I have been preaching about coconut oil for a few months when I finally took to time to buy some and experiment with it. So far I have used 2 different kinds, both were great for cooking and beauty products, I just lean more towards the cheaper ones. You can find it by the olive and vegetable oil sections at your favorite retailer. SAMS Club actually has a HUGE container for like $15, which is CHEAP! You can get a large jar at Walmart/Target/HEB for about $10. One tub lasts me about 3 months, so you get a GREAT amount of use out of it. You do not need a lot and I use it for a lot of stuff. ALWAYS REMEMBER: A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY! Also, if you are not fond of coconut smells, you can buy the Refined Coconut Oil and that is much less coconutty than the unrefined kind. I am not sure if there is a huge difference between them other than the coconut smell.
COCONUT USES Part 1: Hair
Leave-In Conditioning Treatment
Heat Protection Oil
Straightening Oil
Curl Holder Stuff
Apply before using the Diffuser
Split End Repair
Dry Damage Control
*Remember: Less is More!*
Using Coconut Oils instead of mousse, hair spray, and other styling chemicals!
Coconut Uses Part 2: Body
- After Shower Body Oil– Lock in the moisture before you dry!
- Daily Body Balm– Rub into those dry patches, Sparingly!
- Make-up Remover– Use Cotton Ball and gently massage the area
- Stretch Mark Cream– Old and New, Give your beauty marks some TLC and you may be surprised!
- Lip Balm– Love this on my lips!
- Night Eye Cream– After you use it as a make-up remover, just wipe away the excess and you have instant creamy eyes!
Coconut Uses Part 3: Oral
Oil Pulling (Swish oil in your mouth for 5-20 minutes every day or a few times every week)
Stronger, Healthier, Whiter Teeth
Cavity Repair
Fights Bad Breath
Promotes Healthy Gums
Absorbs through mouth and promotes healthy skin
Appetite Suppressor
Eat/Drink 1 Tablespoon (Do this once a day!)
Appetite Suppressor
Promotes Bowel Movements/Regularity
Toxin Cleanser
*SANITARY RECOMMENDATION: If you will be using your coconut oil for multiple things, seperate your oil into smaller tupperware containers and label them. Always wash your hands before using the oil too. It will keep your containers bacteria free.*
Hair
I use to buy top brand hair gels, creams, conditioners, sprays, masks, etc. every time I would get my hair cut. Every 2-3 months for spending an extra $50-$100 did not seem bad. I was not going to some Hollywood Salon, but it was a nice salon with natural products. On average, my hair cuts would be about $50 for my medium to long hair. When I decided to spend time as a blonde and wander from my brunette roots, my bill was around $200 every 6-8 weeks:/. When I worked a corporate job, I always “needed” something. Well, this time, I needed to go blonde. Not to toot my horn, but I looked pretty awesome. lol! Blondes definitely get more head turns..it HAS to be the bright color, per my experience. Needless to say, after I lost my job my hair was the first to feel the effects! I had some major repair to do, but first, I needed to dye it dark to hide my roots. Looking back, I should have just let it grow out since the fade into blonde look was a big deal, but whatever! Honestly, I was only blonde for about 6 months, but was desperately missing my brunette hair. I missed “Me”. I got a little bit of an attitude from the blonde I think, HAHA!
A year after growing out some new locks, my hair was still fried. I was not spending anything on hair products except different conditioners and shampoos I couponed that month. I finally found coconut oil and fell in love. Some days, I just put it in my hair in the AM and wash it out at night, if I don’t have anywhere to go at least. Or, I dip a couple of finger tips in and run it through my hair (away from my scalp b/c my hair looks greasy easy!) before I style it with a straightener, diffuser, or curling iron. It holds well and conditions my hair all day. When my curls starts coming out, I put it in a pony tail for a coconut curly pony tail :). I also use it to tame fly aways!
Body
I heard of baby oil and its effects on your body if you put it on right after you shower, before you dry off. So I wanted to test that theory with coconut oil. Again, you do not need a lot. Simply step out of the shower or bath, grab some coconut oil and rub it all over your body! Then pat dry with a towel, or do what I do and Air Dry…at least as long as your kids will allow you to, haha! It works wonderfully and gives a nice coconut smell! I realized I love this way more than applying any lotion or cream straight to my dry skin.
