Finding the right routine for coily hair can be tricky. Every head of hair has different needs and that can lead to a lot of trial and error, but one thing is for sure; coilies need MOISTURE. Sure, you’ve got a good thing going with Salwa Petersen’s Chébé Hydrating Shampoo and Chébé + HA Conditioner and you religiously pop a bonnet on before bedtime, but you can really amp up the efficacy of your products by trying out this specific technique of styling your hair, called the LOC Method.
What is the LOC Method?
The LOC Method stands for Liquid or Leave-in, Oil and Cream and is a deliberate way of layering products after wash day to prevent frizz and maximize moisture retention. Just like with skincare, you’ll get the most bang for your buck by layering your products from the lightest, thinnest texture to the heaviest.
The first step, Liquid or Leave-in, refers to water or a water-based hydrator like a leave-in conditioner or conditioning spray. Next is Oil, which is literally any oil that coats the hair shaft and locks in the moisture you got from the liquid step. The final step is Cream, which adds shine and definition to your coils, all while sealing in the other products, resulting in deliciously hydrated hair!
All hair types can benefit from this technique, but it’s especially helpful to those with thicker, denser curls or coils.
How to LOC
Step 1: Liquid/Leave-in
After shampooing and conditioning, section out your hair and re-wet each section if it’s gotten dry. You have a couple options here. You could dilute a little Chébé + HA Conditioner with water in a spray bottle and use it as a leave-in. The Chébé Hair Milk is also a great option for this step - it’s lightweight and hydrating enough to act as a perfect moisturizing (and detangling) base for the rest of your routine. Whatever liquid you choose, work a generous amount through each section.
Step 2: Oil
Next it’s time to add your oil. Apply a thin layer of oil to each section of your hair, working from root to tip but paying special attention to the ends. The type of oil you choose should be based on your hair porosity (more on that in a minute). High porosity hair responds well to richer, heavier oils like castor oil and olive oil, while low porosity hair loves lighter weight varieties like avocado oil and argan oil. Salwa Petersen’s Oil Of Chébé is a great, fortifying lightweight oil that works for all hair types.
Step 3: Cream
After you’ve thoroughly conditioned and oiled your tresses, a good moisturizing styling cream like Chébé Buttercream acts as the final step in the LOC method to seal in all that hydration. Work the cream through each section until you’re left with defined, hydrated coils.
LOC vs LCO
Some curlies and coilies may have better results swapping the order in which they apply the oil and the cream. The culprit? Hair porosity, which basically refers to how your hair responds to moisture. High porosity hair has a hard time staying moisturized and low porosity hair doesn’t let moisture in at all! There’s a simple test you can do at home to figure out your porosity - pull one strand of hair and place it in a cup of water. If it floats on top, you’ve got low porosity. If the strand sinks to the bottom, you’re high porosity. If it stays suspended somewhere in the middle, medium porosity.
There’s some disagreement about which method is best for each hair porosity type. Some people swear by the LOC, but low porosity coilies with thick, dense hair may benefit from the LCO method, soaking up the extra hydration of a thick cream and then sealing it all in with oil as the final step. Give both methods a try and see which gives you the happiest coils!
No matter whether you LOC or LCO, your hair will be beautifully defined and lusciously hydrated. No more thirsty coils!
Show us your frizz-free and defined coils on Instagram by tagging #chebecircle!
