End of oil rinsing?

Just a quick conclusion on my oil rinsing trials. I’m en route to France for my summer holiday, so am updating from my phone:

Likes:
❤Shine
❤Slip/ detangling ease
❤Softness
❤Awesome day 1 hair
❤My hair feels stronger
❤Less shedding

Dislikes:
💔Frizzy hair by day 3
💔 Requires me to re-moisturize my hair twice before my next wash day (vs not at all or once)
💔 Dull appearance by day 3

Will I try (reverse) oil rinsing again? If yes, will I make it part of my regimen?

I will definitely try reverse oil rinsing again. However, it won’t be a weekly part of my regimen. Perhaps I’ll do it once per month or once every other month. I won’t exclude it entirely, as I think it has some great benefits. However, weekly oil rinses are too much for my low porosity hair.

So I’ll continue with my regular routine (see my regimen) and throw this in the mix occasionally.

Last night I simply co-washed my hair and rinsed out all conditioner. Followed that with KCKT, 8-10 big twists (didn’t seal or add any oil). I took them down this morning. They were a bit damp, but I had a train to catch. In any case, I did notice my hair felt stronger, softer and looked somewhat shinier than my pre-oil rinsing hair… Not sure if that’s due to my prior trials with the oil or not…

That’s all for now! Looking forward to a relaxing holiday. Hoping for a little seaside humidity, my hair seems to thrive in that kind of climate.

Any fun vacation plans for the summer?

Xo

<a

Summer Beach Curls and Reverse-Oil Rinsing

I found an easy, effective and time-saving method for styling my hair! Thanks to one of my favorite video bloggers, Naptural85. I’ll link her video for summer beach curls below. Honestly, my twists used to take me about 1.5 – 2 hours!! This time, I was able to twist my hair in 30 – 40 minutes, all while skyping on the phone with my family back home. Not bad huh? You have no idea how excited I am about a 30 minute styling session. Especially, with a little bundle on this way this winter, this is going to save me so much time!

To set my hair for the style, I divided my hair into eight sections, as Naptural does. I proceeded to wash my hair. Next, I reversed oil rinsed with Giovanni 50/50.  I put Brahmi oil on top of this and massaged it in each section. Let it marinate for about 3 minutes, then finger detangled and rinsed under a steady stream of water. I followed this with a second rinse and used Suave Almond and Shea Conditioner. I put each section in a Bantu knot.

I’m on my fourth oil rinsing trial. Well, technically, my second since I’ve changed my oil rinsing regimen. Again my hair was tangle free, soft and shiny. It also felt bouncier, probably the result of a much-needed trim.

Once out of the shower, I applied Kinky Curly Knot Today to each section (concentrating on my ends), then twisted each section. Some sections were extremely thick so I just made two twists. Once my hair was all twisted, I simply stretched and pinned it to the opposite side of my hair (see the video for more details).

In any case, I’ll be checking in throughout the week reporting on how moisturized my hair feels. I washed it on Sunday and two days later it still feels soft and hydrated. I’m hoping that this new reverse oil rinsing will produce better results than the first method.

Have you tried this style? What are your favorite, simple summer styles?

Here’s nap video isn’t she gorgeous!?!

Reverse Oil Rinsing: Round 3

A reader commented a few weeks ago that she tried oil rinsing and had great results the first day, but that things went downhill shortly after. Another reader made an insightful suggestion that it could be that adding oil to your hair without any moisture, makes moisturizing challenging. This comment really stuck with me. However, I couldn’t give up on oil rinsing just yet. As I said, I want to give it a few weeks to a month, before I give my opinion. Still, what this reader said made a lot of sense, so I decided to switch things up a bit and reverse the order of my oil rinsing method.

1. Divide hair into 3 – 4 sections.
2. Shampoo or wash hair as usual.
3. Apply your favorite conditioner (my choice last week was Aussie Moist) – do not rinse out.
4. Apply your favorite oil on top of the conditioner and work into your hair – do not rinse out.
5. Deep condition (preferably with heat) for 30 minutes.
6. Rinse out the oil and conditioner. Condition your hair a second time (it will melt in your fingers), if you’re like me, rinse about 60% – 70% of the conditioner.

Results: soft, shiny, defined coils and curls.

I’ll try this method for my next two washes and let you know how it goes. This time, I did blow-dry my hair and wear it pulled up the entire week. I blow dried so I can give myself a trim. I’m really bad at trimming my hair curly, unless I cut it while it’s in twists. I cut off 1 1/2 inches of hair, but it feels better.

Actually, I really need to wash my hair, it has been just over a week. However, I’ve been really busy, so don’t think I’ll get around to it until this weekend.

How do you trim your hair? Any tips?

Round 2: Oil Rinsing Update

My hair is on day 5, since my wash day, where I slightly adapted my oil rinsing method. This time around, after my first rinse, I basically left in about 60-70% of my conditioner (Tresemme Naturals). In addition, I opted for coconut oil. After, I applied a small amount of diluted KCKT and on top of that a very small amount if flax gel.

This time around my hair is only starting to feel somewhat dry today (I.e day 5). I plan on moisturizing it tonight and then washing it again Thursday night. I will be trying this again to test the results.

I’m not sure what my consensus on oil rinsing will be. I need to try it for a bit before I say whether it’s worthwhile. I’m very curious about the potential of this working as a modified curly girl method (which has never done anything for me). Until then don’t feel obligated to rush home and try this. (I sound like a TV warning. “kids don’t try this at home!” lol!) Perhaps it’s safer to observe my experiment a bit first.

Hair days 4-5:

On another note, I just want to say thank you to all of my readers that have continued to follow me. And especially for your congratulatory and thoughtful emails and comments. It’s really touching to know there are so many caring people out there.