hair moisture – Veggie Curls

L.O.C Method for Maximized Moisture Retention

June 9, 2015June 30, 2015 by Ashley, posted in Natural Hair

Many naturals have a problem with keeping their hair moisturized and trying to maintain a particular hairstyle for more than one day. For those with normal to high porosity hair (your hair quickly absorbs moisture) the LOC method may be the solution for you.

L.O.C simply means Liquid, Oil and Cream. This shows the order of application of products to maximize moisture retention. First apply a liquid (water or water based leave-in conditioner), then seal in with any oil and then apply your hair cream/butter/pudding/styler.

Both oil and butter are praised for their ability to create a layer along the hair shaft that helps to prevent water from being evaporated in the atmosphere. The layer of moisture is effectively sealed in by two products which are both known to be excellent sealants: oil and butter. This should help with keeping your wash ‘n go or style for at least 2-3 days.

Now you may be going back to science class in grade school and thinking that oil and water don’t mix. That’s still true and if you aren’t using oils that penetrate the hair its best to use your cream before your oil or LCO Method. But certain natural oils have the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and bind with the hair internal structure or protein. These oils are coconut and olive oil.

Make sure you try it out for at least three wash sessions before deciding if it works. If you’re trying out the LOC method, let me know how it works for you in the comment section below or use the hashtag #VeggieCurls on social media.

Are You Over Moisturizing Your Hair?

May 26, 2015June 7, 2015 by Ashley, posted in Natural Hair

When you begin learning how to care for natural hair, a word you will hear often is moisture. It’s true that you must moisturize your hair to keep it healthy. This is especially true for those with curly or textured hair because the curls and waves of the hair make it more difficult for that natural oil your scalp produces to travel to the ends of your hair.

While it is important to consistently moisturize your hair, it is important to note that it is possible to overdo it. Over moisturizing your hair can make your strands just as weak and prone to breakage as dry hair. Dry hair usually looks and feels; dull, straw-like and easily breaks when pulled or combed. Over-moisturized hair tends to look limp, oily, damp and mushy.

It’s important to always be conscious of your hairs’ condition. Everyone’s hair is different. If your hair feels dry every day, then by all means, moisturize daily. However, there are some people who can go days before re-moisturizing, because their hair doesn’t feel dry on a daily basis. If your hair doesn’t feel dry, leave it alone. Or, as they say, ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

Continue reading “Are You Over Moisturizing Your Hair?” →

Maintaining the Balance: Protein & Moisture

May 5, 2015May 20, 2015 by Ashley, posted in Natural Hair

There is a delicate dance that exist between protein and moisture that must be mastered in order to have and maintain healthy hair. The two components are co-dependent and neither can work well on its own without the other. The hair breakage we experience is most often the result of an imbalance between the protein and moisture elements that make up the hair strand.

Protein + Moisture

Water molecules bind easily to a sound protein structure within the hair. Hence, moisture is absorbed better when the hair’s protein needs are sufficiently met. Consider your hair to be a garden and the hair a plant. Moisture would be the water and protein the dirt. If for any reason there is too much or too little of water or dirt, the plant can’t grow. It’s the same synergistic relationship that moisture and protein have together, and keeping the hair balanced between the two is very important.

Achieving the right balance involves using the right combination of moisture and protein on your hair. Which means you have to get acquainted with your personal hair needs. No hairdresser, family member, friend or natural hair blogger knows your hair better than you. You have to experiment with different products, methods of application, and frequency to see what works best for your hair.

Continue reading “Maintaining the Balance: Protein & Moisture” →