Holy Coconut

Before becoming a mom I spent freely when it came to money and time on the purchase and application of beauty products. After becoming a mom, I had to cut back.My secret beauty product covering hair, face and body is coconut oil.

I wasted money on cheap brands that only caused stress on my skin, then I discovered the greatness of coconut oil. After it worked so well on my daughter’s cradle cap and diaper rash, I started to use the oil on myself. The best part – you can purchase a large container at a surplus box store and divide into smaller reusable containers (like recycled glass baby food jars). Here are some beauty tips I utilize on a daily basis!

Conditioning hair mask

A half hour before getting in the shower I coat my hair in a thick layer of coconut oil and fasten it back with a clip. Once in the shower I run hot water over my hair and let it sit for another 2 minutes then wash and condition my hair as normal. Once I dry and style my hair, it feels silky and smooth, like I just had a salon treatment. I also noticed after using this at home treatment once a week my hair was definitely stronger.

DIY pedicure

I miss my salon pedicures, but not the outgoing cash that went into maintaining them. I tried a number of foot lotions but nothing was working on my dry and calloused feet, until coconut oil! I just massage a thin layer into my feet after a shower or before bed and put on a pair of cotton socks to help lock in the moisture. Once I remove the socks I have soft Cinderella feet.

Makeup remover

Eye makeup removers can be harsh and expensive, but I’m also not a fan of old crusty mascara and eyeliner in the morning. I apply a small pea size to my fingertips rubbing until melted and swipe over my eye lids and remove it with a cotton pad. The coconut oil removes all the makeup buildup and doesn’t dry the skin.

Eyelash enhancer

After having my twins, the toll breastfeeding took on my body was seen in the loss of my eyelashes. I went as far as to try the new lash enhancer growth treatments on the market, but they didn’t seem to work. I started to apply just a small amount of coconut oil to my lashes in the morning and before bed, now people actually think I have falsies on!

Lip balm

Living in the Midwest the winters get pretty harsh which leaves my lips chapped and raw. I keep a small container of coconut oil in my purse when I am on the go, and it acts as the perfect lip balm to moisturize and protect my pucker.

Chicken skin

For as long as I can remember I have had this dreaded “chicken skin” (dry tiny red bumps) on my upper thighs and arms. Now, rubbing coconut oil onto the areas after bathing, the skin problem I hid for years is now completely gone.

Frizz and flyaways

I have naturally curly/wavy hair I fight with whenever I decide against a ponytail. To tame my wild mane, I rub a tiny dollop of coconut oil between my hands and smooth the bottom half of my hair while damp. It’s like magic! My hair goes from coarse to smooth within seconds.

I am a 31 year-old stay-at-home mom blessed with three children, Braxton (5), Travis and Hailey (2 year-old twins). I am sharing the gratitude and craziness of life as a woman, mommy and wife through my new blog The Funny in Mommy, while trying my hand at starting a new MOPS group this September in Wheaton, IL.