4 Steps to Sealing in Moisture

22 February 2012 ~ 58 Comments

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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Tags: Sealing Natural Hair

58 Responses to “4 Steps to Sealing in Moisture”

Tyler 22 February 2012 at 10:25 am Permalink

Water, oil, and then water based moisturizer? As far as I know oil always comes after the moisturizer. According to Audrey Sivasothy of “The Science of Black Hair” if you apply oil before your moisturizer you are creating a barrier that keeps the moisture from getting in. Thats why most naturals put oil on last to “seal” in the moisture. Please revisit this so others don’t get confused.

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- Alexandra 22 February 2012 at 12:02 pm Permalink
  
  I agree with Tyler. It makes more sense to add oil at the end to help keep the moisture trapped.
  
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- Siri 22 February 2012 at 2:15 pm Permalink
  
  I think it is important to remember “different strokes for different folks.” While that is the general technique and works for many naturals, that technique doesn’t work for every natural. I myself have given myself “oil steams” which is when I apply coconut oil to my hair and then take a shower letting the steam help the oil penetrate my hair shaft. It is one of my tried and true methods and always helps when my hair is dry. There is a lot of information out there for naturals and it is a double edged sword – that one “perfect” technique is out there, it just has to be found first.
  
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- Jc 22 February 2012 at 3:04 pm Permalink
  
  Many water based moisturizers contain humectants which can absorb water from the air. By allowing the water based moisturiser access to air, you help it to continually pick up moisture. By covering it in oil, you limit the amount of moisture it can pick up later from the air.
  
  Of course if your hair likes the water based moisturiser first, feel free to put it down underneath the oil. Some naturals do not use a moisturiser at all finding that water or a water/glycerin mix and oil are sufficient.
  
  There are no hard and fast rules, do what makes you happy, this is only a guide.
  
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- EG 22 February 2012 at 6:02 pm Permalink
  
  Unfortunately a lot of conflicting information is shared on this site, but to be fair, that seems to be common with other sites as well. I think that it’s because black hair is still a new frontier, and as a result, ‘experts’ tend to contradict each other. Try to take things with a grain of salt, and experiment only if you want to, but don’t get intimidated by someone’s title.
  
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  - Jc 23 February 2012 at 3:25 am Permalink
    
    I do not think black hair is a new frontier at all. I have been natural for over 10 years so I remember the old days when membership to forums like LHCF and Nappturality were free. In those days, the same ideas we discuss now were being discussed. I have also seen very old scientific papers going back to the 1920s which were accurately describing the structure of black hair. So black hair is not that novel to me.
    
    I actually think that it is the modern movement from about two years ago when a lot of women joined the natural wave that has distorted things. People are looking for singular information and attempting to get singular rules in an attempt to simplify their natural journey.
    
    Hair is and always will be plural. Many naturals who now have long hair took years to understand how to care for their hair, most often because they were following what was ‘supposed’ to be good but it did not suit them. Routines can be as diverse as Kimmaytube’s frequent washing and shower combing to Cipriana’s dry detangling and less frequent washes to Yagazie’s free to do anything unbreakable hair. The biggest lie is to believe there is only one rule.
    
    Hair is a special fibre which carries the imprint of your life (from your genetics, your lifestyle, your diet and your environment). There is never one rule simply because we all do not live the same life or have the same genes. Have the courage to try something new if the old routine does not work.
    
    Reply
    - EG 23 February 2012 at 3:59 pm Permalink
      
      Several people have tried to crack the code to why black hair wouldn’t grow (at least that’s what we thought the problem was). I’ve read about CJ Walker, Cathy Howse and Wanake. While all of these women made great strides (Cathy has been named who’s who in the world for her research), you had to do your homework to know about her or her products.
      
      With the help of the web, we now have information readily available, and it’s like a whole new world/frontier to a lot of women. Women (en masse) are now learning about moisturizing, length retention, the importance of deep conditioning, sealing etc…it’s like a huge science experiment and everyone is looking to see if they can repeat it with the same results, or what variables they can change with success.
      
