LOC METHOD: HOW TO EMBRACE YOUR CURLS AND COILS
Like mastering any beauty regime, getting your curly and coily hair care routine right often comes down to trial and error – as what works for your bestie might not for you. Which is why you need to test out products and see what hair care works for you and your locks.
If you're a hair naturalist, have recently spent time on YouTube or are blessed with 4C hair, you may have come across the LOC Method. But what exactly is it and how does it cater to your hair concern for better looking curls?
Here at Cult Beauty, we’re breaking down the LOC Method and sharing essential tips to help you get the most out of it, so you can enhance your natural textured kinks and coils with confidence.
In This Article:
- Who Is The LOC Method For
- What Is The LOC Method
- How Many Times A Week Should You Do The LOC Method
- LOC Method VS LCO Method
- LOC Method FAQs
WHO IS THE LOC METHOD FOR
The LOC method is essentially a way to garner better moisture retention for your curly hair when you style. As those with kinks, waves and coils know, this hair type is usually on the drier end of the hair texture spectrum. Why? Because these tresses have higher porosity that tends to feel perpetually thirsty. Although your length's porosity plays a major part in whether the LOC method will work for you, it is still a super effective way to treat your dehydrated strands regardless of its curl pattern.
WHAT IS THE LOC METHOD
Now we understand who the LOC method will work for, let’s get into what exactly it is.
The term LOC identifies the three main hair care heroes used in the method and the order in which you use them. So, L stands for liquid/leave in conditioner, O for oil and C for cream. If you deviate from this order, then you aren’t completing a true LOC method.
What makes the LOC method unique from other wash and go styling techniques is that it is incredibly considerate to the moisture retention needs of curly hair. Like a good skin care routine begins with a toner to initiate the first layer of hydration, it's the same principle with the LOC method.
Step 1: The Leave-In Conditioner
Start the LOC Method with a liquid leave-in conditioner. As these formulas tend to be water-based they make for the ideal first step in ensuring better water conservation. Section your strands and apply your favourite formula from root to tip. Paying special attention to the ends of your locks, as this is where the oldest and driest areas are.
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Step 2: The Hair Oil
Next, hair oil. Be careful not to weigh down your lengths by using too much. Start with small, pea sized amount and work through your sections applying a thin layer to trap in moisture. Hair oils that are formulated with emulsifiers will work best as once they mix with the water from the leave-in conditioner, they deliver hydration straight to the hair shaft instead of sitting on top of it.
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Step 3: The Hair Cream
Finally, finish with the heaviest of the three formulas— a hair cream. Whether you prefer a thick and creamy texture or something more like a smoothie, this last step ensures that the hydration on your locks is locked in place.
Working in sections, apply the hair cream to your hands to evenly distribute the product. Then, work it into your hair from root to tip with a ‘praying hands’ motion so that the cream is pressed into strands with your palms. You can also use your fingers to rake the product in, focusing on the ends. Then style your curls as you normally would.
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HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK SHOULD YOU DO THE LOC METHOD
How many times a week you do the LOC method totally depends on your hair type, texture and how dry and dehydrated your mane feels. However, we recommend two-three times a week to ensure that your locks look and feel luscious. But, as always, listen to your hair and go by what feels best. If you’ve got chemically treated strands or your they’re feeling particularly dry, then maybe doing it more often might work better for you.
LOC METHOD VS LCO METHOD
As you may have seen there is a constant debate between which hair hydration method is best— the LOC (leave-in conditioner, oil, cream) method or the LCO method (leave-in conditioner, cream, oil). The difference between the two is when to use your hair oil. With the LOC method, the oil is used second with the hair cream sealing the deal while the LCO method finishes with a hair oil instead.
If your hair is particularly dry, thick and coiled, the LCO method may work better for you as the extra layer of moisture from the hair cream and sealing it in with the oil could help your strands more with water retention. If you’re just after better moisture retention and your hair isn’t as dry and damaged, then stick to the traditional LOC method.
LOC METHOD FAQs
Should you put LOC Method on wet or dry hair?
The best time to do the LOC method is when your hair is damp. This is because if your hair is too wet then the products you use can risk becoming diluted and stop working correctly. But if your tresses are dry then the products risk not being absorbed. Damp hair therefore is the perfect time to maximise water retention.
How long does the LOC Method last?
The effects of the LOC method typically last between two to seven days depending on your hair type, the products you use, the environment you’re in and whether you top up the routine or not. For example, if you’re in a humid environment and reapply your hair oil and cream after a couple of days you’ll notice the effects for longer. If you’re in a drier climate and aren’t spritzing with a leave-in conditioner or oil, then there is more chance that your strands will evaporate water faster.
How many times a week should I do the LCO method?
This totally depends on your hair type, texture and hydration needs. As stated above, we recommend two-three times a week but experimenting with the method until you feel you’ve found the perfect balance will depend on what your hair wants and needs.
And there you have it, a total rundown of the LOC – loving hair care method. Whether you’re a traditionalist and prefer to use a hair oil last or need to finish the routine with a hair cream, we guarantee your curls, coils and kinks will look bouncier and feel more defined instantly.
Rina is Cult Beauty’s Junior SEO Copywriter and has always had a passion for beauty and skin care (rich moisturisers are her obsession). What started as a love for The Body Shop and their famed Born Lippy lip balms (in ‘Watermelon’ of course!), she is now more interested in finding products with proven effectiveness instead of broken promises. A loud and proud VIEVE fan, Rina owns nearly every item of the range and recommends the brand to anyone who will listen... When she’s not intently reading ingredient lists, you can find her either immersed in multiple true crime podcasts or co-hosting her own parenting one, with an *extra* hot cappuccino in hand.
