Our Thoughts on Grease on Natural Hair

[@rosalynguest2240]

I love that you mention the history behind why we used what we used & why it’s not necessary to continue this practice. A lot of people think “my ancestors did this, it was good enough for them it’s good enough for me” but it’s not necessary and their practices weren’t for really healthy.

[@iateyursandwiches]

I agree when it comes to somethings, but how is grease not healthy apart from the fact that it may not be best from an environmental/pollution standpoint? Its almost like Vaseline. All ir does is sit on to of (hydrated) hair/skin to prevent water loss.

[@Nic2Blk]

Please go to a Dermatologist! It was the best thing I ever did. I was suffering from seborrheic dermatitis and had a biopsy done, and the pathologist diagnosed evolving CCCA (Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia). Whew chile...basically I caught it early enough to stop the inflammation and mass scarring of follicles. White blood cells were found around my follicles. A stylist can't help you with this!! Please...please listen to them!

[@mzsbrown2844]

I was born in 1969 so I grew up in the 70s and I hated grease back then but it was mandated in the black community. I always thought I had extreme dandruff issues until I stopped using grease over 20 years ago. That dandruff issue ended up being product build up and bacterial infections.

[@Mick-Squared]

Aishia’s teeth are beautiful. I did my first no-oil wash n go. It turned out very nice. Hair feels good too. I’m willing to go on with this. Once my schedule clears up, I’m gonna join the digital salon.

[@catherinebutler3003]

I'm telling my age. My mom used Ultra Sheen by Johnson & Johnson, and when I got older she used Blue Magic and Dax. The scalp got greased lightly and then brushed from the scalp down the hair strands. We used the original Suave shampoo and rinse out conditioner, which got the grease out with no problem. When she started pressing my hair at the age of 12, she used Dax Pressing Oil to press my hair but, didn't grease my scalp until after she pressed the hair. Also, we didn't use blow dryers, so the hair was air dried completely before pressing. Hair was washed every 2 weeks and she didn't put grease on my hair again until it was washed again. I had a head full of healthy and long hair. My mom would sometimes wet set my hair as well, using only Dippity Doo hair gel & those net covered wired rollers and let it air dry. I notice on KZbin with any products, they put so much of it in the hair. I don't understand why they suffocate the hair like that. Some are only washing the scalp and saying the rest of the hair gets cleaned when rinsing out the shampoo. We washed our scalp and hair. We never had dried or heat damage hair. I believe the only reason we didn't have single strands knots back then is because we didn't wear our hair open in its natural curly state. We wore plaits, cornrows, ponytails, and ballerina buns. I see so many KZbinrs having to big chop more than once because of repeatedly damaging their hair. Even when I was doing my own my hair when older while natural, I let my hair air dry then curled or straightened it with a curling iron. Hence, no heat damage. Not a strand of straight hair once it was wet again. My mom wouldn't relax my hair until I was eighteen, and that's because I wanted it. She did my touch up every 6 months. That's when she started using treatments in my hair, I believe once a month. I maintained a head full of healthy long hair. When my daughter was grown she blow dried her hair before flat ironing and was putting heat in her hair almost everyday and ended up with heat damage. She now wear her curls and twists and have never been chemically relaxed and now have healthy hair again. The process and products used back in the day worked. I will say this, by the time my mom had me, she sought help on how to take care of hair because of her mishap as a teenager at the Salon. Since going natural in 2014, it's been a lot of work and money. I'm looking to use less products and money. I do plan to experiment with grease again, but maybe just use gel for my wash-n-go. I can't afford all these products with my waist length hair. It would have been longer but I've had a lot cut off by scissor happy stylists. I finally tried Deva Chan Salon in NY, can't wait to get back. I hope this will help some parents with girls. I don't like it when I see little girls with added hair, unkept and damaged hair, it's no need for that. There's nothing wrong with the old way of doing things and you'll save your child's scalp/ hair and some money. Peace and blessings!❤️

[@ayaanhersi6506]

I used grease for the first time since January and was able grow my hair from shoulder length to waist length 🤷🏾‍♀️ retained my length way more compare to my prior constant wash and go days.

