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Few things test the limits of my type 4C curls quite like a Canadian winter. If you’ve ever tried to keep coils happy when the air feels like sandpaper and the wind stings your scalp through braids or locs, you know the struggle. The real nemesis isn’t just the weather—it’s the closet full of chunky knits and weighty wools we pull on for survival. Cozy? Sure. Curl-friendly? Absolutely not. These fabrics lock in body heat while sucking the life (and moisture) out of our strands, leaving behind frizz, dryness and way too many split ends. Add in the suffocating hours we spend under toques, which Sal Salcedo, the owner of Nova Arts Salon in L.A., cautions against, and suddenly our “protective” layers feel more like a low-key saboteur in our hair’s winter journey. “When hair is put under a hat or wrapped in a scarf for long periods of time, it often becomes a little sad and flat,” he explains. Hair thrives when it moves and shifts, not when it’s trapped under heavy fabrics. According to the stylist, the problem goes even deeper than texture. “It has to do with the changing weather and how it affects people’s hair—both from an environmental and an emotional point of view,” he says. “Hair changes based on many factors, and the environment is one of them. Colder weather and the absence of moisture have an effect on hair,” but emotional shifts, lifestyle changes or even washing less frequently can also play a role. In other words, our winter wardrobe isn’t the only culprit. So, is there a truce between staying warm and keeping curls intact or are we doomed to choose between frostbite and breakage every time the temps drop? Thankfully, the answer is chic: Silk- and satin-lined accessories have officially entered the group chat. While using these fabrics to protect hair is nothing new (they’ve been part of the curly haircare ritual forever), having them stitched into winter outerwear? That’s a full-on plot twist. The catch? Few winter accessories are actually lined using silk or satin—and even fewer are trend-conscious. Consider this your shortcut to the chicest, most protective picks of the season.
Bucket List
Single-handedly ushered into hip-hop royalty by LL Cool J—and later synonymous with Queen Latifah, Missy Elliott and Samuel L. Jackson—the Kangol bucket hat has become a cultural icon. Now, with curls in mind, the brand’s latest ultra-soft faux-fur iterations transform the statement piece into something even more covetable. Featuring a matte-finish satin lining to tame frizz, each hat marries curl protection with the label’s iconic bucket shape. 
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She’s Got You Covered
Knitted from plush cashmere and lined with premium silk, Swurly Co.’s indulgent ribbed beanie pulls double duty: keeping curls intact and keeping you warm. Founder Dione Laufenberg couldn’t find anything that would both preserve her daughters’ protective styles and maintain their curls’ moisture. “I quickly recognized the unique set of challenges that comes with caring for their hair,” she says. Her solution? Come up with an option herself. “That’s what Black women have always been good at—being resourceful and working with what we have.” What started as a fix for her family has since grown into a full-on brand moment with Swurly Co.’s online store. It offers an expansive lineup of curl-protective products, ranging from silk bonnets to cozy hats. 
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Wrapped In Luxury
“I’ve seen how traditional winter accessories—hats, hoods, headbands—can cause friction and damage to natural textures, curls or processed hair,” says Marissa Freed, founder of her namesake label. “I wanted to solve that challenge in a chic, elevated way.” Manufactured in her hometown of Winnipeg, each Freed piece is refined and has been tested in real-life northern Canadian conditions. Stitched with the brand’s custom embossed satiny lining, this faux-fur wrap scarf brings an air of sophistication to your winter wardrobe; it’s tailor-made for those who have cascading curls and crave luxury hair care. 
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Silk Status
Silk scarves aren’t just a curly-hair essential; they’re a timeless style cornerstone long embraced by fashion icons to add polish and edge to everyday looks (think Rihanna casually wrapping her hair in Valentino silk as part of her effortlessly cool maternity style). The smooth finish lets curls glide reducing frizz and breakage—while delivering instant “model off duty at JFK” energy. Spun from 100 percent silk, the scarves from French leather-goods company Longchamp, for example, are exquisitely crafted and endlessly versatile. Whether they’re tucked under a toque or knotted beneath a baseball cap, they bring a playful air of sophistication to even the most pared-back ensembles. 
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Layering Lessons
Stylists and creators break down how they keep curls, braids and waves safe under winter’s coziest (and trickiest) accessories. [content_module id=”1″] Continue Reading
