I often get asked “how do I deal with my curls in the winter (or the summer)”? And annoyingly, I can’t give a straight answer. That’s because it totally depends on your location and what summer or winter look like for you!

Where I live, we have mild but rainy winters, whereas someone who lives further north than me could be used to very cold, snowy or dry weather. Likewise, our summers can be warm and dry, with the occasional shower – but it’s nowhere near as hot as other parts of the world.

So instead of looking for a universal rule to adopt as soon as the seasons change, have a think about what kind of weather you’re expecting, and how that may affect your hair. Here are a few examples!

Curly hair and dry weather:

Whether the weather is hot or cold, in dry climates your curls and scalp are going to dry out faster, so you may need to make up for this with more conditioning. This could include co-washing, deep conditioning more often, or incorporating a leave-in or curl cream in your styling for a boost of moisture.

You might also find that using stylers with glycerin further down (or not included) in the ingredients list helps you – glycerin is a very good humectant that holds onto moisture, but some people report it leading to extra frizz in super-dry weather due to its interaction with the dry surrounding air. A good alternative humectant for some curlies is aloe vera – just like the plant, aloe can help seal moisture into your hair.

If your scalp gets dry and flaky in dry weather, consider massaging your scalp with a light oil before shampooing. This will protect your scalp from drying out too fast or being stripped by your shampoo.

My favourite curl creams:
Ouai Curl Cream
Noughty Wave Hello Curl Cream
Bouclème Seal & Shield Curl Cream (use COAST15 for 15% off)

My favourite scalp treatments:
Umberto Giannini Scalp Serum Hydration Drops (use code COAST20 for 20% off)
Umberto Giannini Scalp Scrub (same code works as above)
The Innate Life Rosemary Scalp Treatment

Curly hair and wet/humid weather:

There’s one goal with wet weather: seal your curls from that extra moisture! If our hair takes on too much water, the strands swell and we get that lovely poofy look. Of course, it’ll be impossible to truly waterproof your hair, so a little frizz is inevitable. Still, look for stylers with film-forming humectants like aloe, panthenol, carrageenan, polyquats and polymers, and finish off your styling with an oil or serum to seal everything in.

Also, don’t be afraid to dabble in silicones! These are great film-formers and frizz-fighters. If you’re worried about the potential for buildup, be sure to clarify every so often.

My favourite stylers that contain film-formers:
TréLuxe Hi! Definition Styling Gel (get 15% off when you buy through this link)
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Gel (the red one is a stronger hold)
Bouclème Seal & Shield Gel (use code COAST15 for 15% off) 
Color Wow Dream Coat for Curly Hair (use code CURLSBYTHECOAST for 20% off)

Curly hair and sunny weather:

If you get both sunny and dry weather, you can follow the tips for dry hair above. But also, don’t forget that high UV can break down the proteins in your hair, which can make your curls appear dull and weak. Some stylers have UV protectors built into them, and you can also incorporate a little protein into your routine to help repair and protect those strands.

What is the protein-moisture balance? Everything you need to know for balanced curly hair

Of course, you can also protect your curls the old-fashioned way – by covering them with a hat or scarf! You can get satin-lined baseball caps and bucket hats to reduce friction against your hair.

My favourite protein products:
Boucleme Protein Drops (use code COAST15 for 15% off)
Aphogee Two-Step Protein Treatment (I would use a lighter conditioner than the one provided)

My favourite products with UV protection:
Umberto Giannini Boho Beach Jelly (use code COAST20 for 20% off)
Curlsmith Miracle Shield

My favourite satin-lined summer hats:
Soulta satin-lined baseball cap (get 10% off with COAST10)
Black Sunrise satin-lined visor and bucket hats
Only Curls satin-lined baseball cap (get £5 off with COAST5)

Whatever the weather is doing, learning to listen to (or feel) your curls and tweak your routine accordingly is the best way to ensure your results stay consistent. And don’t forget, just because the season is changing, doesn’t mean you have to change your routine. If you notice your hair isn’t acting any different, keep doing what you’re doing! These are just some factors to be aware of if you feel like your hair is suddenly having a tantrum. Good luck!