NUTS FOR COCONUT OIL
During my countless hours spend on Pinterest – one must have his favorites, right? – in search of the latest in home deco, travel and organic beauty products – “organic”, how I love this word – I ran into dozens of pins featuring a beauty multitasker we’re all familiarized with in our kitchens: the coconut oil. Apparently, this cooking favorite works wonders when incorporated into one’s daily beauty rut – either you’re searching for a hair mask or a way to fight wrinkles, the coconut oil claims to be holding the key to a gorgeous appearance.
- USE IT AS…Hair conditioner
Rich in fatty acids that help nourishing the hair and scalp, unrefined coconut oil is said to work wonders on damaged hair. After shampooing, apply a generous amount of melted coconut oil on your hair – you can melt it before showering, by placing a cup of coconut oil in a bowl of warm water. Leave the coconut oil on your hair for around ten minutes, then rinse. It will add a salon-type of glow to your hair, repairing split ends and reducing hair breakage.
- USE IT AS…Body lotion
The coconut oil’s rich texture makes it the ideal organic body lotion – make sure that the coconut oil you buy is unrefined and pure, this will make an incredible difference in the end. Mix together a cup of coconut oil with a few drops of essential lavender oil, whip the ingredients until blended, then place them in the recipient of your choice. Use it after showering, as a natural alternative to your daily body lotion – the scent and the moisture you’ll feel after applying will make you forget everything about the on-the-self products.
- USE IT AS… Under-eye cream
A rich source of fatty acids, coconut oil prevents the free-radical formation and the damage caused by it, softening skin, reducing puffiness and restoring the area’s elasticity. Just rub a bit of solid coconut oil in your fingers, then pat it under your eyes.
- USE IT AS…Body scrub
If you’re searching for a natural alternative – that also smells heavenly – to your on-the-shelf body scrub, you won’t regret trying the following recipe. Mix two cups of brown sugar with one cup solid coconut oil, whip them together until the mixture look creamy, then rub the result on the rough areas of your skin. It will moisturize while removing dead cells, restoring the skin’s glow and softness.
- USE IT AS…Nail and cuticle oil
Craving for strong nails? Massage your hands and nails with unrefined coconut oil every day in order to promote growth and to strengthen them. If your cuticles give you a hard time, swipe a bit of coconut oil on them and you’ll be able to wave goodbye to ragged cuticles.
- USE IT AS…Cellulite solution
Not something we enjoy talking about, cellulite tends to be like that unwanted party guest who shows up in the worst moments. To fight against it, try the following: combine a glass of coconut oil with 20 drops of peppermint essential oil, mixing with a metal whisk until you get the whipped appearance. Apply it every morning, after the shower.
- USE IT AS…Makeup brush cleaner
With its non-toxic and antibacterial properties, not to mention the wonderful smell, coconut oil seems like the perfect choice in cleaning makeup brushes. Microwave one spoon of unrefined coconut oil for 30 seconds, dip the brush in the oil and swirl it on a paper towel, to get most of the makeup out of the brush. Rinse the brush with warm water, then let it dry on a towel.
