Curly Hairstyles for Winter

Curly hair is beautiful, but it's not always easy to care for—especially in the winter. The colder months can destroy your curls, leaving them dry, lifeless and unmanageable. Cold, dry air and indoor heat strip moisture, leaving strands dehydrated and brittle. While low humidity leads to flyaways and frizz. Combined with the static and friction from winter hats and scarves, the effects of winter aren’t great for the hair—curly hair in particular. The structure of curly hair makes it more prone to losing moisture, and this is exacerbated by the season’s harsh conditions. So your curls need lots of hydration in the winter. The amount of hydration curly hair needs can vary, so decoding your curl type is the key to winter-proofing your curls. 

Curl types fall into a system of types 2 to 4 with sub-categories of A to C. Type 2 hair is considered wavy, type 3 is curly and type 4 features a tight coil or zig-zag pattern curls. Subcategories A, B, and C, refer to the diameter of the wave, curl, or coil. A is loose, B is medium, and C is tight. So the tighter your curl, the more moisture it craves. In general, type 2 curls need the lightest weight formulas to avoid weighing it down, type 3 curls benefit from the moisture in gels or creams, and type 4 requires rich, moisturising products and deep conditioners to prevent dryness and breakage. 

To determine your curl type, start with clean, damp hair and let it air-dry completely. Look closely at the shape of your curls. S-shaped waves that are gentle and flow from the scalp are considered type 2. Springy, well-defined corkscrew or spiral curls are considered type 3. And Z-shaped patterns and very tight, small coils are type 4. Note that most people have a mix of curl types and can customize their routine based on the specific needs of their hair.

Oils and butters are ultra hydrating ingredients, deeply nourishing curls for less frizz and flyaways. The best oils to use during winter are castor, almond and jojoba, which are easily absorbed by the hair. Similarly, butters like shea and cocoa help to preserve and maintain the shape of your curls.

Your ends are the driest and most fragile part of your hair, so applying your hair products from the ends to the roots ensures the thirstiest part of your curls absorb the most moisture.

Your curly hair wash routine shouldn’t exceed more than once or twice a week depending on your curl type, but this is especially the case in winter. Washing too often strips curls of their much-needed natural oils.

Curly girls know that deep-conditioning is a non-negotiable for well-defined, frizz-free curls. But deep-conditioning is a priority once winter hits. The curlier your hair, the more frequently you should deep-condition with hair masks.

Wearing your curls in protective hairstyles like braids and twists can be a lifesaver in the winter months, as they keep your hair hidden from everyday winter stressors.

Wearing your hair natural is always a less-damaging way of styling your curls than straightening your hair with heat. Plus, curl-enhancing products are moisture-based, keeping strands hydrated and sealing in moisture. To style naturally, see our previous post on the LOC method for your happiest, healthiest curls.

A looser-style updo protects your curls from stress at the root often associated with tight hair styles. Avoiding unnecessary stress at the root is a must in the colder months. And a loose, casual updo looks so effortlessly cool with wavy hair. Rake a curl cream through your strands, starting from either damp or dry. Let your waves air-dry about 25% before loosely grabbing your strands into place with a claw clip. Play around with the placement of your clip until you find your desired height.

Maybe one of the chicest ways to keep your curls hidden away from the cold is with a French braid. Start with clean, damp, detangled hair. Section off a triangle of hair at the top of your head and divide it into three sections. Begin braiding your hair, adding small sections from each side of your head to the corresponding side sections with each pass, crossing over the middle. Braid to the end and secure with an elastic.

The key to the wet look winter version is lots of gel. Start with clean, conditioned wet hair and apply a curl gel generously, spreading back from roots to ends, making sure strands are evenly coated. For curly hair, mix your gel with a pomade for extra shine and hold. Work the product cocktail in, section by section, detangling with a paddle brush as you go.

Another one of our favourite curly hair styles this winter is a braided bun. Get the curl-protecting look by running a curl oil through your strands and parting your hair in the center. Create two braids on either side, either starting close to the root with French braids or at the nape of your neck with classic 3-strands. Braid to the ends of your hair before securing each side with an elastic. Wrap the two braids into one low bun at the bottom of your head.

A slick ponytail instantly elevates your winter style. It’s a modern and edgy hair look, while still being simple and protective. Apply a smoothing product to your sides and brushing all your hair back into a low ponytail. Secure the pony and use a fine-tooth comb to smooth any flyaways. Tease the hair at the base of your ponytail to give it a fluffy look. Set your curly hairstyle with a strong hairspray.