Time flies, and it’s suddenly Winter! Your hair will likely change as the seasons do, and this post will cover this natural and affordable winter wavy hair routine. This is for naturally wavy hair, sometimes called curly hair types 2a 2b, and 2c. It’s okay if you don’t know which type you are just yet. Keep reading!
This post covers
- Why Winter / Climate Matters
- an EASY Winter Wavy Hair routine with only 2 stylers
- Full Routine Descriptions + How tos
- Affordable & Midrange Product Recommendations
- My results over 3 days including refreshing and nighttime
- Tips and #wavyhair101 Info (what’s a Pineapple??)
- Extra Steps to complete your long-term routine (you’ll need these steps to upkeep good hair)
“It takes longer to explain the wavy hair routine than it does to actually do the routine. This is an easy, affordable, and accessible routine.
@allwavyhair
Now my disclaimers: I have no affiliation with these brands and I fully purchased the products by myself. This post contains affiliate links, which cost you nothing but keep the website running. I sincerely appreciate each click (and they help me do more product reviews too). You can read the full website disclaimer here. -Rachel
The first to my winter wavy hair routine is to brush my hair out while it’s still dry, before my shower. I personally find this to be the most effective and gentle way to remove tangles. I use either a Tangle Teezer or Wet Brush. I’ve had my Tangle Teezer for nearly a decade, and my Wet Brush is a recent purchase. Both are great!
⭐ #wavyhair101 tip: a “low poo” is just a sulfate-free shampoo. Most low-poos only say “shampoo” on the packaging. Always check the ingredients!
How I Use: Basically, I use the Fairy Tales Curly-Q Shampoo as a “normal” shampoo. Low-poos are very user friendly if you are just starting your natural hair journey. I use a nickel to quarter size amount and lather into my scalp. Don’t lather into your ends or they will get dry. I also focus on my scalp this entire time, and intentionally I don’t put any shampoo onto the lengths of my hair. As your rinse the shampoo out, the ends get very gently cleansed. The scalp is where build up actually occurs, so that’s where to focus.Here are a few specific tips…
- This shampoo/low-poo is quite hydrating. I only prefer it in the dry months (for us, that’s winter)
- The Fairy Tales Curly-Q Shampoo has less “cleaning power” than the Rosemary Repel shampoo by Fairy Tales. If you like the feeling of a clean scalp, try the Rosemary Repel shampoo instead (note: I do not currently like/recommend the Rosemary Repel conditioner).
- Shampoo twice if your hair feels producty (if this doesn’t help it’s probably time to clarify your hair!)
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To make this clear to any new readers: this isn’t sponsored. I just prefer to use products together from the same company/product line.
How I Use: First things first I will use a little of this conditioner to detangle my hair (with my fingers) and rinse completely. I detangle all the way up to my roots, and this part of conditioning takes me less than a minute. This must be rinsed out quickly or the hair gets weighed down. The I do the “real” conditioning. I use the “squish to condish” method, and I’m not sure exactly who to credit this technique to (if anyone knows please tell us below and I will edit this). But basically, you flip your head over and “squish” your conditioner into your hair by scrunching it into soaking wet hair. I then let this conditioner sit on my hair while I do all the rest of my non-hair shower stuff. Then, to rinse out, I switch the water to room temperature/cool, change the water setting to a less aggressive water pressure, flip my head over, and rinse out while detangling/scrunching… I actually change my water settings so that a little bit of the conditioner stays in the lengths of my hair. Approximately 95%-98% of the conditioner is removed. Then I move onto the next step….
Note: Conditioner is the step that I feel makes a big difference in terms of protein and moisture balance. The Curly Q Conditioner does a good job of using protein ingredients (quinoa) while still moisturizing your waves. If hair falls limp, add a few drops of Neutral Protein Filler. If hair gets more dry, use GVPCB.
Other highly recommended conditioners
Don’t let the name fool you! For wavies, when you use the right amount, this flaxseed gel helps enhance waves, not elongate them into straight strings. Very curly, coily, and kinky-curly hair have the elongated effect. Flax Seed gel is a great enhancer, and you an even make it at home easily with our DIY Flax Seed Gel recipe.
