New to oiling...

[beauxchev]

I'm new to the LHC, and just today (actually 2 minutes ago) started oiling my hair. I had to work with what I have in the house right now, and I found some Bert's Bees Vitamin E oil with almond oil and lemon oil. Is this an oil that would be good for the ends of my hair? Also, do you apply oil while your hair is still somewhat wet/damp? How often do you oil? Every day? What is the best oil to use? Also, for anyone who is familiar with the store Whole Foods.. do you think I could buy oils there? I'm a college student on a tight budget! Cheap is preferable.

Sorry about all the questions! Thanks in advance.

Oh, one more thing. I often use a leave in conditioner (Garnier Fructis Length and Strength). Can I use this AND oil? Would it be too much to apply oil just to the ends and then the leave in on top of that as usual?

[Calista]

There are people who use plain ol´ olive oil on their hair. That´s a little too heavy for me; I like jojoba or sweet almond oil best. Just lately I started using Moonchaser´s Sweet Success oil (she´s a member here), which is a blend of different oils and essential oils plus a little cayenne for good growth. Basically any oil that´s fit for eating´s fit for using on your hair, so it doesn´t have to be the most expensive stuff.

I use a little oil on damp hair (and I mean a little - just a drop or two will suffice). The night before a wash I often do a heavy oiling on dry hair. I usually oil my length and especially the ends, but pre-wash oilings include the scalp.

HTH!

[granitbaby]

I love coconut oil for my hair and it is cheap too! I buy coconut fat (not liquid) from the food store, it is refined but works very good.

I oil my hair the night before wash day with coconut oil and castor oil (also very cheap) and after a wash I put a few drops of jojoba oil or coconut oil on my ends while my hair is still damp.

I don´t have the answers to all you questions, but I wanted to share my thoughts about oils.

Good luck and welcome to LHC!

[Rae~]

I found that with coconut oil (and also with other leave-ins such as Shea It Ain't So), I have to be really careful to only use a *tiny* amount or it is obvious that my hair is, indeed, oily. But with Jojoba I can be a little more 'free' - my hair accepts more of that than anything else, and it is *lovely* and soft afterwards....

I oil (just a few drops) on wet/damp hair nearly every time after washing (I CO). I also sometimes add a little more on the 2nd day after washing ("DD2" or DirtyDay2), particularly because I wear my hair up every day so can afford to be a little liberal.

Your hair may be different, being medium rather than fine, but if you are keen to try some other oils, my experience makes me recommend jojoba.... for me, I have found my bottle lasting wonderfully, even using it several times a week....

[daeana]

i only oil before washing. my favorite is safflower oil. i pretty much just douse my dry hair with oil, leave it in for a while, then shampoo/condition as usual.

i'm pretty sure whole foods has usable oils, but i don't shop there often enough to know what the cost would be like. i just get mine from regular supermarkets.

i'm not sure about the burt's bees oil, though. the lemon oil concerns me, mainly because i have no idea how that'll affect hair.

[beauxchev]

thanks for all the helpful replies. i think i'll try and track down some jojoba oil, as that seems to be the most preferable and versatile for people. as for application, i think i'll continue applying after washing..

[beauxchev]

hm.. now i'm thinking i should get some coconut oil too.. i've heard that massaging your scalp with coconut oil can help you get faster growth.. has anyone had any experience with that?

[missy60]

jojoba oil is also multi purpose I use it on my skin also and it the greatest