The LOC/LCO method

**lapushka** · December 17th, 2013, 10:20 AM

L = leave-in or liquid
O = oil
C = cream

This is a styling method for dry periods, such as wintertime.

Here's a YT video on it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH3T6fD1Cv4

I use 2 out of the three after my hair gets washed, and that is a leave-in and a serum/oil. I don't use cream after, but a gel. Just with the two I use it is magical for frizzy hair.

**Firefox7275** · December 17th, 2013, 10:53 AM

I understood the L stood for liquid not leave in, ie. the moisture (= water) one is aiming to seal in. I notice a lot of people on NC and Facebook hair groups using LOC but there seems to be a huge amount of variation in what the letters/ names stand for - some seem to be using occlusives (oils and butters) for all three steps which I strongly suspect misses the point of layering different ingredients. At some point there ought to be something rich in the major emollients (fatty alcohols and cationic surfactants) for it to be truly conditioning and balanced.

**Kaelee** · December 17th, 2013, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by Firefox7275

I understood the L stood for liquid not leave in, ie. the moisture (= water) one is aiming to seal in.<snip>

Maybe THIS is why my hair behaves, looks and feels much better when I go to bed with it wet. When I go to bed with dry hair I'm almost guaranteed a bad hair day.

**meteor** · December 17th, 2013, 11:11 AM

Yes, this method is very popular among curlies, especially in the natural hair care community, but it's overwhelming for my fine hair. I like some creams/butters, but I prefer not to layer that on top of oils, or I get waxy build-up.
I always do the first 2 steps of the LOC method though.
To be honest, I've never seen any explanation of why putting creamy/buttery product on top of oil is recommended... Why exactly is it good for hair? Maybe they just mean the "C" to work as a styling gel to tame extra-curly hair?

**Aingeal** · December 17th, 2013, 11:26 AM

Originally Posted by meteor

Yes, this method is very popular among curlies, especially in the natural hair care community, but it's overwhelming for my fine hair. I like some creams/butters, but I prefer not to layer that on top of oils, or I get waxy build-up.
I always do the first 2 steps of the LOC method though.
To be honest, I've never seen any explanation of why putting creamy/buttery product on top of oil is recommended... Why exactly is it good for hair? Maybe they just mean the "C" to work as a styling gel to tame extra-curly hair?

I could be wrong, but from what I understand you want the moisture, then use the oil to seal the moisture in, and then use a cream to style it. HTH

**lapushka** · December 17th, 2013, 12:21 PM

Originally Posted by meteor

Yes, this method is very popular among curlies, especially in the natural hair care community, but it's overwhelming for my fine hair. I like some creams/butters, but I prefer not to layer that on top of oils, or I get waxy build-up.
I always do the first 2 steps of the LOC method though.
To be honest, I've never seen any explanation of why putting creamy/buttery product on top of oil is recommended... Why exactly is it good for hair? Maybe they just mean the "C" to work as a styling gel to tame extra-curly hair?

I also stick to the first two steps, well 3 if you substitute the cream for gel.

**ErinLeigh** · December 17th, 2013, 12:33 PM

I did something similar last night and my hair is silk right now.
Damp hair.
Cone free leave in conditioner
Avocado Oil

I could not go in public like this with my fine hair but it seems great for just chilling around the house to get a ton of moisture into hair

**Firefox7275** · December 17th, 2013, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by meteor

Yes, this method is very popular among curlies, especially in the natural hair care community, but it's overwhelming for my fine hair. I like some creams/butters, but I prefer not to layer that on top of oils, or I get waxy build-up.
I always do the first 2 steps of the LOC method though.
To be honest, I've never seen any explanation of why putting creamy/buttery product on top of oil is recommended... Why exactly is it good for hair? Maybe they just mean the "C" to work as a styling gel to tame extra-curly hair?

That is the thing, what some are using for the C step is not what I would describe as a cream, traditionally a cream is an oil in water or water in oil emulsion with an emulsifier - think cold cream for skin. Modern creams often contain fatty alcohols and/ or cationic surfactants as the emulsifier, like a thick and rich conditioner.

Some doing LOC are using straight whipped shea butter which is not a cream to me, it's basically a repetition of the O step since both are occlusives/ anti humectants.