If you know me, then you know I live for the LOC method. Even before the LOC method became a thing, I was doing it to my hair. In the mornings before school, I would wet my hair and add pink moisturizer to it, topping it off with mousse to get a shiny curly pattern before throwing that bad boy into a ponytail.
I rocked that curly ponytail puff like it was the last hairstyle on earth, lol.
Okay so, mousse isn’t a part of the LOC method. I left out the O because I never put oil in my hair back then, but the technique I used was close to the LOC method using water, a moisturizer, and a styling foam; it kept my hair looking nice, and people always wanted to know what I did to my hair.
If you have been a part of the natural hair community, you probably already know what the LOC method is. People with curly hair have a challenging time retaining moisture because the natural oils their scalp makes cannot make their way past all those curls to the ends of their hair.
SO, WHAT IS THE LOC METHOD?
The LOC method stands for liquid (or leave-in conditioner), oil, and cream. The technique combines water or a water-based product, a hair oil of your choice, and a cream to retain moisture.
The name itself signifies the order in which you should apply the products to ensure that your hair stays moisturized for longer. In addition, this trio of products aims to help improve the overall look and feel of your hair.
I have been using this method the correct way, minus the mousse, for over five years now on myself, even longer for my daughters, and let me tell you, it works!
I went from having waist-length locs to doing the big chop back to having mid-back length loose hair in a 3 ½ year period. And all my daughter’s achieved waist-length hair using this method.
We use this method at least once or twice a week after a cleansing wash.
Think you want to give it a try? Read on to learn how to add the LOC method to your hair care routine. ⇓
HOW TO DO THE LOC METHOD
- GET YOUR HAIR READY
First, start with your standard hair cleansing routine. Next, use a sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner that will gently cleanse your hair. I like to use moisturizing shampoo. Do this in four sections to help eliminate tangles. You can also use shampoo and conditioner, placing the conditioner at the ends and working your way up to the roots. Do this before applying any shampoo to your hair. After you have conditioned your hair, do not rinse out the conditioner; instead, add your moisturizing shampoo to the roots of your hair and gently massaging the scalp.
- APPLY LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER
Once your hair is washed and detangled, you can select your choice of liquid—the L portion of LOC. I recommend a lightweight leave-in conditioner that your hair can easily absorb. Part your hair in sections, re-wet your hair with a spray bottle if it is dry, and apply the leave-in conditioner evenly through your hair.
- OIL UP YOUR STRANDS
Once your hair is saturated with a leave-in conditioner, it’s time to apply your hair oil. You can use different oils, coconut oil is my personal favorite, but you may not like this oil for your hair. In that case, you can try argan oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, olive oil, lemongrass oil, etc. Apply a few drops into your palm and apply on each section of your hair from root to tip.
- FINISH WITH A HAIR CREAM
Now, you’re at the finish line. Seal your strands and lock in a cream. Grab a quarter-sized amount of cream, apply it to each section, and style as desired. If you like, you can use your leave-in as a cream, and it will have a similar effect as using a cream (depending on the thickness of the leave-in).
WHO SHOULD USE THE LOC METHOD?
Not sure if the LOC method is for you? The truth is the LOC method works best for those with high porosity hair. High porosity hair types have strands that look and feel dry.
If you have low porosity hair and are still interested in the LOC method, you’ll want to make a slight change. The method that’s typically preferred for low porosity is the LCO method. However, this just means you’ll need to switch the order in which you apply your cream and oil.
So, you would first apply the leave-in, then cream, then oil (LCO).
This little switch can make a significant difference in whether your hair ends up being weighed down by the products you’re layering onto your strands!
Good Luck and Happy Moisturizing!
More of a visual learner check out Takara Onea as she uses the Dark and Lovely Au Naturale product line and takes you through her wash day routine or check out the Curl 5 support page for more video tutorials.