History of hair oil

Before the days of shop bought, bottled hair conditioners, hair oil was used to maintain clean, glossy and healthy hair.

Indeed, natural oils such as almond, coconut and avocado have been used to condition human hair for centuries, with women favouring carrier oils such as jojoba oil to get their hair as sleek as possible.

Carrier oils carry the essential oil to the hair. They are completely organic and natural and evaporate directly into the hair.

Because of this, the hair stays sleek until it is next washed.

These women would extract the oil, most commonly cold pressed, to keep it as unadulterated as possible.

Hair oils have not always just been for women either. Indeed, in the late Victorian era, men often chose to use Macassar oil - compounded made up from mainly coconut or palm oil.

Because of the greasy nature of the oil, it was able to give Victorian men the slicked back look that was so popular in these days.

However, so greasy was the oil that a small piece of cloth called the antimacassar had to be developed.

This little piece of equipment would be placed on the back of a chair to protect the upholstery from the grease on the back of a man’s head.

How to oil your hair

There are several different techniques when it comes to oiling your hair.

How often you apply, and indeed how you apply the oil, depends on what kind of hair you have.

To avoid hair fall and maintain thick, shiny hair, it is a good idea to oil your hair often, however.

The oil should be heated to a warm temperature before applying it to your hair. Think a leisurely bath type of heat.

Part your hair as if you were dying it. So, take a thin layer from the underneath and tie the rest of your hair up.

Dip some cotton wool into the oil and run it down the length of your hair. Not only will this ensure that you get every bit of your hair, it will also guarantee that it reaches the very root.

The oil should then get into the scalp, meaning that the hair will continue to be nourished even after the oil has been washed out.

Make as many sections as possible, so that the oil is spread out evenly and gets into the majority of the scalp.

Massage

Once the oil is in every part of your hair, begin to massage your head.

Many specialists claim that the massage is more important than the quality of the oil, so be sure not to miss out this vital step.

Dip your fingers into the oil and gently massage your scalp by putting your hands in your hair.

This should be done for at least ten minutes so that the oil gets all over the head.

"Leave the oil on your hair for at least half an hour, preferably with your hair wrapped in a towel or a plastic shower cap. That way, the warmth of your head will help the oil settle into the hair cuticle," advised Alice Hart-Davis, creator of www.goodthingsbeauty.com.

According to her, it is best to apply the oil to dry hair and to leave it on for at least a day.

If you find the oil particularly irritating, try putting it on before bed so that you still get the benefits.

Use a steamed towel to wrap your hair in - this will open up the pores in the scalp.

Which oil?

Natural oils are the best to use as, not only is there no chance that they can disrupt your hair; they are also full of organic rejuvenating and strengthening properties.

Fushi Really Good Hair oil has been formulated with five of these natural oils, one of which is Moroccan Argan oil, one of the oldest used hair oils.

It also contains Virgin Coconut oil, which is rich in strengthening properties.

Also added into the mix is vitamin E rich Avocado oil, Sweet Almond oil and herbs Brahmi and Neem. Brahmi.

Luckily, the pack comes complete with step by step instructions, so you can ensure that your hair will be 100 per cent disaster free.