No two curls are ever the same. Some scalps sprout coily curls, some are wavy, some are loose and some kinky, but their shared commonality is how you tend to care for them. This upcoming season, winter will wage warfare on all hair types from dry indoor heat to the frigid outdoor temperatures. As the Starks and many northern lords have continually warned- winter is coming. So to prep and care for your hair during the inevitably unforgiving season, we spoke to curl expert and DevaChan stylist, Maryanne Kuzniar, about winter hair care for curls.
As a veteran in the industry for almost 40 years, Kuzniar has spent the last six years with the renowned curl experts at DevaChan, entangling her fingers into just about every type of curl.
The most important winter rule is moisturizing. Much like our skin, she says, “It’s good to layer with moisture-based stylers against the dry air of indoor heat.” She recommends DevaCurl’s styling cream and super cream. Stating, “You can apply these stylers after conditioning, and for extra hold you can follow up with a light hold gel, like DevaCurl’s light defining gel.”
Our shower water temperatures are just as crucial to curl care. We’re always inclined to bathe in scorching temperatures as the days grow shorter, but your curls’ll be paying the price. Kuzniar states, “Warm water is best for the hair fiber,” adding, “However, hot steamy baths are a great time to give the hair a deep conditioning treatment. The heat and steam of a hot bath will help the conditioner penetrate deep into the hair.” Just don’t rinse with temperatures that high; wash away the conditioner with a cool to tepid shower.
Post-shower, blot the hair using a microfiber towel to remove excess moisture. Our curl expert suggests you let the curls air dry for as long as possible, to minimize frizz.
As aforementioned, dry indoor heat is escapable, especially during a New York City winter. Kuzniar suggests keeping a humidifier in the home to prevent the environment from becoming too dry. This, in turn, can reduce the likeliness of frizzy hair and seasonal dry scalps, (all too common winter woes.)
Aside from using DevaCurl products, nothing says potency like the penetration of a natural oil. Kuzniar recommends delicate oils such as lavender and camellia for a light absorption. “Smoothing those into the most exposed hair strands will keep hair glossy and tame,” adding, “A pure argan or sunflower oil will also penetrate well.” Though she warns, “Many oils will have additives, so it’s important to read the ingredients and avoid synthetic additives.” General rule of thumb with oils: the purer, the better. All-natural cooking oils can also dually be used as a curl treatment.
Regardless of season, Maryanne generally advises to trim curls every three to six months, depending on style and how fine the hair is. Finer hair tends (at any length) to produce split ends more frequently, so it requires a quarterly cut. The stylists at DevaChan have adopted a dry cut method for all curls, ensuring that each curl pattern is trimmed accordingly to it’s natural shape.
A conclusive sentiment from our curl connoisseur discerns what it truly means to be a curly girl, “Like our fingerprints, each head of curls is unique. Unlocking the beauty of that uniqueness brings each client a delightful self-confidence,” states Kuzniar. If you’re in the New York area- and you’ve got a head of curls, bounce them over to a DevaChan salon. An expert in the art of curly hair will diagnose your locks and write you a prescription for daily curl-care and some longterm hair admiration, (refills are always available at DevaChan.)
By: Yasmine Rimawi
