Why I Prepoo My Curly Hair (And Why You Might Want To Start Too)
Healthy curly hair doesn’t start with styling. It starts way before that – in the prepoo step.
As a curl stylist and curly girl myself, I always tell my clients: if your hair is breaking, tangling, or feeling dry no matter what you do… check your prep.
This blog breaks down what prepoo is, how to do it, when not to do it, and the best products for your texture. Ready? Let’s go.
4 Signs You Need to Prepoo
- Breakage
- Slow Hair Growth
- Knots & Tangles
- Squeaky clean but still dry hair
Prepoo makes hair softer, reduces breakage, and makes your wash routine easier. It forms a barrier of protection from water pressure and over-cleansing.
So if you already have soft hair, then oiling can make it unnessarily heavy and limp. Use your discretion befor doing this step.
What is Prepoo?
Prepoo = Preparing your hair before shampoo.
This is NOT deep conditioning. Think of it more like a protective prep coat before washing. It helps retain moisture, reduce friction, and protects the cuticle from swelling and trauma.
You can do it:
- With wet palms, on dry hair (my fave!)
- After steaming
- For 10-20 minutes
- Or overnight (for coarser textures)
Pro Tip: Don’t prepoo if your hair is already soft or feeling product-heavy. That’s when you need a detox instead.
How To Prepoo Curly Hair
Step-by-step:
- Section hair
- We tyour plams with clean soft water.
- Apply oil, cream, or treatment product to each section
- Gently detangle
- Cover with shower cap (for heat retention!)
- Wait 20 minutes to overnight
Use a lightweight product for fine hair, and richer oils or butters for coarse textures.
When Not to Prepoo
- If your hair feels coated or greasy (detox first!)
- Before treatments like bond repair or ACV rinses (they work best on clean hair)
- On freshly-washed soft hair
- Your have dandruff, psoriasis and things of that nature
Best Oils for Prepoo
Not all oils are the same. Here are the best options:
- Coconut Oil: Prevents protein loss (unless you’re sensitive!)
- Babassu Oil: Strengthens weak strands
- Avocado Oil: Antioxidant-rich, adds strength
- Mango/Murumuru/Cupuacu Butter: Locks in hydration
- Argan Oil: Nourishes scalp + vitamin E
- Grapeseed Oil: Improves elasticity
- Almond Oil: Great for hair fall (rich in magnesium)
Mix essential oils only if you know what you’re doing. I personally stick to ready-made oil blends to avoid scalp irritation.
Watch how I apply my hair oil here
My Favorite Prepoo Products
- UK: Only Curls Nourishing Oil [code: HONESTLIZ for 5GBP off]
- UK/USA: Boucleme Revive 5 Oil [code: HONESTLIZ15 for 15% off]
- USA: Bouncecurl Light Hair Oil [code: HONESTLIZ10 for 10% off] – This is coconut oil-free
- India: Manetain Multipurpose Hair Oil [code: HONESTLIZ for 10% off]
You can also use your favorite curl cream or deep conditioner. Just don’t go too heavy.
Important Reminders:
- Prepoo is a light prep, not a deep hot oil “champi” treatment.
- Use a shower cap to trap body heat (greenhouse effect).
- Coconut oil works better as a carrier oil – mix it with essential oils!
- If you go too heavy with prepoo, you’ll need to detox more frequently.
Final Thoughts
Prepooing has improved my hair, especially softening my brittle hair. It makes my washday easier, my curls shinier, and my scalp feel soothed. If you’ve skipped this step, try it next wash and see the difference.
And don’t forget to download one of my guides if you need help choosing the right products for your routine.
Thank you for reading!
With love,
HONESTLIZ