Written by Robin
Sometimes you feel like a nut (and sometimes you don’t). Today rockin’ Robin of Beautyburg feels like a coconut, and we’re about to find out why in today’s guest post.
There’s nothing my dry, over-stylized, heat tool-abused hair loves more than super rich, emollient hair products. The only thing it might love more are products that are also natural and good for me (oh, and maybe getting all of the above at low cost).
The product behind my hair mask secret embodies all of the above, and I’m about to let you in on it! Cold compressed coconut oil is the way I keep my hair shiny, soft and hydrated, and not only is it natural and effective, but it’s also cheap.
If you haven’t heard of coconut oil, or maybe heard of it referred to in a different way (the first thing that comes to mind when I think “coconut oil” is frying in the sun with Hawaiian Tropic and pretending the SPF 2 is doing something), THIS coconut oil is totally different.
First, it’s a white solid. Second, it’s food! It’s the same kind of coconut oil people cook with (vegans will be familiar with it), and you can find jars of cold compressed coconut oil at your local supermarket or natural food store (where prices range from $6-9).
Coconut oil is very high in cholesterol and saturated fats, but you don’t have to eat it to reap its benefits. You can apply it to your hair instead.
You don’t have to buy a “virgin” variety either. The FDA doesn’t set standards for “virgin” coconut oil as it does for olive. Also, the food grade product isn’t heavily scented, so you don’t have to worry about the scent if you aren’t a fan of heady perfumes.
To use it, pre-wash, and then scoop anywhere from 1-3 tablespoons from the jar, depending on the length of your hair. Next, rub the dollop between the palms of your hands (NOTE: The solid will quickly become a clear liquid from the friction).
My hair BEFORE coconut oil…
Distribute the product, starting with the ends of your dry hair and working your way up. If you happen to have an oily scalp, you may want to just focus on the ends.
Saturate them, tie up your hair, and let the mask sit for at least 15 minutes (the longer the better!). At the end of the 15 minutes, shampoo and condition per usual.
My hair AFTER coconut oil…
After washing, your hair should be softer, smoother and shinier. I also use it to tame frizzy ends when my hair is dry, but I use it extremely sparingly when I do (a pea-size or less).
I follow this routine once a week to keep my hair healthy and happy. I hope you decide to give it a try!
Written by Robin
Robin, aka ApplePark, is a lifelong beauty enthusiast who goes gaga for makeup, nails and French Bulldogs. She and her dog Marlowe can be found “beautificating” on Beautyburg.com.
Advah says
February 5th, 2011 at 1:47 pmThank you for the tip! I recently discovered coconut oil does wonders to my dry skin, but I’ve yet to try it on my hair. Now I’ll try that the next time I wash my hair!
Sam says
February 5th, 2011 at 1:50 pmI love coconut oil!! Sometimes when extra dry and want some extra softness and hydration, I add a little honey and warm it up in the microwave 🙂
likeramona says
February 5th, 2011 at 2:04 pmI LOOOOOOVE coconut oil, so much so that I buy it by the gallon! I know it sounds a bit obsessive but being a black girl w/dry hair & dry skin and a family of six that use it too, we go through a lot of it. That and the fact I hate being caught w/o stuff, I buy my all my faves in bulk =)
Tracy says
February 5th, 2011 at 2:07 pmCool! I really need to try this! My hair is so dry and frizzy right now.
Tracy recently posted … Lipstick of the Week-Estee Lauder Wild Violet Lipstick
Emily says
February 5th, 2011 at 2:26 pmTry coconut oil instead of butter in mashed sweet potatoes, your mind will be blown. Also, pretty lipstick in the after picture!
Stef says
February 5th, 2011 at 4:40 pmI thought the same thing!
What’s that lipstick in your after pic?
applepark says
February 5th, 2011 at 7:34 pmHi Stef and Emily,
It’s MUFE Rouge Artist Intense in #43! 🙂
Robin
ps I will have to try that in sweet potatoes (my favorite). I have two jars at home. One in my pantry and one under my bathroom sink.
