I’ve spent many years – and dollars – on a mission to find the perfect hair conditioners to make my thick, wavy, long hair silky and shiny.  I routinely blow dry and straighten, so moisture-infusing products are a must. Now, I sometimes buy into advertising hype. So I have been known to purchase one or two products with the promise of lightweight, restorative powers. None worked, sigh. Then I finally found a magical elixir that truly works! Drumroll, please…coconut oil.

This product is natural (edible), effective, multi-purpose and budget friendly. I regularly purchase a 16.9 oz. (500 ml) bottle for $2.99 from my local Indian grocery store, where coconut oil is a cultural staple and priced accordingly.

Many other grocery and drug stores sell very reasonably priced, no-frills coconut oil that is cheaper and more effective than any other deep-conditioning or styling product on the market. This is a good option.

Here’s how to use it:

• Store coconut oil in a cool place, as it liquefies around 76 degrees  F. It remains viscous and more user-friendly below that temperature.
• Dispense coconut oil into your palms. If stored in a cool place, it will come out like Vaseline but quickly liquefies as you work with it. If the air is especially warm, the coconut oil will come out as a liquid, so dispense slowly.
• Massage coconut oil into dry hair.  Apply it everywhere but the scalp, paying special attention to the hair ends.  You can rub any extra on your skin as an added natural moisturizer.
• The fragrance is strong and unexpected, but not unpleasant. It smells like macaroons.
• Clip hair up to avoid getting the oil on your clothes.
• Let the oil sit for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for very dry hair.
• Wash, condition and style hair as usual.  (I no longer need any sleek styling products.)
• Repeat weekly.

Even after the wear and tear of blow-drying and straightening, this coconut oil routine leaves my hair silky and luminescent.  Enjoy your touchable hair and the savings from avoiding other expensive hair moisturizers and conditioning products.

 This has been a guest post by Alissa from NY
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