By now you've probably heard of the benefits of coconut oil, a favorite of celebs like Miranda Kerr and Emma Stone as well as professionals like Dr. Oz. The Beauty School bloggers were intrigued by this mysterious cure-all product, so I tested out the new Vita Coco Coconut Oil, from the same brand that brings you that delicious Vita Coco Coconut Water you drink after every gym sesh.
The product comes in a cute 16 fl. oz. jar and boasts the fact that this coconut oil is 100% raw, cold-pressed, organic and extra virgin, meaning it's the best, most natural coconut oil you can buy, and it's only $9.99 for 18 fl. oz. on Amazon! I was surprised at the texture of the oil, as it's actually more like a semi-hard wax when you open the jar. The best way to remove product is to take a small spatula or use your fingernail to scrape out a tiny bit of product. When it comes to coconut oil, a little goes a long way—you really only need the smallest amount, and as soon as you warm the product into your hands it melts and dissolves into a rich oil, making it easy to apply to your body. I love how it smells—just like coconuts, and because it's all natural, it wasn't too sweet of a scent. The nutty fragrance is perfect for fall!
While some people eat it raw, coconut oil is super popular among foodies because it's so much better for you than butter or canola oil (it doesn't contain any cholesterol or sodium) and it tastes just as good! There are hundreds of recipes out there using coconut oil in everything from fried chicken to chocolately brownies, and it's an easy (and inexpensive!) way to make your favorite foods a little healtheir.
But since we're beauty obsessives, we decided to see just what we could do with this miracle product in the beauty department. Here are five of our favorite ways to use it:
1. Hand moisturizer
This was my favorite way to use this product. I used the tiniest amount (about the size of a dime) and just worked it together in my hands, letting the warmth of my skin turn it into an oil. Rub the oil into your hands, concentrating on dry areas for added moisture. I keep my Vita Coco on my bedside table and would recommend using it to moisturize your hands every night before bed. Added bonus? Rubbing the oil onto my fingers actually made my mani shinier!
2. Remove makeup
I've used olive oil in the past to remove super stubborn eye makeup (think waterproof mascara or lash glue!) and I thought coconut oil might do the same thing. I shaved off the tiniest bit of product and used my fingers to massage it all over my eyelids and lashes (you will look like a panda, just roll with it). I then took a cotton pad to clean off the oil and makeup. I had to do this process twice on each eye but it did fully remove my makeup and I didn't feel like I had pulled at my skin too much at all.
3. Dry shaving
I had seen a YouTube video on how to use coconut oil in your beauty regimen and one of the tips given was to use coconut oil when you need to shave your legs in a pinch. Sure enough, I found myself in a rush to get out the door but I needed to shave my legs, so I whipped out the coconut oil and massaged a quarter-sized amount into my legs and shaved. I applied a bit more after shaving just to moisturize, though my legs were still pretty soft and a bit oily after shaving. I got a very close shave but unfortunately the next day I had some pretty nasty razor burn on areas that I skimmed over quickly. Bottom line? It works as a last-minute fix, but take your time with the razor and load up on moisturizer after!
4. Deep-conditioner for hair
This trick is perfect for girls with dry hair, especially in the harsh autumn and winter months. I put a few tablespoons of coconut oil in a bowl and microwaved it for about 10 seconds to fully melt and warm the oil. I then applied the coconut oil through the bottom few inches of my hair and brushed it through to distribute it evenly. I flipped my head over and twisted my hair up in a towel and then proceeded to binge watch The Vampire Diaries. After about 30 to 45 minutes, I took my hair down and jumped in the shower, making sure to remove any traces of oil. Do this once a week for shiny, healthy, slightly coconut-y locks!
5. Exfoliation
Rather than spending a ton of money on a fancy exfoliating scrub from the drugstore, why not just make your own with a little coconut oil and brown sugar? Mix together one part coconut oil to two parts brown sugar and apply to your face, arms, elbows, or wherever else you need to slough away dead skin. Brown sugar is less abrasive and more gentle on your skin than white sugar (plus, it smells yummy!). Rinse off or wipe off the exfoliator for smooth and glowing skin! You don't want to exfoliate too often (once a week is good!), as you don't want to over-exfoliate your skin and irritate it.
There are also some people who swear by using coconut oil as a facial moisturizer, but I have combination to oily skin so I found it a bit too rich to use on my face. If you have very dry skin, it might be just what you need to bring dewiness back to your complexion, or if you have normal to combination skin, you can try using it as a night treatment during the colder, dryer months. There are (literally) dozens of other uses for coconut oil, so this is truly a one-size-fits-all kind of product that will address all your beauty needs!
What are your favorite beauty uses for coconut oil, collegiettes?