[@naturallycurlynovice6392]

I can’t for the life of me understand why people get so mad at information that makes so much sense 🙌🏽 love you guys videos 💕

[@BlackGirlCurls]

We're a bit miffed about that too

[@ossier2796]

My beautician says I don’t have to apply oil to my hair since most hair products have oil. It took me a long time to find a hairdresser who set me straight.

[@Barnes247]

My scalp never really itched or gave me any issues until I watched a bunch of natural curly hair KZbin videos and started using grease/heavy oils/butters in my hair. Not to mention, prior to implementing them in my hair, it was crazy long (waistline length) and healthy from root to tip. My hair began to act and feel awful after using grease etc. Since ditching the grease/oils/butters and going back to the basics (shampoo, condition, style) my hair’s health has taken off! It’s super shiny again too. Matter of fact I’ve had people ask what kind of oil I have on my hair because of how shiny it is now. Anyway, these ladies are doing AMAZING work. It doesn’t hurt to have an open mind and just listen. 💕

[@chocolateme7731]

I disagree with you. I have been using grease for a long time and my hair has grown out tremendously. I tried not using grease and spending money on natural hair products that did absolutely nothing for my hair. My scalp was so dry no matter how much oils I used. My hair started shedding and getting thin. But as soon as I started using grease the shedding stopped and my hair got thicker and thicker. My hair is so thick and juicy. Be fore I apply it I use a cream moisturizer or leave in then I seal it with the grease. Grease is not a moisturizer but it seals in the moisture of your leave ins and creams. Everyone hair is different. And from what I have seen when naturals here on KZbin use grease. They have nothing but good things to say about so apparently it can't be all that bad. Even back in the day when some of us used it our hair was down our backs. Maybe not everyone can use grease. But grease works good for some. If you do use grease you just have to shampoo instead of cowashing.

[@union23mom]

Love your information. I feel so good about what I have learned. Had my first curly cut. Can't tell me nothing.

[@ossier2796]

I’m sad to say that I bought the Blue Magic grease and put it on my hair once and realized why I stopped using it. I’m 69 and my grandma used grease to press my hair. I used Vitapoint in college in the 70’s. It took me years to find out why my hair was dry even now I get caught up in stupid things.

[@krvera01]

We can't expect our hair to do like someone else's hair, every one has a different background, a person may have more Indian in her family so hair will look and behave different, other person may have kinky hair because they have more african in their background and these people can have the same features and skin color but hair could be a different texture and react to creams and oils in different way

[@tiffanyjohnson135]

My hairstylist recommended I used grease for my dry scalp and it’s been helping. All of her clients have beautiful, long, healthy hair.

[@ossier2796]

I wondered why my hair didn’t move when I did it. My current hair stylist doesn’t use oil she says wash, condition and style. My hair was dry and broke natural, pressed or relaxed.

[@catherinebutler3003]

When I was relaxed, I greased my scalp with Vaseline right before I did my touch up to protect my scalp. I let a stylist do my relaxer and she didn't put anything on my scalp, so I got my 1st and last chemical burn. A lot of them didn't want to take the time to prep before putting in a chemical. That's a shame! We have to learn and also speak up if necessary when getting our hair done by others. After that the only time a stylist saw me was for a haircut. When you find someone that does right, keep them. Even if you have to travel out of your state.

[@asho345]

I hate grease. It gives me single strand knots. I’m always skeptical when people recommend it, but it must work for someone.

[@1021Marcy]

I've also seen an uptick in SSK since going back to grease in October. I need to drop it. Idk what I was thinking.

