Hello everybody !

I've been following the tips on "Ultimate Guide to growing long hair" since March of this year and have to say that my hair is in the best condition that I've ever had it.

I want to try oiling my hair - but don't know how.  Can anyone post how they do it ?  Is avocado oil or jojoba oil better ?  

Thanks !

Hey AnnaT!

Welcome to Longlocks :D Isn't Rapunzel's Grow Guide just wonderful?

Frankly, I think any light oil is great for hair. As long as it's not oil that is pressed for cooking as I understand it has higher acid content. Avocado is a really moisturizing, non-clogging, yummy oil and if that works for your hair, use it ;D Jojoba is a favorite among many but it can get expensive depending on vendors in your location. Some others include sweet almond, apricot, and coconut oils.

Oiling should be done on freshly-detangled hair. Most ladies (and the occasional gent) here just take a couple drops of oil and spread it between the palms, then running their hands through the hair to cover as much as possible. and then many of us follow up on that with a Boar Bristle Brush to spread the oils evenly.

Personally I like to oil really heavily before a wash... using about 2 tsp of coconut oil and working it into my hair, until it's sectioned and greasy, then hopping into the shower to wash it out. It's kinda like CWC, only with oil.

Hope this helps ya ;)

Anais Satin

Hi AnnaT and welcome!

Anais has explained oiling hair well.  I would add that the amount of oil used is VERY little except when you are oiling to do a heavy conditioning and will be washing it out.  I use about 2 drops of oil on my hip length hair.  I concentrate on the ends - where the hair is the most dry.  

I like to oil my hair just before I braid or bun my hair for bed.  This lets the oil soak in overnight and leaves it nice and soft in the morning.  I will also use just a tiny bit of oil on my hair to tame it when it becomes full of static in the dry winter air, or when I have braided my hair for waves.  The oil will minimize the frizzies.

I use jojoba oil - it seems to be the lightest oiland doesn't leave me with greasy hair.  Jojoba oil can be expensive, but you use so little it will last a long time.  (My current little bottle has lasted over a year.)

Good luck!

Leave-In oiling
I will mist my hair with distilled water and add smooth a few drops of oil into my hair (usually on the length or ends). Then I will add some SBCC (I posted the recipe for this in the Shea Butter thread) and usually braid. I do this mostly at night, but I will do it in the daytime too sometimes.

Oiling that will be washed out
I usually oil a tiny bit heavier, but not much. I never use so much oil that my hair cannot absorb, because that's just wasting oil. I oil a few hours before a wash, then usually use herbs to cleanse it.

I bought some jojoba oil yesterday (Avocado oil was also available but the Jojoba was more expensive , it MUST be better then, right ?  :)).  I used about 4 drops (two per side) which I think was a bit much but I washed my hair today.

My hair is so soft and shiny !    THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU  !!!!

How often should one oil ?  I wash my hair with shampooo once a week and follow that up with two CO washes.  Should I oil on the "second day" ? What does everybody else do ?

I also saw a Glycerin and Rosewater Spritzer in the hair/skin  care section.  Does anybody use this on their hair ?  It sure smelled heavenly and I liked the way it smoothed my hands out. ;D

You can use the jojoba oil as often as you like, but if you use it daily, you would probably use less than the 4 drops you used.  Since there are several different methods of oiling your hair, you might want to experiment to decide what works best for your hair.

I like to oil my hair the day before I wash when I know I will keep my hair in a bun all day.  This gives my hair some extra conditioning before I wash as well as helping keep the fly-aways in control.

Glad you found this works for you!