The ultimate haircare guide for perfect curls!
If you have curly, wavy, or coily hair, you must have noticed that it’s a bit difficult to keep your hair moisturised. You may have even tried using leave-in conditioners and hot oil treatments to seal in moisture but to no avail. If you're having trouble finding the right curl or coil style technique, it might be the right time to try the LOC method.
If you're not familiar with the LOC method, and your hair has been thirsty for hydration, know that the LOC method will be your saviour. LOC method stands for liquid first layer/ leave-in conditioner, oil, and cream and is all about layering on the proper combination of products to add extra hydration and definition to your hair.
Whether it’s going to be your first time using the LOC method or you're a seasoned master looking for some product recommendations, read on for everything you need to know.
What is the LOC method?
This small abbreviation may be broken down into the following: Liquid/Leave-In Conditioner, Oil and Cream.
This hair care approach includes mixing water or a water-based product with your favourite hair oil and a cream to seal in the moisture. The term denotes the sequence in which you should apply the products to keep your hair moisturised for a longer period of time. The purpose of this trio of products is to assist you in enhancing your hair's overall appearance and texture.
To assist in preserving moisture, a liquid or leave-in conditioner is applied first, followed by an oil and a cream.
Who is the LOC method good for?
If you are wondering if the LOC technique is right for your hair, then let us tell you that the LOC technique works best for people who have hair with a high porosity. Because moisture departs the hair shaft as soon as it enters, high porosity hair types have strands that look and feel dry, have extra frizz, and air dry quickly. If you're not sure what sort of hair porosity you have, a simple strand test can help.
If you have low porosity hair, and wish to use the LOC technique, you'll need to make a little adjustment. Low porosity hair is the type of hair where the hair shaft remains closed, making it impossible for moisture to penetrate at all. For low porosity, the LCO technique is usually the favoured option.
The procedure entails layering a fluid, then a cream, and finally an oil, as you might expect. This minor change in sequence can make a big impact in whether the product formulations you're applying onto your strands wind up weighing them down.
How does it work?
1. Get Your Hair Ready
Always begin by cleansing and conditioning your hair on a regular basis. Use a paraben-free shampoo and conditioner like Curl Up Shampoo + Conditioner Combo
specially formulated for dry and damaged hair. This amazing pair for waves and curls, when used together, will replenish moisture and offer softness and bounce to your hair.
We recommend: Curl Up Shampoo + Conditioner Combo
2. Apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair
You can choose your leave-in conditioner once your hair has been rinsed and detangled. A lightweight leave-in conditioner that your hair can be readily absorbed by your hair is recommended. True Frog Leave In Conditioner is a great option.
After washing and conditioning, apply the True Frog Leave-in Conditioner which is a nourishing hair cream. It adds hydration to hair that is dry, damaged and frizzy. After showering, part your hair into two sections, wet it again with water if it's dry, and evenly distribute the leave-in conditioner throughout your mane.
We recommend: True Frog Leave in Conditioner
3. Coat your strands in oil
It's time to coat your tresses with a nourishing hair oil once you are done applying the leave-in conditioner. You may use a variety of oils for this hair care treatment, but coconut oil is a popular choice to go with. You can also add extra nourishment to your hair if you opt for a blend of oils such as Seaweed oil, Fenugreek oil and Argan oil.
Apply a drop or two to each section of your hair, covering all strands, starting at the root and working your way to the tip.
We recommend: Arata Advanced Curl Care Hair Oil
4. Finish with a dab of cream
Once you’re done with the leave in conditioner and hair oil, it’s time to apply the cream to your tresses. You can use a hair cream or a hair mask to seal in the moisture in your hair strands and keep them hydrated. Creamy Shea butter, rich coconut milk, and pure Macadamia oil hair mask are a few formulations that deeply quench, nourish, and soften dry, damaged strands and restore your hair back to its healthy state.
Apply a quarter-sized dollop of cream to each section of your hair and style as desired.
We recommend: Flawsome Wild Bananas Moisturizing & Smoothening Hair Mask
How often should you follow the LOC method?
You can adopt the LOC haircare approach if once in a few days or twice a week. It also depends on the amount of product you are using as you wouldn’t want too much build-up on your scalp and hair. We’d also recommend you use a clarifying shampoo or a scalp exfoliation treatment to cleanse your scalp of excessive product buildup
- Ashi Bansal