[@jjayjae_]

I feel like all of these issues surround people being very heavy handed with their hair products, oils specifically. I use less than a dime size amount of grease for a quarter of my head and smooth that through after using quarter size amount of a moisturizer or leave in. I use a foam as my styler. I also make sure that my hair has actually absorbed the water and feels softened by it before I apply any product on it. My hair is very soft and fluffy and I experience no build up because I do not remoisturize during the week. It’s also not greasy because of how little I use during styling. I just spritz my hair hair with a mixture of Rose water & glycerin daily. I also have no issue washing my hair with a sulfate free shampoo that contains Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and Cocomadipropyl betaine. I can feel my hair strand and it is squeaky clean. I also use sulfur 8 on my scalp because the sulfur combined with the ketoconazole I use occasionally help to treat my sebhorreic dermatitis. I’m not heavy handed with that either. I literally take just enough to lubricate my finger, part my hair, and then apply that to the parting. While this routine is working for me I’m looking to switch the grease out for a hair serum in my twist out routine due to environmental reasons. In my wash and gos I avoid the grease and use a leave in and a botanical gel, maybe a tiny amount of a harder hold gel to smooth down frizzier areas or if I want more control. My hair had more issues with buildup using raw oils, which was probably due to me not being able to gage the amount I needed to use due to me following bloggers who slathered on layers of product. What I will say is that I enjoy seeing this discourse. If anything it’s shown me that the basis all cosmetologists use is the same. There are some like you who don’t use oils, and there are others like who use hair grease or raw oils in very small amounts (very much so like my routine). There are some who preach the wash and go and others who focus on twists outs and braid outs. Regardless you all stress the importance of properly cleansing the hair and scalp frequently and cutting down the hair routine to the basics. I can definitely appreciate that.

[@ossier2796]

Remember the movie Coming to America? The family that owned a Jeri Curl company always left a greasy spot on the wall after getting up from the sofa.

[@thelmaquarshie2133]

😂😂😂😂

[@whitney7777]

Love grease been using them for years so my hair is resist to breakage. I agree with y'all, you have to wash your hair to reset the scalp but when I don't use grease on my actual strands me and my hair don't get along! Can't do it. Thank y'all for your energy we still need hair discussions like this. God bless

[@ebonywatson9939]

When I couldn’t tell if my hair was moisturized or just oily I decided to give this a try, the no oils/butters/grease method. Just starting so I’ll get back to ya on how it works for me. Scalp stays itchy and I’ve tried everything. What do you guys think about ACV rinses.

[@aristacorral3564]

I am SO glad yall made this video. I just watched this whole mess about 'myths' of hair grease. I'll have to come back later to finish the video

[@cyd282]

LOL I ain't gonna lie, back in 1996 twist outs with Indian Hemp was my thing and it WORKED! LOL it worked because there wasn't much else AND I don't think sulfate free shampoos were the thing to have, so maybe it worked because I always "Washed my damn hair" and conditioned who knows. Hair grew from about 3 inches to mid back. Chile I tried to use that old method about a month ago and BAY-BAY at 1st I thought awww suki suki it's on and 2 days later whomp whomp AHAHAHAHAHA

[@BlackGirlCurls]

LOL! My mom loved her Hindu Sheen

[@surifushion]

I never had better curls in my 4c hair than with blue magic and my hair is still doing great. I just wash it twice a week when using grease. But I will try your advice and hair routine.

[@judis9184]

I recently found your channel and love x3 the education that your provide for our kinky coily natural hair. I grew up using Dax, Ultrasheen and Long Aid K7 on my hair. Went natural in 2012 and never looked back. I’m going to check out your digital salon. Tfs New subbie 👍🏽😊

[@alisalindsey8873]

Hello, ladies, I just wanted to say. " MUST OF US" grew up using " GREASE" . when I went natural I 2011, I used oils (coconut, almond, olive, avocado) you name it! I know they all have different uses, sealants, moisturizing etcetera. They " ALL" dried my hair out leaving little to no shine. I returned to " GREASE" 2 months ago, and can attest to the fact that I have grown/ retained length & MOISTURE. Grease isn't damaging to our hair " AT ALL" ! you ladies sound very condescending " what yr is I" really! As if " WE" should know better! Well I do know better, that's why " IVE RETURNED" to grease. Please don't judge others for what they put on " THEIR HAIR". However, dialogue is ok, but. Ridicul isn't. Just my opinion.