      Given that environment, it is inevitable that there will be contradictory information shared. The only problem I have is when information is shared, the person will sometimes position their advice as gospel. As you said, there is no singular rule, but you would not get that impression if you read some of the posts on the web. So I stand by my position that I have learned that regardless of the source, to take things with a grain of salt, not to be intimidated by the source if I feel that the information shared is suspect, and to pick and choose what I want to try. I have learned a lot following this method, and I think others will too.
      
      Reply
      - Mai 24 February 2012 at 9:44 am Permalink
        
        There is a lot of “conflicting information” because different things work for different people. Those on YouTube, forums, and blogs are giving information that has worked for them which may not work for you or I. There is nothing wrong with that nor are some (I won’t say all) posing as experts. Hair care in general is very varied regardless of race. I dormed with 3 white women in college and the also had hair care problems and took care of their hair differently. Also,in my opinion, there is a code to black hair but that code is unique to every black woman on the planet. Another person or company can’t tell you what will and won’t work (they may try) but that has to be figured out by the individual with trial and error. The information in this article and on this website are not posted as a means to get women to change their hair care practices if they already have healthy hair and products and techniques that work. It is instead, for women who are having difficulty with hair care and need information to help them find a solution.
        
        Reply
- Ames 23 February 2012 at 8:02 am Permalink
  
  Using oil then applying a leave in/moisturizer worked for me last winter, so yes, different strokes for different folks.
  
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- WhoisAudrey 23 February 2012 at 1:00 pm Permalink
  
  The so called author of The Science of Black Hair recently went natural. In 2011 to be specific. Her book is not a study of hers but research of other peoples research. It’s crazy how top Youtubers LIED stating that she was a scientist who studied natural hair when in reality she just have a degree in science. Everything in her book is based on OTHERS trails and fails and research. Don’t believe this, read her introduction. Page 15 “The Science of Black Hair is a work that has truly been a creation of many. The list of individuals to whom I owe the utmost gratitude is lengthy. Without their support, this work would simply not have been possible.” It was geniu$$$ of her to come up with this idea, it’s a very handy tool for all, but to give her full credit for the things written in this book. Nah. Bet that she’s continuing her ‘studies’ lurking youtube, blogs and natural hair communities and will be coming out with a new book soon getting all the credit for others trails, fails and research.
  
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  - Tyler 23 February 2012 at 3:34 pm Permalink
    
    Hey, nothing is stopping the people on Youtube, blogs, and natural hair communities from writing books about their own “trail, fails and research.” And she DID obviously acknowledge this in her book. I say more power to her.
    
    Reply
    - EG 23 February 2012 at 4:01 pm Permalink
      
      Not only that, Wanake, Cathy Howse, Kimmayutbe, Cipriana etc. are not scientists, but I and many others hav benefited from their advice. I love science, but in my opinion, a laymen person is just as capable of offering sound advice as a hair scientist.
      
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  - cygnet 23 February 2012 at 5:34 pm Permalink
    
    Forgive me if my inference is incorrect, but you seem outraged over the “LIE” that was repeated by many Youtubers and by the way Ms. Sivasothy collected and presented the information in the volume that bears her name. Were you that unaware of just how common are the behaviors you’re protesting?
    
    The confusion between having a professional degree and being the professional is rampant; probably half your acquaintances—I know it’s been true for a lot of mine—at any given time have made this assumption about someone’s profession based on a degree. And as easily as it is disproved in those cases where it’s inaccurate, I can see that the thinking behind the confusion is as easily understood.
    
    As for the collection of other people’s information in one place, your public library wouldn’t function without employing this very tactic. Neither would your local museum. So the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian are equally as culpable as—okay, far and away more culpable than—Ms. Sivasothy. Yet, I would love the chance to visit the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian. And I plan to someday read Ms. Sivasothy’s book to see what information she has collected. It’s the least I can do to show her I appreciate her hard work in bringing together all that trial, failure, and research that was scattered all over the place and making everybody else’s work easier for me—and you—to access.
    
