Hair Oils: What do you use?

Hi Everyone

Just wondering what oils you like to use on your hair and why?
Also, how and when do you use them?

Personally, I use avocado oil 5 days a week because I find it moistures the hair very deeply, without a greasy residue. I use about a half teaspoon of oil and rub it on my palms and then slide it onto the length of the hair that is below ear-length. It sinks right in and makes the hair soft.

At the weekend, I will use coconut oil for a heavy overnight oiling. This oil gives the hair a thorough pre-wash conditioning and I feel that it strengthens the strands with long-term use. I use about a tablespoon of the oil and work it into scalp and hair and then go to sleep with a big towel on my pillow.

Please share your oiling preference and methods.

Thanks

Uzma

Thanks Uzi, for posting this topic. I had considered the same, but hadn't gotten around to it yet.

And Monica, I had the same question! I don't know where to buy plain oils. Just the mixed kinds they have at Sally's.

I use jojoba oil on my hair, about once a month. I often don't go out much on weekends, especially in winter, so I'll just put it in on Friday night, and wash it out Sunday evening! Somehow, it doesn't transfer onto my pillow. Even though my whole head is covered, it's just like my hair is really naturally greasy. It isn't gross or any inconvenience. I even run out to the store sometimes with it in. (Hey why not, we don't know anyone in this town! No... I probably wouldn't do this in my hometown. :) )

Ahem... anyway. Jojoba Oil is in the natural products / health food section of a supermarket near me. (It's Shaw's, for those of you who live in the Northeast... while I don't like anything else about Shaw's, they do have a much better natural section than any other northeast chain.) Unfortunately, Shaw's doesn't seem to have any other oils. Or if they do, they're not with the beauty care section like the jojoba is.

Jojoba really helps when my hair is really dry and keeps getting tangled. It makes it right again. :)

It's like $7 for a 2oz bottle, which is good for like 4 or 5 whole-head uses.

Hi Monica and SuperGrover

You can get Avocado oil at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com
(their stuff and their service is brilliant)

I use oils on dry (or almost dry) hair for maximum penetration.
Some folks report that using oils on damp hair locks in moisture.

I guess it's best to try out both and see what suits your particular hair type.

Hi Gren

I have coarse black (and white) hair too, which used to be ultra-dry all the time and kinda wavy/curly/frizzy in parts.
With regular oiling it has straightened up a lot. Not just when it's oiled but when it's freshly washed and naturally dried as well.
I find that strange - but I like it !!!

Happy Sunday to you all

Uzi

Uzma! What a great website! If I weren't trying to save money right now, I'd be all about spending a wad of cash there!
*crossing fingers for Thursday's job interview*

Wow, Turquoise! EVERY day! How long is your hair? Fine or coarse? Is it really dry? My hair is fine, and I have a suspicion too much oil would weigh it down. But maybe I could try using it more often.

Hi Uzi, oh mightly oil expert and goddess, I have a question for you:

I checked the site you suggested and the prices seem very reasonable...and what a selection! Can you suggest the best oil for my hair type? Mine is a little past shoulder length, the last couple inches are fairly dry, I am of European descent and my hair is thick but really heavy products tend to make it look greasy. What is the best oil that won't give me a weighed down look? (I only plan to use oil on the last few inches.) Thanks for your help--I appreciate it!

Oh...addition....I followed Gren's lead and signed up for free image hosting...so here's what my hair looks like: http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2003-5/210233/film.jpg

I use a jojoba oil and aloe conditioner on my hair once a week, before I wash my hair. I used to use Vitamin E oil, but have since run out. I'm pretty sure you can get these oils and natural products at Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's.

Hi SuperGrover

How did the job interview go?
Hope you are smiling when you read this .

Hello Lyris - you stunning beauty!

Hmm - sound like you had a bad time with sticky olive oil. You're not alone.

Grapeseed oil is very light and odourless, as are Almond and Macadamia oils.
I would suggest you try any of the above, but if your hair tends to tangles, then go with unrefined Avocado oil. It is moisturising yet non-greasy and disappears completely into the hair without leaving any stickiness (in my experience).

I have just bought some Wild Rosehip Seed oil and Kukui Nut oil.
Will report back on the results!!

Cheers

Uzi

Pretty Lyris!

I have enjoyed learning about oils and think I will begin my quest to find the one that works for my hair too.

I went into a salon today to have a condition only. The colorist looked at my hair and felt it and stepped out from behind the counter and said save your money, all you need to do is keep the oils on it.

She said wash your hair, condition it and do the cool rinse. Then take about a dime size of oil (your choice) and start at the ends and don't rub but scrunch it into your hair and work your way up. By the time you get to the top you have less oil where you need it less. My hair is slightly wavy so the scrunching helps with the waves. But she told me that scrunching is better than rubbing the hair anyways.

Because my hair is soooo very dry these days she advised using coconut oil, she told me that I could find it at Sally's, and I did. It comes in a jar and is more like a "butter" or dare I say "grease" (butter sounds a little better) anyway... it was only 1.99 for this big jar.

So I am starting that. Daily. For awhile.

She also said oil up at bedtime, or on a day I am just at home around the house. She said once in awhile use my favorite conditioner and saturate my hair, put a plastic wrap over it and leave it on for however long I want. Or heat wrap it.

Just little things like that will make a big difference.

I did try the coconut oil/butter. Now that my hair is not damp anymore it feels soft, and I can definitely see it in my hair. But it doesn't look greasy, just defined and not frizzy dry looking. So far so good.

This will be fun to try all the oils everyone is suggesting!
Thanks for sharing the Mountain Rose Herbs website, Uzma. It's a great site. A good place to begin.

Avacado sounds great, and she also recommended carrot oil. Never heard of it but she said it was one of her favorites and told me to find that at the local healthfood store. So off I go tomorrow.

wittils

Hi Monica

Our Karen has written a series on Hair Profiling which should help you work out your hair type. Here are the links:

http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1471.htm
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1502.htm
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip1484.htm
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip3587.htm


With regard to trying oils, I suggest you start with a small quantity of any basic hair oil, applied very lightly to the last few inches of the ends of your hair.

You need to try a few oils before finding the one that best suits you, so I recommend you buy only small quantities initially. Try Jojoba or Coconut – whichever is easier for you to get hold of locally.

Hope that helps.

Uzi