It’s pumpkin season!... in these ends anyway! How was your Halloween?
For me, Autumn is the season for relishing in the colors and soaking in the oranges and reds. The weather is chillier now and for those of us with afro-textured hair, it’s perhaps time to make minor adjustments to our natural hair care routine to avoid excessive dryness, breakage, and split ends.
A change in weather conditions (getting hotter or colder) may lead to a notable difference in your hair’s ability to hold moisture, but perhaps more importantly, it may also work against the goals of your hair products. So, products that worked perfectly fine in warmer months may seem …. how to put it, a little flimsy. This is the time I encourage those on my course to go for better formulated or richer deep and leave in conditioners.
Here are some other tips to help your hair flourish this season:
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Trim your split ends.
Consider this period as a time to refresh! Snipping off that inch now will give you a clean slate to start with going into Winter. It will mean less tangles, less knotting, and less of those mean better ability to retain length. You can go to a professional stylist or do your own trims at home using our hair shears from the level-up kit. Also, watch our tutorial, it really is very easy to trim yourself.
2. Keep your hair properly cleaned.
The most important part of a wash day routine is obviously washing your hair. This is the foundation of hair care and where we start on the hair course. Dirty hair equals dry hair! Many people forget this, that dirty hair can be the reason your hair is perpetually dry. And sometimes it isn’t because you are not washing your hair, it’s because you are using the wrong products or not responding to your hair’s needs.
You can use our clays or a sulphate-free shampoo for your regular weekly washes. But at least, once in three-four weeks, please clarify your hair and scalp with a clarifying shampoo. If you swim often, you may need to clarify more often. The good news is that we are seeing more and more gentler clarifying shampoos on the market! do not be scared of them!
Not clarifying is a common cause of limp and chronically dry hair. Similarly, if you haven’t used a Chelating shampoo and you live in a hard water area or swim then get a chelating shampoo! Confused about how to use these shampoos, then consider joining our hair course for hair education without the complexity!
3. Indulge in hot oil treatments.
I have always been evangelical about hot oil treatments, all year round, but if there is a time of year to step it up, it is now! Hot oil treatments are a game changer in the colder months because your hair needs the extra strength, malleability, and the ability to retain moisture. A good hot oil treatment will also help to reduce frizz and breakage.
Now I must stress, not all oils are suitable for hot oil treatments. One of the golden rules is to use an oil that can actually penetrate the hair shaft, so no, you can’t use Castor or Jojoba or a butter, they have their own uses just not as a hot oil treatment. And yes! you can use our oils, especially the khalila oil - as it contains 3 carrier oils and two essential oils carefully balanced for maximum benefit! All I ask is that you leave it on your hair for at least an hour! and if you can do an overnight treatment with it, even better! I promise you, if you are consistent over winter, your hair will look and feel incredible come spring!
Please note, hot oil treatments may not be suitable for those managing psoriasis, eczema or other scalp conditions.
4. Deep condition regularly!
I cannot stress the importance of this enough! Washing your hair without conditioning is leaving your hair exposed to damage. The deep conditioner helps to smooth down your raised cuticle layer after shampooing, raised cuticle layer is prone to damage, and so conditioning is a must!
Using heat takes your deep conditioning to the next level, heat allows the conditioners to bind to your hair shaft! This process is much easier with the use of our heat cap, all it takes is 20 minutes of your time!
5. Stay Hydrated!
You’re probably tired of hearing this by now, but yes! Drink water! Your hair and skin will thank you.
Drinking water is an all-day, all-year activity. Simply adding water and leave-in products to your hair won't cut it if you're not drinking enough water. In the colder months, people tend to drink less water, it is true, your body may not need as much but it still needs water! Try Warm water! I love it! and scientifically, it is more hydrating! There really is no substitute for getting enough water and eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables. You are what you eat!
6. Take your Vitamin D
Take this as your yearly reminder to take your Vitamin D. The research and science is clear, black people need Vitamin D all year round. And if you are white, you need it in the Autumn to Winter months. Your hormones and mood will thank you and your hair will benefit.
I keep repeating this to anyone that cares to listen; the two nutritional deficiencies most likely to lead to hair loss in black women are Vitamin D and Iron deficiency. And on this one prevention is better than cure - One pill a day.
Also, Covid is still very much with us as is the Flu, it is now conclusive that your immune system being in tip-top shape can help to fight this virus. This is where Vitamin D steps up, so please don’t neglect it. Covid hair loss is also real, as much as we can, let's do what we can to avoid it even now. If you are looking for a superior quality Vitamin D with the added bonus of Magnesium, try ours! Our repeat orders on this is remarkable!
7. Put your hair in a low-manipulation protective style.
Getting your hair properly moisturized is one thing, but retaining that moisture is even more important! A low-manipulation protective hairstyle, with the ends properly tucked in really helps here. And no, Braids are not necessary - this is another blog post topic.
Low-manipulation protective styles on top of a good hydrating and conditioning regimen yields wonderful results! - especially during the later autumn months leading into winter. A bonus point with low-manipulation protective hairstyles, you are not just retaining moisture, you’re retaining length as well!
I’ll be back in winter with more tips!!
Did you find these helpful? Let us know in the comments!