Argan oil does wonders for your hair! – GOOD SHAPE

“As well as being conditioning agents, the fatty acids replenish the capillary protein and leave the fiber less compacted and the hair shinier and softer. Vitamin E is an antioxidant and fights aging caused by the sun, pollution, wind and air conditioning”, explains Celso. In practice, this cocktail means hair without frizz, away from split ends, more disciplined and with extra bounce.

treasure of the east

If argan oil is new around here, in Morocco it has been known and used for centuries. That’s because that’s where the Argania spinosa tree grows, bears fruit and has always guided the customs of health and beauty of that people, even if without scientific basis. “Sheikhs have always drunk the oil extracted from argan seeds to take care of their health, and it is tradition among women to apply it to their skin to make it more lush,” says dermatologist Maria Fernanda Gavazzoni, a professor at the Azulay Institute of Santa Casa de Misericórdia, in Rio de Janeiro. There is no research proving the action of this active on the hair, but just try it to prove that the locks are more hydrated and with a pleasant touch.

How to apply

In the hair care ritual, argan oil is present from pre-wash to finishing. “As the product has a repairing and emollient action, it can be used at all stages to improve the quality of the hair”, says hairdresser Ricardo Moreno, from the RM Trends salon, in Rio de Janeiro. Learn to exploit all that is good about him.

Before shampoo: “Heat 1 dessert spoon of argan oil in the microwave for five seconds and pass through the hair, massaging strand by strand. Wait an hour and wash your hair”, says hairdresser Marco Antonio de Biaggi, from the MG Hair Design salon, in São Paulo.

To boost the mask: “Mix four to five drops of oil with the equivalent of a 1 real coin of hair mask. Apply to clean, damp hair, avoiding the scalp, and wear a thermal cap for 15 minutes. Afterwards, rinse well”, teaches Marco Antonio.

How to leave-in: apply two to five drops (according to the length and volume of the strands) on damp hair and dry as usual.

As a tip repairer: put two drops in the palm of your hands and rub together. Then apply to the ends, spreading well.

When styling the curls: mix the amount equivalent to a dime of your hair cream with four or five drops of argan oil. Spread it on the strands and remove excess moisture with a towel, kneading the locks. Let it dry naturally.

Before the sea or the pool: apply 1 teaspoon of the oil to dry hair before going in the water to shield it from salt and chlorine damage.

To enhance the lights: apply 1 tablespoon of argan oil to the hair before applying the chemical.

expensive x cheap

The variety of argan oil brands in cosmetics stores is increasing – and so is the price. “To make 1 liter of oil, around 30 kilos of seeds from Morocco are needed”, says Celso Martins Junior. But it’s not just the quality of the raw material and the transportation of the product until here that interfere with the value. “The process of growing the tree (organic or not), extracting and handling the oil also adds up to this account”, he adds. Another relevant aspect is the concentration of argan oil in the formula. “A good product has to have at least 10% of the active”, observes the cosmetologist Cris Dios.

But not all labels bring this information. Check, then, if the active (written like this: Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil) is among the substances in the composition. If you discover that it also contains silicone, don’t be alarmed. According to Cris Dios, it is used to dilute the raw material, which is difficult to handle in its natural state. “The silicone makes it possible for the product to be used before the dryer and flat iron, as it forms a protective film that prevents the heat from frying the hair, as would happen with pure oil”, he says. When choosing, test the texture: put two drops in one hand and rub it in the other. The oil cannot make the skin sticky; it has to be absorbed quickly.