Natural Beauty

Coconut oil seems to be in everything nowadays! And with good reason. It has many health benefits as well as beauty properties. As for the benefits for the hair, coconut oil has been shown to replenish moisture and replenish protein loss in the hair shafts. Compared to other oils, coconut oil is also absorbed more easily by the hair shafts, because of its low molecular weight.

Choose unrefined, organic coconut oil, to reap the most benefits and get the best results. On its own, coconut oil makes an excellent hair mask that’s super easy and convenient for those of us who don’t really have the time to use a hair mask.

Like many, I use a blowdryer on a daily basis. This really wears my fair, fine, blond locks out and leaves them dull and dry over time. Hello, coconut oil! I use it once a week before bedtime and cleanse the hair with shampoo the following morning.

Here’s how it’s done

Before bed:

1. Comb your hair into a high ponytail (using a hair tie that will minimize damaging your hair, like a velvet scrunchy)
2. In your palms, melt and divide a spoonful of coconut oil into your ponytail, and roll it in a bun
3. Optional: Cover hair with a shower cap or some kind of plastic to avoid coconut oil to get in your sheets
4. Go to bed

In the morning:

1. Cleanse hair with shampoo (or your prefered cleansing product)
2. Finish with a conditioner (or other types of finishing products)
3. Gently towel-dry your hair
4. Melt and divide a little bit of coconut oil into your hair strands
5. Apply a heat protection product
6. Comb and blowdry

Dry brushing your body works as a gentle exfoliation of the skin and feels invigorating and stress relieving. It stimulates the blood circulation and is said to help the body eliminate waste through the lymphatic system. Therefore dry-brushing on a regular basis can reduce cellulite and leaves your skin looking radiant.

How to do it?

Dry brushing stimulates and invigorates the body, so I think it’s best to do it in the mornings, just for a couple of minutes before showering. If you like to exercise in the AM, you can dry brush before your exercise routine and then shower off after.
The brushstrokes should be directed towards the heart. Brush each area several times, letting the sweeps overlap to ensure that you don’t miss a spot.
Use a natural bristle brush, preferably with a handle, so you can reach all areas of your body.

1. Start with one leg at the sole of your foot, brushing from the toes towards the ankle, and continue on top of the foot
2. Brush in small circular motions around the ankle
3. Apply long sweeping strokes on the lower leg, towards the knee
4. Again brush in small circles all the way around the knee
5. Use long strokes on the whole thigh and buttock, brushing towards the upper body
6. Now repeat step 1-5 on your other leg
7. Next brush your arms, starting from the fingers towards your wrist on one arm
8. Brush in small circular motions around the wrist
9. Use long sweeping strokes on the lower arm, towards the elbow
10. Brush in small circles all the way around the elbow
11. In long sweeping strokes, brush the upper arm, brushing all the way towards the heart on your chest and your back
12. Brush in small circles on and around your armpit
13. Repeat step 7-12 on your other arm
14. Brush your back and sides starting from the lower back towards the heart in long sweeping motions
15. Lastly brush your abdomen in a circular, clockwise motion

Now you are ready to jump in the shower or to start sweating it out with your exercise routine.