I don't know about your neck of the woods, but this winter in Toronto was the mildest I've ever seen! While I'm not complaining (I'm really not a cold weather kind of gyal), I wouldn't have minded getting a LITTLE more usage out of my expensive winter tires...but hey, it is what it is!
This week, Canada's Screwface capital has turned those frowns upside down, and everyone is a bit more smiley than usual. The sun is out, temperatures are in the teens (Celsius, folks), and people are able to drive with windows down, sunroofs open, and music blasting at ignorant levels. Spring looks like it's fully springing around these parts, and I am not mad. Since this is Canada, we may get snow next week - but for now, the city is enjoying the early kiss of warmth.
When it comes to hair care, I always switch things up in the warmer weather. I follow different regimens in the cold vs. hot seasons, so it's about that time for me to start implementing some of my spring/summer hair plans:
Styles:
In the winter, I like to keep my hair up and protected - fragile ends rubbing on rough cotton scarves and turtlenecks? No thank you. Hair exposed to wild winds and below-freezing temps? I'll pass. During the winter, buns, pinned up twists, and silk-lined hats are my best friends - but during the spring and summer, I let loose! Twist-outs, braid-outs, I love anything out - my wash n' gos flourish in the heat too. I'll also do a flat-iron here or there, but definitely not in the humidity of Toronto summers. Spring and autumn are my hair sweet spots, so I'm looking forward to the return of good hair days!
Conditioning:
I'm gearing up to pack away my rich, heavy conditioners and get into my springtime products. Even though the winter was pretty mild, it was still winter! I found myself using heavier conditioners like Elasta QP's DPR-11 on a regular basis in order to keep my hair moisturized. Once the weather gets warmer, I find I can leave DPR-11 for deep treatments only, and go back to my Herbal Essences Hello Hydration. I'm also looking to order some more Earthtones Naturals products and see how they hold up in the warmer months. During the spring/summer, my hair is usually good with a light application of coconut oil or HEHH as a leave-in...and I always keep my spritz bottle full of water handy! Honey also goes back into my HEHH for co-washing - as a natural humectant, honey helps to retain moisture and protect from humidity. Some people find that honey works better for them in the winter, but it helps my curls clump together and stay moist and frizz-free during the summer.
Good Weather, Bad Habits:
I always need to keep myself in check during the spring and summer. Because my wash n' gos are easier to manage and look better in the warmth, I tend to get lazy at times and rock it for too long, leading to knots and tangles when it's wash time. As we get closer to summertime, I also need to take extra care to use moisturizing products with some kind of sunscreen. My hair has the tendency of getting bleached to a bright red colour by the sun, and the excess heat can be just as damaging as the bitter cold. I'm not a swimmer, but if I plan to frolic in some open body of water (which actually scares me to death), I have to remember to at least rinse my hair as soon as I get out of the water. Nothing worse than having crusty chlorinated hair, or hair with dried salt in it. Trying to work with your hair when it's in a dried, angry state is never good, and takes too much time away from my fun in the sun!
Do you make any changes to your hair regimen when the seasons change? What products and styles do you enjoy in the warmer months?
P.S. - Today is the day - my Toronto Fashion Week debut! Check here for details and how you can watch the show!