Coconut Oil & Its Myriad Uses: A Love Affair

I purchased my first jar of coconut oil earlier this year (sometime in April) from a Trader Joe's after hearing about what a wonderful natural product is. Long story short: I'm hooked, and show no signs of giving it up any time soon. Just a brief (I'll try to keep it at that) list of what I use it for: cooking oil (makes INCREDIBLE French toast), makeup remover (it allegedly helps eyelashes grow and repair themselves from mascara's damaging effects), ear lobe moisturizer (I have my lobes stretched to 3/4" and it wards off "ear cheese"), cuticle oil, chapped lip rescuer, ashy elbow moisturizer, additive in smoothies and protein shakes, and for my dog, I use it to keep his nose moisturized and fur soft and shiny. BUT the main reason I got into it and the one that has yet to leave me hanging: HAIR. I use it as a deep conditioner twice a week and as a leave-in after every wash. My hair-cutter-person even noticed that my normally damaged and split hair was somehow smoother and healthier. Thank you, coconut oil.

Anyways, my regimen goes as follows:
My go-to CO comes from Trader Joe's, in a 16 fluid ounce glass jar. The price ranges from $5-$6, I can never remember exactly how much it is.

 Note that the only ingredient is organic VIRGIN coconut oil. The "virgin" is vital, because unrefined coconut oil holds more benefits than that which has been bleached and purified.

 The consistency is similar to lard or vegetable shortening, and melts upon contact with skin. I use about a handful for each deep conditioning treatment and about a dime-sized chunk for each leave-in. For the deep treatment, I melt a huge wad of it in my hands and slather it all over my hair, focusing on the ends. I then use a paddle brush to disperse it and detangle my hair. I let it sit about an hour, then shampoo! It has washed out clean for me every time, regardless of which shampoo used.

 BUT while we're on the topic of shampoo, I figured I'd take a moment to boast on my all-time favorite brand: Organix. Every other wash, I switch up the order between the two following varieties:

One wash, I'll use the biotin shampoo/keratin conditioner, and the next I'll use keratin shampoo/biotin conditioner. I just like switching things up and the two varieties combined just make my hair feel FANTASTIC.

Also, another healthy happy hair tip: take Biotin supplements. Biotin aids in cellular health and production, and helps hair grow healthy and strong. 

But since this post is mainly for coconut oil, I'd say, give it a shot and see if it works for you. Personally, my hair is super strong and healthy, and so much easier to manage when I use coconut oil as opposed to not using it. I hope it has the same effects for you!