The cuticles on hair strands operate like a vent. The cuticles raise and lift and they lower and close. Some soaps tend to raise the cuticle and some conditioners tend to lower the cuticles. When you finish washing and conditioning your hair, you really want to have your cuticles lowered and closed tightly.
1. Water Based: Water based concoctions are the first to reach the permeable hair strand. They are good to soften the cuticle. They absorb and evaporate the fastest so these go on the hair first. I usually make a panthenol, glycerine, water based type of mixture and sometimes may add aloe. I might add a drop of two of vitamin e and 3-5 drops of rosemary oil to preserve it.
2. Oil and Aloe/Water Based: Oils in general are slower to absorb and they can provide nutrition to the hair along with the aloe vera. These will absorb and evaporate slower than just plain water based concoctions.
3. Heavy Cream/Emulsified Based: These tend to sit on the hair strand and hold in the moisture on the hair strand and are used to seal in the oil based (#2) and the water based (#1) concoctions.
Once you have sealed the hair strand strategically, then you can protect the hair with the covering of your choice. Please keep in mind that the covering should keep the moisture on the strand. Plastic holds moisture the best. You will have to determine what will work best for you, based upon your personal and lifestyle needs
A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA...
An emulsified based sealant is just a product that contains something with water and oil mixed together. If the product is not emulsified, then the water and the oil will separate. When they are emulsified, the mix usually forming a creamy product.
ENJOY!!!
