Firstly, Red Palm Oil:
Benefits of Red Palm Oil:
In actual fact, the benefits are numerous (trust me, I suggest you do your research), including: claims of cancer-fighting agents and anti-ageing properties. But, since I'm focusing solely on my mane, here are the two benefits that I'm placing most importance on:
- Red Palm Oil is one of the best natural moisturisers, with a high fat content that acts as a deep conditioner and leaves hair shiny, soft and manageable for up to one week after application. Having curly hair, I often find that my hair becomes dry from the lower-mid to the end of the hair strand. My hair literally soaks up products like the Sahara, so even the slightest bit of extra moisture is heaven-sent.
- Red Palm Oil is rich in anti-oxidant vitamins A and E that fight against those free radicals that threaten and destroy skin, scalp and hair-producing cells so naturally, Red Palm Oil has anti-ageing and healthy hair growth benefits.
But the downsides...Oh, there are always downsides...
If you have a totally OCD mother like mine, this stuff reaaaaally is not for you. Trust me, my mamma didn't raise no fool. I wrapped my mane up like it was a convict on death row, that shit wasn't going anywhere. I even cocooned my pillow in an old towel in an attempt to avoid an extra slice of morning lecture pie. I was good to go...
Anyway, cut a long story short, I woke up in the morning and trust me, no word of a lie, my hair was smoother than Chris Brown's casual Rihanna/Karrueche swaps, and my curls had more definition than the Oxford dictionary. But now listen, this is where the drama began...My crisp, heavenly white bed sheets were soaked orange. Please believe me when I say, this is no ordinary oil...This stuff soaked through the wrap, through the bedsheets, right down to the mattress...And the pillow? Forget about it!! That let down is currently swinging from the front door ready for roadside collection. I know, I know, you think I'm exaggerating. Trust me, I'm not, it literally gets everywhere...and it stains. So you might want to wear disposable gloves when applying, put a shower cap on afterwards and sit inside a cardboard box away from all humans and stainable objects...You know, just in case. Really though, this shit could penetrate Kanye's ego in a heartbeat.
Oh Lord, and the smell...Wow. Maybe my nose is just highly over-sensitive but seriously, this stuff smells like death and depression. So realistically, my next blog post will probably be an hourly update of my death by vomitting. But hey, at least I'll die with perfect hair. That's all that matters, right? But seriously, please take the smell into consideration because you and your mane are gonna have to be prepared to own up when someone asks what died.
And now, Coconut Oil...
Benefits of Coconut Oil:
- Due to its low molecular weight, Coconut Oil penetrates deep into the hair shaft and stimulates growth.
- Since it's not very easily broken down nor evaporated, Coconut Oil adds and retains moisture, shine and softness.
- Prevents breakage and split ends, thus contributing to length retention.
- The various fatty acids found in Coconut Oil serve as excellent anti-dandruff agents, so you can say goodbye to that blizzard that just landed on the back of your collar.
The Downsides:
Ok, ok, I know that I said that there are always downsides. Well actually, I lied because I haven't really found any with this gem. As long as you don't overdo it and just use the amount that you need, the oil generally isn't too greasy and should penetrate the hair shaft easily. But be warned, if you go overboard...Trust me, it will look like you've gone overboard, literally.
Oils. How do I use them?
If you've never used coconut or palm oil before, it does come as a solid/semi-solid. Don't worry about this, as it soon becomes a liquid once it reaches a certain temperature. There are different methods for warming these oils, but it's entirely down to personal preference. I would really urge you not to warm up coconut oil in the microwave though as not only can it damage the chemical structure of the oil but, over time, it'll also probably start to smell like a cabbage-lover's backside. I did previously always heat my oils by placing the tubs in a sink/bowl filled with hot water. However, I've found that my oils become quite soft and have what I'd call a buttery texture at room temperature (although this might be due to the fact that my mum insists on having the house hotter than Dominica). So, on a daily basis I now prefer simply to scoop out the amount that I need in its buttery semi-solid form and rub this in my palms. This body heat (because I'm quite clearly smokin') turns the oil into its liquid form, which I can then apply easily to my hair. However, I do still use the sink method as I also like to apply oils by mixing a few of my favourite essential oils together in an applicator bottle (which you can find and buy pretty cheaply on eBay) so that I can thoroughly nourish my roots and scalp.
Where do I buy them?
As people are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of natural oils such as Palm and Coconut Oil, sellers on eBay and Amazon are bumping up their prices. Please don't be ripped off by the extortionate prices or the unnecessary P&P costs. Instead, I'd recommend that you check out your local Asian/Caribbean grocery or corner shop where you're likely to find it for a fraction of the price. You can also buy it from supermarkets but expect a slightly bumped up price. I buy the KPC branded version of these oils (as shown in the pictures) from my local Asian mini-mart for a measly £1.99 for a 500g tub, bargain!
With the coconut oil, it can either be bought in a glass bottle or a plastic tub. Personally, I prefer the plastic tub as you get twice as much more for only a tiny fraction more of the price. I also find that it's so much easier to get my oil-hungry stubby little hands in the tub to scoop out oil, so you might want to bear this in mind if you're going to opt for this application method. However, if you're going to opt for the heat until entirely liquid method, you may prefer the glass bottle as it's slightly easier to pour without having the coconut-scented Niagara Falls running through your fingertips.
With the coconut oil, it can either be bought in a glass bottle or a plastic tub. Personally, I prefer the plastic tub as you get twice as much more for only a tiny fraction more of the price. I also find that it's so much easier to get my oil-hungry stubby little hands in the tub to scoop out oil, so you might want to bear this in mind if you're going to opt for this application method. However, if you're going to opt for the heat until entirely liquid method, you may prefer the glass bottle as it's slightly easier to pour without having the coconut-scented Niagara Falls running through your fingertips.
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