What you Need to Know About Dry Hair

Let’s talk about the thing that will break your spirit faster than it breaks your hair: dryness.

Nothing will humble you more than running your fingers through your hair and hearing that crunch.
You’ve deep conditioned, you’ve oiled, you’ve prayed over it… and somehow it’s still dry.

You are NOT alone.
In fact, dryness is one of the top two complaints I hear from women especially Black women over 40, right next to hair loss.

Here’s the plot twist nobody tells you:
Most of us aren’t actually moisturizing our hair… we’re just coating it.

The “I Oil My Scalp Every Day” Myth

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard:

“Kendra, I oil my scalp every single day, but my hair is still dry!”

My answer is always the same:
"Oil is not moisture."

Water penetrates your hair shaft and soaks into the cuticle. Oils and butters? They don’t hydrate — they seal.
And if you start with dry hair, all you’ve sealed in… is dryness.

it shows up like this:

• Your hair feels like straw no matter how much conditioner you use.

• Breakage every time you touch it.

• Scalp that feels tight or itchy.

• Hair that looks “dull” even after you oil it.

Here’s the kicker: Most of us are not actually moisturizing our hair… we’re just coating it.

Moisture 101: The Real Tea

💧 Water is the only true form of moisture.
If there’s no water, there’s no moisture. Period. End of story.

Water penetrates your hair shaft and gets deep into your cuticle. Oils? They just sit on top and seal in whatever moisture you already have. But if you start with dry hair, all you’ve sealed in is… dryness.

4 Common Causes of Dry Hair

Here’s why your hair might be crying out for help:

1. Dry Scalp
   Your scalp relies on natural oils made at the root to keep hair moisturized. But if your scalp is dry, flaky, or tight, your strands will suffer too.

2. Hormonal Changes
   After 40 especially post-menopause our bodies produce less oil, and hair naturally gets drier. (I go deep on this in my 3 Ways Your Hair Changes with Age post.)

3. Environmental Stress
   Dry climates, extreme heat or cold, salty air, or frequent swimming in chlorinated pools all strip away moisture.

4. Damaged Cuticle Layer
   Your cuticle is like shingles on a roof. It protects the hair and locks in moisture. If those shingles are lifted or broken from heat, sun, or chemical damage, your hair can’t hold on to hydration.

💡 Pro Tip: If you slather butters and oils on dry hair, you now have dry hair with a coat on. That coat actually blocks water from getting in.

The Right Way to Moisturize Your Hair

Before you “seal,” you have to hydrate:

1. Start with water (wash, co-wash, or mist).

2. Use a moisturizing deep conditioner (bonus points for adding humectants like honey or aloe.)

3. Follow up with a water-based leave-in or hydrating mist.

4. THEN seal with an oil or cream.

7 Easy Ways to Prevent Dry Hair

1. Moisturize Daily (or as Often as Needed)
   Textured hair needs more frequent moisture because natural oils travel slowly down the curl pattern. Mist in the morning, refresh at night, or keep a spray bottle handy. Try my Spray & Go Leave-In Conditioning Mist for an easy boost.

2. Switch to a Gentle Shampoo
   Products made specifically to help dry hair will have fewer drying detergents like sulfates. Sulfates are only necessary when you have a significant amount of buildup or if you don't shampoo often and you really need a deeper clean. They SHOULD NOT be used frequently as then can strip your hair of natural moisture.
   

3. Deep Condition Regularly
   For a deeper condition sit under a dryer on low heat or use a heat cap for 30 minutes to 1 hour. You may need to deep condition more often. When your hair is extremely dry and breaking you should consider a weekly deep conditioning regimen. Our Conditioner is very moisturizing and can be used to deep condition as well which will help boost moisture and reduce shedding.
   

4. Avoid Drying Alcohols
   Check your labels not all alcohols are bad, but the wrong ones will rob your hair of moisture.

5. Work With Your Hair Type
   Your texture and porosity matter. Heavy creams might be perfect for one person but make another’s hair hard and dry. Sealing with a cream, oil or conditioner is pointless if they don't work for your texture. Every curl type and texture is different. What works for one woman might not work for you. My 4b hair texture really likes gels, jelly based products or water/aloe vera based sprays rather than heavy butters or creams. Too much thick & creamy products usually make my hair dry/hard. Your hair might need something light or heavy depending on the texture.

6. Feed Your Hair From the Inside
   Leafy greens, sweet potatoes, carrots, and foods rich in iron, vitamin D, folate, and B12 help hair stay strong and hydrated.

7. Drink Your Water
   Yes, we say this all the time, but it's still never enough...healthy hair starts from the inside. If your body is dehydrated, then so is your hair. Drinking water can help with keeping your scalp and body hydrated overall. Your daily water intake is half your body weight. So if you weigh 160 lbs, you would drink 80 ounces, or about 4-5 bottles of water per day.
   

Cultural Reality Check

• Relaxed hair: You’re working with a chemically altered cuticle, so sealing is critical.

• Protective styles: Your hair still needs moisture under braids, wigs, or weaves use a liquid leave-in or refresher spray.

• Natural hair: More coils = more curves for oils to travel, so moisture has to be intentional and consistent.

Remember:

Water first. Always.
Hydrate, THEN seal.
Oils and butters are the bodyguards. Water is the VIP.

💬 Are you still fighting dryness no matter what you try?
That’s exactly what I teach you to fix in my Moisture Mastery Course how to build a moisture routine that actually works for your hair type, lifestyle, and age.

📌 FREE GUIDE!

Tired of your hair feeling dry a few days after wash day? This simple 7-day routine helps your hair stay soft and hydrated with easy daily tips.