Not Just For Cooking

Olive oil. My favorite thing to cook with. While curling my hair with a curling iron this morning I suddenly found myself very hungry...thanks to my hair...and here's why...
Olive oil. I hear more and more all the time that olive oil is good for you, has many health benefits, etc., and I was always curious, but never thought to try actually putting it to the test until yesterday. The first thing I heard was that taking a tablespoon of EVOO every day is good for your skin, hair, and nails. After further research I found that it provides your body with rich nutrients that are good for your heart, help lower cholesterol, help normalize blood clotting, and can even benefit insulin and blood sugar levels, so I'm now on the bandwagon, forcing down a tbsp of EVOO daily. I'll let you know in 20 years if it's been beneficial :) But what I want to talk to you about today is more immediately gratifying-my hair.

Olive oil. In my hair. For three hours. Gross, right? Not at all. After hearing someone talk about the conditioning properties of EVOO, I decided it couldn't hurt to try something new. So, knowing I had some time, I went for it. I checked online to see exactly how I should do it, and there were a few different methods to choose from, but I picked the 2 that I like best. They both involve 1/2 to 1 cup of EVOO (depending on the length/thickness of your hair) and getting your hands messy. One method employs a microwave to heat the EVOO for 20 seconds or until warm, the other does not. Since we don't have a microwave and heat can degrade some of the nutrients in the oil, I went with the latter. That's the only difference between the two. There are other methods out there that add more ingredients, but I wanted to keep it simple and not make a grocery store run just to grease my hair. So from there, I began putting quarter-sized amounts in my palm and massaging it into my hair from the scalp to the ends per the instructions. If you have extra-oily hair they suggest starting about 1/2 inch from the roots to keep from having to shampoo and rinse too many times. My plan was to leave it in for about an hour (both methods suggest at least 30 minutes), but got busy doing other things, and before I knew it, 3 hours had passed! Terrified of a greasy head, I jumped into the shower and started the cleansing process. After the first shampoo and rinse, I could still feel the slick oil in my hair, so I repeated the S&R cycle. The second time was a charm!

Olive oil. Two shampoos and it was out. Not bad at all. I then used my regular conditioner to finish the process. Now I must admit, even though my hair felt normal, I was still very uneasy about what I was going to discover when I dried it. Would it be a greasy mess? Would I even notice a difference? My fears were immediately put to rest when I started the hair dryer. I could instantly tell that my hair was softer, and it wasn't greasy in the slightest! It was actually very voluminous, especially at the scalp which, with my long and heavy hair, was highly unusual. I was so excited that when I finished drying my hair I ran downstairs and made Ray feel it. Even he was impressed! And little did I know when I went to sleep that night, the EVOO had yet another trick up its sleeve. While getting ready for church the next morning I began the usually futile process of curling my hair with my curling iron...at least I thought it was my hair...but really it was completely new and rejuvinated hair! It was like I had switched hair with one of those women you hate...whose hair is ALWAYS perfect. But now my usually unmanageable, hard-to-tame, curls-fall-out-before-I-leave-the-house hair was still so very soft, full of volume, holding curl, and laying beautifully! I must say, I have never been so happy with my hair! EVOO did everything I read that it would do and more. It was unreal! I am ecstatic with the results...and my new hair! Side note: I have naturally curly hair, so I've tested it on the natural curls too, and it gives you shiny, defined spirals that keep no matter what the weather. So if you have natural curls and wear it that way often, this benefits you too!

Olive oil. USE IT. You won't regret it. You don't have to leave it on for 3 hours every time, but if you'll make it a weekly routine, taking about 45 minutes from application to wash, you'll see the benefits and be as enthusiastic about it as I am! I'm completely sold on EVOO, and will DEFINITELY be doing this every week. I've used a lot of conditioners in my life. When you treat your hair like I do...with curling irons and blow dryers and flat irons...you need a good conditioner to repair the damage. I finally found one. It's all natural and works miracles! I highly recommend it to everyone...oily or dry, damaged or not, your hair will love you, and you'll love your hair. Try it once and you'll be hooked, especially if you have hair like mine. Let your hair soak in the goodness.

Olive oil. In your hair. GO!

Happy greasing!

~Heather~