As much as I hate to say it, November snuck up on us real quick. Seriously out of nowhere. So with that being said we all know how rough the winter weather can be on our hair. So here are a few steps to keep it up to par.

1. LEAVE IT ALONE !!!

It's really cool when you finally find a cute hairstyle that fits you. I get it. However, too much manipulation is not good for your curls. Too much brushing, calming, twisting, and pulling is very stressful on our hair and also takes a lot of your time. So your best bet is a protective style (weave, crochet, wigs, braids, faux locsetc.). I usually go with a weave or faux locs because it's easier especially being a student-athlete with very little time.

2. Massage your hair / scalp with oil regularly

This can be an easy and relaxing way to keep your hair healthy during the winter. Regular scalp massages stimulate the flow of blood to your scalp, activating hair follicles and encouraging growth. I like using jojoba oil, wild hair growth oil, and of course coconut oil. This is good to do at least once a week.

3. Deep Condition

In the winter, you’re spending more time in the dry air of heated areas, which can wreak havoc on your hair. It’s important to use a deep conditioner, like humectant products that hold in moisture (you can use leave-in conditioner between shampoos.) Use a thick, good quality deep conditioner once a week.

4. No need to use a shower cap !

Ok, so our hair LOVES steam. It seems like our worst enemy in the summer so we often use the shower cap to keep out the steam. When all actuality the steam helps obtain the moisture your hair needs. So don’t be afraid of a little steam it should be dry by the time you leave out. If it's not dry then just grab a t-shirt to dab the wetness away.

5. For my curly girls that like to rocks hats

Hats can be a girls' best friends, but knit caps are natural hair’s worst enemy. The cotton or wool caps will draw all that hard earned moisture out of hair and some even create tangles, which is tragic. The key is a thin silk cap between your hair and the hat. Pick a cute hat option or a silk head wrap, so you can wear it all day.

6. Increase protein.

Protein is just as important as moisture. So an increase in protein treatments will be extra helpful. Protein treatments will help strengthen the hair and the stronger your hair is, the better prepared it will be to handle any weather condition of any season. I usually get my protein treatment ideas from my natural hair friends but whatever you use, make sure it works for your hair.

So these are a few ways to keep your curls, kinks, and coils up and healthy for these upcoming winter months. If you want growth then these steps may help you out a lot. A good idea I like to do, before I tuck my hair away for the next couple of months, I do a length check and when I take my hair out I measure the difference in lengths to see if what I am doing is working. So good luck with your journey!!!