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    - Siri 23 February 2012 at 9:04 pm Permalink
      
      Lol. It’s ironic that you wrote this because I was definitely at the Library of Congress today reading The Science of Black. After reading the book I agree with WhoIsAudrey, the book, while great for beginners aggregates a lot of information on black hair that is available on blogs, YouTube, and in other books. In fact, after being natural for 7 years and also being a member of the online black hair community, I learned nothing new from that book and if I bought it for myself I would consider it a waste of money. I will buy the book for my mom who is transitioning to natural and friend who takes poor hair care to whole other level. Like Jc said, we have to remember that everyone is different and everyone’s hair responds to different things. It’s wrong to say that Jc’s information is incorrect when it may help someone on their hair journey. Just as such it is wrong to believe that The Science of Black Hair is the end-all-be-all of black hair advice.
      
      And just a heads up, you need to get a reading card before reading a book there. That place is so pretty though!
      
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      - Natalie 28 February 2012 at 9:12 am Permalink
        
        +1
        I bought this book and it was a waste of money everything in it I had read somewhere else, I’d sell it but with the charges from Amazon I’d be better off keeping it, I doubt I’ll buy another hair book again. I only bought it because KimmayTube recommended it, I won’t be taking her book review advice again.
        
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    - WhoIsAudrey 24 February 2012 at 1:35 pm Permalink
      
      @Tyler, EG, Cygnet
      My reply was in reference to Tyler giving all praises and no one knows about hair but Audrey Sivasothy statement.
      
      “As far as I know oil always comes after the moisturizer. According to Audrey Sivasothy of “The Science of Black Hair” if you apply oil before your moisturizer you are creating a barrier that keeps the moisture from getting in. Thats why most naturals put oil on last to “seal” in the moisture. Please revisit this so others don’t get confused.”
      
      As I said earlier Top Youtubers LIED stating that this woman was a scientist who had been scientifically studying natural hair for 5 years. My reply was to let Tyler know that Audrey Sivasothy is no different than the rest of the Natural Hair Community. In fact I’ve been in the Community since 2004 and EVERYTHING I read in the book I already knew about. Besides the fact that I paid top dollar thinking I was going to get a hardback with colored pages instead I opened a the box only to receive a book wreaked with the smell of cheap ink, all black and white pages, only to find recycled information.
      
      I mentioned Audrey not being a natural until 2011, to question your statment. How does she know so much about natural hair to write a book? She definitely didn’t study it. The finger was never being pointed at Audrey but to the Youtubers who LIED promoting the book. They could have said that Audrey Davis-Sivasothy wrote a book based on 5 years of Researching other peoples research, trails, successes and fails. That would have saved those who’d been in the community from getting a wasted copy (literally trash). In other words do not think The Science of Black Hair is the Natural Hair Bible. There are others out there that are better in knowledge and reads because the book are based on their experience and not research of other peoples research. Think twice before you speak those words, giving someone full credit just because you’ve been fooled. Audrey Sivasothy, although she’s written a book, has less knowledge about natural hair than most in the natural hair community. This is a hands on knowledge, not scientific fact (everyone’s hair is different). enough said.
      
      Reply
      - Tyler 24 February 2012 at 3:06 pm Permalink
        
        Lol. WhoisAudrey…who are YOU? That comment looks way to long, hostile, and not worth reading. You mad though? I’m not singing anyone’s praises, I just thought I’d give one more reference than this article did. A reference that made sense to ME. And I’ll kindly ask that you leave my name out of any of your ridiculous following comments.
        
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    - cygnet 26 February 2012 at 10:44 pm Permalink
      
      Thanks for the heads-up about the reading card, Siri. I’ll try to keep that in mind :-).
      
      WhoIsAudrey, I’m sorry that the book, both in terms of paper and ink and in terms of the actual information, were so much less than you expected.
      
