I'm 100% a fan of Coconut Oil... I use it daily on my hair and skin and it's usually the staple oil in my homemade scrubs! Nothing like a good (as my bf puts it) "grease down" after a steamy shower!
I just can't get enough of the sweet, soft smell and the way it leaves me with smooth, soft, glowing skin! Not to mention the way it thoroughly nourishes my porous hair...Shea Butter can become a bit too heavy sometimes, but Coconut Oil hits the spot for my curls!!!!!
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Hola Chicas,
We made it, y'all! I'm back, safe and sound in Happy Valley *grabs tambourine*.
But after the second 13 hour drive in less than 4 days, I'm in no mental state to unpack, let alone do my hair... which is now fire-hazard dry and frizzy, as I'm on day 6. You know when you're feeling extra lazy, but also incredibly guilty 'cause of the gross negligence... your hair is screaming for attention but you have none to give? Well, when those days descend upon me, I rock my pre-wash day 'do-- a greasy ass bun. It's the perfect option for wash day procrastinators like myself.
I heavy-handedly apply coconut oil... like 'oil slicks on the headrest, pillowcase and headboard' greasy... like, 'forehead, or in my case, fivehead shining' greasy. And pull it up using a Goody Ouchless Band (pulling the hair all the way through once and only halfway through the second time). The oily bun makes me feel better about myself because I'm, (1) now somewhat presentable, (2) doing something good for my hair that didn't take much time or effort, and (3) can put off wash day for at least one more day. So why coconut oil, you ask?
Well, according to the BeautyBrains-
"...it’s one of the relatively few oils that are able to penetrate deep into the hair. Coconut oil is special because it has the right combination of molecular size and shape (it’s small and has straight line structure that allows it to slip into hair) and the right chemical structure (it’s derived from lauric acid which has an affinity for protein.) So while most conditioning oils (like silicones and mineral oil) just sit on top of that hair, coconut oil is literally able to work from the inside.And according to Hairlicious-
What’s the best way to apply coconut oil?
One of the best studies we’ve seen on this subject was conducted in India is in 2002. Researchers found that coconut oil reduces damage both as a pre-wash and post grooming treatment. However, results showed it worked better as a prewash which makes sense since that’s when a lot of mechanical damage occurs during the washing and drying process.
Does this sound too good to be true? Well there is a slight catch, at least based on the methodology used in this particular test. The coconut oil was applied to hair and allowed to soak in for 14 hours (overnight). Despite the usage instructions for many regular conditioners you don’t have to let those sit on your hair for very long. However, if you want good penetration (and who doesn’t?) you have to allow coconut oil to soak into your hair for quite some time. Maybe 14 hours isn’t the magic number but that’s the timeframe that researchers used in this study.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
We wouldn’t want to over emphasize the results of any single study, however, based on the research we’ve seen you should apply coconut oil to your hair at night before going to sleep. In the morning wash it out and you should see significantly less damage."
Still want more? Check out THIS ARTICLE and THIS ONE."Since coconut oil is able to bind to the natural protein structure of the hair, this helps the hair retain its natural moisture content and reinforces the hair fiber, making it stronger.This form of protection helps preserve the cuticle layer and keep it in tact, thus allowing the cuticle to remain closed and hold on to moisture. In addition, it smooths raised cuticles reducing tangles, enhancing shine, and softness. Only use a finger tip amount, nothing more, or your hair may feel stiff.Retaining moisture and lowering the pH level of your products (4.5 level) is key in eliminating porosity issues.Coconut oil's ability to prevent protein loss and reduce hair porosity makes it valuable for those who relax, color, blow dry, brush hard, sun exposure, and regularly flat iron their hair."
So yeah, I apply my coconut oil (Spectrum's Organic & Unrefined) the night before wash day and then the next morning, I apply full fat yogurt on top of that, don a plastic cap, let it marinate for 15-30 minutes and then wash and style as usual. I find coconut oil a bit too heavy to use regularly between washes, but it works perfectly for my pre-wash day treatment.
Later Gators,
Nik
p.s. Coconut oil is the only thing I use on my face too... besides water and a little Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer. That's it. Clear skin. It's also the only hair and body oil I use on Boogie!
How do you prepare for wash day?
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