Winter is officially here and while we all love cosy fireplaces, warm blankets and hot chocolates, dry, brittle hair is an unfortunate side effect of these colder months. But do not fear because we’ve got you covered! This is our guide to fabulous hair this winter with essential oils.

Last year we did a deep dive into rice water – the hair care trend that took social media by storm over the summer. While the ‘miracle water’ did prove its ability to leave our hair shiny and soft, our research found that there hadn't been any proven scientific evidence to suggest that using rice water would actually make your hair grow faster and stronger. So while rice water became the answer to soft and shiny hair in the summertime, the secret to keeping your locks longer and stronger throughout winter remained a mystery. That is until now …

After the success of the rice water phenomenon DIY haircare enthusiasts have taken to TikTok and Instagram to reveal another secret to commercial-ready hair – essential oils. According to these creators, you can expect to see longer, stronger, healthier hair depending on the type of oil you use. It might seem like it's been right under our noses the whole time, and that's partly because it has been. Essential oils have been used for years and have a wide range of benefits depending on their usage. Ancient Egyptians used aromatic oils as early as 4500 BC in cosmetics, ointments, and medicine. These oils are still used in many products on our shelves today in unconcentrated doses. The trouble is, introducing these oils into your routine can seem overwhelming if you don't know which ones to use or how to apply them. But fear not, Louvelle has got you covered! Here's our guide to the best essential oils for hair care and how to incorporate them into your routine.

So What Oils Can Be Used for Haircare?

Oils for hair care can be divided into two important groups, essential oils and carrier oils. As we will explain later, they should be used together for the best results.

Essential Oils:

• Peppermint – This oil has been successful in promoting hair growth in alopecia sufferers by increasing blood flow and oxygen to your scalp.
• Teatree – Works as a clarifying oil that helps to clear out follicles on the scalp so you can grow more hair on the surface of the scalp.
• Cedarwood – Can be used to combat dandruff and an itchy scalp.
• Rosemary – The Holy Grail of hair care oils. It is scientifically proven to increase the rate of hair growth while stimulating the scalp to facilitate this growth. Rosemary oil for hair also has quite a few damage restoration benefits. Unlike other oils that promote hair growth rosemary oil strengthens and promotes circulation for thirsty hair follicles that are starving off their blood supply leading to hair loss.

Carrier Oils:

Jojoba Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Oil – these are best for moisturising your scalp – but they don't help with hair growth or strengthening hair follicles. You should use these as carrier oils, mixing a few drops of the essential oils listed above in with them.

What do I Need to Know to Get Started?

The most important rule is to always dilute your oils in shampoo, conditioner, or carrier oil! This is a crucial step. Essential oils are very concentrated, which is why they generally come in quite small bottles. Using too much or applying directly to the skin can cause irritation. Nobody wants to walk around with an itchy, irritated scalp! Diluting your essential oils before you use them actually helps to drive the oil solution into your epidermis layer. As a result, they will linger longer on your skin and penetrate deeper so that you are able to see the benefits faster.

Want to grow your hair while combating dandruff? To target specific problems, you can blend oils such as rosemary and cedarwood into a carrier oil. Jojoba oil absorbs easily in the skin, doesn't clog pores and helps with split ends. This makes it a good carrier oil option. However, those with curly hair might choose to opt for coconut oil as it helps heal protein loss and adds moisture when applied to this type of hair. Just add 3 – 4 drops of your essential oils to a carrier oil, and voila! Your very own customised hair oil.

Don't feel like making your own? Try Mielle's Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil. This product is great because it can be used as a scalp treatment to precisely deliver the hair follicle benefits or be used as a leave-in/styler for natural, textured hair. Finally, Don't overdo it! Essential oils should only be applied to the scalp about once a week.

How do I Incorporate Oils Into my Routine?

Use 3-4 drops in your shampoo, conditioner, or carrier oil and apply right to the centre of the crown, massaging throughout the scalp for about 3-5 minutes. We recommend the Scalp Revival Stimulating Therapy Massager by Briogeo available at Mecca Cosmetics. This massager is the perfect addition to your scalp care routine. Pair with your favourite shampoo, oil, or treatment for a massage therapy experience that also promotes hair growth by stimulating the scalp.

Once you've applied your oil treatment, be sure to wash your hair thoroughly in warm water with a good shampoo. It's important to take your time to wash your hair once you've used an oil treatment, as you don't want excess oil to linger on your scalp and weigh down your hair once it's dry. Finish by wrapping up those luscious locks in your favourite Louvelle Hair Wrap. Because our hair is at its most fragile when it's wet, it's essential to protect your growth and prevent hair follicles from breaking. Our stylish wraps are great for protecting your hair as they are made of absorbent microfibre materials that protect your hair and dry it in half the time, keeping it safe from winter breakage!