So many naturalistas out there are raving about the LOC method. What is this LOC method? If you don’t already know, it’s a method of layering the hair length with products in a specific order, to maximize and retain moisture.
People are crazy about the LOC method because hair stays moisturized for days so there’s no need to keep moisturizing it that regularly!
How to Use Shea Butter for the LOC Method
LOC stands for Leave-in-Conditioner, Oil and Cream. So you first appy leave-in on your hair, followed by oil then cream. All these are products you must be already be using! Let’s go into more details about the three steps:
1. Leave-in Conditioner. The leave-in conditioner recommended for LOC is a water-based moisturizing leave-in, applied to clean hair. Many girls also spray their hair with water in a spray bottle for better moisturization. One of the best leave-in conditioners you can use is SheaMoisture Curl and Style Mix!
2. Oil. Now to lock in the moisture, you need a thin layer of oil applied to the length of your hair. The oil you use depends on the porosity of your hair. Most naturals, especially Type 4 coily haired gals, have high porosity hair which means it tends to get dry easily. Basically, if your natural hair is dry, dehydrated and thirsty, then you need to use heavier oils. So suggested oils to use are EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) and jojoba oil, both of which are medium-thick so your hair gets moisturized but doesn’t feel greasy.
3. Cream. This is the final step and it uses a creamy moisturizer, mostly butter-based to assist the oil lock up all the moisture into your hair. This product should not have water in it. Cuz that defeats its purpose of sealing the moisture, doesn’t it? Now this is where shea butter comes in. Instead of store-bought, you can make your own creamy moisturizer using shea butter!
There are a lot of DIY recipes out there but my favorite is the one from Beauty Munsta. Here it is:
DIY Shea Butter Hair Cream
I just substituted the essential oils with what I like – geranium & lavender.
What you need
- ¼ cup shea butter (where to get it)
- 2 tbsp coconut oil (where to get it)
- 1 tsp apricot kernel oil (where to get it)
- ¼ cup pure aloe vera gel (where to get it)
- 7 drops geranium oil (where to get it)
- 5 drops lavender oil (where to get it)
- Double boiler (where to get it)
- Hand mixer (where to get it)
- Clean container for storage (where to get it)
Directions
- Melt the shea butter and coconut oil in the double boiler.
- Once melted, pop it into the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes until it turns opaque.
- When the time is up, get it out and whip it using a hand mixer. Keep whipping till it gets creamy.
- Now it’s time to add the aloe vera gel! Blend on high speed first, then reduce to low speed as it gets combined. Scrape down the sides frequently to ensure all the aloe vera gel pieces get mixed in.
- And that’s it! Your creamy moisturizer for the LOC method is ready! Transfer to a clean container and store in a cool dry place.
Note: This creamy moisturizer is not very greasy and won’t weight your hair down because it contains aloe vera gel. That’s why I love it! The LOC method combines 3 whole products that can leave your hair feeling a bit greasy. But if your creamy moisturizer isn’t heavy like this one, then you have better chances of avoiding greasy hair! However, if you feel the aloe vera gel isn’t working out in the recipe, then leave it out. Maybe your hair is too dry and needs the extra oils!
My Tips for the LOC Method
- Some girls actually see better results when they apply the cream first then the oil, meaning LCO method instead of LOC. So if LOC method doesn’t seem to cut it for you, then try the LCO method!
- Try the LOC method for at least up to 3 hair wash days then decide if it’s for you or isn’t.
- The LOC method may not be for you if your hair is oily, very thin or has product buildup. That’s because LOC is filled with products and you don’t want to be using a lot of products on your hair if it falls in the above three categories.
- How often to do this? Of course it depends on your hair. Some people do it on a weekly basis. But personally, doing it every after wash day is fine.
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