Hair oiling has been passed down like a quiet ritual with warm oil, slow hands, and patience. I remember vividly sitting between my mom’s legs, getting my scalp oiled, and having oil treatments done on a bi-weekly basis. This ancient practice isn’t magic; it’s in ritual and consistency. Growth begins deep in the follicle, influenced by biology, yet the right oils create an environment where growth can actually thrive. When you massage oils like Jamaican Black Castor Oil or lightweight options such as Sweet Almond Oil into the scalp, you’re increasing blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the root. That gentle stimulation, paired with anti-inflammatory and nourishing properties, helps keep the scalp balanced, calm, and clean. And when peppermint oil enters the chat, that subtle tingle isn’t just aesthetic, it’s a signal that circulation is waking up.

But the real transformation happens along the length of the hair, not just at the root. Oils don’t hydrate, they seal, and that distinction changes everything as they reduce breakage, preserve elasticity, and protect the ends from the daily wear that steals your progress. This is how growth becomes visible: not because hair suddenly just grows faster, but because it finally stops breaking off before you can see it. The name of the game is: RETENTION. Still, there’s a balance, as too much oil can suffocate the scalp and lead to buildup, working against you. Used with intention, though, oiling becomes less of a chore and more of a ritual that supports strength, retention, and steady growth.

Here’s my go-to hair oil recipe and routine that has changed my hair for the better while helping me retain length.

Herbal Hair Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Sweet Almond Oil

• 3 tbsp Jamaican Black Castor Oil

• ¼ cup Jojoba Oil

• 8–10 curry leaves

• 1 tbsp fenugreek seeds

• 1 tsp rosemary leaves

• 1 tbsp cloves

• 3-4 amla (chopped)

• 5–7 drops Peppermint Essential Oil

Directions:
- Heat sweet almond oil on medium flame (ensure it doesn’t get too hot, as that will kill the benefits)

- Add curry leaves, fenugreek seeds, cloves, rosemary, chopped amla, mix for 2 mins on very low heat,

- Remove from the heat and add all ingredients to a jar

- Let oil cool and infuse overnight

- Strain oil into an oil applicator and apply 1-2x a month, 2 hours before shampooing.

Haircare Routine (weekly)

I shampoo my hair 1x a week and generally keep my hair in a wash-n-go for easy. On my wash days, I apply herbal oil from root to ends and detangle with my Tangle Teezer brush, apply a shower cap, then put a beanie hat to trap the heat for 2 hours before shampooing. It’s a process, but hair oiling before shampooing has single-handedly helped me retain my length 1000%.

I go in with a clarifying shampoo first to remove buildup, then a hydrating shampoo after to put moisture back into my strands before deep conditioning for 20 mins. Rinse with COOL water, then style as desired. I use a mousse and gel for my wash n go, as creams tend to be too heavy for my strands.

Et voilà! There you have it. STAY CONSISTENT, and I promise you, you will be giving Rapunzel a run for her money.

ALL PRODUCTS I USE CAN BE FOUND HERE.