Winter can be really tough on curly hair. Between the cold, dry air outside and the constant blast of central heating indoors, your curls are losing moisture from all sides. If you've noticed your hair feeling drier, frizzier, or more brittle since the temperature dropped, you're not imagining it – winter genuinely changes what your curls need.
With a few changed to your routine and the right products, you can keep your curls looking healthy and gorgeous all winter long. Here are some tips to help you winter-proof your curls.
Why Winter is So Hard on Curly Hair
Before we get into solutions, let's understand what happens to your hair during the colder months.
The Cold Air Problem: Cold air holds significantly less moisture than warm air. When you step outside in winter, the dry air literally pulls moisture out of your hair shaft, leaving it parched and prone to breakage. For curly hair, which is already naturally drier than straight hair, this is a major problem.
The Indoor Heating Issue: Then you come back indoors where central heating is blasting. Heating systems dry out the air inside your home, creating a desert-like environment that continues stealing moisture from your curls. It's a double assault – cold and dry outside, warm and dry inside.
The UK Weather: The rainy weather increases humidity, which means that water will get to your curls even if you wear a hat. You know the look – your curls lose definition and turn into a cloud of frizz the moment you take off your hat.
Once you understand what's happening, you can change your routine to protect your curls and keep them thriving through the cold months.
The Winter Curly Hair Strategy: Moisture, Moisture, Moisture
Change your routine to include more moisture more often:
Switch to Heavier Products: Those lightweight gels and leave-ins that worked beautifully in summer? They're not going to cut it now. Winter needs richer formulas – thicker hair creams, butters, and oils that create a protective seal around each strand.
Deep Condition More Often: Aim to deep condition your curls once a week. Your hair is losing moisture faster than usual, so it needs more frequent intensive treatments to stay healthy.
Layer Your Products: The LOC or LCO method (Liquid, Oil, Cream or Liquid, Cream, Oil) becomes more useful in winter. Layering products helps lock moisture into your hair and creates a barrier against the dry air.
Protect at Night: What you do before bed matters even more in winter. Satin or silk pillowcases and bonnets can be key for preventing moisture loss and friction while you sleep.
The Winter Curl Care Routine
1: The Pre-Wash Treatment (Once Weekly)
Before you shampoo, give your hair a pre-wash oil treatment. This adds extra grease that prevents your hair from losing too much moisture during the washing process.
How to do it:
- Section your hair
- Apply oil generously to each section, focusing on the ends
- Gently detangle with a wide-tooth comb or a detangling brush
- Cover with a shower cap or plastic bag
- Leave on for 30 minutes to overnight
- Proceed with your normal wash routine
Winter Product Recommendation #1: Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
When to use it: Apply 2-3 times per week. Use it as a pre-wash treatment before wash day, or apply directly to your scalp between washes and massage for 2-3 minutes. The lightweight formula absorbs quickly without making your hair greasy, and the scalp stimulation helps combat the sluggish hair growth that often happens in winter.
2: Cleanse Gently (Every week or so)
Use a more gentle shampoo during the winter so you don't dry your hair out too much. Overusing clarifying shampoos can strip away much needed oils.
Winter washing rules:
- Wash roughly once a week (more if you workout or if your hair gets greasy quickly)
- Use lukewarm water, not hot
- Focus shampoo on your scalp
- Always use sulphate-free shampoos that won't strip your hair
Scalp massage tip: While shampooing, spend an extra minute massaging your scalp with your fingertips. This boosts circulation, which naturally decreases in cold weather, and helps keep your scalp healthy and your hair growing strong.
3: Deep Condition (Weekly, Non-Negotiable)
This is where the real magic happens in winter. Deep conditioning treatments penetrate your hair shaft and replenish the moisture that's being constantly stolen by the dry air.
Winter Product Recommendation #2: SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Hair Masque with Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil
If there's one product you invest in for winter, make it this deep conditioning treatment. The combination of manuka honey (a powerful humectant that attracts and holds moisture) and mafura oil (rich in fatty acids that nourish and strengthen) is exactly what dry winter curls need.
