Can hair oil and curl enhancers be used together? Yes, the order of use is to use the essential oil first and then elastin. After washing your hair, you can apply essential oil to your hair to nourish your hair and increase its shine, and after you finish your hair, apply elastin to the curly part of your hair to rejuvenate your curls and make them look more elastic and shiny.
Here's a suggested order of use:
1.Cleansing: Begin with washing your hair using a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo designed for curly or chemically treated hair to avoid stripping away natural oils.
2.Essential Oil Application: After rinsing out the shampoo and lightly towel-drying your hair to remove excess water, apply a few drops of essential oil onto your hair, focusing mainly on the mid-lengths to ends. Essential oils provide deep conditioning and nourishment to your hair, promoting shine and strength. Allow the oil to absorb for a few minutes or as directed by the product instructions.
3.Conditioning: Use a conditioner, preferably one that caters to curly hair and includes ingredients like elastin to help with curl definition and elasticity. Alternatively, you can use a separate elastin-based leave-in conditioner. Work it evenly through your hair, paying particular attention to the curls to help reshape and define them.
4.Rinsing and Drying: Rinse the conditioner out thoroughly, and gently squeeze out excess water with a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt to minimize frizz. Allow your hair to air-dry or diffuse it on a low setting if necessary.
5.Curl Enhancer Application: Once your hair is mostly dry (damp or slightly damp is ideal), apply a curl-enhancing product, such as a curl cream, gel, or mousse that may or may not contain elastin. Focus on scrunching the product into your curls to activate and define them.
6.Optional Essential Oil Finish: For additional shine and moisture, you can lightly apply a small amount of hair oil to the ends of your curls once they are fully dry. This step is optional and depends on your hair's needs and personal preference.
By combining these steps, you can harness the nourishing and shine-boosting powers of essential oils with the curl-strengthening and defining effects of elastin-infused products. Always remember to customize your hair care routine according to your hair's unique texture, porosity, and curl pattern.