      You both point out that you have a lengthy experience among the Natural Hair Community, and I salute you. As for the others among the NHC below whose expectations the book fell, perhaps they would have reached Siri’s conclusions and saved themselves money had they previewed it in a library, as she did, but that’s water under the bridge, as the proverb goes. As I said for WhoIsAudrey, I’m sorry that this was their experience with the book.
      
      Here’s my thing, however: Just because this knowledge has been shared among longtime members of the NHC, it doesn’t follow that everyone currently in the NHC knows it, as new people discover it every day. Nor does it follow that those who don’t possess that knowledge know all the places to go to find it outside The Science. Yes, I know, without looking, that the knowledge is spread out among any dozen, or dozens, of a thousand blogs, vlogs, and Youtube channels; but personally, not only do I not know which ones are the best for me to see, I don’t necessarily want to spend the kind of time to review them all that it could take, even if I didn’t need to spend that time doing other things. And I know that this is not unique to me. That’s the potential beauty of books of collected information such as The Science. They take the information that’s most likely to be pertinent to the greatest number of people under specific circumstances and compile it into something that can be used as a guide, a reminder, an instruction, or whatever may be needed. And even though you are saying that the information contained therein is common knowledge, I still can add my agreement with yours only AFTER I see it for myself. Even among common knowledge I may find something I didn’t know, or come to a more perfect understanding of something I thought I already knew, who knows!
      
      Add to that this: You say, WhoIsAudrey, that this information that is so common to the NHC is based on hands-on experience. Okay, but that’s a lot of heads that hands have been on. I can only speak for the head my hands have been on, and from that head, I have had a number of trials—the suffering kind as well as the experimental kind—and failures, and also successes since I became fully natural three years ago (or it will be three years this coming first weekend in March) after beginning my transition in summer 2007. With much gladness I report that I have learned a lot that has helped me to begin to retain more of the length I grow, and I learn more constantly. Maybe at some point, I’ll even discover that, like you, I’ve learned as much without The Science as any newby might learn with it. But with every millimeter of hair I retain beyond what I’ve ever had before, there’s still a learning curve: The products I rely on today may not work a year, two years, six months from now; why, and how do I know if it’s the product or me? What are the ways I can expect my hair to change beyond simple length? I’m already doing the best I know to retain length, maintain the protein-moisture balance, and contain my hair neatly without trying to make it do something it isn’t able to do; but is there something else I could or should do that could improve upon the situation? Is knowledge such as that to be found in The Science? How will I know that if I don’t at least skim through it to see if I even like it enough to risk buying it or checking it out of the library?
      
      And, since this was also mentioned? if there are better books on the subject than The Science, what are they, as I cannot benefit from them if I don’t know what they are to look for them? List them, please!
      
      In terms of the Youtubers who “LIED”, I will contend only this: To lie and to misspeak are not always the same. The distinction between them is in the intent, or lack thereof, to deceive.
      
      Reply
  - OMG 24 February 2012 at 7:51 pm Permalink
    
    Exactly! It’s just like most things. People believe what they want to believe and there will always be people who will capitalize on that fact. A sucker for suckers.
    
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  - Tonisha 25 February 2012 at 9:58 am Permalink
    
    Dont all scientists conduct experiments on people OTHER than themselves?
    By doing this I believe she’s allowed her findings to remain UNBIASED. I mean come on, really, who would want to buy a book based on ONE person’s trials and fails on her OWN head.
    She followed the rules of scientific experiment (I have not read the book, but YOU said she did) and recorded and compiled her findings.
    She did it the RIGHT way.
    
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    - Tyler 25 February 2012 at 10:09 pm Permalink
      
      Very true. And besides, the book was titled “The Science of BLACK Hair” not the Science of Natural Hair. Black hair includes natural, heat straightened, and yes…relaxed. Audrey addressed all of these and made no claims to be natural herself. To judge a book not based of what it says it offers but by your own expectations is ridiculous.
      
