Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Brrr....Keeping Your Curls Moisturized in the Winter

Happy New Year Curlies!

I am sure you have read and can attest to how dry cold air and indoor heat can dry out your tresses in the winter.  Many ladies turn to protective styles for the winter.  I have not found a protective style that I like that much so I continue to wear my hair out with wash and gos, twist outs, braid outs, and etc.  I have found that the LCO method has helped me to maintain soft moisturized hair during this winter.  

LCO stands for...
L - liquid - usually water and/or Aloe Vera juice
C - cream - styling cream or butter
O - oil - sealant

Here is my weekly winter routine...
  1. Separate hair into four sections or more depending on your hair's thickness.  Apply coconut oil generously to each section and twist or put into Bantu knot.  Leave on for 30 to overnight.
  2. On each section do to the following...
    • spritz with a 3 to 1 mixture of ACV (water and apple cider vinegar)
    • apply a dollop moisturizing conditioner and carefully begin to detangle the ends
    • apply 2nd dollop of moisturizing conditioner and continue to finger detangle up the section.
    • apply a 3rd dollop of moisturizing conditioner and finger detangle more.
    • apply a penetrating oil, like olive oil or more coconut oil.
    • twist or Bantu know out of the way.
  3. In the shower rinse each section.  You may use a no sulfate cleanser if you want.  Many times my hair is squeaky so I don't use a cleanser.  I use a cleanser about every 4 weeks.
  4. Apply cold Aloe Vera juice and a little oil to each section.  Re-twist or Bantu knot.
  5. Once out the shower, blot dry each section with an old t-shirt and apply Shea moisture curl enhancing cream, comb with wide-tooth comb, then apply my oil mix.
  6. At this point...
    • I either plop with an old t-shirt for about an hour and then let air dry for wash and go.
    • Or, put my hair into 10-12 twists or braids for twist out or braid out.
  7. That's it folks!
This routine was inspired by SunKissAlba and Naptural85.  Here are their videos...






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