Try making a spitz for your hair. There are tons of recipes out there. Also, what kind of oil r u using? I stopped using coconut oil and that helped. What r u products and technique when using products?
I'm using Coconut, Olive, Aragon and Grape seed oils. I do a pre-poo with any of the oils mentioned and yesterday I used a conditioner in addition with the oil. Currently I'm using Nexxus conditioner, Shea Moisture moisturizer and Giovanni Leave-in. Today I use the lock method, deep conditioned under my steamer using Giovanni's Wellness System, and LOC with Giovanni Leave-in, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie and sealed with coconut oil. I added some olive oil but used too much.
I had the same problem when I first BC'd last spring. What is your porosity? My hair was very dry and hard until I realized that it was a porosity issue and that I have to seal faithfully (I'm high porosity). Maybe you should try LCO instead of LOC? I found that putting a "cream" or any water based product as the last step only dried out my hair even more. If you're low porosity, I would clarify well and reevaluate the staples.
Also, I could never achieve baby soft hair with WNGs and I can only get the softest hair if I air dry in twists. I think the twists allow my hair to dry slower and therefore hold onto the moisture longer. Because you just BC'd, I'm not sure if your hair is long enough to twist, but it's just something to keep in mind.
I am low porosity, 4c/4b, medium grade hair. I've learned that my cuticles lay flat and tight to my strands so I make sure to condition using steam. Heat allows the cuticles to open so that the conditioner can penetrate each strand. I tried the LCO method but realized that the LOC is better because if you use the cream last, then your hair will stay pliable because you already sealed in the leave-in, which is the second step.
What products are you using?
I know when I first big chopped my hair was dry as well. I cowashed almost daily just to keep my moisture levels up.
Have you tried baggying or The Greenhouse method?
Or instead of the LOC method try the LCO method as someone mentioned already. I find that moisturized my hair a little bit better putting the oil last to seal in the moisture.
I do the Greenhouse method with my pre=poo and deep condition under a steamer.
Today I washed with Nexxus Conditioner and deep conditioned with Giovanni Wellness System. I am going to eliminate all products containing silicones and sulfates. I know my hair does not like silicones so that might help to get rid of the hardness.
I'm just hoping that as it gets longer, I will by then learn how to retain and keep moisture in.