Oils: Otherwise Known As My New Obsessions

I'm wracking my brain to figure out when this obsession began. I mean, oils and butters have always been tools in my repertoire to combat dry skin and hair, but somewhere along the line, I've amassed quite the collection of various oils, for various purposes, and I love them all!

What can (the right) oil not be used for? I squirt good old Johnson & Johnson's baby oil into the tub when I put my little ones in for bath time. That way, if I can't wrestle them down to lather them in lotion once they get out, I can feel safe that their skin is still sufficiently moisturized. Or, if I'm able to keep the baby still for just a little while, baby oil is the easiest and quickest thing to apply to keep her skin soft, smooth, and protected. I also use the same baby oil when I use my scented lotions from Bath & Body Works, etc. Not only does it give my skin extra moisture (and a lovely feel and sheen), but it also extends the life of my lotions (several of which are seasonal releases and/or discontinued).

This is the kind that we use. I LOVE it! (photo via Target.com)

Then there's my BELOVED Coconut Oil. It starts as a solid, but melts in the heat of your hands and it can be used for absolutely EVERYTHING! But I use it in my hair while it's dry as an aid to detangle my curly q's. My thirsty tresses soak it right up and my hair is left soft, silky and incredibly manageable. I have no idea how I existed without it!

This is the brand I am currently using. I love it because it has a great, faint coconut scent. (photo via jamaicanblackcastoroil.com)

I am a Julep Maven, and once a month I get a lovely black box with the best nail colors EVER! I usually just get 3 or 4 nail polishes, but one month I opted to get a bottle of Argan Oil in lieu of one of my polishes. Boy, am I happy I made that decision! For no more than I usually pay a month ($19.99) I got 3 great polishes and a good sized bottle of pure Argan Oil. I was unsure how to use it for a while, but when I revamped my night time skin routine I decided to incorporate it as my facial moisturizer. I was kind of wary about putting oil on my face in the beginning, as I have oily (and what I mistakenly believed to be acne prone) skin, but imagine my surprise when I began to wake up every morning with GLOWING (and by golly, CLEAR) skin! I'm totally a convert; I believe in the power of Argan Oil!

By itself, it's $24.99 which still isn't that bad. I use 3 to 4 drops and rub them between my hands, before gently patting them over my face. It absorbs quickly and never leaves me looking or feeling greasy. (photo via julep.com)

Last, but certainly not least, there is Bio Oil. Oh Bio Oil! I have given birth to 3 babies that each gave me battle scars on my belly that you would not believe, but I did not purchase this gem until recently. I burned one of my boobs (yes, I said boobs) with a heating pad (long story) and it left an unsightly (and very visible) scar. So I searched on Amazon and got a great deal on a bottle of Bio Oil and didn't even have to leave my house to get it! I use it twice a day and though it's been less than a month, I already see an improvement. 

These are just my top four! Now that I've opened my mind to the vast wonders that oils are capable of, I'm literally on a quest for more  (maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but like the title says, I'm kind of obsessed now). So what oils do you incorporate in your skin, hair, and beauty routines? What brands do you like and why? My inquiring mind wants to know! Leave a comment below and let me know what you're using (maybe I'll try it to). Until next time...

Ciao, XxO

Q