Oil is my best friend, plain and simple. As someone who has type 4 hair, I’m dealing with a fragile hair texture because my hair type has the fewest cuticle layers to protect it from dryness. This means that maintaining moisture takes a lot more for my hair type, making oil my go-to whenever I’m doing a style.
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Today, I’m going to share with you how I incorporate oil into my type 4 hair routine, from twistouts to wash-n-gos.
First, it’s important to know what kinds of oils are good for type 4 hair. Luckily, there’s a variety to choose from, depending on the specific texture of your hair. The best oils for type 4 hair include:
- Coconut oil (pure and unrefined”>
- Castor oil (Jamaican black”>
- Olive Oil (extra virgin”>
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba oil (pure and unrefined”>
- Grapeseed oil
If you want to go into the specifics behind each oil, check out this article to learn more.
For me, I’ve learned that mixing oils is my best bet to keep my hair moisturized, because every oil offers something different. In the past, I’ve created my own DIY mixture of avocado, jojoba, and grapeseed oil to use on my hair. Currently, my go-to oil product is Melanin Haircare’s Multi-Use Pure Oil Blend, which includes baobab oil, argan oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, sage oil, geranium oil and vitamin E. While the price of the product is a little high, it’s worth it — I’ve seen a huge change in my hair moisture, not to mention I’ve had the bottle for three months and I’m not even halfway through it!
So how exactly do I use oil when taking care of my hair? First, I use (and swear by”> the LOC method — liquid, oil, cream method — which is a three step product application process that aims to maximize moisture by layering products. Using liquid (like water”> serves as a foundation for moisture; oil is next sued to seal in the moisture; and the final step, cream, is used to further seal in moisture and style and define your hair. I used this method whenever I do a twist out, braid out, or wash-n-go. If I’m refreshing my twistout on its second or third day, I lightly spray my hair with water, put a quarter-size amount of oil in my hand and put it on the ends of my hair, followed by a gel styling product.
Another way I use oil in my routine is by oiling my scalp about 2-3 times a week. After I wash my hair, I’ll oil my scalp, along with oiling it before bed on nights that I pineapple my curls vs. braiding or twisting my hair up. This involves me parting my hair into 6-8 section and using the tip applicator of the oil product I use to run to product through my scalp, dividing my hair into mini section as I go.
Lastly, although I don’t use this method a lot, it is helpful — using a spray water bottle, I had several drops of my favorite oil, along with some conditioner, and shake the bottle to make my own LOC method in a bottle. This is great for post-gym styling or just refreshing your curls after a long day.
What are some of the ways you incorporate oil into your hair routine? Which oils work for your hair? Let us know in the comments below!