By Jc of The Natural Haven
Keeping hair moisturised between washings is a constant battle for some. Getting smart about the products you use, the order in which they are applied as well as factors that people rarely think about (timing and amount of product) can turn this from a battle to a simple ordered process.
In scientific terms, moisturising hair is quite easy simply because it is hygroscopic (Chem. Soc. Rev., 36, pp 1282–1291, 2007) . This means that as long as there is some water surrounding the hair, the hair fibre will try to pick it up and hold on to it. The difficult part is that unless you live in a humid region, you have to create your own humidity around your hair.
The first thing that many experienced naturals already know is that there are three substances that will have the greatest effect in helping moisturise your hair between washings. These are water, oil and humectants. Here are the tips and tricks to getting the best from these ingredients.
1. Order your layers
Some naturals apply products in random order or can successfully moisturise with just a single product. However, if you struggle with hair getting very dry two to three days after washing it might help for you to begin ordering the way you apply the moisturising products.
The ideal order is water, oil and then optionally a water based moisturiser or a humectant based spray (honey, glycerin and aloe vera are the ingredients you want to look for add to your moisturiser). There is a great choice of oils and moisturisers that you could choose from, base your choice on how well the product works on your hair.
This ordering gives your hair the maximum chance to stay moisturised for longer, by giving water an ample chance to enter and stay trapped near the surface of hair.
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Natural for 20+years…I’m new to the “Black hair” blogging, sites, and…fights. Oh my. can we start by respecting one another. .we get it *you’re smart….congrats, now relax. I’m gonna buy the book in support of the sister who was clever enough to make it happen. AND i’m gonna try BOTH methods of sealing my ABC123 hair.
*the yous mentioned refer to no one in particular OK
I have tried the water then oil way but my hair is moist only when the water is there once it dries up my hair feels oily but not soft. im i doing something wrong, is there like a method that works, if so please share it. I use coconut oio and Olive oil.
I don’t know, but maybe the oils you’re using is too heavy? have you tried jojoba oil?
thank you thank you thank you jc. I hope you see my post past whatever is going on ^^^ up there! This makes sense to me. I’ve done it before, when I was on vacation. I used the oyin berry spray after i put oil and it was sooooo soft. I FORGOT all about that. Then when Leila stopped selling oyin on bglh (side eye for you Leila). I haven’t really bought their products but I MISS the honey hemp conditioner and their other products for their humectant qualities. sigh. All is right in my hair world now.
Lol i am in the process of twisting my hair when i read the “15 mins wait point”. Here i was wetting each section then immediately oiling. Guess who spritz the entire head then oil each section after the wait?
After washing or rinising, I squeeze out all the excess water with a paper towel or a towel that does not leave lint. Then I liguify some coconut oil or shea butter and I apply to my scalp and massage. Then I let the remaining oil and water air dry. I put a little oil between my hands and rub all over my hair. Now I am ready to go!
I have super tight, coarse, 4c hair that i’m struggling to keep moisturized when it’s not in twist. Will you method work for me?
I just have to say that I was very disappointed in/with the direction this topic move to…
We as women of color shouldn’t be so quick to respond in such negative ways, the discussion then becomes just that and then there is no positive discussion or solutions around the topic for readers.
Also, for those who felt like the book wasn’t helpful for them, simple just gifted it someone else who it maybe helpful to and not get on sites and blast the writer.
We are always so quick to judge, put down, attack, etc. our own people and that is just ridiculous and on called for.
We need to learn or try to be more supportive and constructive with our criticism toward each other!!!
Be confident…Be Fabulous…Be You ~ Images By Bobbi