If you have curly hair, by now you must have heard of all the amazing benefits of of using oils on your curls. We're talking shine, softness, growth, sealing in moisture and so much more. However, the main question becomes, how do you actually use hair oils on your hair? Now, you may be used to simply applying some oil to your scalp and calling it a day but there is so much more you can do with an oil in your hair routine if you want to reap its benefits.
In this article, we'll be revealing some incredible ways you can incorporate oils into your hair routine for stronger and healthier curls.
Scalp Treatments
Using oils as a scalp treatment is a great way to strengthen the hair while promoting hair growth and a healthy scalp environment. When doing this, it is best to use an oil blend like our Strengthening Oil which contains a mixture of coconut, mint, rosemary, and Jamaican black castor oil all working to help nourish your scalp. To get optimal results when treating your scalp with an oil. Here's what you need to do:
- Apply a few drops of Sofnfree's Strengthening Oil evenly all over your scalp.
- Use your fingertips to gently massage the oil in for about 5-10 minutes. ( this will help with penetration and also improve blood flow to your scalp).
Hot Oil Treatments
If your hair is feeling a little lacklustre and dull, a hot oil treatment is one of the best ways to spruce up your curls and infuse them with a boost of nourishment. Hot oil treatments help strengthen and improve the shine and smoothness of your hair so you can do them as often as you'd like.
To do a hot oil treatment:
- Pour half a cup of our Hair & Scalp Oil into a bowl.
- Place the bowl into a container filled with hot water and cover the oil for 10-15 minutes.
- Once the oil is warm, apply it all over your hair and cover it with a shower cap for 30 minutes before rinsing off the oil.
Moisture Sealant
Hair oils can be incorporated into your moisture routine to help lock in moisture and prevent your hair from being dry. They do this by creating a protective barrier around the hair shaft that slows the rate of moisture loss from the hair. However, you will need to properly moisturise your hair before applying the oil. Start by applying a generous amount of our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner or Everyday Curl Refresh and then follow up with a few drops of our Hair & Scalp Oil.
If you want a more in-depth moisture routine, you can try layering your moisturiser with cream and oil using the LOC( liquid, Oil, Cream) or LCO(liquid, Cream, Oil) method. This Is especially helpful for type 4 curls that are more prone to being brittle and dry. Whether you choose the LCO or LOC method will depend on your personal preference.
Pre-Poo
Hair oils are amazing for the hair when used as a pre-poo(pre-shampoo treatment) they help prevent the loss of moisture that often occurs when shampooing the hair. They also smoothen the hair and provide slip to help detangle the hair and prevent breakage.
When pre-pooing your hair with an oil, here's what you need to do:
- Divide the hair into 4-6 sections
- Working one section at a time, apply a generous amount of our Hair & Scalp Oil to your hair. Make sure to coat the hair properly from the root to the ends.
- Work your fingers through your hair, gently detangling and separating any knots you find.
- Repeat steps 2-3 until you cover the whole head.
- Let the oil sit in your hair for 30 minutes and then wash your hair with our Hydration Shampoo.
Post Styling Serum
An oil like our Hair & Scalp Oil can be used as a post-styling to help improve the shine of your curls and prevent frizz. After styling your hair with our Curling Elongating Gel or Curling Mousse, allow your hair to dry properly. Then, apply a tiny drop of the oil on your hands and gently smooth it down the length of your hair before fluffing or separating your curls.
Mistakes To Avoid When Using Oils On Your Curly Hair
- Using Too Much Oils: Using too much oils on your hair can weigh it down and leave you with a lot of build-up, especially if you have fine or thin hair. So, no matter how you incorporate your hair oil into your routine, try to use a minimal amount unless you intend to rinse it off.
- Using It As Your Only Moisturiser: Oils are not moisturisers so they do not moisturise the hair. They can help improve the look of your curls in many ways but if you apply only hair oils and expect to have moisturised hair, you will be disappointed at best and left with brittle dry hair at worst. It is best to use a water-based moisturiser like our Manuka Honey Leave-in Conditioner or Everyday Curl Refresh and then follow up with the Hair & Scalp Oil.
Hair oils can really transform the look and feel of your curls when used properly and since there are several ways to use them, you don't have to stick with just one method. So, whether you're washing, styling, or moisturising your hair, feel free to incorporate some good quality oils like our Hair & Scalp Oil and Strengthening Oil in your routine.