pretreats: I used to mist my hair with warm water so that it was damp, then i would apply warm oil to my hair and cover it with 2 plastic bags and a towel and clean and do whatever for 15mins-1hr, some people sit under a dryer, but i let the natural heat from my body heat it up. then i would rinse my hair and proceed to shamp and condition as usual.
I used to be a "nut" about pretreats.. i used all kinds of concoctions...
1) olive oil,honey, mayo
2) str8 olive oil
3) olive oil, coconut oil, honey, blackstrap molasses
4) alma powder, coconut oil, olive oil
to name a few... while i was doing them i felt like i was getting results. I do them now if i blow my hair dry, just something i do as a precaution to ease the pain of doing something i know is not good for my hair.
as a deep conditioner: apply oils after hair has been washed, cover with 2 or so plastic caps, sit under the drier for 20mins-1hr or just let it penetrate by itself. rinse WELL, very important that you do this. and proceed as usual.
mixed w/ condit: i like this more for both pretreats and deep conditionings, i just mix equal parts and go. with the pretreat i leave it on for 10 mins and wash and conditon, its a good way to get rid of conditioners that didn't really work for you ( i dont feel bad about my PJ ism when i use everything i buy /images/graemlins/wink.gif )
as a deep conditioner mix oils and a conditioner you like and deep condition as usual.