The L.O.C. Method for natural hair is my saviour. About six months ago, I would have raised my hand high in the sky and would have admitted to being a wash and go addict. But a summer full of sun, sea and (ill advised) bleach left my curls in turmoil. Suddenly, with straggly ends and constant breakage the wash and go didn’t look so cute anymore!
In October, I decided to take the plunge and get a new haircut in the Unruly Curls Salon in London, UK. Most of my bleached hair was removed and I was left with an adorable tapered hair cut. Was I happy?
No. I was petrified.
Petrified that the bleached/henna-ed ends to my hair would break off at the slightest touch. Terrified that my new tapered cut would mean I would no longer be able to sleep, because I seemed to have forgotten how to even lay my head on a pillow without pineappling my longer curls. Horrified at the prospect of doing more damage than good by waking up each morning and tugging at my hair to battle the enemy that is shrinkage.
I decided my curls needed rehab. The winter months can be pretty miserable in London, with all the cold weather and dark mornings that cities like New York face without the picturesque snow that make it all seem worthwhile – yes I am a teacher, and YES I am bitter that I haven’t had a day off due to being snowed in since 2012!
The cold air meant that it was simply impractical to continue doing wash and go’s because:
- Damp hair and cold weather is a recipe for disaster
- Crunchy gel curls rubbing against wool and other winter materials would cause breakage
- Curly hair needs moisture all year round, but especially in the winter months!
This is how I accidentally stumbled across the dream team that is protective styling and the LOC method (LOC standing for Leave-in, Oil and Cream). Note that this is different from the LCO method.
MY LOC METHOD TUTORIAL
I first of all decided that I wanted to keep my hair in protective styles throughout the week to avoid problems 1 and 2. Then, in order to combat problem number 3, I scrapped the gel and reached for a thick cream instead.
Even when I used to do wash and go’s I would apply a layer of oil underneath my styling products to lock a bit more moisture of my leave-in in. Adding a cream on top of the oil instead of gel means you are adding a second, more robust layer of protection – and let me tell you, through doing that, the moisture is going nowhere!
So for the past few months I have religiously followed the LOC method on my weekly wash day before braiding it up and wrapping my hair under a turban or head wrap during the weekdays. On the weekends, I let my hair flow naturally and show off the results of 5 days of pampered hair.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THE L.O.C. METHOD WORKS FOR ME?
My hair has NEVER felt so moisturised. I apply my hair products on Sunday, and on Friday – when I take the braids down – my hair is STILL hydrated. I have experienced absolutely no breakage, wash days are now a breeze and I have managed to retain so much more length than I have ever achieved before – I’m talking about 4 inches in 4 months; that’s double the rate of normal growth!
A lot of my hair growth has been down to healthy eating and supplements, but the length retention is purely down to using the LOC method and protective styles. I would wholeheartedly recommend that everyone with thirsty hair gives the LOC method a try, especially during the cold winter months. And don’t be afraid to cover your hair! The first day I went to school with my hair in a turban I got a few odd looks, but by the end of the week I bumped into students who had copied my turban style around every corner of the school! Let your hair hibernate through the winter months! Just like a summer body is made in the winter, so is summer hair! Low maintenance protective styles and the LOC method is my way of ensuring that my curls will be popping in summer. Join me!
MY HAIR NOW!
