Gigi Arredondo has been working in the industry for nearly a decade as a hair stylist, makeup artist, and beauty consultant in Old Town Scottsdale. She's constantly learning, trend hunting, and shopping -- all with access to beauty products not available to the public. And she's here to share the good, the bad, and the ugly. Up today: Coconut oil.
Growing up, my mother forced me to eat spoonfuls of olive oil (not sugar -- I really wanted Mary Poppins to babysit) to keep my skin glowing and because it was "healthy." And thanks to the Internet, I have discovered olive oil's beachy cousin, virgin coconut oil.
Coconut oil has been helping me fuel my body (it's a healthy fat that can boost your metabolism) for the past few years, but I was in the dark about its other beauty benefits until Pinterest.
See also - Local Resort Discovers Ancient Religious Ritual Grounds - Ten Favorite Pools in Metro Phoenix
Here are three of my favorites:
3. Coconut Oil Hair Mask: Ingredients: - 3 tablespoons of coconut oil - 1 tablespoon olive oil
Directions: Mix ingredients togeather and on wet hair, while over a sink, comb through mixture, wrap head in towel leave for 20 minutes and shampoo two times (to get all the product out)
Take away: Number one complaint of clients right now is dry hair and scalp. You guys need deep moisture. This treatment gave me that. It made my hair feel really soft and super-shiny. I would leave the olive oil out if your hair is on the finer side. Highly recommended for curly or dryer hair, especially with the dry, cold air during this time of the year.
2. Body Scrub: Ingredients: - 2 tablespoons coconut oil - 1/4 cup sugar - 5 to 10 drops essential oil (any scent and optional)
Directions: In a bowl, add coconut oil, sugar, and essential oils. Stir. Rub on freshly washed skin, shower off and get out. Best stored in a glass jar but can be stored in Tupperware for safekeeping in the shower.
Takeaway: The shower floor will be slightly slippery, so be careful getting out; rubbing your feet on the floor of the shower with some soap will help remove the oil. The coconut oil will melt with body temperature; you won't need very much for your whole body. My skin felt like velvet after this scrub -- I even rubbed a little more coconut oil on after drying off to give a little more moisture.
1. Personal Lubricant: Ingredients: No recipe needed, just use a small amount. The anti-viral, anti-bacteria, anti-fungal stuff is firm and will melt with body temperature. Warning: Any "oil"-based products are not latex-friendly, including coconut oil.
Takeaway: You'll see.
So get on the train people. No excuses not to use this magical stuff as a moisturizer for your face, body, and as a metabolism boost for your daily routine. I have a shopping problem and I am not afraid to use it, research it, try new things, and bend the "manufacturer's guidelines."
