Loco For Coco: 5 Ways To Use Coconut Oil

If you haven't heard by now, coconut oil can pretty much be used for everything and anything to fix a problem in your day to day life. Coconut oil has become the new buzz word it seems for the time being, which means that mentioning kale is being kicked to the curb. I thought it would be a good time to share my five favorite uses for this deliciously smelling coconut wonder! 

1. Coconut Oil & Your Pearly Whites

Coconut oil has properties in it that efficiently and successfully kill bacteria and diseases, preventing you from getting sick. These bacteria fighting characteristics make coconut oil the perfect ingredient to put in your own homemade toothpaste. Yeah, toothpaste.

You maybe skeptical at first to make your own toothpaste, I mean, isn't easier just to buy a tube? Well, yes, but toothpaste has a lot of proven evil chemicals that can cause damage to your teeth and body in the long run, while coconut oil is all natural. An even better reason to give coconut oil a chance for your teeth? It's the best teeth whitening agent that I've ever used. It literally does wonders, and makes your pearly whites sparkle! All you need to do is mix up the ingredients below and seal it tight in a container so it's ready to use whenever you like!

- 6 tbsp. Coconut Oil
- 6 tbsp. Baking Soda
- 1 tsp. Stevia (add to taste)

2. Face Moisturizer 

This one is a little more on the obvious side. Obviously any type of oil will be good to lather on your arms and legs to make them soft...but what about your face? I was extremely skeptical when I was told that I could use coconut oil on my face to not only leave it feeling soft and clean...but help clear away any blemishes. I thought that it would make my skin feel greasy, oily, and worse than it looked before - but boy was I proven wrong!

Before going to bed, I mix a small amount of coconut oil into my nightly face moisturizer, like my Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer (about the size of the tip of my index finger) and mix them together. Evenly massage this combo onto your face and neck and wake up with soft skin. Remember those bacteria fighting properties, though? Yep, your face will be clear of breakouts with consistent use!   

3. Coconut Berry Smoothie

Not only does coconut help you look your best on the outside, but it even works magic on the inside too! It's been said that coconut oil can boost your metabolism and give you a swift energy boost from only 1 tablespoon. Not only that, but it can speed up the growth of your hair and nails too! 

Now, I've tried the kale juice and the kale smoothies and I really tried to make myself a believer, trust me, but I just couldn't make myself gag down a nutritious but awful tasting kale concoction. That's why I like to stick to the basics. So, for this coconut oil inspired smoothie, all you really need is your favorite berries, coconut oil and a few other ingredients to jazz it up a little. This is a great smoothie to have as breakfast for a start to your day, or as a little afternoon snack for a 3 P.M. pick me up!

- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- 1 banana
- 1-2 tbsp. coconut oil 
- 1 cup almond milk 

4. Body Hydration

Summer is coming up after a brutal winter, and I know that my skin has been a little on the dry side lately. Although coconut oil is a great moisturizer to use by itself, once in awhile I like to spice things up and make a mixture of coconut oil and shea butter. Shea butter is rich in Vitamins A and E which result in extremely soft and silky skin. By whipping these both up, it's a great nightly moisturizer to add to your nightly routine!

5.  Hair Mask

Looking for commercial soft and luminous hair? Coconut oil is my go-to for a monthly hair mask. Simply wet your hair and comb into your hair. I say, the longer it sits the better. I usually take a nice bath and leave it in for a few minutes and then wash it out with my usual shampoo and conditioner. This is especially great for winter when hair get's frizzy and dry. 

So, tell me, what's your favorite way of using coconut oil? Let me know in the comments below!

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Pacifica Beauty Review

Amidst the flurry of snowflakes and extremely cold arctic air that came my way came a warm and inviting package in my mail from Pacifica Beauty. It was a definitely much needed happy surprise to start off the week, and I was immensely tickled to have been sent some of their all natural (vegan and gluten free too!) products to share with all of you!

Priding themselves on creating 100% natural products that give great results, Pacifica definitely offers a wide range of incredible products ranging from make-up, perfume, skincare, and more! All of their products are put in recyclable packaging to give you yet another reason to feel absolute pride and confidence that you beauty products are not only safe for you, but for the environment as well. 

If you follow me on Instagram (@StepInsideMyCloset) then you would have definitely seen me gushing over Pacifica's Vanilla perfume that has become my new signature scent. Lucky for me, Pacifica graciously sent me over a few new perfumes for me to try! Pacifica's perfumes pack a strong and admirable scent. First up is the Tuscan Blood Orange fragrance that literally smells like an abundance of oranges packed into the perfectly sized roller ball. It's so light and fresh and is perfect for a morning out! 

Getting a little bit more tropical is the Hawaiian Ruby Guava fragrance makes you feel like you're on the sandy and sunny beaches of Hawaii. Sweet and still fresh, this fragrance definitely impressed me. It will obviously be stashed in my purse for the summer!

Last for fragrances is the Tahitian Gardenia fragrance. I've always loved gardenias and this made me love the scent even more. This scent is very sweet and pure. It smells like it would just go with an all natural casual look, again hitting high marks on smelling fresh. 

Pacifica also sent me some love for my lashes with their Stellar Gaze Length & Strength Mineral Mascara that creates the utmost dramatic look and length to your eyelashes. For the mascara being 100% natural (and with coconut oil added to hydrate your lashes!) anyones first impression would be that it wouldn't really work...but you'd be quickly proved wrong. I have no bad things to say about this mascara, except that I wish I had more! 

