Caring for textured hair in cold weather - Dispatch Weekly

By Vernon François, founder and creative director of VERNON FRANÇOIS® As we face a cold start to 2017, internationally acclaimed, award-winning hair stylist, Vernon François, shares with us his top tips for keeping textured hair strong, healthy and looking its beautiful best during cold winter months.

“I love this time of year, wrapping up and keeping cozy when it’ s chilly outside; but being inside in the warm on one moment, then out in freezing cold air the next, can make it harder to maintain good hair condition. It can strip hair of moisture, making it very dry; which is not great news for textured hair, which can tend to be naturally quite dry in the first place. If left exposed and uncared for this may lead to brittleness, frizz and breakage.”

Whether your locks are kinky, coily, curly or wavy, here are three tips from Vernon François to help keep your hair in best possible condition in cold weather. This advice is suitable for women, men and kids of all ages, with all lengths of hair.

1. Winter is a great time for a trim

The ends of your hair are the oldest and usually the driest parts of the strand lengths. Textured hair may not need cutting too often, but as cold air tends to make hair drier, now is a great time to give frazzled ends the snip. This will help to reinvigorate your curl pattern and help hair appear as healthy as possible from root to tip.

2. Conceal the ends of your hair with style

‘Protective styling’ is when the ends of the hair are tucked away in a style and shielded from the elements. This is a versatile option for caring for textured hair in the winter months, because there are so many possibilities. As well as protecting your hair, this is also a great way of giving yourself a fresh new look without the longer-term commitment of cutting or colouring. Styles can include braids, twists, cane row, French plaits, chine bumps, or you might want to try out a hair piece or wig. Whatever option you choose, a spritz with my scalp nourishment braids and locs spray at the start and end of styling is great for protecting hair, nourishing and soothing the scalp.

3. Love natural oils

Natural oils are essential for maintaining great condition of all types of textured hair. A simple way of getting a regular dose is via the ingredients of the shampoos, conditioners and moisture sprays in the VERNON FRANÇOIS® Collection best for your hair type. Each item in the PURE~FRO® range contains Kalahari melon oil which regenerates and restructures the hair; this is particularly useful for kinky and coily hair types.

You can also make your own DIY hydrating spray by shaking up a few drops of oil with a little water in a pump action bottle that you can find at most pharmacies. Another option is to warm a few drops in between your palms before applying directly. Sleeping with it in overnight, with hair wrapped in a silk scarf, then washing out the next day can be very beneficial too. Some to try out are sweet almond oil, which is good for healthy hair growth; grape seed oil for shine with a dry finish; and castor oil, which contains the fatty acid Omega 6 and is good for promoting strength.

Vernon François leaves us with some final thoughts:

“However you decide to wear your hair, always try to have fun with it. Be patient with detangling, be mindful of applying products in the right way and above all, enjoy embracing your genetic gift.”

Vernon François is firmly established as a leading authority on styling and championing the incredible versatility of textured hair. His creations, as seen on the red carpet and at celebrity events, make headline news.

Clients include Lupita Nyong’o, Ruth Negga, Uzo Aduba, Kerry Washington, Denée Benton, Ava DuVernay, Danai Gurira, Tracee Ellis Ross, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Aluna George, Emeli Sandé, Sarah Jane Crawford, Eve, Lianne La Havas, VV Brown, Clara Amfo, Keyshia Cole and Naomie Harris.