LOC METHOD VS LCO METHOD

You may or may not have heard of the LOC method and the LCO method. They are both ways of moisturising your hair to ensure your hair retains moisture and therefore health and length. L stands for LIQUID, O stands for OIL and C stands for CREAM. The order of the letters refers to the way in which you layer the products on your hair. Pretty easy, right?

Liquids – this refers to any sort of lighter water-based product that moisturises hair. This is usually applied to wet or damp freshly washed/cowashed hair. This is the first layer of moisture your hair will encounter so make sure you’re using a good and healthy product.
Examples: water, aloe vera juice, your favourite leave in

Kinky Curly Knot Today Leave In, water in a spray bottle, aloe vera juice, Giovanni Direct Leave In

Oils – as you all already know, oils do not moisturise the hair, they simply seal moisture in. Therefore, whether you do this step before or after the cream, it is a critical step to make sure the moisture doesn’t simply evaporate from your hair.

Examples: coconut oil, shea butter, avocado oil, olive oil, avocado oil etc

Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, shea butter, coconut oil

Creams – this is a thicker water-based moisturiser that’ll provide lots of moisture. It is just another layer applied to the hair to ensure the hair retains moisture. Depending on whether you use the LOC method or the LCO method, you apply this before or after the oil.

Examples: Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter etc (obviously you don’t have to use these exact products – these are just examples)

Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter

So which is better??

As the story usually goes with natural hair, it’s a matter of trying both out and seeing how you like them. I personally prefer the LCO method because I like applying all my water-based products and having them locked in with an oil. I feel like it moisturises my hair better. But I only came to this conclusion by trying out both methods numerous times and with lots of different products. So TRY BOTH!

Also, I don’t use this method all the time. Just when I feel my hair is dry or needs that extra moisture, so I use this mainly in the winter months.

If you have any questions, comment below or email me and follow on Instagram!

Tara xXx