Key Tips
- Start by rinsing your hair for about 3 minutes.
- Massage, don't scratch your scalp as you shampoo.
- Comb your hair out from ends to roots before you rinse out the conditioner.
Pre-Shampoo Oil Treatment(optional)
Step 1: Using your fingers, divide your hair into 4-6 sections.
Step 2: Apply approximately 1 tablespoon of pure coconut, avocado, or extra virgin olive oil throughout each section. Make sure to put oil on every layer of your hair - you will use 4 to 6 tablespoons.
Step 3: Cover your hair with a plastic cap to keep the oil from dripping down your face and neck.
Step 4: Leave the oil on your hair for 1 hour or more.
Wash
Step 1: Gently comb through your hair with your fingers. Apply oil or a serum to areas that are very tangles. If you see or hear your hair breaking as you finger comb, skip to step 2.
Step 2: Once in the shower, rinse your hair with lukewarm water for about 3 minutes. This long rinse will loosen up and rinse away product build up from the week.
Step 3: Apply a quarter-sized amount of a gentle, moisturizing shampoo to your scalp and hair. Add more water to create a good lather.
Step 4: Gently rub your scalp with the shampoo lather.
Step 5: Gently and quickly, work shampoo through the length of your hair - don't separate the hair into sections or try to detangle it.
Step 6: Rinse thoroughly.
Condition
Step 1: Apply a large amount of a moisturizing conditioner throughout your hair. The amount you will use depends on your hair length and thickness. If your hair is very thick or tightly coiled, you may use a palm full of conditioner or more.
Step 2: Work the conditioner through your hair from root to tip.
Step 3:Add more water to your hair to help you distribute the conditioner. Make sure every strand of hair is saturated. Leave the conditioner in your hair for the amount of time specified in the instructions on the container.
Step 4: Before you rinse out the conditioner, detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb. Remember to start combing at the ends and work your way to the root.
Step 5: Rinse thoroughly.
Step 6: The next product you apply will depend on the style you're trying to achieve.
Bonus Tip: Moisture evaporates from highly porous hair very quickly, so be sure to apply your styling product or leave-in conditioner within 5 minutes of rinsing out your conditioner.
Interesting article once again! Thanks a lot:)
I've never left the oil alone on my hair... I've always oiled my hair thoroughly (as mentioned) AND then layered on conditioner BEFORE placing plastic cap on hair for an hour. I guess I saved a step? I got magnificent results! Thanks!
I've never tried oil as a pre-wash, I'm definitely gonna give this a go on the next wash day!
air drying my hair makes it look weird and puffy...i thought sitting under the dryer was best??? im going to try the pre wash thing as well.
Hi Char,
I find that women who don't like air drying are often not using the right products or sometimes using none at all. If you use a good leave-in conditioner, like the ones in the Boutique, your hair should air dry smooth. Choose one that says for "damaged" or "chemically-treated" hair if your hair is relaxed. Follow up with a serum or pomade for extra softness.
Sitting under the dryer is not the best idea, but if you're short on time it's better than using a blow dryer.
Great information! I usually apply conditioner to my hair prior to washing. However, I recently started using EVCO and the results were fabulous. In order to achieve smooth results when air drying, I apply serum to my wet hair after rinsing out the conditioner. Also, I don't use towels to dry my hair...they create frizz.
I am going to try the pre poo mix noted here. Thanks
I've noticed that a lot of articles and blogs say to use dine and quarter sized portions of shampoo or conditionor. Does anyone besides me find this very difficult? It's so little! What if you have thick hair? Does this portion size still apply?
Hey Wendy,
I know what you mean about it seeming like a small amount. If you start out by rinsing your hair for a few minutes, you will need less shampoo. But go ahead and use a little more if you feel that a quarter sized amount is definitely not enough. Just remember: Use shampoo sparingly and conditioner generously.
Awesome! Thanks Nicole! I'll try that! I've noticed some other girls doing the same thing, just letting the warm water rinse most of the dirt and grit away first. It does make sense that you'll use less shampoo to cleanse the hair. Thanks, take care! :D
Thanks for this post. I have have been natural for some time but recently have a I actually been interested in maintaining my natural hair. Prior to I would just wash & condition and wear under my wigs/weaves. I have heard tons of pre-pooh methods & I have been trying to find one that really works for me. I am a avid connoisseur of hair oils & I swear by them I think this will really be a task that I could easily commit to. Thanks for your articles they are very easy to follow. Unlike others who through in a lot of repeated information w/ out a backing source. Again Thank you!
I saw the Yes to Carrots line at Target and wasn't sure about it, then I saw it in this article as a recommended product. I decided to just go ahead and try it (the entire process)the mud mask is AMAZING! Definitely a new favorite product! This pre-shampoo oil treatment routine is also something I intend to use more often my curls look awesome! Thanks so much!
That's great, Hanna! Thank you for posting!