How to use it:
- After shampooing, squeeze excess water from your hair
- Apply generously to hair in sections, from roots to ends
- Leave on for 20-30 minutes (add heat for deeper penetration)
- Rinse with cool water to seal the cuticle
When to use it: Every single wash day in winter, without exception. This isn't a "once in a while" treatment – it's your weekly moisture insurance policy. Your hair is losing hydration constantly in winter, and this weekly intensive treatment keeps it from becoming brittle and breaking.
Don't skimp on the amount you use – winter is the time to be generous with deep conditioning treatments.
4: Leave-In Everything
After washing and deep conditioning, your hair is soft and moisturised – but it won't stay that way for long in winter weather. This is where leave-in products become absolutely crucial.
Winter Product Recommendation #3: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
This leave-in cream is specifically formulated to lock moisture into your hair and keep it there. The pomegranate extract is packed with antioxidants that protect against environmental damage.
How to use it:
- Apply to damp hair after washing
- Section your hair and apply generously from mid-lengths to ends
- Don't be shy – use more than you think you need in winter
- Rake through with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb for even distribution
- Do not rinse out!
Use this: After every single wash, and also through the week for refreshes. If your hair feels dry on day 3 or 4, apply a small amount of leave-in to rehydrate or use a refreshing spray.
The leave-in creates a foundation of moisture that your styling products will seal in. Think of it as the primer step in your winter curl routine – everything you apply on top works better when you've got this moisture base locked in.
5: Style with Rich Creams (Not Lightweight Gels)
Here's where your routine needs to switch it up from summer. Those lightweight gels that gave you definition in warmer months won't provide enough moisture or protection now.
Winter Product Recommendation #4: Cantu Shea Butter Define & Shine Custard
This thick, creamy styler is perfect for winter because it does three things at once: defines your curls, provides hold, and seals in serious moisture. The shea butter creates a protective barrier against harsh winter conditions, while the avocado oil helps strengthen your curls.
How to use it:
- Apply to hair after your leave-in conditioner
- Section your hair and apply generously
- Use the "praying hands" method or rake through with fingers
- Air dry or diffuse on low heat
It works beautifully on all curl types from 3A to 4C, though you might need to adjust the amount based on your hair's length and thickness.
6: Seal It All In with Oil
The final step in your winter routine is sealing. After you've applied your leave-in and styling cream, a light layer of oil on top locks everything in and creates a protective barrier against the elements.
Winter Product Recommendation #5: Any lightweight oil blend (or use your Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil)
You don't necessarily need a separate product for this step – you can use the Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil we recommended earlier. The key is lightly applying it as the final step, after your styling products, to seal everything in.
How to seal with oil:
- Take 2-4 drops of oil in your palms (more for longer/thicker hair)
- Rub your hands together to distribute
- Gently smooth over your curls without separating them
- Avoid your roots unless your scalp is very dry
When to use it: After styling on wash day, and also any time your hair feels particularly dry during the week. A tiny bit of oil on your ends before bed can also help prevent overnight dryness.
This sealing step is what makes the LOC or LCO method so effective in winter. The oil creates a protective film that prevents moisture from evaporating out of your hair throughout the day.
Adapt to Winter
Winter doesn't have to mean damaged and dry curls. It just means adjusting your routine to give your hair what it needs in these harsher conditions. The key shifts are:
✓ Heavier, richer products instead of lightweight ones
✓ More frequent deep conditioning (weekly is essential)!
✓ Layering products to lock in moisture
✓ Protecting your hair at night with satin or silk
With the products we've recommended and these adjusted techniques, your curls can not only survive winter – they can thrive. You might even find that you prefer your winter curl routine because of how soft, defined, and healthy your hair feels with all that extra moisture and protection.
Remember: your hair isn't being "difficult" in winter. It's responding normally to environmental stress. Give it what it needs, and it will reward you with beautiful, healthy curls all season long.
Ready to winter-proof your curls? Shop our Winter Edit and give your hair the protection it deserves.
