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Oil Training + Coconut Oil Hair Mask 101



"Maybe shes born with it, maybe it's coconut oil."

 


To begin this epic post, let’s talk shampoo first.

How often do you wash your hair? On average, I’m sure its every day or every other day. Tie that in with non-organic shampoo, you’re doing nothing good for your hair or health.

Regular shampoo’s can wreak havoc on not only our hair but also our bodies. It contains harmful and synthetic chemicals that are absorbed through the skins pores. What happens when you directly apply these carcinogenic chemicals into your scalp? On a regular basis inviting these dangerous ingredients in to damage our system has proven to reduce the size of hair follicles, irritate and disrupt oil glands, and dry out the scalp—which can ultimately result in hair loss. YES, premature balding! Said no one ever.

When choosing your hair care products you should try to avoid products containing the following ingredients:

  • Anything with the word ‘sulfate’ is a no-no

  • Derivates of Lauryl Alcohol

  • Propylene Glycol (thats right, antifreeze)

  • Siloxanes

Instead, look for the following natural organic ingredients:

  • Coconut oil and/or aloe vera, which stimulates hair growth by keeping your scalp moisturized.

  • Beta glucan for immune-enhancing qualities to help sooth irritated skin cells.

  • Tea tree which contains antiseptic properties to help maintain the health of your scalp and prevent skin irritations.

  • Shea butter for shine and colour treated hair.

 

What + Why Oil Train

Alright, you’ve now made the shampoo switch, now what? Once you have decided your done with chemical treated shampoos stripping your hair of its natural oils, drying out hair to only produce more grease, you now oil train.

Also known as grease training, this is where you train your hair to last longer between washes. During this process, between hair washes you let things get greasy for as long as possible. This doesn’t mean you don’t shower. Please shower, for the sake of hygiene. Just invest in a shower cap to avoid your hair from getting wet.

If you wash your hair frequently, you’ll start by taking longer breaks between washes, to eventually washing once a week or maybe longer. What ever works for you. I understand that ethnicity, texture, thickness, and use of products play a role in your washes. You will have to experiment the first few weeks to figure out your oil training routine.

Here are some helpful tips during your oil training process:

  • Between washes (this would be pre-cocobun), your hair will get greasy. I promise you its not as greasy as you think it is. If you’re unsure do the smell test. Rub your fingers in your hair at the scalp then smell your fingers. If your fingers smell then it’s time to wash your hair.

  • Products + Hair Care. I don’t use products in my hair after I wash. I used to use a little moroccan oil after to keep things moisturized but oil training and replaced adding any extra moisturizer to my hair. The only time I would use it again, is if I’m in and out of the ocean. Between washes, if things get real greasy but not enough to wash it yet, use dry shampoo. Careful not to over do it though, it can build up if you use to much.

  • Heat. I do not blow dry my hair, but once in a while I will straighten or soften my curls with a flat iron. In doing this, you will automatically be adding product to your hair styling routine like heat serums. All factors in making your hair dirtier and greasier quicker. Be mindful with what you use and even the amount of times you touch your hair!

 

Coconut Oil Hair Mask. Here’s my routine, including all the common questions I get.

Coconut oil has made my hair longer, softer, stronger, and last longer between hair cuts. I started this mask at the end of 2017 and have been doing it weekly ever since. Use it as a basic mask or follow the additional steps for your oil training journey. For those who colour treat their hair—ask your hair stylist before doing it as it could strip your hair.

1. Which coconut oil do I use?

Preferably you will want to use organic unrefined coconut oil for your hair masks. Unrefined coconut oil undergoes a process called ‘wet milling’ which means that the oil is extracted from fresh coconut, spun down in a centrifuge and undergoes NO bleaching. This makes the oil virgin or pure and is the least processed form of coconut oil available.

Shop smart. It’s not that expensive, and you’ll get so much out of one bottle that you’ll have tons of treatments done before you even have to think of buying another. I don’t necessarily stick with one brand, but I do make sure its organic and unrefined.

Currently using Nutiva. My go to Well.ca offers you $10 off $40 or more using this code: cocobun2018.

If your not a fan of the coconut oil mask, you can use it for your skin, in recipes, as a makeup primer and/or remover among a ton of other things, so your money will definitely not be wasted!

2. How do I prepare my hair?

Your hair should be dry. If you are oil training your hair, you should be waiting at least 3-4 days from your last wash to apply the mask so the oils from your scalp work together with the oil. If you're just starting out maybe it's just a couple days. Experiment. Brush out your hair so when applying its easier to get through it all without breaking ends.

3. How do I apply it?

First step in applying the oil to your hair, is heating it up. Its by far the easiest way to get every strand without leaving chunks in your hair (if you live in cooler climates). Simply place closed jar in a bowl or sink full of steaming hot water. Allow the jar to sit in the water for 3-5minutes until you have liquified the oil enough to cover your hair. The consistency should be of baby oil or EVOO.

Depending on hair length and thickness, you’ll use about 1/4–1/3 a cup. A little goes a long way. Start from roots and work your way down tending to your roots last.

Pop your hair up in a top knot, aka the cocobun. Left over oil on hands can be massage onto skin. Now, go about your day and make sure not to touch it too much wit your hands.

4. How long do I keep it in for?

If you are oil training, leave it in for at least 12-24 hours. The longer it stays in, the better results you’ll find. Do this once a week. If you are sleeping with it in, wear a shower cap or my preferred choice is just laying down a towel.

If you are not oil training and just using this as a hair mask, 2-5 hours is adequate. Repeat this up to two times weekly.


5. Washing it Out

When you are ready to wash, make sure you wash thoroughly by massaging your scalp. Maybe even twice or three times depending on how long you’ve kept it in for. If you rush this stage you will have leftover coconut oil in your hair and after drying or styling it will still ‘appear’ greasy. Personally, I don’t condition my hair after because theres no need to, but use your judgement.

Repeat the process as often as you'd like. Consistency is key if you want to see results in softer, shiner and longer hair.

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