Hair Slugging for All
As much as I like to avoid anything having to do with mucilaginous creatures, I can finally comfortably use the term “slugging” without feeling a sense of discomfort (mainly because this kind has nothing to do with actual slugs). Great way to start a blog, right?
Slugging has been well known in the online skin care communities for years and involves topping off skincare products with a layer of a thick, viscous product, such as shea butter or vaseline. By the way, the definition of viscuous is, per google, "having a thick, sticky consistency between solid and liquid; having a high viscosity."
A skin-saving technique employed by many, slugging has now made its way to hair. It’s hard to open TikTok (at least, in my algorithmic world) and not see a snippet of a modern-day Rapunzel advocating for the benefits of this simple, moisturizing method. Fortunately, parched tresses can be kept at bay through the process of slugging.
Slugging as seen in the wild. credit: @abbikuy
Slugging works best as a pre-shampoo treatment, and can be done with leave-in conditioners, oils, and hair masks. Bonding treatments are also amazing and have stellar results. The whole purpose of slugging is to keep the products as close to your hair as possible, so that the strands can absorb all of the goodness of the products that are on your hair. Layering is definitely recommended.
How to do it: Take an oil and massage it into the entirety of your scalp and ends of your hair (oil is recommended by TikTokers for the first layer). Comb the product through your hair to evenly disperse it. Next, add in a leave-in conditioner over the oil, and finish with shea butter, if you don’t mind the texture. Bond treatments can be used alone, without the extra layers. If you want to go the extra mile, use a hair cap (or even a sock!) and let your hair be immersed in moisture. Allow the slugging to take at least two hours before shampooing your hair. Happy Slugging!
A few of our favorite products for hair slugging:
Kerastase Genesis Strengthening Hair Mask
Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil
Klorane 2-in-1 Mask with Mango
