Autumn Hair Tips: Caring for Your Afro-textured Hair this Fall
It’s autumn again. The mornings are colder. Coats and scarves are out. We're getting addicted to warm drinks. And your locs are suddenly dry, dull, and not holding moisture like they used to.
Sound familiar?
Now, fall has a sneaky way of reminding us that our hair is part of our bodies, and it feels everything. The cold, the air, the shift in routine. It’s not just the trees changing. Your locs are too.
If your locs feel different lately, it’s not any bad luck or poor maintenance. It’s just the season.
Here are THREE things that are really happening, along with some tips on how to keep your locs soft, hydrated, and happy this fall.
1. The Weather Shift Affects Your Locs
Fall feels cozy, but it’s not so kind to Afro hair.
The air loses humidity, which means moisture escapes faster from your strands.
As it’s also getting colder, the indoor heating kicks in and dries out your scalp.
Add a few wool scarves and hoodies brushing against your locs, and you’ve got a recipe for brittleness, itchiness, and lint.
Naturally, Afro-textured hair tends to lose moisture quickly. And most people with locs may interpret the dryness as a sign of insufficient oil. So, they start applying more oil to “fix” dryness. That only leads to buildup because the real issue isn’t a lack of oil, it’s a lack of water.
Your locs aren’t thirsty for grease. They need hydration.
2. Adjusting Your Routine: Simple Shifts That Save Your Locs
This isn’t the season for overcomplicating your hair care. You need small, consistent tweaks that work with the weather. Here are some of our favourite tips:
Clean without stripping. Use a gentle shampoo or a cleansing spray. You want a clean scalp without that squeaky, tight feeling afterwards. Your scalp shouldn’t have a bare feel.
Moisturise in layers. Mist your locs first with water or a light aloe-based spray, then seal them in with a light oil. We advise jojoba, argan, or sweet almond oil—basically, any light oil of your liking.
Add a little butter to your ends if they feel rough. That’s your oldest hair, and it needs the most love.
Protect from fabric friction. Wool scarves and coats are moisture thieves. Line your hats with satin or wrap a thin satin scarf under your beanie. It’s a small hack that saves your edges and keeps your locs soft.
Be lint aware. Fall clothes shed. Before bed or after a long day out, run your fingers or a soft brush through your locs. A quick shake saves you from that stubborn lint buildup later.
Think of this as skincare for your hair. You wouldn’t cleanse your face and walk away without a moisturiser, would you? Your locs deserve the same thought.
3. Styling and Maintenance for Cooler Days
Fall is the time to give your locs room to breathe.
Avoid tight retwists or styles that pull your roots. Try half-ups, braids into buns, or loose wraps that don’t strain your edges. If your locs are mature, you can stretch your retwist appointments a little; your scalp will thank you.
Massage your scalp once or twice a week with a warm oil blend. Rosemary or peppermint works well. It’s soothing, boosts circulation, and helps balance that dry indoor heat.
If due, book your loctician appointments early. Everyone rushes in before winter, and the slots disappear fast.
Bonus info: To Those From Abroad
When you move to a different climate, your hair goes through culture shock, too.
The air here is colder and drier, and the water is often hard.
What worked for your locs back home may suddenly stop working. It’s not that your products failed. Your environment changed.
Swap heavier oils for lighter ones that don’t clog your scalp. Drink water even when it’s cold, and you’d rather have coffee. Keep your satin scarf close, especially on those days when the air feels thin and your skin starts to tighten.
Your hair is learning this new weather just like you are.
A Word from TressesbyK…
Fall can be rough, but your locs don’t have to pay the price for the season.
Treat them like your skin — aware of the weather, cared for with intention, and protected with love.
Listen to what your locs are telling you. They’ll always show some subtle signs before they break.
If you’ve noticed any changes lately, drop them in the comments. Let’s share what’s working and what’s not. Someone in the tribe might just need your little secret.
Stay warm. Keep your locs moisturised.
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