Five Favorite Uses for Olive Oil

I really discovered all the uses for olive oil last year while living in Spain (where olive trees are EVERYWHERE!!).  It is believed that the use of olive oil for health and beauty goes back to Bible times; many scholars believe that when Queen Esther underwent six months of intensive beauty treatments, olive oil would have been a main ingredient in the whole process.  Personally, if it was good enough for the people of the Bible, it's good enough for me!  I love that olive oil is all natural- no harsh chemicals, fragrances, animal cruelty, and it's usually a pretty safe item for fair-trade shopping.  Here are some of my favorite ways to integrate olive oil into my beauty regime:

1. As a moisturizer! I have mentioned in several previous blogs that I suffer from dry skin, but even some oily-skin users have testified to the benefits of olive oil.  My personal preference is to mix some olive oil with just a few drops of tea-tree oil before applying it like I would any other lotion.  The catch is that your skin will be a bit oily afterwards- I usually like to wait until just before bed to apply it so it doesn't stain my clothes, and so it has time to soak into my skin overnight while I'm in bed under a warm blanket!

2. As a scar/stretch mark fader!  It's a slow process, but olive oil has a great track record of fading old and new scars and stretch marks.  I've definitely noticed an improvement since I started using it- it's like a moisturizer and a fader all mixed into one!  The best part is that olive oil is FAR less expensive than fancy storebought faders (or surgeries!!) AND it doesn't cause further breakouts or rashes which could result in more scarring.

3. As a hair masque!  I usually do this treatment every other week or so during the winter months, when my hair and scalp are parched!  I take about two teaspoons and apply it right to my scalp, and then massage it for about ten minutes straight (yes, your arms get tired!) and then wrap my hair in a towel for another 10-20 minutes before washing it in hot water (sometimes it takes two shampoos to get all the oil out).  Some other women have told me they cover all their hair, from root to tip, in oil, but with my thick hair it's just too much of a pain to work it all in and then try to wash it out!  But it really soothes my scalp and brings the frizzies and split ends under control!

4. As a styling serum! This is one that I personally haven't tried, but some women with coarser or curlier hair might enjoy it.  Just rub a few drops of olive oil between your palms and then work your hands through your hair to smooth it and eliminate static build up!

5. As a primer!  I normally use Arbonne makeup primer and love it, but on days when my face feels dry and I don't plan to do a full makeover, I like to apply just a bit of olive oil to my face and lightly blot it with a tissue before I apply my foundation- it moisturizes, helps my acne scars fade, and it sets the makeup and gives it a more even tone!  This might not be a good idea for those who deal with oily skin, but if you deal with dry skin it works great!!

As a fair warning, olive oil can be messy and it STAINS- be careful not to use it when you already have your best dress on or you're standing on a nice carpet.  That being said, experiment a bit on your own with olive oil and see what it does for you!

How To: Easy Homemade Hair Protein Treatment

Protein treatments are a great way to maintain healthy, shiny hair, and you can do them yourself in the comfort of your home!  I learned this method from a fellow pageant-contestant; people notice the improvement in my hair whenever I do it!

Step 1) Mix three eggs and one tsp. of lemon juice together in a bowl.  Use a fork or a whisk to mix well.

Step 2) Shampoo and condition your hair as usual.  Once it is rinsed, apply the egg mixture generously from roots to tips of your hair. (I find the easiest way to do this is to just tilt your head back and pour the mixture directly from the bowl).   Be sure to rinse any egg-spatters off of your skin.  Wrap your hair in a towel and wait 30 minutes.  (Start disinfecting any surfaces the raw eggs have touched while you are waiting!  Don't let it sit!)

Step 3) Remove the towel, rinse your hair (make sure to get ALL of the egg mixture out!), and dry and style your hair as usual.  Put the towel in the wash IMMEDIATELY- throwing it somewhere will guarentee a permanent rotten egg smell to it and anything else it touches. 

I usually did this treatment once a month- depending on your hairtype and lifestyle, you might need to do it more or less often.  Experiment and see what works best for you!

A few quick warnings: 1) NEVER try a new beauty treatment the day before or of a big event; everyone has different beauty needs, and we all make mistakes!  Do a practice run well in advance to make sure you know what results you'll get. 2) Make sure to wash everything that the raw eggs touch with soap and hot water- 1 in every 20,000 eggs contains salmonella poisoning, and, once eggs rot, the smell can quickly become so bad that professional cleaning is required and 3) Warn your roommates or family that the bathroom might not smell so great for a few hours after this process.  Try to do it in a well-ventilated bathroom.  If you live in a dormitory setting, don't attempt this process in a community- bathroom!

Have fun!!