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      - Jc 27 February 2012 at 4:00 am Permalink
        
        Tyler actually I did input two scientific references from actual scientific journals in this piece.
        
        I am a scientists and I have a PhD, so I value sourced information above anything else. The journals I referenced in this piece are serious scientific journals, where 3 other scientists examine manuscripts sent in to them before publishing.
        
        Books are a great reference, especially when well written and well referenced (like the Chemical and Physical Behaviour of Hair by Clarence Robbins who is a world renowed scientist and the book is a collective piece reviewing hair knowledge comprehensively).
        
        I think the sad part about the natural hair community’s science knowledge is that we do not know/recognize people like Nonhlanhla Khumalo, Clarence Robbins or indeed institutes like TRI. Yet some of these people are the foremost leaders in studying and importantly publishing actual research in hair (including African hair).
        
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        Tyler 27 February 2012 at 10:43 am Permalink
        
        I didn’t notice the scientific references, I apologize. And yes I do agree with you about us paying too much attention to the “gurus” and not enough to serious scientific research.
        
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- WhoisAudrey 8 March 2012 at 6:35 pm Permalink
  
  I’m not sure if my comments were understood. If she is a scientist as stated why doesn’t her name have a title behind it? Did she really do scientific research or is her book based on others Scientific Research, vlogs, Blogs, stylist knowledge and Natural Hair Communities on the www. Even with her clearly writing “The Science of Black Hair is a work that has truly been the creation of many” and number of references in the back of her book (59 Reference to be exact) based on your responses it seems you really do not care if she wrote the book or not. It seems to not bother you all that someone is being recongnized that imo doesn’t deserve it. Either way that wasn’t the point. I guess Tyler missed the point. I’m sure I’m not the first that has tried to give Tyler brushed away knowledge/advice. I was trying to inform you Tyler to seek other knowledge and think outside The Science of Black Hair (Audrey knows nothing, ask Audrey questions without her own book in front of her, I hope she studied).
  
  @JC
  It would have been great if those who shouted Audrey Sivasothy out would have shouted out someone who deserved to be recognized.
  
  The Natural Hair Community is fastly filling with con artists from all of a sudden interested in natural hair organizers making fast money from natural hair gatherings, homemade product scams, to someone out of no where writing books.
  
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k 22 February 2012 at 10:57 am Permalink

@ Tyler…I wondered about that step as well but I will try the 15 min application of water and I’m definitely guilty of the oil slick on the pillow! lol I know I have some tweaking to do with my reggie cuz my hair does get dry pretty fast and working in A/C doesn’t help might invest in a wig since my hair needs some TLC

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Onebyd 22 February 2012 at 11:35 am Permalink

@Tyler & K I always thought this about oil as welland practiced it for quite some time, but for the past several months I have been doing the loc method by Chicoro which stands for liquid, oil & cream and have seen fantastic results in terms of my hair retaining moisture for much longer periods. I only need to mositurize my hair once during the week if I take my hair down from its protective style of two large cornrows but normally I only moisturize on wash day and I am good for the entire week.

If you want more details just google Chicoro loc method and check out all the articles that come up. Again each person’s hair is different and while this method works wonders for me, it may not work for you but just try it and see. Hope this helps!

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- k 22 February 2012 at 11:47 am Permalink
  
  thnx
  
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  - Alexandra 22 February 2012 at 12:04 pm Permalink
    
    Thanks, I will try this out.
    
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- Jo Somebody 22 February 2012 at 3:38 pm Permalink
  
  I saw a video by Black Onyx on the LOC method. I got the impression that she was the one that made up the acronym herself. Whoever started the idea, I keep forgetting to break out of my normal habit (oil last) and try it! Next time I wash my hair I MUST remember to give it a go.
  
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  - EG 22 February 2012 at 5:56 pm Permalink
    
    I could not find it, it’d be great if you could post it. Blackonyx is one of my favorites and she is very knowledgeable.
    
