You’ve got those porous coiled hair strands. You’ve tried every chemical treatment and styling method to make them look presentable and manageable. The struggle is here and we know it. So this time, we’re bringing you the perfect hair care routine that will not just help you repair your hair with intense moisturisation but also make them shiny and frizz-free. Here’s everything that you need to know to transform your curls into absolute bouncy, shiny and soft ringlets.
What is the LOG method?
LOG is a styling method that helps you achieve more defined curls and at the same time, make them manageable. LOG is a method that carefully layers moisture to lock it deep into your hair. This method asks you to layer the products in this sequence - Leave-in conditioner(L), Oil(O), and Gel(G). Just like how we have toners and then essence followed by a serum to layer moisture, the LOG method will help you do the same to your hair.
But one may wonder, how is it different from the other ways of washing and styling our hair? Our regular way of washing hair can strip off the moisture. But with the LOG method, we are trying to gush in moisture to our hair strands. This is also the reason why the LOG method leaves your hair more manageable and shiny.
If you’ve heard of the LOG method then you must have heard of the LOC method too.
The difference is just that in the last step, instead of using a gel, you use cream. A cream is a viable option for those who have highly porous hair and are prone to drying easily. The cream helps one add more moisture to make the curls frizz-free. On the other hand, the gel helps you define curls and lock in moisture that you’ve added in the previous steps. Both the methods are good and it depends on your hair type to understand which method you must follow for more manageable hair.
How to understand your hair type before choosing the LOG method?
Your genes and environment affect the type of hair. According to the type of your hair, you can choose to pick a post-care method. LOG is generally suitable for highly porous and coiled hair. Depending on the texture of the hair, they are defined into 4 categories and then later divided into subcategories - A, B, and C as per the porosity, density, curling pattern, etc.
Let’s look at these types and also which hair type must use the LOG method-
Type 1
These are generally straight hair with little to no curling. Even if they are curling then it may be those little ‘S’ somewhere near the temple or around the neck. This hair is not prone to damage easily and is generally accompanied by oil hair type since the scalp sebum easily spreads till the end. Due to resistance to damage, they are usually not so porous if you maintain them well. They are classed as A, B, and C depending on the amount of ‘S’ waves and volume.
Type 1A: Straight hair
Type 1B: Straight voluminous hair
Type 1C: Straight hair with a few ‘S’ around the neck or temple
This hair type is manageable and hence doesn’t need the LOG method.
Type 2
Type 2 hair can have a mix of straight and wavy hair. This hair type can be frizzy at times as compared to Type 1 hair. They can be wavy and easy to curl. Type 2 hair can be further classified as follows-
Type 2A: Long, stretched wavy hair
Type 2B: Relatively shorter wavy hair
Type 2C: Defines waves with a few curls
This hair type is manageable with just a nourishing hair serum after every wash. They don’t need LOG treatment.
Type 3
These are curly hair but they are not densely tight curls. They could either be ‘S’ or ‘Z’ in shape depending on the tightness of the curls. They are prone to damage and can be frizzy too. Individuals with this hair type generally have a hard time managing their hair with the change in weather. They can further be classified as-
Type 3A: Loose, big curls
Type 3B: Bouncy medium curls
Type 3C: Small and tight curls
This hair type does need LOG treatment. Depending on the porosity of the hair, one can decide the frequency of LOG. One way to know the porosity of your hair is by filling a glass of water and dropping a hair strand. If it sinks then it is highly porous and easily loses moisture. If it stays on the surface of the water then it has low porosity. Highly porous strands naturally need more shots of moisture to stay nourished. This is where the LOG method helps.
Type 4
These are tightly coiled curls. While they may look voluminous, they shrink after washing since they have lesser layers of hair cuticles. They are extremely prone to damage because of this. Generally, they are ‘Z’ shaped curls. They are typically porous and hence need more moisture. They can be further classified as-
Type 4A: ‘S’ shaped tight curls
Type 4B: ‘Z’ shaped tight curls
Type 4C: ‘Z’ shaped loosely defined curls
They do need LOG treatment since they can lose moisture easily. To protect the coils, they must have a protective barrier that prevents the loss of moisture to define the curls.
To conclude this section, we’d say that anyone with hair types 3 and 4, highly porous hair needs LOG treatment.
How to do the LOG method?
It is just as it sounds. It involves three steps right after washing your hair. What you will need is a leave-in conditioner, oil, and gel. Let’s start with this!
