Winter Woes: Dry Frizzy Hair

Dry hair can be frustrating, and it only gets worse in the winter. Having always had curly hair and dry skin, discovering the benefits of coconut oil has been a godsend. My curly hair is dry by nature, but many others suffer from dry, brittle hair as well. I’ve heard all sorts of suggestions for hair masks: egg yolks and avocado, olive oil, mayonnaise-and I’ve tried a TON of them. They’ve always been sticky and messy, and I have had to spend more time scrubbing them out of my hair than leaving them in to condition it. Even after lathering, rinsing, and repeating, my hair would still feel greasy and weighed down.

One day, a friend told me that she used coconut oil in her hair and that helped it to look smoother, feel stronger, and even grow faster! While I haven’t noticed my hair growing any faster, using coconut oil as part of my hair routine as a pre-shampoo moisturizer has made my hair softer and frizz free. I must also note that, as another way to prevent drying my hair out, I only shampoo one to two times a week. Here is my pre-shampoo routine. Maybe it can help your dry hair feel stronger and smoother too!

1. Brush it out!
Only when it is DRY. Wet hair breaks more easily than dry hair. Still, be sure to brush hair
gently, going from the bottom up, never ripping through knots, but carefully working through
them.

2. Coat with conditioner.
Put some conditioner in your hair, about the same amount you would use in the shower, and
comb it through so it is evenly dispersed

3. Take a handful of coconut oil and coat your hair.
Let the oil melt into a liquid state in your hand and add it to your hair the same way you did the
conditioner. Putting the oil over the conditioner will seal the conditioner into your hair, ensuring
the hair absorbs as much of the moisture as possible.

4. Leave in for anywhere from 45 minutes to overnight.
I usually put my hair in a bun or in a shower cap (which also helps to seal in moisture) and
sleep with the mixture in, shampooing in the morning.

This process has worked wonders for me and my dry, curly hair! You can also use coconut oil to ward off other winter worries. This natural oil is an excellent alternative to lip balm, as it moisturizes and protects lips from cold winds. Got dry elbows, knees, and heels? Mix some coconut oil with lotion (or use it alone). It works great overnight. Coconut oil is also rumored to help lengthen and strengthen eyelashes and take away dark circles. I’m not so sure about the dark circles and eyelashes (I’ll be trying that though), but trust me, coconut oil works wonders for dry skin and hair. Give it a try!