Three thousand years ago, Greek athletes would douse their naked bodies in olive oil before competing in the cultural tradition known as the Olympics. Historians disagree on the reason for the oiling, although some suggest that it symbolized wealth and power.

Today in 2012 our customs are a bit different. For one thing, our Olympic athletes wear clothing, so a full body oiling is no longer practical. Regardless, olive oil remains just as important as it was to the ancient Greeks, with both nutritional and beauty potential.

An essential ingredient of many hair-relaxing products, olive oil can be used straight from the bottle to make hair silky and smooth without over-drying.

What you’ll need:

-2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil (amount may vary depending on hair length)

-Small microwavable bowl

-Towels

-Scarf to hold back hair

Prep: 1 minute

Application: 5 minutes

Treatment: 20 minutes

Removal: 10 minutes

Total: 36 minutes

Directions:

1. Heat bowl of oil in microwave for approximately 25 seconds. Let cool until oil is warm to the touch.

2. Pick up small amount of oil and rub onto hands. Then smooth hands through hair, starting at the roots and moving to the ends.

(Note: It is best to do this in a towel to avoid getting oil on clothes. It is also recommended to pull back hair with a headscarf to avoid getting oil on face, which could cause breakouts)

3. Use a wide-tooth comb to evenly spread the oil into hair.

4. Put hair into head towel and let sit for 20 minutes.

5. Shower and wash out oil with shampoo. Conditioner is not necessary.

6. Dry hair as normal.

This made a huge difference in my hair. My hair dried soft and smooth, keeping my natural wave without the normal mess I usually end up with. I didn’t really have to spend any time fixing it. My hair also seemed a bit thicker and heavier than normal, with moisture that seems to generally elude me during the summer.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this treatment every day because it is time-consuming and uses a lot of olive oil. However, it is perfect for special occasions or if your hair is in desperate need of a moisturizing treatment.

Share your results in the comments below, or let me know what other great uses you have for olive oil!

[fblike style="standard" showfaces="false" width="450" verb="like" font="arial"]