Step 1: Leave-in conditioner
This is the step after washing and conditioning your hair. While your hair is still wet, pick up a leave-in conditioner. Section your hair before applying the product to your strands for even distribution. The amount of the product depends on the porosity and density of your hair. If you have thin and porous hair then using a lot of products can weigh down your hair. So apply the amount as per your hair’s necessity. Comb it with a wide comb to further distribute the product along the length of your hair.
Sublime recommends Ashba Botanics Leave-In Conditioner. This works well with dry, curly or coiled hair.
Step 2: Oil
Using oil right after will help you to layer moisture on your hair. This step will help you trap water and leave-in conditioner. Oil further helps to repair hair due to the presence of Oleic and Linoleic acid in the oil. You can pick any oil or even an oil-based serum of your choice. Spread it well along the length of your hair. You can use a comb afterwards to spread out the product.
Sublime recommends Curl Up Curl Nourshing Hair Oil. It’s a rich blend of 9 oils that helps you introduce life and lustre to your curls. Oleum Cottage Conditioning Hair Serum. It has Jojoba oil that mimics the natural oil of our skin. It also has Lavender, Cedarwood Oil, and Vitamin E to moisturise your curls.
Step 3: Gel
This is the last step that not just helps you lock in all the goodness of the previous steps but also really defines the curls. The gel is supposed to be applied across the length again. After applying the gel, do not comb your hair. Let the gel settle and set your curls. Your hair may feel crunchy once the gel settles and defines your curls. This is normal. Once your hair dries up, you can run a comb to remove the stiffness. Voila, there are your perfectly shiny and defined curls!
Sublime recommends Fix My Curls Curl Quenching Flax Seed Gelly that works fantastic for wavy and curly hair. Its key ingredient is flaxseed which promotes the health of our hair by improving circulation and reducing oxidative stress.
Give your hair a minute’s massage after every step to let it absorb the goodness of each product. After using gel, as we said earlier, give it a good resting time before brushing them finally and styling your hair. This process can take 15-20 minutes extra but we think that is completely reasonable for the results it delivers.
What are the factors one should keep in mind before using the LOG method?
While the LOG method is great for curly hair, you must take care of certain factors that can lead to undesired results. Here’s something that you must keep in mind before the LOG method-
1. Water Quality
Hard water leaves a negative charge on your hair strands which is why they become frizzy, hard, rough and brittle. None of this is pretty, especially for curly hair. LOG introduces three products to your hair to soften them but due to residues of minerals from hard water, hair won’t absorb these products. This will give you greasy and rough hair. So make sure you’re using a hair-softening shampoo and conditioner in case you have to work with hard water. We also do recommend using a water filter.
We love Detoxie Hard Water Relief Shampoo. This suits all hair types and works by undoing the damage that hard water can do. It has Redensyl, Matcha, Onion peel oil, and Argan oil that nourishes and repairs the scalp and strands.
2. Sectioning your hair
This is so important in the LOG method. It’s because the product has to reach every strand to make your hair manageable or else you will be left with sections of your hair that are still frizzy and rough. Sectioning while performing the LOG method will allow even distribution of the product.
3. Combing with a wide brush
The LOG method allows you to brush wet hair which is generally against the classic norm that says combing wet hair can lead to more hair loss. Combing while doing the LOG method allows the product to disperse evenly amongst your curls but one must take care that they aren’t being harsh while brushing. Use a wide-toothed comb and in gentle strokes brush your wet/damp hair. Just how important it is to brush your hair during the LOG method, it is equally important to be gentle while using a comb on wet/damp hair.
4. Using the right amount
Depending on the porosity, density, and tightness of the curls, you can decide on the right amount of product that you should apply. If you end up applying too much of the product then it can weigh down the hair and make them look greasy. Start with less product and add more in case you feel like it.
How often should one follow the LOG method?
Ideally, if you have highly porous hair then you can use the LOG method every wash day but if your hair is medium to less porous then your curls can do with an alternate wash day session. The LOG method is mainly to introduce moisture to your curls so that they are healthy and manageable. It is upon you to decide the frequency depending on how easily your hair loses moisture. It is necessary to give it a good resting
The bottom line
LOG is a method to moisturise and define your curls in three post-wash steps- Leave-in conditioner, oil, and gel. It is great for hair types 3 and 4 who can have highly porous hair. Porous hair tends to lose moisture quickly and LOG is the solution that introduces moisture in layers to retain it for a longer time. If you have curly hair then you’ve got to give the LOG method 3-4 tries for manageable and shiny coils!
-Divya Salvi
