How to Oil Your Hair

Oiling hair is a tradition long followed by women and men alike from many cultures throughout the world. Oiling hair makes it stronger, softer, and shinier. It can be done either with a small amount of oil as a leave-in treatment, or a larger amount can be used and then washed out after it has worked its magic.

EditSteps

Choose an oil. Choose an oil for the benefits it will bring your hair. Since the benefits of different oils are many and varied, you'll need to do some research relevant to your own hair and scalp issues, such as removing dandruff, brightening hair, improving volume or reducing dryness, etc. To help your decision on this, here are some key points:
- Never apply essential oil near to your hair or scalp––it must be placed in a carrier oil first. A carrier oil is a "base" oil that will carry essential oils and dilute them for safe use. Mix 2-10 drops of essential oil (depending on its strength) with a few tablespoons or more of carrier oil before using.
- Good carrier oils include olive, sweet almond, jojoba, avocado or coconut. They do have their own properties (hence no need to add essential oils unless you want to) but availability and price will also be something to consider.
- Essential oils are chosen for their properties and this requires knowing your hair issues and what the oils might be able to help with. Typical uses for essential oils on hair include: sandalwood, ylang ylang, geranium and lavender for dry hair; sandalwood, rosewood and geranium for split ends; Roman chamomile, clary sage, lemon, rosemary, tea tree for scalp; tea tree, cedarwood, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, sandalwood, clary sage for greasy scalp; rosemary, lemon, cedarwood, lavender, geranium for normal hair; lavender, patchouli, rosewood for flaky scalp; cypress, cedarwood, clary sage, lemon, lavender for greasy hair; and lavender, rosemary, thyme and clary sage for alopecia.^[1]
- Argan oil is an oil that can be applied direct to your hair in tiny amounts. It's expensive but does a great job of producing shine and reducing frizz.

Put a couple of drops of oil into the palm of your hand.

Rub your hands together for a few seconds to warm the oil and spread it evenly over your hands.

Scrunch the ends of your hair in your hands. The ends of your hair are usually the most damaged part and need the most care.

Re-apply the oil to your hands and gently run your hands down the length of your hair. Repeat this step as often as necessary.
- If you are using the oil as a leave-in, doing this step once should be enough. Your hair shouldn't look oily.
- If you are using the oil as a wash-out treatment, repeat this step a few times. You should be able to tell your hair has oil in it, but it shouldn't be soaked with it.
- If you'd like luster in your hair, try massaging coconut oil onto your scalp and leaving it there overnight, to be washed out next morning.

Apply the oil to just your fingertips and massage into your scalp. Avoid this step if you are planning on using the oil as a leave in.

Spread the oil using a boar bristle brush. Brush your hair using gentle strokes. Do not pull or tug on your hair; brush gently.

EditTips

Try to keep the oil from coming in contact with your face as this could cause breakouts.

There are some oils called luxury oils (olive, jojoba, lavender) that achieve the same effects as normal oil (coconut, almond) but without overnight oiling, instead in just a short period of time, say an hour or so. They pamper your scalp and cool it down greatly. Consider these as an alternative if you have a hectic lifestyle and cannot cope with the time constraints that come with overnight oiling.