When I first started trying to unlock the secrets of black hair growth years ago, the biggest revelation I found was that my hair was dry and craved moisture.

Moisturized hair is more healthy and pliable, which will prevent the breakage that happens when hair is dry and brittle.

The crazy thing was—I didn’t even know what moisturized hair felt like.

Was it the sheen of grease in my hair? Was it the dampness I felt when my hair was slathered in hair lotion? (Remember Pink hair lotion? HA! I can smell it as I type. That thing did not agree with my hair even though I used it for years.)

Through trial and error, I had the chance to experience what moisture meant for my hair.

It’s hard to describe, but I learned that moisturized hair is hair that is basically infused with moisture and softness from the inside of the strand. It may not necessary “look” soft; but to the touch, the hair has the perfect balance of softness and strength.

Think of it like a cake. The best cake is not too buttery that it can’t hold its shape and not too dry that it crumbles like a cracker. There’s a perfect medium, often described as moist, that happens when the cake can balance those two extremes.

That’s how hair is. You don’t want your strands too soft and gummy, and you don’t want it snapping off like a twig. In the in between, the perfect formula of moisture and protein will occur to give your hair optimal elasticity.

Sometimes this perfect blend can’t be achieved with one product, though. For kinkier and coarser hair patterns like mine, it could take more work to keep moisture in the hair. That’s why I have to layer up the moisture to help lock it into my strands.

I did a video years ago about how I add and retain moisture into my hair with the L.O.C. moisture method. I made a video about it, and it has received more than 32,000 views.

However, I need to re-introduce this method because some of the products I use have changed. Also, I can better explain how each step helps my strands.

What is the L.O.C. Moisture Method?

The L.O.C. Moisture Method stands for liquid, oil and cream. That’s the order in which you apply the different products into your hair for optimum moisture levels.

So, right after a hair wash or if my hair is particularly feeling like hay one day, I’d take out my three trusty products and get to work section by section.

For the liquid, I use Hawaiian Silky Moisturizer and Sheen spray. This is not, I repeat, not the glycerin in the white and green pump spray bottle. This is the company’s seemingly less popular watery spray that I like to use to soften my strands. Spray enough to coat the strands without drenching them.

Please note: If my hair is dry AND tangled, I start by spraying aloe vera juice in my hair. It melts away my tangles. Then, I proceed to mist the liquid Hawaiian Silky product mentioned above because aloe vera juice on its own leaves my hair feeling crunchy when it dries. Great detangler—not so much as a stand-alone moisturizer.

When I’m done applying the liquid, I move on to the oil.

The main oils I use are grapeseed oil, argan oil or jojoba oil. I also tried avocado oil with pretty good results. I need my oils to be light. Popular oils like castor oil or coconut oil are a no-go for me. It sits on the top of my hair and does not penetrate through.

I usually have grapeseed oil on deck because I can get a huge bottle of it at Wal-Mart for a decent price, but I could use any of the said oils interchangeably.

Lightly apply the oil on to the same areas you applied the liquid. This seals in the liquid moisture you just applied. Also, since you’re tripling up on product, don’t be heavy handed with the products. Work them in lightly for a better, less gunky end result.

After the oil, add the creamy moisturizer to close the deal.

I previously used Kinky Curly Knot Today, and it’s still a good product. Now, I use Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioning Treatment (in the purple bottle) because it’s cheaper, more accessible and more moisturizing to my hair. It’s advertised as a wash-out conditioner, but I use it as a leave-in with no issues.

After I’m done detangling and moisturizing section by section, I braid my hair in two plaits and put it up in a scarf for the night. When I wake up, I take the two braids out and welcome my moisturized twist-out style (which will likely go right into a bun).

The L.O.C. Moisture Method is trial and error. See what products and steps work for you.

Maybe you find that your hair wants the cream right after the liquid (L.C.O). Or maybe, and sometimes I do this after the morning braid takedown, you need to add a little more oil to help bring everything together (L.O.C.O).

Customize it to your liking and find what your hair likes best.

I’ll be releasing a hair video this Friday to show exactly how I do my updated L.O.C. moisture method, so don’t miss it!