Of course, those in the know will have heard that the wonders of coconut oil don’t just stay in the kitchen: being 100% natural and with nothing added, it makes for a fabulous beauty product, too. Read on to find out how we can transform your beauty regime as well…
At first, a lot of people can’t quite get their heads around the fact that the same oil you cook with can be used on your hair and skin, too. I guess that it probably does sound odd, or at least until you realise that Lucy Bee is 100% coconut oil, with nothing added – totally pure, totally natural.
As a qualified beauty therapist, I am shocked at just how many chemicals we slather on our skin on any given day. Many beauty products are laden with nasties – ingredients that we’ve never even have heard of – and yet we’re only too happy to put them on our skin. Skin is the body’s biggest organ, and so whatever you put on your skin will be absorbed into the body. When you think about this, doesn’t it make sense to use something natural?
‘BEING 100% NATURAL, COCONUT OIL MAKES A FABULOUS BEAUTY PRODUCT.’
As I studied for my beauty therapy qualification, I learned so much about physiology and anatomy, sitting neatly alongside nutrition in caring for your body from the outside in. Coconut oil is the perfect link to heal the body naturally. This is why Lucy Bee makes such a fabulous beauty product; it has so many uses that I can’t even begin to list them all. However, my favourites are as a:
‘COCONUT OIL IS THE PERFECT LINK TO HEAL THE BODY NATURALLY.’
Moisturiser: Rich in vitamin E, coconut oil can nourish and moisturise even the driest of skins. In fact, you only need to use a small amount, and then simply massage into your skin. It can help soften the appearance of fine lines and plump up the skin, and it’s even suitable for oily skin types too. What makes coconut oil so great as a moisturiser is that you really don’t need to add anything else – it works amazingly well just as it is.
Make-up remover: This is my all-time favourite beauty use. All you need to do is warm a small amount of oil between your fingertips before massaging over the skin and wiping away with a cotton pad or face cloth. It even removes waterproof mascara and can help to strengthen eyelashes at the same time. What’s not to love?
Cuticle rub: If I’m cooking and have a little Lucy Bee left over, I use it to rub into my cuticles. It nourishes them, stimulating new nail growth by increasing circulation in the nail bed.
Deodorant: I can already sense a few of you are looking a little sceptical, but this really does work. Rub a small amount under your arms and see for yourself.
Hair conditioner: At least once a week, I spend a night in and massage Lucy Bee coconut oil into my hair and scalp. I’ll then tie my hair up and leave the oil in overnight to condition my hair. You’ll need to give it a couple of shampoos to wash it out, but you’ll find your locks are softer and shinier than ever before. I’ve seen a huge difference and try to do this more often. I must admit, I love to straighten and curl my hair, but since using Lucy Bee it’s really helped to condition my locks.
Body scrub: If you mix Lucy Bee coconut oil with detoxifying Himalayan salt or Epsom salts, it makes the best body scrub ever – the perfect body preparation before your summer holidays or a big event. You can also apply a thin layer of the Lucy Bee ‘magic’ directly onto your body, making it feel amazing once you get out of the shower.
Massage oil: Lucy Bee is a fantastic massage oil, even for delicate newborn skin. If you want to make your massage oil into a holistic treatment, add some essential oils to the coconut oil. The essential oil aroma you choose can vary depending on your mood and whether you prefer a detoxifying or relaxing treatment.
Oil pulling: This is an ancient Ayurvedic treatment for ridding the body of toxins and for whitening teeth. Place between a teaspoon and tablespoon of Lucy Bee coconut oil in your mouth and wait for it to melt, then swish it about, just like you would mouthwash, for anywhere between five and 20 minutes. Then spit it out into the bin, rather than the sink, to avoid blocking the drain.
Toothpaste: Believe me when I say that your teeth will feel super clean and look whiter after using coconut oil toothpaste.
AND IT DOESN’T STOP THERE…
Just as coconut oil is good for us, it’s also good for our pets. We’ve seen this first hand with our chickens, as well as the pheasants and ducks who turn up most days at the back door, waiting for their fix of Lucy Bee, water and oats. I breakfast most mornings with the ducks, even though I often end up telling them off for fighting over who gets to eat the most oats. Of course, who can blame them when it’s covered in Lucy Bee!
Happily, since we love animals, barely a day goes by when we don’t hear from one of our followers telling us how their pet has benefited from Lucy Bee too. We’ve seen photos of Lucy Bee helping every animal from horses and dogs to cats, geckos, and even tortoises.
If that weren’t enough, we’ve even greased garden shears with Lucy Bee, successfully fixed a pair of shoes that wouldn’t zip up after one wear (and it’s still working fine to this day) and eased a stiff sash window. I told you that Lucy Bee is a versatile and miracle oil!
1 tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp Himalayan salt or Epsom salts
8–12 drops essential oil (choose rose oil for calming, eucalyptus for energising or lemon for detoxing)
Dry body brush
Place the coconut oil, salts and essential oils in a ceramic dish and mix until thoroughly combined. Using a dry body brush, brush the oil all over your body. Always work the strokes of the body brush in the direction towards your heart.
MASSAGE OIL
1 tbsp coconut oil
6–8 drops essential oil or blend (consult a practitioner to learn which essential oils are best for you)
Place the coconut oil and essential oil or blend in a ceramic dish and mix until thoroughly combined.
TOOTHPASTE
1 tbsp coconut oil, slightly softened
1 tbsp bicarbonate of soda
3 drops edible peppermint oil (optional)
Place the coconut oil, bicarbonate of soda and edible peppermint oil, if using, in a ceramic dish and mix well together. Use as you would a normal toothpaste.
Keep this in a small container in the bathroom. The first couple of times you use this toothpaste, you will notice it can taste different from shop-bought toothpaste, but stick with it because you will be pleased with the results. Bicarbonate of soda is softer than tooth enamel so does not damage your teeth.