Winter Is Wrecking Your Curls – Here’s How A Celebrity Hairstylist Fixes It
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If you’re a curly or coily-haired gal like me, you won’t need me to tell you how susceptible your hair is to dryness.
For the uninitiated, this is because of the structure of our hair, with the curly, twisty shape of the strands making it more difficult for our lovely, nourishing natural oils to travel along the shaft.
And during the winter, I’m sorry to say, there’s even more of that dryness going around. Why? Because the cold air saps moisture from your hair, as does the central heating we’re cranking up.
Celebrity hairstylist Nicola Harrowell told HuffPost UK: “It’s the perfect storm: low humidity outdoors means the air literally pulls moisture out of your strands, while central heating indoors continues the cycle. The result? Hair that feels dull, coarse, and more difficult to define.”
To combat this, Harrowell, who’s also a Curlsmith brand expert, suggests layering extra hydration into your routine.
“Start with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner,” she said, “then seal in moisture with nourishing oils or leave-ins. Regular weekly treatments are a must to maintain elasticity and bounce. I usually do my treatments in the steam room to push that moisture in further.”
There’s also a list of ingredients she said you should look out for the next time you shop for hair products.
“Humectants are what are going to keep the moisture locked in,” she explained. “Look for formulas rich in avocado oil, which is loaded with vitamins A, D, and E to deeply moisturise and strengthen the hair shaft.
“Castor seed oil is another hero ingredient – it coats the hair to lock in moisture and gives curls a healthy sheen while helping to reduce breakage.”
She also advised against overlooking hydrolysed rice protein: “it’s a lightweight strengthening agent that helps improve elasticity and volume without weighing curls down. Both of these ingredients can be found in Curlsmith’s Multi-Tasking Conditioner,” she added.
It’s worth keeping in mind that having a steady curl care routine you’re happy to keep up with long-term is really important too.
“Curls thrive on moisture and predictability,” said the hair pro. “Swap harsh cleansers for gentle, sulphate-free shampoos, sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase, and refresh your curls with a light mist of Curlsmith’s Shake & Shine between washes.
“A little extra care through winter pays off – you’ll step into spring with stronger, shinier, and more defined curls.”