How I Use: Use a SMALL amount (I use about dime size for my shoulder-length 2a/2b coarse waves). Take the gel and really work it into your hands. The water on your hands from the shower should help emulsify the product (make it seem creamier than before). Less is more with this. If you feel that you’ve used too much, it’s time to rinse your hair out and try again.
I scrunch this into my hair, then flip over and lightly scrunch the product into the back of my hair. This gel does not have great slip so if your hair is tangly, lightly rake through the Curly Q conditioner and rinse out 95% of the product (this makes the Curly Q conditioner act as a leave in), or rake through a pea sized amount of Kinky Curly Knot Today. We’ll talk about that product more in a bit.
Once I’ve got the flaxseed gel in, I plop with a cotton t-shirt. Be sure to subscribe to the emails in that box to get a first look at my plopping post!
Then, I go to bed. Yep, I do my hair at night 9 times out of 10. Keep reading if you take morning showers!…
If you MUST shower in the morning…..
Leave your hair in the turbie twist for at least 20 minutes. This is a great time to do your skincare routine (click here for my skincare faves!) and/or makeup. Or try to wrangle your two toddlers and huge Australian shepherd (or is that just me?!). Then, get your hair to 80% dry. You might leave your hair in the turbie twist longer, or scrunch it with a regular microfiber towel (or tshirt), or diffuse. Personally, I don’t like to spend the time diffusing – remember those toddlers? – but if that’s your thing go for it! I love the Xtava Black Orchid because it is HUGE. Check out this set that includes a dryer and the black orchid. Just don’t move onto the next step until your hair is *at least* 80% dry, but NOT fully, 100% dry. You want a little give and for there to be good chunks of waves to use a product with hold, and you want to do this before the frizz starts.
Dyson Users/Enthusiasts: I’ve got a series about Dyson products including the Dyson Supersonic Hairdryer. It’s a $400 hairdryer. Yes, I can now agree that it’s amazing for diffusing (with the included one. If you wanted to use the Xtava Black Orchid you’d need to use an attachment like the SnozzlePro.) and if you can swing that price tag . Using Affirm is an option though consider the financial implications, it is a type of consumer debt.
My general opinion is that if you want it and it won’t break you financially that it’s worth it IF you diffuse regularly. If not, get the Black Orchid diffuser, a strong hairdryer like the t3, and the Snozzlepro universal attachment.
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You might be wondering about root clipping/volume. TBH, most days I flip my hair “against” my part until it’s dry, then once it is dry, flip it to the “normal” side. That’s my simplest method. Also, using mousse means your hair isn’t as heavy as it would be with gels/creams. But also….I don’t worry too much about root volume. In the scheme of things, I’d rather not worry. My commute would allow for 20 minutes of clipping, so I did do my triceratops root clipping method if you need an in-between. But if you want my “normal” routine….this is it. I’m done! If you are interested in diffusing, I love the Xtava Black Orchid because it’s HUGE, which means you can get your hair done relatively fast.
There are other parts of my hair routine that I consider my routine but aren’t done with each wash. If you want a detailed blog post on any of these, please comment below. I love to share what YOU want, wavy friend!
How I use: Basically whenever I notice my hair is dry, I’ll use this in place of a regular conditioner. In the winter months, I’ll use this every other wash. In spring-fall, maybe every 4th wash.
How I use: When my hair is overmoisturized (subscribe so you don’t miss that #wavyhair101 post!), I use this treatment. Use in place of regular conditioner step. Some wavies find they need to deep condition after using this, but for most this protein treatment should be an all-in-one.
How I use: I very gently work the brush through, starting from only an inch or two own from my hair. I go up a couple of inches with each stroke until I’m at my roots. I lose SO much less hair than detangling in the shower. Plus it’s easier to deal with, and the drains don’t clog (really though. We’re friends here, it’s fine.)
How I use: in place of regular low poo.
I wrote a whole post about apple cider vinegar! I do this….whenever I think about it. Usually that means every 6 weeks or so. If you want info on ACV rinses be sure to check
Phew! That covers pretty much everything! I hope this helps you whether you’re new to your natural wavy hair journey, or just want to read someone else’s routine! Be sure to comment below if you try this routine, or love anything mentioned. Comments, questions, critiques, and suggestions asked respectfully are always welcome! 🙂