[@BlackGirlCurls]

Didn't realize that sharing facts about hair care and hair history counted as being condescending. As with everything, folks are going to do what they do with their hair but we're here just to bring facts, experience, levity, and some humor to the conversation. With the indication of these caps lock moments seems we've hit a nerve.

[@ahardy6069]

Alisa Lindsey- I guess your hair would seem okay after Aeleise's scientific explanation of grease on hair. Never once did they mention any oils would hydrate the hair either. They gave an excellent history on black hair...Were you not listening? We have evolved and our haircare has too. But since you advocating that grease, let's see how it works out one year from now! Please give us an update.

[@alisalindsey8873]

@@ahardy6069 I will give an update. I referenced the oils because of my experience, not because they advocated. Actually, as I stated 2mos of using grease, there's. MOISTURE retention. And I will apologize to the ladies for my tone. I reread my comment and I didn't like how I articulated my point..😞

[@ahardy6069]

Alisa Lindsey- Ya know, if these ladies weren't hair stylists I can understand your hesitancy to believe them. But since they are licensed with plenty RECEIPTS, why wouldn't you believe them but question their knowledge, experience, and receipts? As a matter of fact, I look in the mirror everyday and see proof of their knowledge and experience. Maam, don't get left behind, re-listen to the reason for your pseudo MOISTURE RETENTION. Follow these ladies, listen to their podcasts, join their Digital Salon or find a stylist in your area that was trained by them. I would hate for your hair to be damaged beyond repair that only a regrow over (big chop) would help. Listen to the As, they know hair. Thank God I found them 8 months ago and new stylist that was trained by them 4 months ago. But just in case, you don't, update us in 6 months or even 12 months.

[@mswtaz94]

alisa lindsey I’ve watched a lot of their videos and they do sound condescending a lot. Funny, I was thinking that too. What they are saying isn’t. It’s the smirking, chuckling, nose wrinkling way it’s presented.

[@lessence2226]

My 4C hair actually loves grease...i don’t believe all hair is created equally.

[@BlackGirlCurls]

What does it love about grease?

[@booairmow]

@@BlackGirlCurls 🙂

[@nae990]

So glad I found this. I was definitely gearing up to buy grease to "protect" my hair from winter weather. 🤣 Omg I lost hair right above my ears, wear glasses, and I have allergies to nickle and impure metals too. This stream has been so helpful. Thank you! I'm definitely going to see a dermatologist.

[@iateyursandwiches]

Grease, followed by silicones are the best SEALANTS for type 4 hair. It being petroleum based, means it's literally an occlusive in the skin care world which is important for people with dry skin and/or eczema to lock in moisture(though skin, being lipid based has an easier time absorbing it wet or dry). It's a similar a thing for dry hair textures like type 4. Put it on top of damp/wet hair, especially with a leave in conditioner, and that hair will be moisturized for weeks! It imparts the best shine to a texture that tends to be on the duller side too. If you have color treated hair though, obviously it may not be the best option since it will require you to use sulfates all the time.

[@ossier2796]

Coconut oil made my hair feel greasy but dry. I stopped using it.

[@KashiAyumi]

Good conversation. I returned to old products & yes it worked for a Bit BUT I Had to stop using Grease. The build up took 3 washes to remove & my curls didn’t pop as much. Guess my stylers weren’t penetrating😭. I let that go & my hair is for the Better.

[@anonymousgirl799]

Your hair looks really dry. Ridiculous to not give moisture to black hair, just don't go overboard.

[@chaninashairjourney6116]

I just bought the book 📚 cant wait to read it

[@JazzyMamaInAK]

I only have seen 2 extremes, the old oil /grease way or mix up aloe and flax and olive oil or other natural concoction. I don't think I've heard anyone, professional or not, say no oil or grease. Probably the best that my hair was, I could afford to see my hairdresser weekly and she used vitamin E oil in my hair (I didn't oil in between). I don't follow hair blogs or YT channels so if someone has been saying no oil no one in my sphere is doing that. Some may do it more or less but still doing it.

[@ossier2796]

I’ve used Wen and I still use Deva Decadence line but I also shampoo my hair and I don’t use it daily or even once a week.

