You know the father in the movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding? and his obsession with Windex? Well, that’s me with coconut oil. It’s my answer to everything. Need a moisturizer? Coconut oil. Got a squeaky door? Coconut oil. Scared of canola oil? Coconut oil. This stuff is the wonder product; no home should be without it!

I only buy organic, extra virgin coconut oil. If it’s going on my face and in my food it needs to be good quality. An esthetician at my dermatologist’s office also told me that coconut oil (not extra virgin) is thick and could clog the eye lash follicles.  I have purchased my coconut oil from Amazon and Costco. My favorite way to store coconut oil is in small, transportable containers. I keep a jar in my bathroom, my nightstand, my purse and my desk. You can get perfect travel sized containers at Target (I couldn’t find the actual set of Target travel jars that I have. The item in the link includes 3 jars and 3 travel bottles). I am also a big fan of re-purposing glass jars for beauty storage.

Here are my favorite uses for coconut oil.

Eye Makeup Remover

My #1 use for coconut oil is for eye makeup remover. It has been my go-to for well over a year. I have extremely sensitive eyes and trouble finding a product that is gentle, but still removes my makeup.  Even products by Clinique and Neutrogena that are marketed for sensitive eyes make my eyes burn. After I wash my face and loosen up my makeup, I use a Q-Tip with coconut oil to remove my eye makeup. I am careful not to put my fingers in this jar and only use a Q-Tip to keep bacterial out.  Another added benefit for using coconut oil as eye makeup remove is that it seems to be great for lashes! About a year ago I lost some lashes due to eye irritation. I started rubbing coconut oil along my lash line and they slowly grew back.

Chapped Nose Healer

Nothing like a post-cold chapped nose. Coconut oil is perfect for protecting my nose when I’m using extra tissues during cold and flu season. I rub a little on the tip of my nose a few times throughout the day or before bed. It keeps my nose moisturized and prevent chapping. I have also found that dabbing coconut oil around my nostrils before bed helps to keep my sinuses moist at night – a huge problem for me in the winter.

Hand-Foot-Nail-Cuticle Moisturizer

Winter weather is so harsh on my hands. My hands get super dry and my nails even get a bit rigid. I try to massage coconut oil into my cuticles and nails before going to bed. It also works great for dry feet. Oil up your feet then put socks on to lock in the moisture.

Hair Treatment

Coconut oil is a great treatment for dry hair! You can make a DIY mask (dozens on Pinterest) or smooth a little on your ends. I have attempted to use coconut oil in a hair mask once.  Let’s just say it didn’t work out well. I thankfully have very healthy hair, so the coconut oil was much too heavy for me. Instead of using it as a hair mask I smooth a little over my ends as a post-blow dry cream.

Cooking/Baking Oil

Coconut oil can be a great substitute for butter, cooking spray and other oils when cooking. I like to use it to grease my pan when making scrambled eggs. It also works great for greasing baking tins or mugs for microwave mug cakes.

Oil Replacement in Baking

I love incorporating coconut oil into baking (and smoothies) whenever possible. I’m learning that coconut oil has some health benefits in comparison to other oils.. It’s becoming so much more common to see recipes using coconut oil in place of vegetable oil. Check out my Gain-Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies that uses coconut oil. I love being able to give baking recipes a new spin by substituting not so healthy ingredients for healthy ones ingredients.

Do you have a favorite use for coconut oil? Share them in the comments below!

xo Miss Alyss

I love a good manicure. There is nothing better than a fresh mani in the perfect color (and nothing worse than picking a bad polish). For years I was a huge fan of dark shades in the deep red and plum families. I still love those colors, but I always find dark colors chip faster and the chipping is much more noticeable. Dark colors also take longer to dry because they are more pigmented which leaves you at greater risk of smudging too. For the past 6 months or so I have gravitated towards pretty neutrals. Lighter shades are also easier to apply yourself for the perfect at home manicure. I find Essie polishes to be thinner than OPI polishes which makes for faster dry time. Here are my favorite Essie polishes that I think everyone should have in their collection.

Good to Go

Everyone NEEDS this quick dry polish in their collection. It dries your polish super fast and gives it a great shine. This polish costs $10, but is totally worth the splurge. I bring this with me to my nail salon and ask them to use it as my top coat. Most nail salons will charge extra for a quick dry polish. I usually keep a bottle of this polish at home and in my bag for spur of the moment mani/pedis.

Protein Base Coat

Although I am only in my mid twenties, I have noticed my nail beds becoming dry and slightly ridged. When I do my own nails I use this base coat to strengthen and smooth out my nails. It is a bit opaque which seems to serve as a good base for your polish (kind of like an eye shadow primer).

Favorite Light Shades

Shop Till I Drop – A sheer coral

Spaghetti Strap – A light bubble gum pink

Vanity Fairest – A light pink/white with a touch of shimmer

East Hampton Cottage – A light, shimmery white with a touch of pink

Ballet Slippers – A very pale pink; good for French manicures

Sand Tropez – (Not pictured) A light beige with a hint of lilac and grey

Hubby for Dessert – (Pictured Below) A beautiful sheer lilac

Chiffon My Mind – OPI (Not pictured) A pearly semi-sheer white

DIY Mani/Pedi Tips

I love getting my nails done. Sometimes I don’t have the time to stop at the salon or when I am trying to watch my spending I skip salon manicures. Here are a few tips for a great DIY mani/pedi.

1. Do not leave your nail polish on for longer than a week.
2. Regularly moisturize your hands and cuticles. I love using extra virgin organic coconut oil and OPI Avojuice lotion. I keep both on my desk at work.
3. Do not cut your cuticles regularly. Cutting causes your cuticles to become thick. Instead, keep them moisturized and push them back. I will get my cuticles cut once a month or once every other month.
4. Use a nail file more than a nail clipper. As my nails have gotten more dry, they have also become a bit weak. I find that nail clippers sometimes put too much pressure on my nail better causing white, horizontal bruising. I try to spend the time filing my nails.
5. Exfoliate your feet in the shower with a pumice stone, apply heavy moisturizer and socks before bed.
6. Use one a lighter shade for quick, neat application.
7. Eat healthy and take your vitamins! I have found that taking biotin and multi vitamins daily have greatly improved my nail health. Also, I noticed a HUGE improvement in my nail health when I stopped taking prescription acid reflux medicine.

 What are you favorite polish colors?

xo Miss Alyss