Hair Tip #14: Oil Rinsing

First let’s talk about why oil is so important for the health of our hair. Oil is essential, necessary and I would go as far to say, crucial for the health of your hair!

Why?

• Oil is essential for nourishing hair.
• It contains natural product extracts that hydrate, condition and protect hair.
•  In addition, it helps you to avoid tangles and roughness in the hair.
• Above all else, it gives your hair stability which enables hair to grow faster.

There are many different types of hair oil. Many women choose to use hair mixes that contain various different oils.

1. One type of oil is Tea Tree Oil. It is best for oily hair and is good for combating dandruff and a scaly scalp. Lemon Oil is also good for oily hair and helps to fight against dandruff as well.
2. Another type is Neem Oil, also known as “wonder oil”. It is best for an itchy scalp because it is very soothing to the scalp.
3.  Rose Oil has extremely similar properties and works the same way as Neem Oil.
4. Almond oil is a great oil for all types of hair. It contains vitamin E, it nourishes hair, smooths hair cuticles (which reduces frizz), adds shine, and controls hair loss. It also helps hair to grow thick and strong.

Some very popular oils that you hear talked about on literally every natural hair care site are Jojoba, Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) and Coconut Oil. I was very curious why these oils stand out to natural women so much.

Here is why:

1. Jojoba Oil is a natural hair softener. It also hydrates the hair and balances secretion of sebum (natural oil that is produced by the scalp) on the scalp.
2. EVOO is rich in biotin, niacin, vitamins A and E and it also contains antioxidants. It is also great for treating dandruff and it contains moisture retaining properties.
3. Coconut Oil keeps hair strong, vitalized, nourished and protected from the effects of hair aging (sun, wind, weather damage, etc). It contains lauric and capric acid that protect the hair from hair loss due to microbial action on scalp and roots. There is also vitamin E in this oil. It has moisture retaining and anti dandruff properties. In addition, it is great to use for hair styling!

With all of that said, here is a new way to nourish your hair with oil. And that is through an oil rinse.

You will need:

• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Wide toothed comb (optional)
• 1 cup of warm oil of your choice

(1) Shampoo hair with warm water. Make sure hair is thoroughly saturated with warm water

(2) Apply warm oil to hair, not scalp. Finger comb or use wide toothed comb to gently detangle the hair

(3) Rinse with warm water

(4) Condition the hair paying close attention to the ends

(5) Use cool water to rinse out the conditioner in order to smooth cuticles and add shine

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FAQ about Oil Rinsing

• Is an oil rinse better than a hot oil treatment?
• In most cases yes because the shampoo is done before oil is applied so natural oils that are lost during the shampoo process are replenished with the oil rinse
• Is 1 cup enough for every hair length?
• You will have to modify the amount of oil you use based on the length and thickness of your hair. Using too much oil can cause your hair to be weighted down and greasy
• Does this really work?
• There are hundreds of reviews raving and singing the praises of this oil rinse
• Do you have to shampoo your hair in order to do this? Can it be used with a co-wash (washing your hair with conditioner) or wash and go (rinsing your hair with water and wearing the curls out)?
• You do not have to shampoo your hair in order to do this. It can be done with a co-wash or wash and go. You just have to be sure to rinse out all of the oil!

CLEAN THE BOTTOM OF YOUR SHOWER after an oil rinse if you share a shower with someone! Oil is very slippery!!

Celebrating the bare necessities of hair <3

Saturday!!!

The house is quiet, other than my boyfriend's computer cha-chinging (from Cafe World on facebook). I'm watching America's Next Top Model marathon, drinking an orange/vanilla milkshake, and about to continue to knit. I may put the needles down and read for a bit. I just wanted to touch base...

I love the coconut oil! The smell is light, and my hair didn't feel greasy afterwards. It will definitely be a staple in my own hair regimen. It's a sealant (to seal moisture). To use, I put whatever leave in on my hair (any of the HEs, the Humectress, or the Aussie Moist), then put some coconut oil in my hands (it's solid), rub them together to melt the oil, and rub it over my hair. It's not something that I would use to drench my hair, like the olive oil. My hair is loving all of this attention.

