Winter Care: Emollients, Occlusives, Humectants — Playbook #2
Winter Care: Emollients, Occlusives, Humectants — Playbook #2. We’ll cut through hype and show you what reliably moves the needle.
The core idea: fewer, better steps. Cleanse the scalp well, condition until slip, style on soaking-wet hair, then hands-off until dry.
Steps
- Layer gel/foam; rake then scrunch
- Soak thoroughly before applying anything
- Cleanse the scalp; avoid roughing up lengths
- Apply leave-in on soaking-wet hair
Toolkit
- Microfiber towel or T-shirt
- Deep conditioner/mask (monthly)
- Hard-hold gel or mousse for humidity
- Chelating/clarifying shampoo (as needed)
“Balance humectants with film-formers when dew points rise.”
Example
For high humidity: leave-in + hard-hold gel, then hover-diffuse to 60% and finish with cup-and-hold. Don’t break the cast early.
Science angle: porosity governs water movement; humectants pull moisture; film-formers create a cast; proteins patch weak spots temporarily.
Common Mistakes
- Applying stylers on nearly-dry hair
- Skipping sleep protection
- Over-cleansing or never clarifying
FAQ
How long to deep condition? 10–20 minutes under a cap is usually enough.
How often to clarify? When hair looks dull/limp or after heavy products/hard water exposure.
Technique + timing beat brand lists. Focus there, then pick products that support the method.
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