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  - mangomadness 22 February 2012 at 7:05 pm Permalink
    
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMpBfVHJ-OQ
    
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    - EG 23 February 2012 at 4:03 pm Permalink
      
      THANK YOU, this is the second time you’ve helped me…your advice on glycerin was on point, thanks. :-)
      
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      - mangomadness 24 February 2012 at 9:04 am Permalink
        
        You’re most welcome! :)
        
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- cygnet 23 February 2012 at 5:48 pm Permalink
  
  Actually, as I think about it, if the liquid is water, the oil is applied at Jc’s suggested amount of a max teaspoon for all your ends, and the cream is a water-based moisturizer, why could not Chiccoro and Jc be actually using different words to describe the same process? That makes sense to me.
  
  Based on my own experience, it’s also the only way I’m using plain water as any sort of moisturizer! Otherwise, that ain’t working for me :-). But to follow these specific steps, okay, I’ll try it a few times and see what my hair does with it. If this works as well to moisturize my hair as Naptural85′s Greek yogurt treatment has been working so far to balance my protein levels, then I’m on my way to hair health and manageability of which I’ve so far only dreamed and longed to experience.
  
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NiLi 22 February 2012 at 11:40 am Permalink

Great article. Tyler, what if my moisturizer contains oil? Does it still affect the hydration process? Thanks!

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- Tabs 22 February 2012 at 12:41 pm Permalink
  
  Most effective moisturizers contain oil. You can still use oil to seal afterwards.
  
  I go the water, water based moisturizer (LOVE Garnier Fructis leave in) and then coconut oil. I only moisturize on wash day. Twist out lasts all week.
  
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  - African Violet 22 February 2012 at 1:57 pm Permalink
    
    That’s my process as well. After my hair washing, I use Giovanni’s Direct Leave-In followed by my argan oil.
    
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- Tyler 22 February 2012 at 2:49 pm Permalink
  
  Thats a question no one has been able to give me a clear answer to so far. Just to be safe, when I mix my Kmmaytube Leave In (conditioner plus aloe vera gel) I leave out the oils and apply those afterwards.
  
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Lydia 22 February 2012 at 1:04 pm Permalink

I have tried the oil or butter last method but my hair is always dry after a day or two so I will try making the moisturizer the last stage to see whether this works better for me. I am also guilty of too much product so I will definitely make adjustments. Great tips

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Michelle @Radiant Brown Beauty 22 February 2012 at 1:55 pm Permalink

I follow this process and I don’t have dry hair. I go from one way day to the next without moisturizing.

The question I have is 15 mins?? If you are spritzing, then I would think by 15 minutes the water would have dried/evaporated. In order for it to sit 15 mins on my head, it would have to have saturated. Or maybe have a plastic cap on for the 15 mins it’s been spritzed? You may have said so in the post but I’m a scanner :-)

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- Tyler 22 February 2012 at 2:52 pm Permalink
  
  I’m scratching my head at the 15 minute rule as well because for me I have to style my hair while its wet, or the curls will go frizzy. By 15 minutes my hair would be damp in some parts and very near to dry in other parts. *Shrug* I guess its worked for somebody. Maybe that one depends on the style you want to do. I can see it working for a bun maybe, I a wash and go? No way.
  
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- Jc 22 February 2012 at 3:06 pm Permalink
  
  lol go back and read it Michelle…..I did answer it :)
  
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J Kenn (SpeakingTALL) 22 February 2012 at 4:01 pm Permalink

My only thing with moisturizing, is that I need to do it consistently. I usually drench my twists with water (although, I don’t let it sit for 15 minutes, maybe I’ll try that one day). And, then I slap on an All-Purpose moisturizer with both oil and a cream based product. I usually bun my hair afterwards to keep the ends protected. That usually does the trick–my hair is still moisturized by the end of the day.

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mangomadness 22 February 2012 at 7:09 pm Permalink

To moisturize, I use a water-based,creamy leave-in conditioner/moisturizer that contains glycerin and oil/butters. Then, I seal my ends with castor oil.

