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Curly Hairstyles for Winter
Updated on November 17, 2025 | 3 min read
Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer
Winter is coming and just like your wardrobe, it’s time to adjust your curly hair care routine accordingly. The moisture-stripping conditions of the season can leave your curls parched, unmanageable and broken. So transitioning your curly hair care for the cold weather is a must. Whether you’re dealing with excessive frizz or strands that feel like straw, we’ve got the curly hair styles and tips to winter-proof your curls this season.
Key Takeaways
Winter Hairstyles for Curly Hair
- Understanding your curl type and how winter weather affects your hair is a must for healthy curls this season.
- Prepping and moisturizing your curls for winter gives them better definition and frizz control.
- Top winter curly hairstyles include natural curls, updos, braids, and space buns.
- Use Davines products like LOVE/ Curl Shampoo, Conditioner, This is a Curl Building Serum, and This is a Moisturizing Mousse for healthy, defined curls.
- Follow cold-weather tips and styling do’s and don’ts to maintain curl shape and hair health in winter.
In This Article
Curly Hair in Winter
Prepping Your Curls for Cold Weather
Top Winter Hairstyles for Curly and Wavy Hair
Dos and Don’ts for Styling Curly Hair in Cold Weather
Winter Products for Wavy and Curly Hairstyles
FAQs
Curly Hair in Winter
Curly hair is beautiful, but it's not always easy to care for—especially in the winter. The colder months can destroy your curls, leaving them dry, lifeless and unmanageable. Cold, dry air and indoor heat strip moisture, leaving strands dehydrated and brittle. While low humidity leads to flyaways and frizz. Combined with the static and friction from winter hats and scarves, the effects of winter aren’t great for the hair—curly hair in particular. The structure of curly hair makes it more prone to losing moisture, and this is exacerbated by the season’s harsh conditions. So your curls need lots of hydration in the winter. The amount of hydration curly hair needs can vary, so decoding your curl type is the key to winter-proofing your curls.
Curl types fall into a system of types 2 to 4 with sub-categories of A to C. Type 2 hair is considered wavy, type 3 is curly and type 4 features a tight coil or zig-zag pattern curls. Subcategories A, B, and C, refer to the diameter of the wave, curl, or coil. A is loose, B is medium, and C is tight. So the tighter your curl, the more moisture it craves. In general, type 2 curls need the lightest weight formulas to avoid weighing it down, type 3 curls benefit from the moisture in gels or creams, and type 4 requires rich, moisturizing products and deep conditioners to prevent dryness and breakage.
To determine your curl type, start with clean, damp hair and let it air-dry completely. Look closely at the shape of your curls. S-shaped waves that are gentle and flow from the scalp are considered type 2. Springy, well-defined corkscrew or spiral curls are considered type 3. And Z-shaped patterns and very tight, small coils are type 4. Note that most people have a mix of curl types and can customize their routine based on the specific needs of their hair.
Prepping Your Curls for Cold Weather
Prepping your curls for the cold is of utmost importance to keep them healthy and defined this winter. These are the best cold weather curl saving tips to get you through the season. Adjust your curly routine accordingly.
Use products made from natural oils and butters.
Oils and butters are ultra hydrating ingredients, deeply nourishing curls for less frizz and flyaways. The best oils to use during winter are castor, almond and jojoba, which are easily absorbed by the hair. Similarly, butters like shea and cocoa help to preserve and maintain the shape of your curls.
Apply products from ends to roots.
Your ends are the driest and most fragile part of your hair, so applying your hair products from the ends to the roots ensures the thirstiest part of your curls absorb the most moisture.
Wash your hair less often.
Your curly hair wash routine shouldn’t exceed more than once or twice a week depending on your curl type, but this is especially the case in winter. Washing too often strips curls of their much-needed natural oils.
Amp up the deep-conditioning.
Curly girls know that deep-conditioning is a non-negotiable for well-defined, frizz-free curls. But deep-conditioning is a priority once winter hits. The curlier your hair, the more frequently you should deep-condition with hair masks.
Wear protective hairstyles.
Wearing your curls in protective hairstyles like braids and twists can be a lifesaver in the winter months, as they keep your hair hidden from everyday winter stressors.
Top Winter Hairstyles for Curly and Wavy Hair
From natural curls and casual updos and braids to buns and a slicked back ponytail, these are our favorite curly and wavy hairstyles to rock for winter.
Natural Curls
Wearing your hair natural is always a less-damaging way of styling your curls than straightening your hair with heat. Plus, curl-enhancing products are moisture-based, keeping strands hydrated and sealing in moisture. To style naturally, see our previous post on the LOC method for your happiest, healthiest curls.
