Coconut Oil | Hippie Series One

Ever had a coconut fall on your head? Yeah, me neither. But coconut products and themed items have been popping up everywhere! Just check your local supermarket or beauty store and you will see the current trend in action…and for a good reason!

Although many natural beauty products and remedies have been put in a category explicitly for those labeled "hippies", using natural products in everyday life is possibly one of the best things for you. If natural products are strictly reserved for hippies then I am one!

In honor of my inner-hippie this is the first installment of my Hippie Series where I will fill you all in on my favorite natural products and how I use them. Who wants to use chemicals you can't even pronounce anyway!

Back to coconuts…coconuts provide us three amazing things, coconut "meat", coconut water, and coconut oil. Not only are they delicious to eat, the water inside the coconut is super hydrating (perfect for drinking on the beach), and the oil is one of the most versatile substances to use.

Here are just some of the many many ways to use coconut oil:

Body + Face Moisturizer | Simply apply a light layer after showering as a daily moisturizer in place of lotion or apply a larger amount before bed. You can also use coconut oil as a face moisturizer, although personally it is too oily on my skin to use during the day, I do love to use it on my face overnight!
Tip: Use after being in the sun to sooth sunburn and moisturize to prevent peeling!

Hair Mask | Coconut oil is great for dried-out damaged hair, it will leave your hair shiny, smooth, and very hydrated. My favorite way to use coconut oil as a hair mask is to apply it all over my hair at night, put it up in a bun (or braid it and then put it in a bun), and wash it out with my normal shampoo and conditioner in the morning. Ta-da! Quick and easy, 1 step hair mask.

Leave-in Conditioner | Rub a small amount of coconut oil into your hands and then run through the ends of wet hair!

Cooking | This is probably the most well known use for coconut oil. In place of butter, coconut oil is a much healthier option! Since it's natural, you can even eat a spoonful of it or use it for oil-pulling. Or add it to a smoothie for an energy boost.

Shaving | Hate taking time to shave in the shower? Yeah, same. Instead of doing the quick dry shave you dread when you realize you have to wear shorts or are going to the beach, use coconut oil as a shaving cream! Apply to where you want to shave and go for it! It will leave your skin super soft and hair free.

Lip Balm | Simple and effective. For super chapped lips apply a small amount of coconut oil to moisturize and heal.

Makeup Remover | Coconut oil is one of the best natural products to use as a makeup remover, not only will it moisturize, help heal acne, and remove makeup, it will also help your eyelashes grow!

Makeup Brush Cleaner | Mix melted coconut oil with a natural soap such as Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile soap to clean your makeup brushes and keep them soft. Coconut oil is also anti-bacterial which is why it's great for removing makeup and cleansing your skin.

Face/Body Scrub | Mix coconut oil with sea salt for a full body scrub down! No one likes lizard legs.

Lip Scrub | Mix a small amount of coconut oil with sugar for an all natural lip scrub.

Sea Salt Spray | Normal sea salt sprays, although giving your hair awesome texture and beach waves, will also dry out your hair. To combat this make your own sea salt spray! Combine water, sea salt, coconut oil, and your favorite essential oil (such as lavender) for a nice smelling, moisturizing, sea salt spray!

What's your favorite way to use coconut oil? 

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