How to Weatherproof Your Curls

Windy, Dry Weather

Apart from causing relentless tangles and annoying knots, wind can also cause split ends. When the wind rubs your hair strands together, brittle or dry hair will break. It’s not worth trying to untangle your hair with your fingers…that will only lead to more breakage, and in the end, do more harm than good. The key to battling the wind and protecting your hair from breakage is to moisturize. Whether you have wavy, curly or coily hair, moisture is going to be your best friend.

MORE: Quick & Easy Curly Hair Tips for Windy Days

Windy, Dry Weather

Preventative Measures

• Curly and Coily Hair: Deep condition your hair on a regular basis to keep it moisturized. This may sound like a no-brainer, but a well deep conditioned head of hair is going to fare much better in the wind than dry locks. Try using the Garnier Fructis Deep Conditioning Masque once a week during the colder, windy days.
• Wavy Hair: After you get out of the shower, apply a leave-in treatment to your waves to ensure well-moisturized locks. Try using the Paul Mitchell Full Circle Leave-in. I’ve been using it lately and I really like it.
• Curly, Wavy, Coily Hair: Try to creatively use hair accessories to hold your hair during windy days. Bandanas, scarves and hair ties can be a lifesaver when you have to venture out into the wind.

Windy, Dry Weather

Styling tips

• Curly Hair: Add a touch of gel to your cream based hair product. I sometimes do this and it’s very effective. It doesn’t matter what brand or type of gel you use. Just use a small amount that won’t negatively affect your hair product but aid you by giving you a firm hold.
• Coily Hair: Use a strong pomade that’s a little heavier than your normal product. You want something that will hold your curls in place and at the same time moisturize them. Something like Darcy’s Botanicals Organic Pomade should do the trick.
• Wavy Hair: After you apply your product, secure your strands with a firm hold hair spray. I usually wouldn’t recommend this, as strong hair sprays render crunchy, untouchable curls. However, in this case, you need the extra strength in your hair spray to keep your hair from being too tangled.

Snowy, Cold Weather

The majority of the damage here doesn’t come from the cold. According to an article by YouBeauty.com, the damaging part about winter comes from going in between cold and warm environments. When your hair suddenly goes from a cold outside environment to a warm and toasty heated house it gathers static electricity. The cold air from outside causes the cuticle layer on your hair to lift, and when you go inside, the dry air indoors will suck out the moisture.

MORE: Curly Hair Care for Cold Weather

Snowy, Cold Weather

Preventative Measures

• Curly Hair: Try using glycerin free shampoo. Glycerin can be helpful in certain weather, but in the cold, it will likely draw the moisture away from your hair.
• Coily Hair: Start co-washing for the dryer, colder months. You’ll need to supplement the moisture that’s being drawn from your hair with extra conditioner. Try using a product like Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner.
• Wavy Hair: Deep condition your hair every week. The cold, dry weather will create limp waves, so counter it by adding a deep conditioner to your regimen for voluminous bouncy waves.

Snowy, Cold Weather

Styling Tips

• Curly Hair: Use a lighter gel that will hold your curls in place when the static strikes. Something such as Mop Top Anti-Frizz Gel will work wonders in the cold weather.
• Coily Hair: Try to stay away from products high in protein. Products with a lot of protein will yield dry and brittle curls in very dry, cold weather. Instead, take a look at these protein free products that will prevent build up and make your coily hair look fabulous.

•  Wavy Hair: Use mousse with a strong hold. Mousse is perfect for the winter months because it’s lighter than cream based products but will help hold your hair when there’s static.

Rainy, Humid Weather

When it’s raining or humid outside, curly hair absorbs the water from the air and expands. That causes the shaft to lose its curl pattern and turn into a frizzy mess. It may sound contradictory, but the solution to this problem is to add more moisture to your hair. Why? Because there’s not enough moisture in your hair to combat the moisture on the outside. So what’s our advice? You guessed it! Moisturize.

MORE: Curly Hair Care for Rainy Days

Rainy, Humid Weather

Preventive Measures

• Curly Hair: Stay away from humectants. Products high in humectants might work against you in rainy weather and cause you to retain outside moisture. Instead, use a sulfate-free cleanser that won’t dry up your hair.
• Coily Hair: To keep your hair moisturized during the rainy, humid days, you want to use moisturizing shampoos and a leave-in conditioner. Try Jessicurl’s extra moisturizing conditioner and Mixed Chick’s leave in conditioner, and like your curly haired friends, stay away from humectants.
• Wavy Hair: In wet, humid weather you want to use a moisturizing shampoo as well as conditioner. One of my favorite product lines is SheaMoisture. It’s in the name for a reason — these shampoos and conditioners are created to give you the moisture your waves need to repel outside rain.

Rainy, Humid Weather

Styling Tips

• Curly Hair: Try using a humidity gel, such as Ouidad’s Climate Control, which prevents your curls from expanding in the rainy weather. She recommends applying the product evenly using the rake and shake method. Smooth the product over your hands and rake them through your hair, top to bottom. When you get to the bottom, shake your hair loose to create curls.
• Coily Hair: Use a protective style such as twists or braids to minimize the frizz during rainy weather. Apply a smoothing serum to your twists and you’ll be better protected from humidity. Bottom line: you want to use a serum that will lock the moisture in and keep the rain out.
• Wavy Hair: Stay away from the diffuser on days like these, but don’t go out with wet hair either. Instead, let your hair dry overnight using a no-heat method such as the sock-bun. In the morning, smooth nothing but serum over your waves to protect from frizz.