Hot Hair Tip: Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Like I stated in previous posts, I am learning about how to care for my natural hair.  I wanted to pass along tips and tricks to you P.O.S.H readers.  I am going to try and do a weekly hair post and share some of my secrets about products that I love and hated on my hair.  Please chime in and let me know how you like the product of the week. 

Olive Oil is nature’s moisturizer.   Extra Virgin Olive Oil, (EVOO), is a great way to add moisture as a pre-shampoo treatment for relaxed and natural African-American hair. It’s also a great way to add some moisture to the scalp during winter months. Last, it helps manage the dryness of new growth between relaxers and fights dryness in natural hair. I’ve found that using EVOO 1-2 times per week really helps build back the moisture into my hair, which quickly dries out from perspiration during my workouts.  

Keep in mind, that olive oil is a sealant and is used to seal and lock in the moisture from your moisturizer.  EVOO isn’t a moisturizer itself, it’s a lubricant and just smooths the hair cuticle and makes it shiny.  For my natural beauties.  Sealing your ends is an important part of the growth process.  It helps your ends from drying out, splitting or becoming fuzzy.    I usually apply whatever leave-in moisturizer I like (more of those later) and then apply olive oil to seal in my moisturizer.

I love EVOO because it is very inexpensive and it does not take much per use or long to see the effects of the treatment. The hair retains moisture but is still lightweight and not greasy. Because olive oil is natural, it is more easily absorbed into the hair follicle and scalp. Also, olive oil contains antioxidants that might be of additional benefit. Here’s a way to pre-shampoo your hair by making EVOO a staple of your beauty cabinet.

I love it. It keeps my hair healthy and restores moisture and shine. Here is a way to moisturize and condition your hair with EVOO.

1. Pour EVOO into coloring bottle so that it’s about half-full. Replace spout.
2. Wrap a towel around your shoulders.
3. Use comb and part hair in four sections: part down the middle, then part across the middle. Clip each section.
4. Take a bottle of EVOO and apply to one section of hair at the scalp. Put the spout in between “rows” of hair, making sure only the scalp is saturated.
5. Hold the ends of your hair and coat with EVOO. Twist ends and secure loosely or against the scalp with clip.
6. Repeat the same steps with remaining three sections of hair.
7. Once all hair is clipped, place a plastic cap over your head. Wrap head with towel from shoulders to capture heat.
8. Leave it on for 1-3 hours before your shampoo.  I sometimes leave this on overnight for extra moisture
9. Begin to rinse out EVOO under warm water thoroughly and BEFORE shampoo. Apply shampoo and continue to rinse. You should feel a difference in the texture of your hair.

Have you tried EVOO on your hair?  Did you like it?

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