Your Birth Month = Best Oil for Your Hair
Imagine if being a Taurus, Sagittarius or Virgo had an influence on what oil is the most beneficial for your hair? Well, let's just pretend it does. So, based on your birth month, what hair oil should you use?
January - Argan Oil
The first month of the year often means fresh starts and the opportunity to do things differently. So, if you don't already, try something new by implementing argan oil into your hair care routine. This "liquid gold" is loaded with plenty vitamins and antioxidants. Argan oil has many benefits which include eliminating dandruff, moisturising dry scalp, preventing split ends, controlling frizz and strengthening brittle hair. You can also use argan oil as a heat protector before blow drying or straightening your hair. Buying pure argan oil might be expensive but it's definitely worth the investment!
February - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
For the month of love, show some TLC to your coils by using extra virgin olive oil in your hair care regime. Using an oil typically used for cooking in your hair might sound weird, but trust me, olive oil is full of essential fatty acids that your hair will love. As an emollient, olive oil softens hair and makes it more manageable. It's also a great sealant that keeps moisture locked in. The anti-inflammatory properties in olive oil helps fight dandruff. As a pre-poo dandruff buster, mix 2 tbsp. of olive oil and 2 tbsp. of lemon juice, massage into scalp, leave for 20 mins before shampooing. Generally, extra virgin olive oil is affordable and easy to find. Using this oil regularly will definitely promote healthy hair growth.
March - Lavender Oil
Bring in the start of spring by using lavender oil in your hair care routine. Lavender oil is an essential oil with antiseptic and antimicrobial properties, making it a great oil to use to combat scalp issues like dandruff and scalp psoriasis. Lavender oil also improves blood circulation, promotes hair growth and length retention. The best way to use this essential oil is to dilute it with other carrier oils like coconut, jojoba or olive oil. Massaging this oil mix on your scalp as a pre-poo treatment or an overnight masque is the perfect way to maximise the healing and nourishing properties that lavender oil offers.
April - Jojoba Oil
The fourth month of the year means swapping heavier coats for lighter jackets and heavier oils for lighter ones. Jojoba oil is a lightweight oil that mimics the sebum (natural oil) the scalp already produces, so it maintains your scalp's natural balance and hydrates hair from inside out without leaving a greasy residue. Jojoba oil has antibacterial properties that help reduce dandruff, keep the hair follicles clear and encourage hair growth. This oil can also be used as a sealant to seal in moisture and prevent split ends. You can apply jojoba oil directly on your scalp or add a few drops to your favourite shampoo and conditioner for extra hair nourishment.
May - (Jamaican Black) Castor Oil
It's only right I put my favourite oil for my birthday month. (Jamaican Black) Castor oil in its raw and unrefined form contains rich fatty acids that decreases hair loss, increases hair growth and makes hair thicker - making it the ideal oil to use to grow your edges! Castor oil is also a great humectant, which means it attracts and retains moisture. The best way to maximise the benefits of this oil is by applying it directly to the scalp and hair a few times during the week. Castor oil is very thick in consistency, so a little will go a long way. You can also mix it with lighter oils like almond or grapeseed oil for a more balanced consistency.
June - Moringa Oil
You've probably heard little about moringa oil, but it's an oil high in vitamins and minerals which are super beneficial for your hair. It's considered a powerful hair conditioner that softens hair, promotes elasticity and retains moisture. Moringa oil also fights split ends and reliefs dry scalp, which makes it a great oil to combat dandruff. Since it's a light oil that absorbs quickly into scalp, moringa oil is best used as a hot oil treatment. Apply this oil to your scalp and hair, leave for 15-20 mins before washing and see how your hair is restored to its original shine!
July - Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is a lightweight oil, which makes it the perfect oil to use during the July heatwave. It's an oil loaded with monounsaturated fat, oleic acid, and vitamins - basically all great ingredients that your hair will love! Avocado oil easily penetrates the hair shaft and moisturises hair, without clogging up the hair follicles. It's equally a great oil for treating flaky scalp, thanks to its anti-fungal properties. Avocado oil can be used as a scalp massage oil when paired with essential oils like peppermint or rosemary oil. This can promote blood circulation and encourage faster hair growth. Avocado oil can also be used during your LOC/LCO hair regime. For a bonus tip, add some avocado oil to your favorite conditioner to give it more slip.
August - Coconut Oil
By this time of the year your coconut oil is probably already melted, so you might as well use it in your hair care regime. Although coconut oil is enriched with fatty acids and has antibacterial properties, it still often gets mixed reviews. Some say coconut oil makes their hair smooth and manageable while others say it dries out their hair - so this oil isn't for every hair type. The best way to know if this oil is for you is by using it in different ways to test how your hair responds to it. You can either use coconut oil as a dandruff pre-poo treatment, to benefit from it's anti-fungal properties, or add some to your deep conditioner, to help treat split ends and restore moisture to dull hair.
September - Rosehip Oil
You might be unfamiliar with rosehip oil, but it's a natural conditioning oil that's packed with vitamins, antioxidant and fatty acids. Rosehip oil is a great oil to use on your edges because it prevents hair loss, repairs damaged hair follicles and even treats flaky scalp. As a lightweight oil, it absorbs quickly and balances the scalp's natural sebum production. To maximise the wonderful benefits of rosehip oil, massage the oil directly into your scalp before washing to simulate blood circulation and encourage hair growth.
October - Sweet Almond Oil
For the month of Halloween, there's nothing scary in trying a new oil. Sweet almond oil is an excellent sealant which is essential to use during this time of year to lock in moisture. Saturated with fatty acids and rich in antioxidants, sweet almond oil penetrates the hair shaft and keeps hair hydrated in the winter months. It's also a great oil to use for repairing split ends, adding sheen to hair and taming frizz. You can rub sweet almond oil directly on your hair or mix it into your deep conditioner to use in a hair masque.
November - Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is an essential oil most famous for its anti-fungal and antiseptic properties. This makes it a very important product used to treat dandruff and other scalp conditions like psoriasis. Tea tree oil has a soothing effect that helps with itchy and inflamed scalp. Applying tea tree oil directly to the scalp may cause irritation, so it's recommended to always mix it into carrier oils like jojoba or olive oil. You can use this mix for either a hot oil treatment or a simple scalp massage oil. When used regularly, tea tree oil improves the overall health of your scalp and creates better conditions for your hair to grow.
December - Grapeseed Oil
In this festive month, treat yourself by incorporating grapeseed oil into your hair care routine. As a carrier oil, grapeseed oil is packed with powerful antioxidants that have deep moisturising properties. Grapeseed oil is a very light oil that won't clog up your hair follicles when applied directly on the scalp. In fact, it has anti-inflammatory properties that soothes the scalp and reduces dandruff. Grapeseed oil is best used as a sealant to lock in moisture, strengthen weak hair and combat split ends.
Generally, what's your favourite oil to use in your hair care routine ? Tell me @LushBraidsByB
B.