Sealing without oil??
 

I think that my hair would really benefit from proper sealing; however, my hair seems to despise oils. I've tried the tiniest amounts, in various ways (wet vs. dry) and with various oils (jojoba, coconut, olive) and it continually leaves my finer waves weighed down and wet looking. I believe my hair is porous and does need sealing. But apparently not from oils. Is there a way to do so using something other than oil?

I would look for products that identify as antihumectant here on NC.com in the product filter search.

However, I wouldn't give up with the oils so soon! I totally understand about coconut... That took days to get out of my hair, and it made my waves super greasy and sopping wet looking. I'd recommend trying argan, baobab, or camellia. They are all light and very absorbent, but they're not greasy. I've also had luck with a few drops of apricot. Camellia, though, I believe is supposed to be the lightest, so that might be worth a try :)

I've been meaning to ask - where do ya'll find these oils without silicones in them? I've looked in the ethnic hair care sections of drugstores, Wal-mart and even Sally Beauty, but all of the hair oils either have silicones in them are a blend of multiple oils, including heavier ones that might weigh down my hair. I have fine, looser curls as well.

I get all my oils from iherb.com! They're really cheap, cheap shipping costs, and you can use coupon codes: VHT541

If non CG try silicones to replace oils. To find true carrier oils (evoo, olive etc) try ebay and GNC.

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Have you tried applying the oil before doing your conditioner?

I could never use oil either, I had the same results as you. Then curlypearl posted about applying it differently. It has made all the difference in the world.

• You apply oil.
• Rinse pretty well.
• Apply conditioner.
• Rinse well.

My hair feels a little heavier on the final rinse. The end result is it distributes the oil really evenly and lightly. Works really well for me.

I had serious dryness and flyaways. My grays were all crazy and sticking out at weird angles. This resolved all of that.

The type of oil is important too. I, for one, cannot use coconut oil at all. But my hair loves jojoba oil.

My fine hair can't handle straight sealing. I use two quarter size dollops of LI mixed with 8 drops Grapeseed oil, in each dollop to seal. I don't use stylers and this does the trick. I buy Heritage Brand Pure GSO. U can get pure oils from, vita-cost, mountain rose herbs, from nature with love, whole foods, fruitful yield, or the section of ur grocer where canola oil is found...

Those oils are kind of heavy (olive, coconut.. Never tried jojoba) so maybe you should try a lighter oil like sunflower or sweet almond oil before giving up oils completely. Also, how much oil do you use anyways? You don't need to saturate your hair.. Just a light coating or even just the ends. You could try the fingertip method pr just use a few drops enough to make your hands shiny when you rub it. If did try other oils and decide it's not for you, you can try butter, but I heard that they may be heavier than oil but not as greasy.. Vinegar rinses also smoothe the cuticle, sealing the hair. Good luck!

Also.. I just noticed you tried sealing on dry hair. From what I read, you're not supposed to use it on dry hair because it just makes it hard to let in moisture, while the inside is dry.

EVOO and EVCO are the two heaviest oils, and are the two that penetrate the hair shaft. I love both, but use them as DT additives. Sealing would not be an option! My hair is fine and porous, and they would make it a huge mess!

Apricot and Grapeseed oil are both supposed to be very light. GSO is even available in fairly large bottles in the cooking section of many groceries, and is not very expensive! (it's on my list to try very soon!)

I often use SM Elixir as a sealer, but my total HG for sealing is mineral oil. As in straight plain baby oil. Sounds crazy, I know, but it's amazing!

With any oil, it's just a few drops put on very wet hair, focusing on the ends.

Good luck!

And YES!! When you seal, you seal moisture in, so it's done while it's VERY wet! (later that oil may help keep excess humidity out, too.)

You're looking in the wrong stores. Try an organic store or the grocery store. You just want pure, virgin oils that are using in cooking a lot of the time. :) HTH!

Thanks!
 

I just wanted to thank everyone for the great suggestions.

I tried a tiny amount of grapeseed oil, but it left my hair dirty-looking and icky. I then picked up a small bottle of argan oil, which I'd been eyeing anyway, and I've had decent success with it thus far. Just one pump lightly scrunched into my ends after my leave-in and stylers. Between that and a new haircut and a protein treatment, my waves are perking up.

Thanks so much! You all are very helpful!