If you dey struggle with dry hair, brittle ends, or hair wey dey break like chin-chin, the problem fit no be your shampoo or stylist—it fit just be say your hair dey lack proper moisture-retention.
For this our Nigerian weather wey dey swing from scorching sun to dusty harmattan, your hair dey suffer pass you sometimes. So if you want hair wey dey soft, juicy and retain length, you need a moisture-retention routine wey dey solid like Mama’s jollof.
Let me show you how to build one that works
1. Understand Your Hair Porosity (No Skip This!)
Before you begin anything, you need to know whether your hair be low, medium or high porosity. This one na just fancy way of saying how your hair dey absorb and hold moisture.
Quick Test:
Drop clean strand of hair inside bowl of water:
If e float, na low porosity
If e sink slow, na medium
If e dive like Olympic swimmer, na high porosity
Why e matter?
Because low porosity hair no dey absorb moisture easily, while high porosity hair dey absorb fast but lose am quick. Your routine go depend on this.
2. Use the Right Shampoo (No More Harsh Chemicals)
Some of una dey use shampoo wey strip hair like thief. Ahn ahn! We dey Naija—no be every shampoo for abroad fit our hair o.
What to do:
Use sulphate-free shampoo (e gentle on hair and scalp).
Try: Creme of Nature Argan Oil Shampoo, ORS Olive Oil Shampoo
Shampoo no be everyday food—wash every 2-3 weeks, not too much.
Bonus Tip: Add small honey or olive oil inside your shampoo to prevent it from drying your hair.
3. Deep Condition Like Your Life Depends on It
If you never dey deep condition weekly or bi-weekly, na you dey do your hair strong thing.
What to do:
Apply moisturizing deep conditioner after every wash.
Try: Motions Moisture Conditioner, Aphogee Moisture Balance, or DIY banana + honey + coconut oil mix.
Cover with nylon cap or use heat (like steaming cap or warm towel) to open up hair cuticles.
Leave it for at least 20-30 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
4. Master the LCO or LOC Method (Na Key to Juicy Hair)
LCO and LOC na two common methods wey help your hair trap moisture. The letters stand for:
L – Liquid (water or leave-in)
C – Cream (moisturizer or butter)
O – Oil (sealing oil like castor or olive)
Choose based on your hair porosity:
Low porosity: LCO (Oil last so moisture no run away)
High porosity: LOC (Oil early to lock in fast-evaporating moisture)
5. Avoid Everyday Manipulation (Touch No Mean Care)
Too much combing, brushing, styling dey cause breakage and dry your hair.
What to do:
Stick to low-manipulation styles like twists, buns or flat twists.
Use wide-tooth comb or fingers to detangle gently.
If you dey braid or fix wig, don’t neglect the hair underneath—spray your cornrows with water + leave-in mix.
6. Lock it in with Good Oils and Butters
Don’t just moisturize—seal it in. Use oils and butters wey dey easily available for Naija babes
Naija-friendly Oils and Butters:
Shea butter (ori): For sealing ends
Castor oil: For thickness and edge growth
Coconut oil: Light sealant and shine
Palm kernel oil: Hidden gem! Very nourishing
Apply lightly, especially for fine hair—no overdo
7. Sleep Smart (Night Time Na Strategy Time)
You dey moisturize during the day but destroy everything at night? No na.
What to do:
Wrap hair with satin/silk scarf before bed
Or use satin pillowcase (if scarf dey slip off)
Do simple style like twists or loose bun to reduce friction
8. Stay Hydrated and Eat Right (Yes, Your Hair Dey Chop Too)
You dey drink 1 sachet of pure water per day but expect your hair to glow? No be juju be that?
What to do:
Drink enough water daily (aim for at least 6-8 cups)
Eat foods rich in protein, iron and vitamins—eggs, beans, fish, vegetables
Final Words from BeckyHubhaven
Your hair no be dry bush, so stop treating it like one. With this simple but effective moisture-retention routine, your hair go thank you with length, shine, and less breakage.
Remember, Naija hair dey unique, and so is your journey. Stay consistent, use what you have, and watch your crown flourish like Lagos Island on a Friday night!
Do you have your own moisture secret? Drop am in the comments—we dey here to learn from each other!