Loose Casual Wavy Updo
A looser-style updo protects your curls from stress at the root often associated with tight hair styles. Avoiding unnecessary stress at the root is a must in the colder months. And a loose, casual updo looks so effortlessly cool with wavy hair. Rake a curl cream through your strands, starting from either damp or dry. Let your waves air-dry about 25% before loosely grabbing your strands into place with a claw clip. Play around with the placement of your clip until you find your desired height.
French Braids
Maybe one of the chicest ways to keep your curls hidden away from the cold is with a French braid. Start with clean, damp, detangled hair. Section off a triangle of hair at the top of your head and divide it into three sections. Begin braiding your hair, adding small sections from each side of your head to the corresponding side sections with each pass, crossing over the middle. Braid to the end and secure with an elastic.
The Wet Look Winter Version
The key to the wet look winter version is lots of gel. Start with clean, conditioned wet hair and apply a curl gel generously, spreading back from roots to ends, making sure strands are evenly coated. For curly hair, mix your gel with a pomade for extra shine and hold. Work the product cocktail in, section by section, detangling with a paddle brush as you go.
Braided Bun
Another one of our favorite curly hair styles this winter is a braided bun. Get the curl-protecting look by running a curl oil through your strands and parting your hair in the center. Create two braids on either side, either starting close to the root with French braids or at the nape of your neck with classic 3-strands. Braid to the ends of your hair before securing each side with an elastic. Wrap the two braids into one low bun at the bottom of your head.
Slicked Back into a Fluffy Ponytail
A slick ponytail instantly elevates your winter style. It’s a modern and edgy hair look, while still being simple and protective. Apply a smoothing product to your sides and brushing all your hair back into a low ponytail. Secure the pony and use a fine-tooth comb to smooth any flyaways. Tease the hair at the base of your ponytail to give it a fluffy look. Set your curly hairstyle with a strong hairspray.
Dos and Don’ts for Styling Curly Hair in Cold Weather
Here’s what to do, and not to do, when it comes to styling your hair this winter.
Do
- Apply curly hair products on wet or damp hair to help with definition and reduce frizz
- Detangle with a wide-tooth comb starting from the ends and moving up
- Use a microfiber towel or t-shirt to dry, rather than a regular towel, which causes frizz
- Sleep on a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce friction while you sleep
- Use a diffuser on a low heat and speed to encourage curl definition and reduce frizz
- Deep condition regularly to keep your curls hydrated
- Trim regularly to remove split ends and maintain the shape of your curls
Don't
- Brush or comb dry hair- this disrupts your curl pattern and causes frizz
- Don't over-wash- it strips the natural oils from your curls leading to dryness and frizz
- Don't use high heat when styling with blow dryers and hot tools
- Don't use products with drying ingredients like sulfates, silicones and alcohol
- Don't touch your hair while drying- it will disrupt your curl pattern and cause frizz
- Don't style your curls when they’re soaking wet- styling damp provides better definition
Winter Products for Wavy and Curly Hairstyles
The best curly and wavy hair products moisturize, strengthen, define and define your curls while minimizing frizz and providing hold. All Davines curly products are made from high quality, natural ingredients and are free of damaging sulfates and heavy silicones. These are the Davines winter hair care must-haves for styling your curly hair this season.
LOVE/ Curl Shampoo
Infused with proteins and vitamins, this curl enhancing shampoo hydrates as it cleanses, leaving hair soft and shiny for healthy happy waves and curls
LOVE/ Curl Conditioner
A curl enhancing conditioner to help define and control wavy or curly hair, adding elasticity and volume without weighing curls down.
This is a Curl Building Serum
Smooth unruly waves and curls with this curl enhancing serum treatment that offers light hold, workability and frizz-fighting abilities.
This is a Curl Moisturizing Mousse
Wondering how to get wavy hair? This defining curl mousse creates the softest, bounciest, nourished waves, without the added frizz.
FAQs
What is the best hair style for curly hair?
The best curly hair styles prioritize protecting the integrity of your curls, while minimizing frizz and breakage.
Why does Gen Z like curly hair?
The natural beauty movement dominating social media has made embracing your natural texture, i.e., naturally curly hair, a top hair trend among Gen Z.
What is the best curly hairstyle for over 50?
The most flattering hairstyle for any hair type over 50 is a personal choice. Ultimately your best hairstyle is one that suits your face shape, hair texture and desired upkeep level.
What is type 3 curly hair?
Springy, well-defined corkscrew or spiral curls are considered type 3 curly hair.
What is type 4 hair curly?
Type 4 curly hair features Z-shaped patterns and very tight, small coils.
Are my curls 2C or 3a?
2C waves are more prone to frizz and can be tricky to define, where 3A curls can be easily defined with products.
Treat Yourself
Visit your local Davines salon for customized curl care this season.
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