I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Not a dirty little secret, but more like a little-known secret: essential oils. But, for the sake of clarity, I’m going to call them beauty oils because essential oils have really been linked to aromatherapy, which is amazing, but not my focus. Beauty oils are definitely one of the most effective and easy ways for one to gain that natural glow and makeup-no-makeup look. Ever since I began using beauty oils in my daily routine, they have really helped me enhance and beautify my face, hair, and self-esteem. Now, after years of quietly raving about it to myself, I am finally letting the world know. Enjoy!
Just a disclaimer: I am not an expert in essential oils. This is 100% my own opinion and nothing here is from intensive laboratory research. This is all from knowledge I’ve obtained through both experience and other online blogs and websites.
Almond Oil
Almond oil is my hands-down, holy grail, most-used oil. Not only does a little go a long way, but a little also leaves major impact. Almond oil has a notorious reputation for being able to naturally lighten up dark circles – and the best thing is, it actually works!
Apply almond oil underneath your eyes every night being sure to cover the entire under eye area. Remember to be gentle, because the area around the eyes is the most sensitive and fragile. This is because the skin around the eye is much thinner than the skin on the rest of the face. Almond oil has a natural bleaching ability and also improves blood circulation which reduces pigmentation under the eyes and restores the elasticity of the skin which firms the skin around the eye which can further combat wrinkles.
Castor Oil
Castor oil is one of my favorite oils. It is very well-known for promoting hair growth for the scalp, eyelashes, and eyebrows. Every night, I coat my eyelashes with castor oil which, overtime, both lengthens and thickens my lashes. Be sure not to use too much on your eyelashes, because you don’t want it to get into your eyes! Castor oil is a very thick oil which is good for hair (but bad for eyeballs). It’s literally a 3-in-1 and lately, I’ve been using it as a hair mask. You’ll see the hair recipe at the end of this post! Castor oil has the power to accelerate hair growth because it is rich in amino and fatty acids such as ricinoleic acid which, when absorbed by the skin, travels into the hair follicles and protects the existing ones from damage while giving the follicles more oil, in addition to natural hair oil, which speeds up hair growth.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is probably the most popular beauty oil, all because there are literally so many uses and benefits that are applicable over a very large range. Coconut oil can be used for both cooking and beauty, but since I’m a beauty columnist, I’m going to be focusing on its uses in beauty. I don’t personally use coconut oil for my skin (although I should give it a shot), but I do use it for my hair. I will use it either as a hair mask by itself or in conjunction with other oils in a hair mask. Coconut oil makes your hair soft, detangled, protected, and deep-conditioned. It also helps hair growth, although it not as effective as castor oil. Coconut oil is so amazing because it has the ability to go into your hair. Unlike other oil that just lingers on the surface, when massaged into your scalp, it actually penetrates through your hair which does work on the “inside” of your hair. Coconut oil is the bomb and I have yet to explore all that it has to offer because it’s magic definitely goes beyond just hair.
Argan Oil
Argan oil is also a very notable beauty oil. Like coconut oil, it has many uses that range from cooking to cosmetics. You could use it for both hair and skin although my main purpose is hair. Argan oil is a Moroccan oil derived from kernels of the Argan tree. Argan oil does wonders to the hair and is most famously known as a natural leave-in conditioner. I pour the oil onto the palms of my hand, rub it together, and then apply it onto my hair from the roots to the ends. There are literally so many reasons why you should use Argan Oil that I will tell you it in a list format:
- It’s a natural leave-in conditioner.
- It treats dry, brittle hair.
- It leaves hair shiny and smooth.
- It stops hair loss.
- It can also be used as a deep conditioning hair mask.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is the smallest oil with the biggest punch. It is almost always sold in a cute little bottle with its own dropper, but don’t let its size fool you because it literally will last you forever because you only really use a few drops every time. Peppermint oil is used for hair, with a focus on hair growth and hair loss. It helps with hair growth when massaged into the scalp because it, in a way, makes your hair hot and spicy, which causes more blood circulation to your hair follicles, helping your hair grow. I use it with my hair mask that I’ve been talking about so much.
Hair Mask Recipe:
Castor Oil
Coconut Oil
Peppermint Oil
- Pour equal amounts of castor oil and coconut oil into a bowl.*
- Mix the two until they are one, and no longer distinctively separate.
- Add a couple drops of peppermint oil.**
- Mix until you have a smooth consistency.
- Apply and massage all over the hair and into your scalp.
- Leave on your hair for 30-45 minutes, then shampoo and condition as usual.
*You cannot use castor oil as a hair mask by itself, but you can use coconut oil as a hair mask by itself. Castor oil is an incredibly thick oil so the addition of the coconut oil is to combat the thickness and make it less viscous and more friendly.
**The addition of peppermint oil is not a requirement, although recommended.
