The Winter Edit

​Is it bad that I am wishing it was summer already? Winter has arrived and I am sure we have all been dreaming of a warmer time when we did not have thirty layers of clothes on and when our hair was not hidden under a hat. The colder climate can affect our hair leading to dry brittle strands that are susceptible to breakage.

​To combat this I have been following a simple routine whilst protective styling. My aim for the next six months is for length retention resulting in healthy thick hair. Below are a few of the current products I am using for winter.
Co-wash
Lately I have been co-washing my hair once a week.  The term co-washing is short for conditioner only washing. Shampoo formulas can be drying and can strip the hair of its natural oils, so washing my hair with conditioner provides a mild cleanse, but the result is not as harsh.
Any conditioner can be used to co-wash, but be careful of products that contain silicones as these can lead to product build up and can only be washed off with shampoo.
As I Am coconut cowash is what I am currently using. I find this product is still able to lather up like a shampoo and my hair is clean without the drying effect of a shampoo. Also the coconut cowash does not cause tangling during the washing process.

Leave in conditioner
I lightly spray my hair on a daily basis, before applying a butter. If I have a protective style with braids I concentrate on the scalp, but if I am wearing a style such as a bun I apply the leave in conditioner mainly from the shaft to the ends. Keeping the hair moist allows for easy finger detangling and prevents breakage.
I have still been using my own mix for a leave in conditioner. Check out my previous post by clicking here.
Shea Butter
I would describe Shea butter as the faithful friend who always pulls through. Shea butter leaves my hair feeling soft, moisturised and it also stops scalp irritation. Since my transitioning days I have been using raw unrefined shea butter.                                                                                                                                
The thick consistency of the butter allows for moisture retention and I can use it from root to tip. When my hair is in braids I use shea butter on top of a leave-in conditioner on the roots to prevent itching of the scalp. During the winter months I apply it daily.
Another good thing about shea butter is it is cheap to purchase and it lasts for ages, a small tub can last me six months!

Ladies what is your winter routine?
Caron X