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Natalie 23 February 2012 at 3:37 am Permalink

Through trail and error I now use this system for daily moisturising. I make up my own little tea spritz and use it on my hair then have a shower after my shower I apply my home made moisturiser which is about 25% glycerine, I hate the sticky feel but my hair loves it. I let the moisturiser soak for about 10 minutes whilst I do my makeup and get dressed then I pour my oil mix into the palm of my hand and apply it to my hair. I don’t use a lot of product but I do spritz my hair so that it is moist this really works for me and sometimes I only do this every other day.

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O0oro0O 23 February 2012 at 7:32 am Permalink

Good to know I’ll try to wait 15 minutes to see.

Right now I’m in twist and untill my first wash I use flaxseed gel as a moisturizer followed by kukui oil. Btw do you think I should wait 15 minutes after the flaxseed gel application or it’s just useful with water ?

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- Natalie 28 February 2012 at 9:21 am Permalink
  
  I used to wait quite a while after coming from the shower to seal in the moisture but I think it is better to seal in the moisture with oil whilst the hair is a bit damp if your hair has dried out then adding an oil will not seal in anything.
  I spritz then shower then use my homemade moisturiser dress and then seal with oil but my hair is still damp by the time I seal with the oil.
  
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  - Leticia 2 March 2012 at 12:21 am Permalink
    
    Makes sense.
    
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hyspin 23 February 2012 at 8:16 am Permalink

The funny thing about the 15 minutes long specification is I probably do it without knowing it. But I find that they are missing something increasing your use of a thick sealant in drier climates and seasons. I have to mix in castor and shea butter on my ends or about half way down the shaft or all that advice means nothing especially for the winter months in Canada. I also find that adding a oil rinse near the end of the washing/conditioning process keeps the hair moist longer (for styling and steps 1 and 3), which is necessary for winter because the warmth indoors tends to be dry heat which causes the hair to dry faster. For me it helps greatly because my current place is so dry, my hair dries very quickly and I don’t even towel dry it.

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Zoopath 23 February 2012 at 10:57 am Permalink

After I wash my hair I apply and cream leave in conditioner then shea butter to do my twists. I don’t use a shower cap and my hair stays moisturized for two weeks until I wash it again.

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embracingnatural 24 February 2012 at 9:08 am Permalink

I LOVE this method! When I first heard about it– I was confused, but the author is right on with how you layer products. Just give it a try if you battle dryness.

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Kendra 24 February 2012 at 10:49 am Permalink

I tried the 15 minute wait along with the loc method…definitely felt a difference! I’ve taken up swimming recently and even with pre-pooing, washing and deep conditioning right after and regular henna gloss treatments, my hair was still a little drier than usual. I think i will be adding this change to my permanent routine, and now I won’t have to give up swimming!

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Christianna 27 February 2012 at 11:50 pm Permalink

My regimen for sealing moisture is quite simple. After I put my hair in a protective style before bed, I mist my ends, targeting my ends with aloe vera and water mixture. Then seal it with EVOO. It works great. my hair is so soft and doesn’t feel dry at the end of the day. It’s cold where I live and for my hair to still feel extremely soft and moisturized all day is great.

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Ebone 6 May 2012 at 10:21 pm Permalink

I’ve been spraying a water/Olive oil/peppermint mix in my hair then using vegetable glycerin as a sealant. Did i just combine 2 steps into 1 or should I leave the olive oil out of my water mix?

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Kaye 9 May 2012 at 1:06 pm Permalink

I’m more confused than ever. None of this made sense to me, except the importance of sealing in moisture. I felt like Jack Carter in an episode of Eureka.

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more 19 May 2012 at 9:52 am Permalink

You really make it appear really easy along with your presentation however I find this topic to be actually one thing that I believe I would by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely extensive for me. I am having a look ahead in your subsequent post, I will attempt to get the hold of it!

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