A simple weekly hair-oil routine

Oiling the scalp is an old habit in Egyptian homes, and it takes no more than twenty minutes a week. The secret is choosing the right oil and using only a little.

Pick your oil

• [Rosemary oil](/product/rosemary-oil): a fresh, herbal scent; use it diluted in another oil for massage.

• [Castor oil](/product/castor-oil): very thick, so mix it with a lighter oil such as coconut or almond.

• [Argan hair oil](/product/argan-hair-oil): light, and good on the ends.

• [Cosmetic coconut oil](/product/coconut-oil-cosmetic): it sets in the cold; warm the bottle in warm water before use.

Step by step

1. Mix one teaspoon of castor oil with two teaspoons of coconut or almond oil, and add a few drops of rosemary oil.

2. Part your hair into sections and spread the mix on the scalp with your fingertips.

3. Massage in slow circles for five minutes.

4. Leave it on for at least an hour, or overnight under a hair cap.

5. Shampoo twice, then use conditioner on the lengths.

Washing it out

A gentle shampoo removes the oil without drying your hair. Try rosemary shampoo with rosemary conditioner, or coconut shampoo.

Good to know

• Less is more: extra oil is hard to wash out.

• If your scalp is sensitive, try the mix on a small area first.

• Regularity matters more than quantity: once or twice a week is enough.

Find every hair oil in the hair oils section.