Another that I've tried out is their lip products! Their palates are absolutely gorgeous and bring out the natural color of your lips while giving that hint of shimmer as well. Love!

From my experience with Pacifica, I urge you to give their products a try, because I assure you that everything is completely natural and completely effective as well. 

Shop My Favorite Pacifica Products:

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October Fab Favorites

Happy October, everyone! Have you started planning your Halloween costumes yet? From day to day, week to week, month to month, products and accessories that we adore are quickly replaced by a new one that steals our hearts. So, I've decided to let you guys see what I'm crazy for this October! 

1. Coco Chain and Pearl Strand Necklace

Layering, layering, layering is my all time favorite obsession when it comes to bracelets or necklaces, so obviously I'm obsessed with The Shopping Bag's new Coco Chain and Pearl Strand Necklace. The name fits it perfectly doesn't it? It reminds me of Coco Chanel in a way. Not only do I love the name and layers of this necklace, but the ribbon tie that clasps it all together. Ribbon ties are best on necklaces because it looks adorable from the back if you have your hair up.

2. Maybelline Master Kajal Liner
Major make-up favorite right here. This new Maybelline liner makes lining your eyes incredibly easy. The pencil is unlike any other. It's so smooth, and goes on super easy - whether you're try to achieve the sassy cat eye or just want a simply daily look, this is definitely my go to beauty product.

3. My Burberry Perfume
From the first moment I saw the iconic Burberry ad with Cara Delevingne and Kate Moss, I knew I had to get my hands on this new perfume from Burberry, and I'm glad I did. Floral scents transport you to a dewy London garden in your own Burberry trench coat...yeah, I wish!

4. Cinnamon Buns Body Wash by Philosophy
I am completely obsessed with everything that evolves around autumn. Cinnamon to me really embodies what fall smells like...but again maybe that's really just me. Anyways, Philosophy's Cinnamon Buns wash literally smells like cinnamon buns are baking right in front of you in the shower. It's one of those body washes that can't help but make you smile it smells so sweet!

5. Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte

What can I say? Just grab me a pair of Uggs and call me a white girl, 'cause my taste buds are favoriting Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte. It is just the essence of autumn, you have to have it at least once! So embrace your inner white girl and take a selfie with your well deserved yummy hot drink.

6. Rouge Louboutin Nail Lacquer
Oops, another nail favorite - but this one is an ultimate forever favorite. The Rouge Louboutin Nail Lacquer had my jaw dropping from the moment it was announced that Christian Louboutin was coming out with a nail line, to the moment that my bottle finally arrived. I'm not sure if I'm in love with the color or the bottle the most, because both have me head over heels.

7. Frends Earphones
I've never truly been crazy over big ol' headphones and have tended to stay with the small earphones that don't mess up your hair - but have you seen how cute these Frends headphones are?! They're shiny and cute and play music and...are just the love of my life at the moment. Most of the time I'll be rocking these headphones...like right now.

8. Matte About You Polish By Essie
So, maybe I'm a little behind on this nail trend, but I'm really digging the Matte About You polish from Essie. Just like the name, it's a clear polish to put on your colored nails to give it an instant matte effect. Although I love glossy and shiny things, sometimes I want my nails to look a bit different. This polish kind of gives your nail color a hipster-y effect. Love!

 

9. BCBG Paris Darron Pumps
OMG, of course I had to start of my October favorites with a pair of shoes! These BCBG Paris Darron pumps are the best statement shoes in my life right now. The gold studs that line the straps are just to die for, and they're oh-so comfortable...which is a good thing because I want to wear them all the time.

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Refreshing Watermelon Nail Art Tutorial

The official first day of summer begins this Friday, so I decided to kick off the start of the summer season with my very favorite summer time fruit (other than peaches) watermelon! Why not show my love for watermelon than by creating the fruit through nail art. It's an easy five step process that is cute for a barbeque, the beach, or any other summer adventure you have in store. You will need a neon pink nail polish, white nail polish, green nail polish, black nail polish, top coat, and an orange stick use to put on the seeds.

1. Paint your nails with your chose of pink nail polish, covering the whole nail.

2. Paint a thick line of green on the tips of your nails. It's sort of like doing a french, but a thicker line.

3. Take your white nail polish and pant a thin white line underneath the green line you just created.

4. With your orange stick, dot on the seeds with your black nail polish.

5. Swipe on some top coat and you have yourself a fabulous summer nail look!

Have fun and be fabulous,

Ann

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Good Morning Beautiful

Good morning beautifuls! I decided that this weekend would be all about pampering myself and getting revived for all the future summer activities ahead. What better way to start then a spa day at home? Farmhouse Fresh has the most sweet smelling and skin nourishing products to do the trick. To start off I cleansed my face with the Shea Sugar polish, which smells exactly like sugar with a distinct citrusy air about it. Next, I put on the Chocolate face mask which feels simply amazing going on, not to mention it made the chocolate crazy side of me get a hankering for chocolate as soon as I smelled it!  

Steps for the Shea Sugar Polish:

1. Wipe off any make up or dirt with a hot wash cloth.

2. Put some of the scrub onto hands and begin gently scrubbing your entire face.

3. Once whole face is scrubbed, simply take another hot wash cloth and wipe off the scrub.

Steps for Choclate Mask:

1. Take a mask brush and dip into the jar containing the mask.

2. Smear the mask on all parts of your face with the brush, remembering to cover your whole face.

3. Once the mask is completely dry on your face, wipe it off with a wash cloth.

Have fun and be fabulous,

Ann

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