Many people admire curls owing to their beauty. However, these hair types require much effort to maintain their health and appearance. Because unlike straight hair, curls are more likely to be prone to dryness, frizz, and lack of shine, it is important to pick the right products to nourish and flatten them.
One of the best natural treatments for frizzy, curly hair and adding shine to it is oils. Oils are now used frequently by people with curly hair since they are full of nutrients and moisture retention.
This article will look at the top five oils used to smooth back curly hair while adding shine so that it looks more healthy and vibrant. Whether your curls are loose waves or tighter coils, all these oils will give you the perfect quotient of moisture and shine. Let us go further to see which oils are the best for your curly hair!
How To Choose the Right Oil For Curly Hair?
The appropriate oil can mean the difference between achieving appealing hair curls and a lot of work to try to make the curls smooth and shiny. One of the factors is, however, that every curl does not respond similarly to the oil applied. The reason is that structural factors such as porosity, texture, and thickness of hair play an essential role in which oil will best suit your hair.
Low Porosity Hair
If you notice that your curls never seem to get wet, even when below the tap, light oils such as argan or jojoba oil are the best combinations. These types of oils will allow some comfort to your hair without being heavy in it while also helping your curls in terms of hydration and shine.
High Porosity Hair
Curls that absorb moisture relatively quickly and lose it just as swiftly hold benefits with heavy oils such as castor or avocado oil. These depots protect against frizz and secure moisture by providing a barrier around the hair.
It is equally imperative to avoid the use of oils containing any harsh chemicals or preservatives. Natural pure oils are most desirable without causing damage. Knowing what your curl does in a specific way, you can choose the perfect oil to keep it clean and lustrous.
The Top 5 Oils for Smoothing & Adding Shine to Curly Hair
If you have curly hair, finding the right oil for it will change your entire hair care routine. Below are the top five oils that are known to help these types of hair with attention to detail. These natural oils have high nutrients that help tame the frizz, treat the hair, and improve the quality of curls.
1. Argan Oil
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It is also known as “liquid gold”, is the best for curly dry hair due to its high concentration in antioxidants and vitamin E, and fatty acids. This has a non-oily texture, which is quickly assimilated into the hair strands without leaving an oily feel, rather, it promotes moisture and leaves hair smooth. Here, argan oil adds vibrancy to dry curls. This is especially useful for dry hair or breakage.
How to Use: When the hair is damp or dry, apply a few drops of Argon oil over the middle and ends. Also, this can work as a polish or a finishing oil and make your hair smooth.
2. Coconut Oil
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The best thing about this oil is that it is a miracle oil for hair, especially for hair with coils. It goes deep into the shaft of the hair strands in order to retain moisture. It is the best, especially for thick tight curls which require diligent moisture with a squeeze of control over the frizz. The goodness of its ingredients makes the curls soft and easy to style while they also become healthy-looking and shinier.
How to Use: Use coconut oil to pre-condition your hair by applying and massaging the oil into your hair for at least thirty minutes before or after a wash. A small amount can also be worked into moistened hair to add extra shine and smoothness.
3. Jojoba Oil
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Unlike other oils, jojoba oil is used largely because its structure is almost identical to that of sebum. This means it is extremely helpful for curly hair that needs hydration, such as on curly hair, without a greasy feel. The scalp is also treated with jojoba oil, enabling soft curls that are enhanced by an invisible shine.
How to Use: Jojoba oil should be used on the scalp and on the hair in moderate amounts whether it is left on or washed off or both. Other oils may be added as well for some essential oil nutrition to the hair.
4. Avocado Oil
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Avocado oil contains vitamins A and D, vitamin E, vitamin B6, and amino acids and proteins that help to increase hair health. Its heavy texture is well suited for the application of proteins in damaged hair, primarily in the treatment of dry curly hair. This oil infusion is not only for beautification, but it also nourishes the hair and provides gloss.
How to Use: Simply, scoop out some avocado oil using your palms and apply it all over your hair and scalp after that put a shower cap on and leave it on for about 20 to 30 minutes. Rinse it out properly and you will be rewarded with softer and shinier curls.
5. Castor Oil
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It’s a very thick oil that also has moisture retention and hair growth-promoting abilities. It collaborates and performs very well on thick curly hair that is easily dried out and is very rash-prone to frizzy activities.
The castor oil goes around the hair covering all the strands and capturing the moisture inside while straightening up every strand of the hair improving its sparkle and controllability. The high presence of ricinoleic acid in castor oil gives nourishment to the scalp helping in the growth of hair.
How to Use: This is a pre-hair wash treatment, which involves massaging castor oil on your scalp and hair. Due to the oily nature of castor oil, it is advisable to use this oil in moderation or combine it with light oils like Jojoba or Coconut for easier application.
How to Apply Oils For Maximum Shine and Smoothness?
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While the right oil for curly hair is beneficial, what is worth taking note of is how you apply the oil as this can play a big shift in the results you wish to achieve. For maximum shine and smoothness, there are certain procedures to follow, and it also depends on the type of oil and hair you have.
Pre-Wash Treatment (Oil Mask): Applying oil as a pre-wash treatment has been proven effective in providing deep nourishment to the curls. Massaging oil on the dry hair before washing helps the hair absorb the nutrients.
It is able to do this within half to one hour therefore it is advisable to wait for only this amount of time before shampooing. This is particularly useful on thick, coarse curls.
Post-Wash Application (Leave-In Treatment): The use of oils after a wash and while the hair is still wet, is most important it aids in holding the moisture of the hair, which is essential, especially for dry curls.
Concentrate on the mid-lengths and end of the hair strands, avoid the scalp area so as not to make it oily. Lightweight oils, for example, argan and jojoba will work best since they will not make the curls feel weighed down.
Finishing Touch (Styling & Shine): Additionally, oils can be used to control the finishing stage of the styling process by adding gloss and taming the volume. After the hairstyle has been completed, take a small oil in the palm of your hand and rub it into the tips of your curls.
This aids in adding gloss and eliminating frizzy ends. If it is finer curls that you are styling, then use small amounts of argan or jojoba oil so that you do not weigh down the hair.
Mixing Oils with Other Products: You can also use oil in conditioners to give the hair an additional layer of moisture and softness. Adding a few drops of oil into any product you use on a daily basis may improve its effectiveness especially if there is a need for added moisture and control on frizz for the curls.