Hair

Winter Hair Survival Kit

With winter comes low temperatures and harsh winds, which can wreak havoc on our tresses. We're just entering winter, and I'm already noticing that my scalp is becoming extremely dry. It is therefore imperative that I adjust my regimen to accommodate the change in season. If I had to put together a healthy hair survival kit for the winter, it would include the following items/practices:

#1. A good moisturizing, deep conditioning treatment. True, moisturizing deep conditioning treatments are great year round, but they're especially important during the cold winter months when the cold from outdoors and heat from indoor heaters seek to dry out strands. Deep conditioners not only infuse moisture into the cuticle, but also alleviate a dry scalp. I would recommend using Organic Root Stimulator's Olive Oil Replenishing Pak; Extra Virgin Olive Oil; Neutrogena's Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner (they also have a dry scalp shampoo); and any conditioner that contains tea tree oil (For more info on the healing properties of tea tree oil, check out The Healing Power of Tea Tree Oil).

#2. A Moisturizer to protect the ends daily. There are a plethora of moisturizers on the market to choose from, but I would highly suggest using one that is light enough to use daily. If you choose one that is too heavy, it will weigh down the hair, causing it to look lifeless and limp. Pure coconut oil, Bronner Bros. Oil Moisturizer Hair Lotion, and Hawaiian Silky's 14-in-1 Miracle Worker are three moisturizers that I've used that fit the bill. Yet, as I stated earlier, there are several on the market to choose from, so you just need to find one that works for you.

#3. A light scalp oil. I hardly, if ever, put anything on my scalp throughout the year, but my scalp and skin are becoming excessively dry as the temperature continues to drop. Hollywood beauty carries olive, carrot, and tea tree oils that are so lightweight, they absorb quickly into the scalp. Vitamin E oil is also a great option. I would highly recommend using these over a heavy oil/grease that can cause the hair to become greasy and limp. I would also avoid using a water based moisturizer that can cause your hair to revert at the roots if worn straight.

#4. Protective Styles. Although I'm not a big fan of protective styles, as I enjoy wearing my hair out and down and do so most of the time, protecting the ends is crucial during these cold winter months. Any style that hides the ends of your hair, whether it be a bun or even a simple ponytail with the ends tucked under, is great for ensuring that the ends of the hair don't dry out and split excessively.

#5. Ban the blow dryer! The heat from a blow dryer can dry out the ends of the hair on any given day, but it is especially harsh during the cold winter months. Avoiding heat as much as possible will help keep the ends from drying out, as the cold weather is already doing a good job of that! Thus, if you wish to straighten your hair, opt for air drying.

#6. A diet rich in protein. Remember, hair is mainly made of protein, so eating a diet rich in protein will help keep it strong and healthy, not to mention shiny :-). For those of you who don't eat meat, be sure to incorporate protein rich alternatives such as nuts, tofu, quinoa, and beans.

What steps are you ladies taking to protect your hair during the winter that aren't mentioned here?