[@mswtaz94]

I stopped using grease on my relaxed hair in 1980. My hair took on a whole new life with fullness and growth. My problem was every beautician or stylist wanted to grease me down. I had to go to a Hispanic hairdresser to get my hair done without oil all over. He used Biosilk. I started back last year on my natural hair due to severe allergies to natural products and oils. I can’t with plants as I am allergic to almost everything. I prefer my hair without it but 🤷🏽‍♀️. I’m not going to carry an Epi pen. To be honest, my hair retained more length and fullness with grease lol. I’ve never had any lint or debris in my hair, even in high wind. Not even in the 60’s and 70’s with Afro Sheen lol.

[@BeautyByRI.]

Hey ladies. I am really happy and excited that I have found you. My perspective of natural hair care has totally change for the best! What do you ladies think about 'protective styling' especially leaving it in for about 2-4 weeks? I would love to see you ladies make it a topic of conversation on one of your podcast. Continue on with the phenomenal impact that you are making in every curl girl hair out here.

[@hellishot_wateriswet]

TLDR, thanks for reminding us to wash our hair weekly. Now please, stop the grease slander. I have been styling and caring for my own hair for 20 years. I’ve been natural for 17. I had healthy thriving hair when my mom was styling it with Liv or Blue Magic. I kept using blue magic in middle and high school. In my college years my hair thrived with whipped shea butter (made diy) as my main styling product along with tresseme’s curl hydration shampoo & conditioner. Once a week after washing my hair, I’d part it in sections, apply whipped shea butter detangle and make bantu knots or do two strand twists (I’d wear this style for about a week). I’d have big bouncy curls that last about 5 days without doing my hair each night. My hair loved that regimen! Now I am about 3 years into having locs (with loose ends) after shaving my head in 2019. Initially I was caring for my locs using oil blends and rose water. I was definitely overdoing it with the oils. Then I came across the no oils no butters philosophy and gave that a try for a year. My hair did become lighter (less heavy) after a few months. This summer, I noticed my hair feeling brittle and my ends breaking off. I spend a lot of time in the pool, a couple days a week, and have started using Ion’s swimmer’s shampoo and conditioner. Amazing results, it left my hair so soft. I also started using their Miracle Leave-in conditioner and BayBEE!!!!!!! I love how it makes my hair feel. Other than that I use KeraCare’s curlessence shampoo + conditioner, or SoapBox’s tea tree oil detox s + c. I wash my hair 1-3x/week, and braid in my new growth about once a month. Recently I’ve been using Blue Magic Castor Oil (sparingly) on my scalp and ends. My hair stays moisturized longer than just using a leave in. I like how shiny my hair is. My scalp feels nourished. I don’t have to worry about grease stains bc I don’t use that much. The 30 day wash challenge did get me back into washing my hair regularly. (I thought I didn’t need to as often with locs and I was working an exhausting farm job so I was neglectful of my hair) I do look forward to washing my hair now (it just feels so damn good!), but I am back to using light oils (almond oil on my ends occasionally) and blue magic. STOP THE SLANDER. BLUE MAGIC WILL FOREVER BE THAT GIRL! Grease doesn’t necessarily ~grow~ hair but it does lubricate hair strands causing less breakage when styling. Lubricated hair supports length retention, which gives us the idea that it “grows hair.” I honestly don’t see how grease can attract lint and dirt particles any more than humectant or non-humectant gels. ANY hair product can lead to buildup or attract dirt. It’s all about the product application technique, the amount used, and a regular wash routine. If people are washing their hair 1-2x a week, using grease shouldn’t be any worse than coating hair stands in gels until it’s crunchy. Some people want to “show up in the world” with fluffy frizzy shiny hair over a defined curl. That doesn’t mean we don’t know how to do our hair. It means we’re not pressed for a defined curl. It’s also interesting to me that cosmetic chemists say that hair grease does lock in moisture and support length retention, AND that the petrolatum molecules are too large to clog pores or the hair shaft. Petrolatum is a refined byproduct of petroleum (a fossil fuel occurring naturally in the earths layers). Their chemical compounds are not the same. While wash n go/no oils no butters stylists, who do not have degrees in cosmetic chemistry, primarily have negative things to say about hair grease, that it serves no purpose other than stains and acne. I’m really looking forward to the upcoming convo with Javon Ford and Curlfactor about coconut oil!

