Fashion & Beauty / 26 October, 2026 / Ellie Thompson
Cold weather, central heating and woolly hats can wreak havoc on curly hair. Here’s how to keep your curls happy, hydrated and looking their best all winter long.
Winter isn’t exactly kind to curly hair. Between the freezing temperatures outside, the central heating blasting indoors and the constant pulling on and off of hats, scarves and coats, it’s no wonder our curls start looking a little worse for wear.
And while we’re busy swapping our lightweight moisturisers for richer face creams, it’s easy to forget that our hair needs a little extra TLC, too.
Curly hair is particularly prone to dryness because its twists and bends make it harder for natural oils from the scalp to travel down the hair shaft. Add winter weather into the mix, and you’re looking at frizz, tangles, dullness and curls that have seemingly forgotten how to curl.
The good news? A few clever swaps in your haircare routine can make all the difference.
Switch To A Moisturising Shampoo
If your curls feel dry before you’ve even stepped out of the shower, your shampoo might need a rethink. Winter is the perfect time to swap harsh cleansers for something gentler that removes dirt and product build-up without leaving hair feeling stripped.
Try: Curlsmith Essential Moisture Shampoo, £18
Formulated with aloe leaf and resurrection flower, this gentle cleanser helps keep curls feeling soft, refreshed and hydrated. It’s free from silicones, sulphates and drying alcohols, making it a lovely option for curls in need of a little extra care.
Never Skip Conditioner
We know, we know. Sometimes you’re lucky to get five uninterrupted minutes in the shower. But if there’s one step worth making time for, it’s conditioner.
A good moisturising formula helps soften the hair, smooth the cuticle and make detangling less of a battle. And in winter, when hair is more vulnerable to knots and breakage from scarves and coats, that’s particularly welcome.
Try: Curlsmith Essential Moisture Conditioner, £18
Lightweight but nourishing, this conditioner delivers moisture without weighing curls down. It also provides plenty of slip for easier detangling and is suitable for colour-treated hair.
Give Your Curls A Little Extra Protection
Winter styling can be tricky. You want beautifully defined curls, but you don’t necessarily want anything stiff, crunchy or heavy.
The trick is finding a styling product that offers moisture and definition while keeping hair soft and touchable.
Try: Curlsmith Hold Me Softly Style Balm, £24
This silky, whipped curl cream helps detangle, moisturise and define curls with a soft, flexible finish. There’s no crunchy cast, making it ideal for anyone who prefers a more relaxed, natural curl.
Fine Curls Need Moisture Too
One of the biggest misconceptions about curly hair is that more moisture automatically means heavier products. But fine curls can become limp when overloaded with rich creams and oils.
If your hair is fine, look for lightweight leave-in formulas that provide hydration without sacrificing volume or bounce.
Try: Curlsmith Moisture Memory Release, £18
Designed for fine to very fine hair, this ultra-lightweight leave-in spray uses a three-ceramide complex and time-release moisture technology to help keep curls feeling hydrated.
The brand claims moisture benefits lasting up to three days, based on third-party testing against a control. It also helps detangle and smooth frizz without weighing hair down.
Give Coarse, Thirsty Curls Something Richer
While fine curls benefit from lighter formulas, thicker and coarser hair textures often need something more substantial, especially during the colder months.
Rich leave-in conditioners can help soften dry lengths and make curls more manageable, particularly if your hair tends to feel rough or tangled after a day wrapped up against the elements.
Try: Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-In-Cream, £18
This indulgent leave-in conditioner has a rich, buttery texture designed for coarse, dry curls. It’s highly concentrated, so a little goes a long way, helping soften and nourish hair without leaving it feeling sticky.
Make Sunday Your Deep-Conditioning Day
A weekly hair mask might sound like another thing to add to the never-ending to-do list, but consider it an excuse for a little bathroom downtime.
Deep-conditioning treatments are particularly useful for curls that feel dry, dull or difficult to manage. Think of them as the haircare equivalent of swapping your everyday moisturiser for a nourishing overnight face mask.
Try: Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher, £18
Curlsmith’s richest conditioning treatment is designed for ultra-dry, dull curls. The creamy formula helps soften and smooth strands, leaving hair feeling silky and looking shinier.
A Few More Winter Curl-Saving Tricks
Turn down the heat. Very hot showers and excessive heat styling can contribute to dryness. Opt for lukewarm water and a lower heat setting when diffusing.
Rethink your winter accessories. Rough fabrics can cause friction and frizz. A satin-lined hat or a silk scarf beneath your favourite woolly number can help.
Don’t brush dry curls. Detangle gently when hair is damp and coated with conditioner, using your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
Try a satin pillowcase. Reducing overnight friction can help curls look smoother come morning.
Refresh rather than restyle. A little water or lightweight leave-in conditioner can help revive curls between wash days without starting from scratch.
Shop Now
Winter doesn’t have to mean months of battling frizz, dry ends and curls that refuse to cooperate. The secret is finding the right balance of moisture for your hair type, whether that’s a lightweight spray for fine curls or a richer cream for thicker, thirstier textures.
And if it means spending an extra ten minutes in a warm bathroom with a deep-conditioning mask on, we’re certainly not complaining.
Discover the Curlsmith range at uk.curlsmith.com, with selected products also available at Boots, Sephora and LookFantastic.
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