applepark recently posted … R U RCR Red Carpet Ready Stila E! Live From The Red Carpet Glamour Goddess Palette – Photos- Review and Swatches
Chris25 says
February 5th, 2011 at 3:22 pmJust yesterday I bought Parachute Coconut Oil, and I can’t wait to try it out! I will be doing a review on it soon. 🙂
Chris25 recently posted … MAC Deep Truth- Cork- and Charcoal Brown Swatches & Comparisons
stacie says
February 5th, 2011 at 3:37 pmI think I might try this. My hair isn’t particularly dry but my scalp is being naughty at the moment and this might just soothe it. For a few $ its got to be worth a try xoxox
stacie recently posted … Leopard print and hearts
Emma says
February 5th, 2011 at 3:49 pmI love that you’ve done this article. I’ve just rediscovered Sweet Almond Oil for the skin on my face. Well done for promoting a totally natural product.
meimei says
February 5th, 2011 at 4:17 pmThank you! I’ve been using coconut oil as a deep conditioner for my hair, and it works like a charm. 🙂
meimei recently posted … Randomesticity- Things on My Mind Right Now
DalaLuz says
February 5th, 2011 at 4:31 pmI just discovered it and I am so happy with the find! I was worried about smelling like a pina colada, but it is not that strong of a smell at all. And my hair just loves, loves, loves it, gobbles it up like you wouldn’t believe 🙂 And I am curious about Sam’s honey suggestion. I guess my dry frizzy hair was just hungry for good food, so now I can cut way back on all the more expensive silicone loaded stuff. Hail to the almighty coconut! 😉
Renata says
February 5th, 2011 at 4:50 pmYes, it’s the best thing for my dry hair, and also fabulous to remove make up. 😉
Renata recently posted … Physicians Formula Powder Palette Multi-Colored Face Powder
gillybean604 says
February 5th, 2011 at 6:16 pmI looooove coconut oil! I use it on my dry hands every night before I go to bed. I love the scent.
Nina says
February 5th, 2011 at 6:19 pmlovelovelove coconut oil — it makes my hair feel silky soft! 🙂
Hana says
February 5th, 2011 at 6:22 pmGirl, you have beautiful hair before AND after 🙂 Wish my hair was like that.
Saffron says
February 6th, 2011 at 10:58 pmHaha I though this too when I saw this – I’d give a leg to have hair like the before picture! I have super curly, frizzy hair and have been using coconut oil for ages. It’s hard to overdo it with the oil when you have curly hair, but the smell can get intense.
Ru says
February 5th, 2011 at 6:31 pmThis is like an old age Asian hair secret. My mom used to put it on my head every week, and I never had a split end in my life. I need to go back to doing this on a regular basis.
becca says
February 5th, 2011 at 7:19 pmHoly crap! I’m going to RUN not walk to get some of this. Loved this post!!! xx
olivia says
February 5th, 2011 at 7:29 pmi too am dying to know what that red lip is
applepark says
February 6th, 2011 at 12:31 pmIt’s MUFE Rouge Artist #41, above was a typo!
applepark recently posted … R U RCR Red Carpet Ready Stila E! Live From The Red Carpet Glamour Goddess Palette – Photos- Review and Swatches
applepark says
February 6th, 2011 at 12:32 pmOoops sorry I just double checked. It’s actually 41 not 43, which is Moulin Rouge. It’s the one Sephora labels as Satin Rust!
applepark recently posted … R U RCR Red Carpet Ready Stila E! Live From The Red Carpet Glamour Goddess Palette – Photos- Review and Swatches
Solangel says
February 5th, 2011 at 7:44 pmThis is so interesting! I might just have to raid my supermarket tomorrow 😀
Sareena says
February 5th, 2011 at 8:32 pmEveryone in kerala does this atleast twice or thrice a week 😀 am from Kerala.(India)
Prachi says
February 6th, 2011 at 5:14 amJust warm the coconut oil a bit and then apply to your hair.and let is stay on your hair for at least an hour or more..It will be even more effective. We Indians do this very zealously…:-)
beautylogicblog says
February 6th, 2011 at 5:39 amI have been talking about thewonders of Coconut Oil for years. LoveLove Love it!
Olga says
February 6th, 2011 at 7:16 amsounds like a great hair treatment. Def. going to try it!!!
Olga recently posted … Saturday Shopping
Candice says
February 6th, 2011 at 8:00 amThis stuff has been the best kept secret by far! I just found out about coconut oil about 5 months ago and I am in love it! I bought this same jar from Krogers health foods aisle for only $7 and I am no where near done. Definitely great for chemically processed or natural African American hair. I am surprised that other races use it but hey it is a great product!!
