Several years ago, I decided that I was going to use coconut oil as my daily lotion. I thought it was working great until one day when I approached a co-worker’s desk and she exclaimed, “WHO MADE POPCORN?”
In this moment, I learned that less is more when it comes to oil. With hair, conventional wisdom says there’s a time and place for oil: at-home treatments.
The search for natural products that give you shiny, healthy hair without making you smell (or look”> like a walking popcorn dispenser? It’s never ending.
$$AD$$
Though it may seem like our current surroundings conspire to dry hair out, amplify damage, increase buildup, and elevate frizz, there are some great ways to fight against the elements.
Using oil for hair conditioning and care has a long history in ayurvedic tradition. For many people, using oil can be daunting because it can end up making your hair look super greasy — particularly those with fine hair.
Though a deep oil treatment can work wonders, it can also be very messy and time-consuming. Many recommended hot oil treatments involve things like sleeping all night with tons of coconut oil in your hair — resulting in oily towels, scarves, and/or old t-shirts.
Most of these treatments involve washing and resetting your curls before you can finally head out of the house. It’s a commitment to say the least, but one many curlistas swear by.
But this led us to wonder: is there a simpler and easier way to use natural oils in your day-to-day curly hair regimen?
$$AD$$
Dull to Shiny: Quick Tip for Using Oils in Your Curly Hair Regime
You can use expensive products specifically made for hair, but after some research we learned that almost any kind of oil will work. Oils made from natural ingredients like coconut, grapeseed, almond, or avocado oil might be worth trying.
Try this quick oil application at home with a bit of argan oil or vitamin E oil — or any oil that doesn’t have an unpleasant scent:
Start with dry hair. The key is to use a small amount of oil and rub it vigorously in your palms so it will heat up before you apply it.
The added heat from the friction between your hands will change the molecules of the oil to increase absorption instead of it sitting on top of your hair. Work the oil gently into the end of your hair and scrunch between palms as work up the hair shaft.
Consider twisting your hair in sections or wrapping pieces around a finger to encourage your curl pattern as you add the oil. This boost of moisture is great for your hair and doesn’t require hours of at-home confinement before you can leave the house.
$$AD$$
Wondering which oils to try? Here’s a list of the five best oils for fine hair with the benefits of each type. Remember just to use a couple drops — you don’t want to lose volume by weighing down your hair.
Let us know if you give it a try! We’re curious to hear if this quick oil treatment works for you.