[@BlackGirlCurls]

You may use whatever you like on your hair that makes you happy. You may also show up in the world the way that makes you most pleased. We will most certainly bring up the conversation about grease with Javon when we have our discussion on this upcoming Monday.

[@majorpsych19]

When you say grease do you mean just any and all oils? I struggle retaining any moisture if I don’t have a leave in conditioner after washing, which obviously have oils. Hahaha I remember when my mom put the pink lotion in my hair as a kid, and I hated it. But it’s only bc my hair is super dry and brittle and she didn’t know what to do. I’m trying to use more humectants like agave nectar and aloe Vera as a part of my deep conditioning. What do you recommend to retain moisture after a wash?

[@tmcurly]

Grease as in petroleum, mineral oil . They do not recommend adding raw oil or butter but sticking to using products with oil and butter in them instead because most of us naturals do the most 😂😂. Piling stacks of Shea butter and oils without washing hair properly 😂😂😂..

[@nykka3]

I love the knowledge

[@awesomeaj9454]

Don't risk it all for hair grease

[@sharonray1287]

Question but not about grease. Do I need to purchase the digital book before enrolling in the program?

[@latrice2121]

Sharon Ray no... you don’t have to and honestly, I would skip out on the book and go straight to the digital salon. YOu’ll gain wayyyyy more info, you’ll have a community to explain what you don’t understand, video content, pdf content, and the courses that are within the digital salon go into More detail than the actual book. The book just scratched the surface... If I could do it all over agin, instead of paying $50 for the book, I would commit 2 months ($24 x 2 months) to the digital salon . After going through the book once, I don’t even look at it anymore. It just doesn’t provide enough information as the digital salon and courses do.

[@MyeshaB]

@@latrice2121 I need to go ahead and join because my goal is to master my wash and go this summer🙋🏾‍♀️

[@ossier2796]

You ladies are talking common sense but even at my age I fall back into bad habits.

[@afrochick10]

Believe it or not, there are some salons that use grease, I know 2 of them from Georgia... I was shocked 😯

[@BlackGirlCurls]

WOW!

[@ossier2796]

Watch the Hazel Goddess KZbin videos, she’s used everything, petroleum jelly, Blue Magic and Dawn, she has color and long hair. I would be bald.

[@danafisher8613]

OOOH thank you for saying Decadence was protein based... that explained my whole experience with it . So that is good to know. I just left it alone

[@andreabeady1583]

This is the truth y’all!!!! Game Changers. Join the Digital Salon, give it 3 months.. it will the best thing you can do for yourself.

[@naturalsystah]

Wish you guys were more visible on Twitter. Hair myths abound there...

[@BlackGirlCurls]

Twitter makes my head hurt and it's too fast paced and random to follow. 140 wouldn't even scratch the surface.

[@Sketch89]

Ok I bought the Wash Your Damn Hair, I swim a lot but don’t see anything about that, would this be something I find in the digital hair salon?

[@BlackGirlCurls]

Yep. But haircare doesn't change when swimming. You'd follow the same cleanse, condition, and style after your pool time. Aeleise was a competitive swimmer doing 2 a days.

[@vadnuana]

But it works.

[@barbarabailey8152]

Locks mean less yes yes yes

[@charleneadams6363]

Aztec Clay Mask treatment will remove grease, oils & butters... Just follow with moisturizing cowash & moisturizing deep conditioner!!! You all are missing everything doesn't work the same on every natural head of hair...💇🏽

[@Sooonero]

And you are clearly not believing science. If you can’t back up your information with fact then don’t spew ignorance. Just because your hair is long and still attached to your head, doesn’t mean it is healthy. Do as you please lol.

[@pinkivy20]

Vitapoint