Using it as a lotion to help with ashy skin is okay too, just be careful with the amount you put on. You don’t want bugs and grass sticking to your skin through out the day. I also use it as a suntan lotion 🙂 I randomly rub it on my knees, ankles, elbows and feet throughout the day to help with those rough areas too. Using it on your lips is great for locking in moisture too. I ran out of my normal eye make up remover, and instead of grabbing a bar of soap I tried out my oil. Worked Wonderfully! I used toilet paper to wipe up and it even conditioned my eyes (I usually only wear eye make up) for the night. So you may say it helps fight wrinkles too! Don’t forget to use it on those stretch marks ladies and men! From working out, having babies, gaining weight, losing weight, whatever, or even to use as a preventative, Coconut oil helps give the skin the moisture it needs to help your skin repair and stretch the way mother nature intended.
I have developed a sort of dry skin irritation one one side of my face by my mouth. I thought it was from allergies, then I realized it was from this strong store type facial cleanser with who knows what chemicals in it. It was so strong it messed my face up for two or three months. It would get itchy and so irritated. I had to wear make up sometimes because I was self conscious about it, but most of the time I did not because I did not want to irritate my skin anymore. I used neosporin and hydrocortisone mixed together to help it, before I found coconut oil. But then I researched and found that steroid creams are the worst thing you could do. Great. So, I stopped. I found tea tree oil, and that cleared it up after a week (that is for another article!) Now I use a combo of Tea Tree Oil and Coconut Oil if I develop an irritation again. Yes, it happened one other time a few months ago..and that is when I realized it was from that facial cleanser! UGH oh the life lessons (shaking fists in the air)!
Oral
Eat a tablespoon of coconut oil every day or a few times a week to help with your digestion, regularity, cleaning toxins out, and giving your body some major nutrients. It will help suppress appetite too if you are trying to lose weight. Oil Pull with coconut oil for a healthy smile. I have my kids do this for a few minutes when I can, but hey it is better than nothing in my book. Swish oil in your mouth for 5-20 minutes and it will promote healthy gums, good breath, healthy and strong teeth, help heal cavities (yes this is for real, google it), and suppress your appetite. However you orally use it, it will also help your skin by absorbing through your mouth.
All in all, coconut oil is great. There are many other uses you can find to use this magic oil for I am sure! I have even had my bearded husband use it as a leave in treatment! Massage oil, acne spot treatment, face moisturizer, etc. the possibilities are endless. Just buy some and try it. Cook with it! I can’t afford to only use coconut oil when I cook, but Olive Oil takes place of that. I have used coconut oil to cook some asparagus and other veggies and always turns out wonderfully!
MY RESULTS:
After 2 or 3 months of using coconut oil I have seen a dramatic difference in the health of my hair. I started cutting my own hair in July and every time my ends start looking frayed, I trim. It is not always straight and perfect, but I will get better watching you tube and practicing on the girls. I have shaved Crab’s head for over 11 years, I am sure I can figure this trimming stuff out:) My hair is very strong, I don’t suffer from dry scalp during this seasonal change of dryer/colder weather. During the winter I feel applying coconut oil will be very important because of the humidity change. Everyone is different though. I started seeing flakes and I let the coconut oil set in my scalp over night and it was gone. My hair is always shiny, I have a lot of new growth, and I feel like it is getting its thickness back finally! Going blonde was fun, but the damage to my hair was not worth it. I have had bad haircuts…like really bad ones. I cut everything and got a “Posh Spice” angled cut. It was super cute, I even got pregnant during this time 😉 but when I was missing my curls and ready to grow it out again (After 4 months) there came the time I needed to get it all evened out so it would grow in one length. Some cheap salon later, I came out looking like a 17 year old skater boy:(. I had a 6 month old baby bump and looked ridiculous. I felt, ok I am gaining weight and carrying another one of my husband’s chirren, I don’t feel incredible…but my hair? YAK! The point is, even after all of those bad haircuts I still stayed positive. “IT is JUST HAIR! IT WILL GROW BACK!” attitude helped me through the ugly phases my hair cut put me in..LOL. But going blonde really f***ed my hair up. That is about as nice as I can put it. I am an Infantryman’s wife, so swearing happens;) Just don’t get offended and move on, hooah? 😀
QUICK TIPS:
Use your coconut oil as a liquid or solid! The cooler it is, the more solid and “balmy”. The warmer it is the more liquid it is.
Most people do not drink enough water in a day, me included! Coconut Oil will help lock in any moisture and keep your skin and body healthy if you drink your recommended amount of water every day!
This is all my opinion from using, researching, and experimenting with coconut oil.
And my other article about why you SHOULD be using more all natural products!
Send suggestions in the comment section please!!
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