How To Deal With Dry Braid Outs & Twist Outs During the Cold Winter Weather

Pulled Hair Back into Ponytail After a Disappointing Braid Out

Yesterday, I took down my 8 plaits (that were previously moisturized, mind you), to reveal a semi defined, braidout. That wasn't the bad part. I was disappointed that my hair felt dry, felt hard, and looked like it felt! I'm not even joking when I say it felt like hay (okay, maybe I haven't felt hay in a while), but it was feeling crunchy. I wish I had taken pictures with it out (shown above in high bun). I was in a rush to get out of the house, and was getting frustrated. To fix this, I could re-braid everything that night after I thoroughly moisturized, but I felt like I already used enough products the first time. Here's what I used to moisturize on day 1:


1) Spray bottle mix of 1 ounce aloe Vera gel, and 2 tablespoons of Castor oil


Later that night.....


2) Jojoba oil (generously) and re-braided only the front. Put the back portion in a low ponytail





After that, I couldn't understand why my hair stayed dry. I remembered when I had my hair in two strand twists, and how soft and moisturized they stayed during the entire 4 weeks of twists.

Two Strand Twists are the ULTIMATE Moisture Keeper!

When I had the twists, I only had to moisturize about 1 time every 2 to 3 days! I used the Jane Carter Nourish & Shine, but nothing major, just a tiny amount.

Last night I attempted to moisturize again, thinking to change my technique, and my products (slightly). I  don't like re-braiding my braid outs, mostly because I'm lazy. Secondly, I just don't like to manipulate my hair really...at all. Here's what I did differently:


1) 1 finger full of Shea Moisture Deep Treatment Mask, mixed in my hand with a squirt (not very technical) of Castor Oil. Rubbed my hands together, then rubbed this mixture into the ends of my braidout, and then moved on up nearing to the roots. I didn't section, just took the big bush of hair and applied this. 


2) Did 1 small plait at the bang area (because that went totally flat), then took the rest of my hair and did a high bun on top of my head (to let me sleep in peace without a big bulge at my neck). I tucked in the ends into the scrunchie, so that they weren't exposed. The next morning, my hair felt soft, and looked moisturized. Not just the ends, the whole body of hair. 

Keep the Moisture by Bulking Your Hair Together at Night

Braidouts, Twistouts, Winter Moisture Capture on Natural Hair

Evidently, moisturizing my hair with something "a little bit stronger", and then "bulking" my hair into a mass (while ensuring the ends were tucked in), gave me a moisturized result. I'm sure if I added a scarf or even a plastic shower cap, I would have gotten more moist results, but I'm not one for all of that LOL! I do use a satin pillowcase nightly, though.


With a little night time "tweaking", I got shine and moisture. Not much define, as I'm not one to re-braid nightly. I don't mind just using the stretch for my "big" hairstyle. LENGTH RETENTION 2012, Remember? Hahaha!! We're gonna do it ;o) Meanwhile, I'll enjoy a few braidouts, but I know I have to pile all of my hair together at night after I've moisturized with something a little "strong". 


Do you have the proper moisturizers and technique for winter braid out/ twist out wear? 


Will you even bother with braid outs or twist outs while it's cold?