Candice recently posted … Wedding Dress Debates & Other Goodies
Stacey F. says
February 6th, 2011 at 9:36 amThanks for the tip- your hair is beautiful!
applepark says
February 6th, 2011 at 12:33 pmThanks Stacey!
applepark recently posted … R U RCR Red Carpet Ready Stila E! Live From The Red Carpet Glamour Goddess Palette – Photos- Review and Swatches
Perri says
February 6th, 2011 at 9:58 amwow !!! I will try this 🙂
Meghan says
February 6th, 2011 at 11:54 amVery very cool !! Thanks for the guest post!
Meghan recently posted … Clinique Milly Pretty in Prints
Lei says
February 6th, 2011 at 1:06 pmAloha, I love your article & your hair looks terrific. I’ve been using cold press coconut oil for my skin, as a hair mask & conditioner for a lnng time and have great results. I have lots of thin curly hair & now i’m hinning on the scalp. Coconut oil does wonders for my scalp and my aging locks (50 yrs old). I also use it in moderation in my cooking due to medium sized fatty chain cells which makes it better then your average cooking oil. Check it out online – there is a book out that researched the health benefits of coconut oil.
Jae says
February 6th, 2011 at 1:09 pmI’m doing this RIGHT NOW. Can’t wait to see how it turns out!
kelliegonzo says
February 6th, 2011 at 1:49 pmgreat tip girl! love beautyburg and marlowe <3
AnieJ says
February 6th, 2011 at 4:08 pmLove this! Will be trying it in no time!
AnieJ recently posted … elf Tools I Might Never Live Without Again
Sanya says
February 6th, 2011 at 9:26 pmThank you for posting this! I’ve been trying to decide between going the olive oil route (which my family swears by) and the coconut oil route– you’ve decided me!
Sanya recently posted … SheRa- Princess of Power
Argyro says
February 7th, 2011 at 2:18 amthis sounds great!=)
thank you for sharing!
Argyro recently posted … January favorites
Christy says
February 7th, 2011 at 10:37 amAny input on how this compares to the recently hyped Argan or Moroccan oil? I don’t use it as a conditioner/treatment but on damp hair before styling as a relaxer. I am eager to try this as a treatment 🙂
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www.KeepMeBlushing.com says
February 8th, 2011 at 11:54 amThis is a fantastic tip-thank you so much for sharing!
Molly says
February 12th, 2011 at 6:24 pmI had heard of using coconut oil, but hadn’t tried it, so I just went out and bought some but was too chicken to use it until now. Thanks for posting the tutorial. Tomorrow I will put some on my hair and see how it turns out.
LauraA says
February 14th, 2011 at 1:27 pmI have somewhat unruly red hair that dries out like nobody’s business, as well as can’t decide if it’s straight or going to curl when it’s humid. I tried coconut oil over the weekend, and I’m a convert–it softened the texture without taking away body or making my hair greasy. Thank you for posting about this.
Sexy Sadie says
March 21st, 2011 at 7:01 amI am going to try.
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Nico Bellissimo says
April 2nd, 2011 at 1:37 pmWhat is the name of the red lipstick you are wearing in the “after” shot? It’s GORGEOUS!
Mary says
September 17th, 2011 at 3:45 pmI always use it for frying 🙂 And love it. You will get a little bit of a coconut note in your dish!
But for hair? That’s new to me 🙂 I think I have to try it 😀
mairead says
September 19th, 2011 at 1:47 pmHi. I’m confused!!
Do you apply it to wet hair straight after a shampoo? The reason I ask is that I have applied coconut to my dry hair before and left it on for the night. Didn’t think I could apply to wet hair as oil and water don’t mix, and I thought it wouldn’t be absorbed, or that I would end up with greasy hair, even if I shampoo after????
Krisabelle says
September 19th, 2011 at 6:39 pmLoved your post and the pictures were fun, too! I tried this tonight and my hair is shampoo commercial shiny and soft as kittens. Thanks for the great post, Robin! =D
Jennifer says
January 13th, 2012 at 11:58 amI went out and bought this after I read about it. Love it! I used it all over my body. I picked it up the exact bottle for $5.98 at Wal-Mart.
Regina says
October 22nd, 2014 at 6:39 pmI,be been using coconut oil on my natural hair for 5 yes and have seen wonders. I spritz my hair with distilled water, then apply coconut oil twice a day. I am 50 and my hair is thicker and healthier than when I was 10!Coconut oil is the only thing I use as an African American and it is a wonder product!!!