Because of the cold weather, i was advised that i would need to put the bottle in in the basin filled with hot water. Yeah, when i got it it was hard like a rock. The cool weather makes the coconut oil go hard. After i melted oil i put some in my hair. I didn't really get a wet look but it made my hair feel very nice and works the same like a jojoba oil, to repair split ends and keep your hair from drying. Next time i will use it after i come out of the shower, whilst my hair is still wet, then apply it too see if i can get a wet look. You can even use it as a pre-shampoo rinse, to 'feed' the scalp, i don't know if i will be doing that though. The stuff isn't cheap and it only comes in tiny 200 ml bottles but you only need to use a tiny amount to the ends, avoid the scalp. Any more and it makes your hair greasy and oily, like i haven't washed my hair for a week, lol. So the secret is to just use it sparingly and in tiny amounts.
You can also use it as a cooking supplement. Infact it smelt so good i started to drink it from the bottle but i didn't want to waste it, lol. That's not what i bought it for!
I'll keep you posted on my results.
Yes you can eat it. Despite the bad reputation it got from the "Fat is bad" and "Fat makes you fat" camps over the past few decades, it's actually recommended for consumption by many in the field of health and nutrition. One big point is that it's not affected by overheating, ie. it will not convert to trans fats - the ones that ARE bad. All other oils will to some extent.
Shame it wants to solidify in the winter temperatures.
LukeB
Hey 80s, if it is in a bottle I'm wondering if you have a more expensive coconut oil made for cooking rather than skin/hair care. Mine is in a screw top jar, has no scent, and is only softly clouded glop in heat. I'd suggest skipping the heating step for use. When the weather warms you might want to keep your oil in the refrigerator so it is solid and you can scrape just a little into your hand with a fingernail. The small amount you have should melt quickly between your palms for use on the ends. Working from the solid form gives you better control over the amount you use.
The oil may mositen some split ends into holding together temporarily until the oil is absorbed but it can not be said to repair the slpits. However, the better moistened the ends are the less likely they are to split so it is preventative.
Does your oil have a coconut scent or flower smell? You may be able to find monoi oil (coconut oil with gardenia scent) more readily and that is made for hair.
Elizabeth
Yeah, it smells great. I think it is premium grade stuff, maybe i should look for something specifically for hair next time as it will be cheaper. When i use it next i will apply it in a solidified form , as you mentioned. It should make it easier to work with. Thanks for the helpful advice.
Here's the routine as explained by Heidi W., a regular at The Long Hair Site's messageboard.
"To oil the hair is quite easy. Take a small amount of oil, perhaps 2 drops, or if scraping a solid such as coconut oil, barely a fingernail full....and rub between the palms to warm and melt a bit. There should be a very sheer layer of oil on the palms as a result--barely discernable except for the shine or reflection in the light. Then apply the oil to pre-washed, already fully dry and detangled hair. Apply only from the earlobes on down. Do not apply to scalp hair to leave on for days as this will upset your pH balance of the acid mantle (the scalp skin). Set the palms on either side of the hair length on one side and simply downstroke through the hair. Then repeat on the other side. Those with thick hair or wavy/curly hair need to separate the hair more to get more at the deeper inward layers to get some oil there.
This oil is then left in as the leave-in conditioner and not removed until the next hair washing (which we recommend to attempt to do around twice a week at best). Remember, scalp hair needs to be washed; typically the length does not. The idea is to allow oils to build up that is produced naturally from the sebacious glands (on the scalp) and then distribute these oils, and probably applying some more oil to the length, to more evenly distribute the oil. To distribute the oil, this is where a Boar Bristle Brush (BBB) enters the picture."
http://www.tlhs.org/cardry.html