Beauty & Well being

Taking care of myself inside and out is very important to me. The food we eat directly affects the appearance of our hair, skin, and nails. I make healthy meals to look and feel my best. I also believe that if you can't consume something you put on your skin, you shouldn't be using it.  In fact some of the best products I use are not in fact an actual skincare product. Most lotions and creams are filled with chemicals, parabens, and alcohol which actually dry skin out. Toxins in these creams are absorbed by our skin and can effect our organs over long periods of time causing cancer, and other critical illnesses.

Here are some of my beauty essentials

Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
I really do put this on everything! If you end up buying coconut oil, make sure you buy extra virgin coconut oil, and not just regular coconut oil. Regular coconut oil has been heated up and stripped of its nutrients. Extra virgin coconut oil still has all the wonderful benefits!

Makeup Remover/ Face wash
Wash your face as you would, melt coconut oil in hands and rub all over your face in a circular motions, and rinse off. This face wash leaves skin feeling moisturized. Coconut oil is perfect for a face wash because it contains anti bacterial properties and smells great. This is amazing, and also great for removing eye makeup.

Face Cream/ Body lotion
Some of you may be wondering why someone would put oil on their face? Well if you think back to what people were using hundreds of years ago before chemicals were added to creams, oils were used to moisturize dry skin. Coconut oil has anti aging properties, and antioxidants that help heal and prevent sun damage from free radicals. Coconut oil reduces fine lines and wrinkles. I have seen a great improvement in my mother's skin since she's started using coconut oil on her face.I introduced her to coconut oil 2 years ago, and I know she's glad I did.
I love applying coconut oil to my body after I shower. All you need is a dime sized amount. It does need some time to absorb, so I recommend applying it onto your skin before you apply your makeup or do your hair...or you can just walk around naked. Coconut oil is also a great oil for giving massages. There is something so relaxing about the scent. It always brings me back to the beach.

Hair Mask
This is the best hair mask/deep conditioner I've ever tried! I melt the coconut oil in my hands and apply it to my hair. I leave it on overnight (make sure you put a towel on your pillow so that the oil doesn't stain your bedding). I wash my hair out very thoroughly in the morning and I end up with the silkiest of locks a girl can dream of. This oil has worked wonders and has repaired a lot of damaged hair.

Jojoba Oil
I love using jojoba oil for my face during the day time because it is quickly absorbed. This oil is very similar to our skin and hair in chemical structure. A little bit goes a long way. This oil can be used for the same purposes I have listed above for coconut oil.

Here's a recipe for my favourite Body scrub! It leaves me feeling, soft and moisturized!

Brown Sugar + Coconut, Olive oil body scrub

Ingredients

1 cup brown sugar
1/4 melted coconut oil
1/4 cup olive oil
1tbsp honey

Method
1. mix ingredients together
2. Place body scrub in plastic container or jar
3. Apply to body in the shower, rubbing in circular motions
4. Rinse off thoroughly

I hope you try out some of my beauty staples. Let me know what you think!

Alexandra