I’m not sure who told us that the LOC/LCO method was good for our hair, but according to several professional natural hairstylists, it’s the exact opposite. I honestly can’t remember where I heard to do this or where I read it, but ever since I’ve been natural, every single time I wash my hair I did one of the above methods.
The idea behind it is to give your hair as much moisture as possible by using a leave-in conditioner, a thick cream/butter and to lock it in with an oil at some point during your routine. It wasn’t until 2020 that I read exactly how useless this combination is for natural hair, more specifically the oil.
Natural hairstylists have been doubling down on social media as to why oils are not as useful for our hair as we’ve been taught. Contrary to popular belief, oil does not seal in moisture. It actually prevents your hair from being moisturized. When you seal your hair with oil, what you’re actually doing is trapping in dryness since the water evaporates. Once the water is gone, the oil remaining on your strands prevent your hair from drawing any moisture from the environment.
According to natural hair stylist and expert Jennifer Rose, just as you cannot drink enough water in one day to keep you hydrated during the entire week, you cannot moisturize your hair enough in one day to last you throughout the week either. You must shampoo and condition your tresses frequently as you cannot moisturize dirty hair. You can give it the feeling of moisture and camouflage the dryness by re-lubricating it with a butter, or spraying it with water but it will not be truly moisturized from the inside out.
So how often do you give it a wash? Once it starts feeling dry. However often that is depends on how healthy your hair is as healthy hair stays moisturized longer than damaged or chemically processed hair. Therefore, shampoo and condition as often as neccessary! If you only shampoo once or twice a month, expect dry, brittle hair that does not cooperate the way you’d like.
What can you use instead of oil after washing your hair? A styling product and thats it. Shampoo, conditioner, and a styling product. Keep it simple. This is mind blowing to hear for those of us (like myself) who have a collection of products under our sinks specifically for hair. But on the bright side, we can stop buying tons of products and can make room for other things!
1. Wrap foam
For twist outs, braid outs, or anything you have to take down later on. This product holds the style, defines, and smoothes the cuticle for maximum shine. Once you finish using it, be sure to sit under a dryer to activate the product for the best hold and the best results.
– Nairobi Wrapp-It Shine Foaming Lotion $12
– The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam $15
– Design Essentials Compositions Foaming Wrap Lotion $13
2. Styling gel
For wash and goes or styles you don’t need to continue fixing once dried (ponytail, bun, etc). Apply on soaking wet hair, work through, and begin to style.
– Eco Styler Gel $3
– Aunt Jackie’s Flaxseed Gel $7
– Mielle Organics Hawaiian Ginger Gel $10
3. Heat protectant
If you plan on applying direct heat.
– CHI Silk Infusion $30
I tried this simple wash day routine and normally it would take me an hour and a half to dry my hair. With no oil or heavy butters, it only took me about 25 minutes! After drying, my hair felt very light and fluffy. Straightening didn’t take as long either.
Check out feedback from others who gave up oil and layering tons of products after washing:
Try out this routine on your and let us know how it works in the comments! Also, don’t forget to follow Jennifer Rose for more hair tips on Instagram and Twitter.
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