Healthy Hair Hack: How to Do the Baggy Method

Tools and materials:

• A few hair ties
• Claw clip
• Infinity spray bottle with water
• Leave-in moisture product
• Carrier oil
• Soft bristle brush
• Satin scrunchie
• Plastic bag
• Silk/satin scarf
• Silk bonnet

1. Twist or braid your hair

Start with clean, untangled and dry hair. Put your hair in twists or braids to prevent tangling during the bag method.

This is especially important if your hair is natural (not straightened) since it’s more prone to tangling.

2. Section off your hair and spray

Split your hair into 3 sections. Tie the front section off with a ponytail holder. 

Then, use a claw clip to secure the back section out of the way.

Next, use a spray bottle filled with water to wet the section of braided or twisted hair that is down.

Then, move the water through that section of hair by massaging it through the twists/braids.

3. Apply leave-in moisture

Put about 3 pumps of your leave-in moisture product in your hand and disperse evenly between your palms.

Then, rub the product down each twist/braid in the open section of hair, focusing first on the ends and then taking the excess up to the roots.

If this product is super watery, you can skip the spray bottle step.

4. Apply a carrier oil

Next, apply your favorite carrier oil. I made mine with moringa oil, infused with peppermint, tea tree and rosemary oils. You could also just use a light oil such as olive oil.

Apply the oil mostly on the ends so as not to weigh down your roots.

Once you’re done with that section, wrap it tightly so it doesn’t dry out. Then clip it to your head.

5. Repeat on your other sections of hair

Repeat all steps on your next sections of hair, from spraying with water to adding the leave-in moisture product to applying the oil.

If you have any problematic sections with broken hair, apply more product there.

I always focus on my hairline because that is the weakest part of my hair.

6. Touch up and brush

As you apply the product, you may notice that some of your twists/braids start to unravel due to over- manipulation.

At this point, make sure to redo those loosened twists/braids. 

Then use a soft bristled brush to brush along your hairline to make your hair look neat.

7. Add the baggy

Grab all the twists/braids, making sure not to leave any out.

Then, secure them together with a satin scrunchie. It should be relatively loose to prevent damage.

Choose a soft plastic bag so it won’t make noise while you sleep.

Completely cover the ponytail with the bag and then slip a hair tie around it, without even twisting it.

Option 1: Grab a satin/silk scarf folded into a large triangle. Wrap your head like this:

Then, make sure the point in the back of the scarf is completely covering the baggy.

Then tie the scarf in a secure, double knot, but not too tightly.

Add a silk bonnet on top, especially if you move around a lot in your sleep.

Option 2: Just apply the bonnet directly, without the scarf underneath.

Some tips

It’s best to do the baggy method far from your wash day, since your hair is well conditioned on your wash day anyway. Leave your hair for 2-3 days until it gets dry and then try the bag method.   

Don’t use this method every day because that can lead to hydro fatigue or moisture overload which can damage your hair.

Instead, stick to 2-3 times per week to wait for your hair to dry out. If after one application your hair feels sticky, this method isn’t for you.

On your wash day, just moisturize and don’t seal. If you seal your hair, it won’t be able to accept any more moisture.

If you’re applying oil, make sure that on your wash day you use shampoo.

If not, the oils will build up and your scalp will block out the moisture which is the opposite of what you want from this routine. 

Benefits of the bag method

• It helps your hair absorb moisture because the moisture doesn’t evaporate. 
• It promotes hair retention: For most of us, the cause of shortened hair is that our hair grows at the same rate that it breaks due to dry ends. The baggy method is excellent at moisturizing those dry ends.

Healthy hair hack

I hope you benefit as much from this healthy hair hack as I do! If so, leave a comment.

Check out my post on How to DIY Rosemary Water for Extreme Hair Growth.