It’s November and that means cooler weather for most of us. While Summer is still trying to peek her head in with the occasional 80 degree day here and there, for the most part we are cruising in the 60’s in Virginia where I live. Depending on where you are on the map, it may be cooler. And cold weather will be here sooner than I’d like. While most naturalistas are mapping out their protective styles for the next few months, you might be like me and still plan to rock a wash and go every now and then. It is still possible to wear your curls this season without your hair suffering. Here are a few tips to keep your wash and go style crisp, and not crispy.
Continue!>>>
#1 Ensure your hair is completely dry before heading out. Because no one likes going out in the cold with wet hair. I prefer a hooded dryer because it is less work for me, and dries the hair more evenly. But you could use a hand-held blow dryer with a diffuser attachment as well. Give yourself at least 30 minutes or so, depending on the length and density of your hair.
#2 Minimize or avoid products that contain humectants. Humectants are ingredients that have the ability to attract water from the atmosphere. They are often times included in hair and skin care products because of their ability to hold in moisture. Glycerin is a humectant that is often added to store bought and even DIY products. But since the cool air is often dry, this can create the reverse affect.
#3 Boost moisture with deep conditioning. A rich deep conditioner will help maintain the moisture/protein balance that gives your curls elasticity. This elasticity is what helps your strands to form those perfect curls and coils. So ensuring that deep conditioning is a part of your weekly hair care routine is clutch. Looking for a great deep conditioner with awesome ingredients that is also reasonably priced? Here are a few I recommend: EDEN BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi deep conditioner, OBIA Naturals Babassu deep conditioner, and Koils by Nature Ultra-Moisturizing Coco Aloe deep conditioner.
#4 Extend your style as long as you can. Once you’ve set your wash and go and your curls are defined, the goal is to keep them relatively in tack for as long as you can. That way, you aren’t putting extra stress on your hair by restyling. You can try pineappling (here’s a video on how I do it)- one large pineapple for longer hair, or several small pineapples for shorter hair. I also like to do loose, large Bantu knots as a way to keep my curls from shrinking up on me overnight. Then, the mandatory satin scarf or bonnet or simply sleeping on a satin pillowcase to preserve your curls. FlorBella Boutique is my go-to for all my high quality satin bonnets.
#5 Use a leave-in conditioner before applying your styling product. In addition to using a curl defining product that container botanically based ingredients, applying leave-in conditioner is the foundation to styling. Leave-in conditioners are lighter than their rinse-out conditioners, so they are absorbed into the hair strands. This helps smooth cuticles to prevent frizz, and adds a layer of moisture without weighing the hair down. A few leave-ins that I always keep on hand are EDEN BodyWorks Coconut Shea leave-in conditioner, Karen’s Body Beautiful Sweet Ambrosia leave-in conditioner, and OBIA Naturals Curl Moisture Cream.
Your wash and go can survive the cold with these tips and tricks. These recommendations will help you keep your hair moisturized and in top condition until springtime comes back around. Just making a few changes to your wash and go routine will make all the difference.
Are you planning to keep your wash and go going this fall/winter? Is there a tip that I missed? Share it in the comments!
from Curly Nikki | Natural Hair Care http://ift.tt/2eADPMh
No comments:
Post a Comment