cannot stress this next step enough. For many of us, it’s second nature to wrap our damp hair fresh out of the shower in a towel, but you’re actually damaging your hair more by doing this! The worst part is that depending on what type of material the towel is made of (most likely: cotton terry cloth), it can actually worsen your split ends and weaken your hair among other negative things. Many people don’t realize just how delicate wet hair is, and how much damage we can really do.

Yikes. How do we fix that? Fear not! It’s time to ditch the towel and embrace the hair turban.

Say hello to your new best friend. Hair turbans are made out of microfibers specifically made to dry your hair quicker than a regular towel so that your precious locks do not get trapped and dried out. They are also super soft and light, unlike a towel which is often quite heavy and uncomfortable.

I’ve personally made a switch over to using hair turbans, and the results are truly night and day. My hair has so much more life to it simply because I’m no longer drying it out by wrapping it in a heavy towel. It also feels softer and healthier in general.

The most popular hair turban on the market right now is AQUIS, but you can also find a wide selection of these on Amazon. You won’t regret it.

Apply Post-Shower Sprays, Creams & Hair Oils

I’m going to let you in on a secret: I never blow dry my hair anymore.

That might seem impossible to do, especially if you have long, thick, curly hair like I do, but it is possible! The best part is that it’s fantastic for your hair, and for curbing dry, brittle ends.

Here’s how to nurture your damp locks after you’ve gently released them from your hair turban without a hairdryer:

• Spray your damp hair with detangler/heat protection spray (I use Revlon UniqONE All in One Hair Treatment)
• Use a big tooth comb to gently smooth out knots and part your hair in your preferred style.
• Apply Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream from your roots to your hair tips. This cream adds shine back into your hair, and it’s non-greasy!
• Choose your oil; I love using coconut, Moroccan or argan oil for ultimate moisture. Hair oil is a super essential part of a winter hair care routine. Make sure to only apply the oil to your hair tips and not your roots.

Conclusion

No one likes to deal with dry, lifeless hair.

Incorporating some simple, yet effective, hair care steps into your weekly routine can make major impacts on your overall hair health and appearance. You’re now equipped with a foolproof guide to have your hair in top shape all year round!

Related Article: We’re Not Splitting Hairs: Hair Health FAQ