Coconut Oil Beauty!

I have realized over the past couple years that over-priced prescribed medications and chemical treatments rarely work and actually do more damage than good. So, I began researching natural remedies for any problem my body encountered. They always seem to work better and faster while being less expensive too.
I know some people get weirded out by some natural remedies, but my thoughts are that at least I know what I am putting on or into my body as opposed to an item with a long list of ingredients I can't even pronounce.
So, one of my favorite natural remedies for beauty and health is organic coconut oil. In this post I will share with you the beauty uses and benefits I use it for!
Tip: Coconut oil is solid at room temperature. But easily melts with light heat.

1. Leave-in Hair Treatment: This remedy will make brittle, full, damaged hair completely healthy, shiny, and smooth! Do this treatment once or twice a month or whenever you feel that your hair is in need of some TLC.
Directions: Wet hair (doesn't have to be washed unless you have a lot of products in it like hairspray, gel, mousse, etc). Heat about 1/8 cup coconut oil on stove burner on low heat in a small glass dish until it turns to liquid form. (only takes a few minutes). I don't recommend microwaving as this may destroy the nutrients. Apply all over damp/towel dried hair. Lather it well and massage it into the scalp and through your ends. Leave in for 1-2 hours, then wash hair as usual and condition (optional).

2. Heat Styling: This remedy will protect your hair from heat styling (blow dryer, curling iron, straightener). It will heat the oil, not your hair which will prevent much damage and breakage.
Directions: Apply a quarter sized amount of liquid coconut oil to towel dried or air dried hair. Be sure to get it all over the hair (don't use too much or hair might look greasy). Dry or style hair as usual.

3. Face & Neck: This remedy will leave your skin looking flawless, feeling smooth, and minimize lines in less than a week or two. The oil will not make you break out. The coconut oil gets into your opened pores and replaces the bad bacteria oils.
Directions: Wash face preferably with a natural face soap or wash with super warm water. Pat it dry. Add about 1/2 -1 tsp of coconut oil to your palm, rub it in with your other hand to make a liquid consistency. Apply to entire face and neck. Rub light, small circular motions for 1-2 mins. Get a clean wash cloth wet with hot water and ring it out. Cover entire face with it and press/dab it down. Gently wipe away top later of coconut oil. Repeat with hot/ringed wash cloth if needed.

4. Lip Balm: This remedy will turn your normal/dry/chapped lips into super smooth and kissable ones!
Directions: Apply a tiny amount of coconut oil to lips. Rub your lips together until it soaks in. This smells/tastes way better than chapstick and lasts so much longer. You can put it on whenever and even right before bed so that your lips really have time to absorb the nutrient benefits.

5. Eye Makeup Remover: This remedy will leave you without raccoon eyes in a matter of seconds. You don't have to worry about wrinkles because it is so gentle. It's much more effective and safe than store bought removers. It comes off way easier too!
Directions: Rub a pea sized amount of coconut oil into index fingertips or palm of hand. Gently massage it onto your eyelid or under eye. You can even close your eye and put on your lashes to remove mascara. Take a cotton ball and gently wipe it away. Wash face as usual afterwards.

6. Dry Hands & Feet: I have dry hands in the winter and because of how often I wash them at work. This remedy will leave your hands and feet smooth, soft, and pretty!
Directions: Apply desired amount of coconut oil to hands. Rub together to get a liquid consistency. Saturate feet, hands, fingertips, cuticles or wherever is dry. I recommend doing this before bed and wearing socks or gloves to let the oil soak into your skin and so it doesn't ruin your bedding. If you don't want to sleep with it, do it when you have a few hours to just relax. The longer the better though.

7. Shower Body Oil: I uses to buy baby oil and lather it on my body after washing, then rinse it off slightly before drying down. This remedy is much healthier and natural. It won't clog your pores like unnatural ingredients (parabens) in baby oil will.
Directions: I suggest putting a decent sized capped jar of coconut oil in your shower. After washing, remove coconut oil in small amount with hands and massage into skin. Don't let the shower water run on the areas you are applying it to. Once full body is lathered. Gently rinse your body. Pat dry with towel. This will keep you moisturized all day!

These are all effective and natural remedies that I use often. I suggest using organic coconut oil since your skin will be absorbing it and non organic has the risks of pesticides, which would not benefit your skin in the same way. I get my 16oz jar of organic virgin coconut oil at Trader Joe's for only $5.99! It lasts super long and I use it for beauty, cooking, and even coat my cats food with it.

Again, don't be afraid to try something new, especially when it's completely natural and organic! There are so many natural remedies out there. I will be sharing my favorites in future posts and would love to hear any of your suggestions as well!