I'm so excited about my hair growth. I don't use Mega-Tek everyday because I don't want protein overload. Today, I rinsed it (had SE Luxury Moisturizing condish in it from yesterday), put a small amount of the HE Toussle Me Softly in it, combed it through and now, I'm watching it shrink (pics above). Sometimes I don't comb it for days. I like the versatility. I think this is the first time I've had my own hair out for this long (I took the hybrid off on Nov 9th).

I highlighted the Rex virgin malaysian straight with some of the Volume 20 developer (it's peroxide). The highlights are really subtle. I have yet to use the shea butter. I don't know what it's purpose is.

I also want to shout out to my personal homies: Kaai, Susanne, and Demetria. They keep me laughing and keep me grounded.

That's all. (Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada)

Honey Brown Rinse???/Product Alert: ORS Shea Butter

I woke up this morning and I looked like Bozo the Clown! My hair was orange/red. This won't do. I had to do something about it. I went to Sally's to get a rinse. I want golden brown hair. Why is this so hard to achieve?

This is supposed to be Clairol Beautiful Collection Gentle Semi-Permanent Haircolor in Honey Brown:

This is what my hair looks like after rinsing with it:



Hopefully it will lighten up because this is a rinse. At least the Bozo the Clown copper red is gone. I can see some brown in that second pic. I want golden brown hair... I think it will lighten up (wishful thinking). I didn't rinse the back on purpose, because initially, that was more the color I was going for. I like two tone hair, what can I say? I like the dark front though. I'm quirky that way. The straight ends are killing me. I'm so tempted to cut at the bend where the curl starts, but I need the length for cornrowing.

I got some ORS Shea Butter from Sally's. I haven't used it yet. I used the coconut oil today. I don't want to walk around smelling like a pina colada... I guess there are worst things to walk around smelling like. After I rinsed the color out, I put Nexxus Humectress on it, then followed up with the coconut oil. Once it dries, we'll see what my hair feels like.

Next week, I'm going to braid my hair and put the virgin malaysian straight on. I was thinking about putting on the Hair Fairy unit, but I don't want to curl it. I want bangs on my virgin straight unit, but I'm not going to do it.

Product Alert: Coconut Oil

We had a great day today (still going on actually). I knew when I woke up that I had to go to Beverly's Crafts to get my Lion Brand Homespun yarn. I don't know why I didn't think of that yesterday, when we went out of our way, to the Wal-Mart (when Beverly's is right around the corner). We first went to Barnes & Noble to look for the Madonna Rolling Stone (2 weeks old at this point; didn't find it). I ended up with Bird by Bird by Anne Lamont (recommended by my writing friend Susanne). Then, we went to Trader Joe's , because Baby wanted to do an "at home wine tasting". He is SO romantic (I'm so lucky). We got wine, cheese, dried green beens (great snack), and crackers. I love smoked gouda! Then we went to Beverly's to get my yarn. I got my colors, and some bracelets clasps for the Rearden bracelet. Then we went to Lucky's for the Shake & Bake (for tonight's baked fried spicy chicken). We ended up at GNC because I became desperate to find some coconut oil for my hair. I just knew Trader Joe's would have it, but they didn't. They RAVE about coconut oil on the BHM, so I'll give it a try in the coming days. What a day!!!

My hair color is brightening by the day. I was thinking about putting a rinse on it, just to tone it down, but I don't know (taken yesterday):


I've got so many knitting irons in the fire. I've decided to make my hunny bunny a knitted apron, since he is THE cook of the household. I'm going to put the Rush starman insignia on the chest, if I can sketch it out. I've got so much knitting to do between now and Xmas. My sweater, his family's socks, and my family's scarves. I saw a Led Zeppelin book that I want to buy him and a Michael Jackson book that I want to get my daughter for Xmas.... I've got to sell some wigs on the BHM. I've had offers before, but I didn't think too much about them. Now it's time to put them to work.