Do you find yourself frustrated on wash day? You’ve checked off everything on your to-do list and somehow you still ended up with dry brittle hair. It’s very possible that you could be using the WRONG type of oil in your royal hair regimen. Safe to say we’ve ALL been there done that.
Natural Hair To-Do List
-Shampoo or Co-wash ✔
-Condition ✔
-Hot Oil Treatment ✔
-Deep Conditioning Treatment ✔
-Leave-In & Styler ✔
There are two types of oils, sealing oils and moisturizing oils. Moisturizing oils penetrate the hair shaft to moisturize the hair. Sealing oils sit on top of your hair sealing in moisture. It’s important to make sure that you’re using the correct oils depending on whether you want to moisturize or seal in moisture. If you're using a sealing oil as a moisturizer you’ll end up with dry and brittle hair and vice versa.
Moisturizing Oils
As a natural, you probably already know that moisture is the KEY to reducing breakage of your natural tresses. Natural oils have the ability to nourish your royal crown with lasting results that rival any of your favorite hair creams and lotions. Remember moisturizing oils PENETRATE the hair shaft to moisturize the hair. Here’s a list of the top 3 moisturizing oils you should be implementing into your hair regimen.
Top 3 Moisturizing Oils
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil has a very HIGH Vitamin E content which aids in strengthening the hair to prevent breakage while simultaneously helping to smooth the cuticle. This makes the oil ideal for hair that is dry due to environmental factors or heat. Avocado oil is a lot lighter than olive oil and can very easily absorb into your hair cuticles without weighing your hair down.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is naturally antibacterial and antifungal. Coconut oil can penetrate the hair better than MOST oils. The molecular structure of the oil is small enough to allow it to penetrate the hair shaft but in small quantities. A little goes a long way. The extra oil that doesn’t penetrate the shaft can also act as a sealant so coconut oil is literally the best of both worlds. Coconut oil is most effective when used with water or a water-based leave-in.
Olive Oil
Olive oil penetrates the hair shaft and aids in retaining moisture which ultimately strengthens and softens your royal tresses. The oil smoothes your outer hair cuticles which gives your royal crown the ability to shine naturally. Olive oil promotes both shine and hair manageability. This oil is also most effective when used with water or a water-based leave-in.
When to Use
Pre Poo
Pre Pooing will protect your hair from shampoos that strip the natural oils from your royal crown. Pre Poo’s assist in hair detangling, hair manageability, and provides moisture to your natural tresses. Moisturizing oils should be used for pre poos.
Oil Rinse
Oil rinses have numerous benefits for your royal tresses. They facilitate hair detangling, reduce single strand knots, reduce frizz, and add moisture retention. Moisturizing oils are the KEY to a successful oil rinse.
Sealing Oils
Unlike moisturizing oils, sealing oils aren’t able to penetrate the hair shaft. This is why they are better for sealing in moisture versus providing it. Moisturizing oils provide the moisture and sealing oils locks it in your natural tresses. Keep in mind however that sealing oils are so good at keeping moisture in and that they’re also very good at keeping moisture out. So it's important to make sure your hair is properly moisturized prior to using. Here’s a list of the top 3 sealing oils you can potentially implement into your hair regimen.
Top 3 Sealing Oils
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is extremely light and effective, especially for naturals with thinner hair textures. I personally don’t have an issue with fragrances as long as they’re not overpowering but I know some people are the exact opposite. So the good thing about this oil is it’s odorless! If you’re like me and prefer a little scent just add a few drops of lavender oil. Grapeseed oil is also a great heat protectant because of its ability to withstand high heat.
Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Jamaican Black Castor oil is probably already in most of your hair regimens already. I LOVE JBCO! This oil literally draws out the toxins and impurities from your natural tresses that prevent hair growth while also softening your hair. This oil is THICK, so a little goes a long way. The thick texture also makes it a wonderful sealant for those with thicker hair textures in need of more hold.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil strengthens your royal tresses while promoting hair thickness and preventing hair loss. This oil helps combat dryness, breakage and split ends. Jojoba oil is very light but very effective in sealing in moisture. Jojoba oil is GREAT for people suffering from flaky and dry scalps because it assists in restoring your natural crown’s ph.
When to Use
Seal Hair
After washing and properly moisturizing your royal crown, use a sealing oil to lock in the moisture. Sealing oils will protect the end of your strands while also providing shine. These oils will also reduce tangles and hair friction that leads to damaged hair cuticles and split ends.
Frizz Control
Sealing oils add shine and luster by acting as a protective coating for your natural tresses. The oil is thick enough to control frizz and flyaway hairs.
Hope you enjoyed this article
xoxo
Natasha