Natural Oils Will Keep Your Hair Soft and Manageable-Here is how

Natural Oils Will Keep your hair Soft and Manageable

I started using natural oils when I started transitioning my straightened hair because was cheaper way of keeping my hair moisturized and gave it a glossy finish.

As I trimmed down to natural hair I continued using my basic go-to oils while experimenting with a few others.

This is because oils are an easy way to keep afro hair healthy, soft and manageable. Moisture makes your hair strands flexible and least likely to break.

While there are many products that ‘promise’ to keep hair soft, manageable and long, oils are a simple, low-cost way of learning what your natural or transitioning hair needs

Essential oils are oils from natural plants. They are processed from stems or leaves of plants and have a strong fragrance. Examples of such are Neem, Camphor, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Lavender etc.

Neem-keeps your hair dandruff-free and thickens thinning hair

Eucalyptus-stimulates blood flow to the scalp thus promoting hair growth and it leaves hair shiny.

Rosemary-stimulates hair growth

Essential oils are usually mixed with carrier oils in order to ensure they are more effective.

Carrier oils are vegetable oils that have been processed from nuts of plants e.g. coconut, olive, almond or castor oil. They are used to dilute essential oils.

Great terms for you to understand as you get to know your natural hair oils are:

#1. Emmollient – This is oil that moisturizes the hair directly.

#2. Humectant-This is oil that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere.

#3. Sealant– This is oil that seals in the moisture in your hair.

You might have chemical, transitioning or natural hair-Here are the basic oils that are easily available and will make your hair soft and manageable. They are my favorite go-to oils and have helped me on my hair journey:

Coconut oil

I happen to be one of those people who love the smell of coconut so I love love love coconut oil. It moisturizes your hair and scalp. It is made up of proteins and will strengthen your hair and prevent split ends. Regular application to your edges and ends will keep your hair soft and manageable. Coconut oil is one of the few oils that is able to penetrate the hair shaft and moisturize and strengthen it. If you find the smell of coconut too much mix equal parts with olive oil.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is also an emollient and is rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E. Vitamin E helps the hair grow. It’s a good oil to use especially on sensitive scalps because it has anti-inflammatory properties.  Extra Virgin Olive oil can be found in supermarkets, pharmacies or health food stores.

Castor Oil

I first started using castor oil when I had cut of my processed ends. My edges had been damaged and they needed tender loving care. There are two types of BCO available-Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO) and Ugandan Black Castor Oil (UBCO).

For best results, apply castor oil on wet hair-it will act as a sealant. Never apply castor oil when y hair is dry, it will literally ‘sit’ on your hair i.e. hair will still be dry but with an oily coating. Yuck.

Castor oil is good for thinning hair. It has anti fungal and anti-bacterial properties.

You may mix it with Jojoba oil if your hair may finds it too viscous.

How to use Oils 

Using hair oil allows you to get creative. In order for natural oils to make your hair soft, manageable here are a few ways to use natural oils:

-The Kenyan Curl Oil Treatment

Mix your favorite oil with a cup of raw unrefined honey. Melt in a hot water bath. Add on to your hair, from end to root. Cover with a shower cap, wrap shower cap with warm towel. Let it settle for 30 minutes and wash. This treatment will leave your hair soft, shiny and with great curl definition.

-Hot Oil Treatment

I love love love hot oil treatments. Hot oil treatments always leave your hair soft and manageable. Mix coconut, castor and olive oil. Put the container with the oil in a hot water bath to warm the oils. Work the oils into your hair starting from the edges up to the scalp. Put on a shower cap, wait 30 minutes and then rinse. It will leave your hair feeling soft and shiny.

-Oil Rinse

Adding your favorite oils to your shampoo or co-wash then apply to hair. Rinse as usual.

-Oil infusing Treatment

Mix your favorite oils to your weekly moisturizing or protein treatment.  Put the container in a hot water bath. After the oil and treatment have warmed up add to your hair ends and work it towards the scalp. Even the application of the warm mixture on your hair feels very

-L.O.C. Method

Incorporating natural oil in your L.O.C. guarantees soft, manageable natural hair that will grow.

-Daily Moisturizer Mist

Mix your favorite oil with water, in a Spritz bottle, shake it and spray on your edges and on your hair ends daily after styling to keep strands moisturized and prevent knots.

Tips on Using Natural Oils

#1. Natural oils work best as a sealant of moisture. Spritz or wet hair before applying the oil-this will ensure your hair is soft and manageable.

#2.As you experiment with oils, use the oil it for 3 or more months minimum. It’s fair to say after 3 months if it doesn’t work for you give it to a friend.

#3. Shop for oils in the food section of the supermarket not the cosmetics. They are usually raw and unrefined and are effective on your hair.

#4.Essential oil fragrances can be strong, only a few drops of essential oils are required. In order to avoid any allergic reactions mix it with carrier oil before applying it on your hair.

#5.Because oils are organic they can go rancid with time, so store them in tightly covered lids in a dark cool place when not in use.

Whether your hair is processed, natural or transitioning, incorporate natural oils into your hair regimen at least every two weeks. If you do this you will see a change-more body, less breakage, fewer split ends and best of all, hair growth.

Your hair will thank you for it.

Have I missed anything?How do you use hair oils to make it soft and manageable?

Check out Afroliciouske;Natural Hair Kenya for great oil mixtures

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