Lush’s Afro Hair Consultant Sarah Sango and expert colourist and hairdresser Daisy Evans have used their 25 years of combined experience to draw up five routines designed to address your hair wants and needs. This curly hair routine is designed to care for coily and natural Afro hair types, which usually need plenty of moisture to replenish the hair fibres.
Sebum finds it harder to travel down the twists and turns of coily hair fibres, meaning the hair is drier and more vulnerable. Using oils and butters will soften the hair strands, creating a supple, more pliable head of hair.
Step 1. Pre-treatment: Damaged. Deeply moisturising avocado oil will give serious hydration to the hair, protecting the stands, whilst extra virgin olive oil gives moisture and tensile strength, so the fibres stay strong. Melt it down in a cup with 250ml boiling water and stir to create a thick cream consistency. Leave to cool for five minutes or until cool enough to handle then apply to dry hair. Leave on your hair for 20 minutes under a shower cap or Knot-Wrap. This will help retain heat, which will allow the treatment to penetrate into the hair better. Rinse out your treatment, ready to shampoo. See more details on how to use your hot oil treatment here.
If protective styles are taking their toll on your scalp, you may want to alternate braids with wearing your hair naturally. Follicle-stimulating treatment Roots also contains fresh mint infusion, peppermint, and spearmint to increase blood flow to the roots of your hair and nourish the hair follicles. Apply to dry hair, focusing on the scalp. Leave on for 20 minutes and shampoo as normal.
Step 2. Cleanse day: Fairly Traded Honey. Honey is a humectant that draws moisture from the atmosphere into the hair! This shampoo will take care of any product and skin build-up, refreshing the scalp and hair, whilst keeping it hydrated. Lather directly onto wet hair and work through, rinsing away thoroughly before conditioning as usual.
Or, use a Co-Wash for a more gentle cleanse. (You can learn more about the benefits of co-washing here.) Avocado co-wash is moisturising and conditioning courtesy of cupuacu butter and avocado butter. Rose, lavender and Nettle infusion will also help maintain a healthy scalp.
Wet product and work into dry hands until it begins to lather up. Add more water if necessary and work the product into the hair. Co-wash twice or more to ensure scalp and hair is thoroughly cleaned. Rinse hair thoroughly to ensure no residue from this creamy product is left on the scalp.
Step 3. Condition: Glory. Castor oil glides down to the very ends of each hair fibre, enriching with moisture and giving curls divine definition throughout the day. A real supergreen ingredient, fresh okra is rich in magnesium, which thickens and volumises without robbing your hair of condition. With coconut cream and a double dose of anti-statics, this conditioner pushes the hair cuticles down for smooth and shiny hair. After cleansing, squeeze out excess water before working a desired amount through your hair and scalp. Take the time to detangle and comb through, then rinse as usual.
Then onto the LOC Method!
The ‘Liquid Oil Cream Method’ or L.O.C. method is a technique for moisturising hair. It involves hydrating the hair with water or a water-based product (your liquid), sealing in the moisture with oil and then applying a cream product to close the hair cuticle which prevents moisture loss.
Afro and curly hair will benefit from the L.O.C method due to the increased potential for breakage points in the hair fibre, and the difficulty moisture has travelling down the cuticle. Some protective styles designed to reduce combing work such as braids can also place more pressure on the hair fibre and exacerbate hair breakage.
Step 4. L: Super Milk. Coconut, almond and oat milk smooth onto the hair, bringing definition and improving the condition of the cuticle. Part your hair into four sections when it is wet or towel-dried, then spray and detangle with a wide tooth comb or tangle teezer from the ends to the roots.
Step 5. O: Renee’s Shea Souffle. Inspired by a traditional family recipe, this soufflé is a real treat for hair and scalp. Soften and strengthen hair with moisturising avocado and almond oils then add shine with coconut oil. Work a little (or a lot for denser, thicker curls) between your hands and apply on top of Super Milk.
Step 6. C: Curl Power. Cocoa butter combines with argan, coconut and jojoba oil to hydrate and protect the hair. Hold onto moisture with the help of molasses, a natural humectant, that leaves the hair looking bright and healthy, as ethyl macadamiate protects the hair from heat and humidity. Layer on top of Renee’s Shea Souffle to lock in all that moisture
Step 7. Choose your favourite protective style such as single twists, braids or simply leave hair out in its natural shape. Choose your favourite one and let these products protect and moisturise your hair.
Feeling inspired? Find your haircare essentials here and follow the HairLab team on Instagram for more hints and tips.