Remember when Oprah would do her biannual "Favourite Things" show? Aside from praying that I'd somehow score tickets to one of those shows, I'd always love to watch from home to see how passionate Oprah was about giving away her new favourite finds.
I figured I could do my own "Favourite Things" right here on this blog, obviously without handing out freebies to my devoted audience :) Maybe sometime in the near future I might get lucky enough to host a giveaway, but for now, I'll showcase some of my favourite hair care items and tell you where you can find them as well.
First up: *getting my Oprah yell ready* COCONUTTTTTTTT OOOIIIIIIIILLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!
For myself (and many other naturals), coconut oil is a versatile wonder tool. Coconut oil is among the best hair foods around - it is one of the only oils with the ability to penetrate the hair shaft. This means that your hair absorbs the vitamins and medium-chain triglycerides (healthy fats), making your hair healthier from the inside out. My favourite usages are as a moisturizer and a styling product:
- Mix coconut oil with jojoba, olive, or castor oil to create a pre-poo treatment - mix the oils together and apply to scalp, and to dry hair from root to ends. Leave on for 20 minutes (cover with a shower cap or a steam cap), then rinse, and wash normally. This is great for those days when you want some extra moisturizing muscle.
- After washing, apply coconut oil as a leave-in, then go ahead and style as you normally would.
- Use coconut oil to seal the ends of your hair when doing twists, braids, or any other protective style.
- Styling your hair in the morning? Use coconut oil to refresh your curls and add shine
You should try to purchase virgin or unrefined coconut oil in order to get the purest form. Personally, I have used refined coconut oil in a pinch, and still have had the same great results. Coconut oil melts at 24 degrees Celsius, so when you purchase it, it may be in a solid white or yellowish form. Scoop some out with your finger and rub vigorously between your palms to turn the solid into a clear oil, then apply.
Where can you find it? I always purchase my coconut oil at the neighbourhood grocery store or at Danforth Market, and I never spend more than $5 for a 500mL jar, which usually lasts me a good 3 months.
So, there you have it. One of Bee's Favourite (Hair) Things! I'm sure if you get this product in your regimen, regardless of hair type or texture, coconut oil will get your hair right.
