Mischo Beauty: Jojoba Oil

Showing posts with label Jojoba Oil. Show all posts

Mischo Beauty School: Jojoba Oil 101

This post is dedicated to Charlene, who left a comment recently asking me to write a post on the benefits of jojoba oil. I'd written a post about two years ago, and so I'm repeating it today for those of you who may have missed it.

So very simply, jojoba oil is extracted from bean-like seeds of a desert shrub. Chemically, jojoba oil is very similar to human sebum, which is the oil produced by the body and used to lubricate and protect skin and hair. When this oil decreases due to age, stress, pollution, or the environment, jojoba oil can be used to replicate it.

Hair is often stripped of protective oils and never replenished, and jojoba oil is an effective conditioner, moisturizer and hair softener. Jojoba oil conditions the hair and prevents it from becoming dull and brittle. It is also a widely used ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, nail care products, baby care products, bath oils, soaps, sunscreen, makeup products and perfumes.

And so I'm definitely recommending jojoba oil for dry hair during this winter season. My recommendations for it's use are as follows:

- Use as a "pre-poo"/preconditioning/hot oil treatment by heating it up and applying to your hair and scalp. Allow to penetrate hair and scalp for about 15- 20 minutes and follow with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

- Use as a deep conditioner by adding it to your favorite conditioner and sitting under a dryer for 30 minutes.

- Use as a blow-drying serum. Apply to wet hair before blow-drying. It's the right amount of moisture without weighing hair down. And, it adds a great shine!

- Use nightly (or as needed) on dry ends or other dry areas of hair before wrapping hair with a satin/silk scarf.

Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions! Love your hair.

Mischo Beauty: My "Pre-Poo" Hair Treatment

So I wanted to share with you all one of my "pre-poo" or "pre-shampoo"/hot oil treatments. And I'll admit, it's somewhat of a "hair cocktail" (yes, I made it up!) but it works for me- and of course, I do enjoy experimenting. So basically it's just a mixture of equal parts Desert Essence's Jojoba Oil, Wella's Keratin Oil and Elixir Vital by Kerastase.

I section my hair into small sections, and apply the treatment from roots to ends using the brush pictured above. I then cover my hair with a plastic cap, sit under a hooded hair dryer for about 30 minutes, and then shampoo!

It's very simple to make, and very easy to use- and very necessary during this cold, dry winter season. Simply put- it's a great nourishing treatment for the hair. Any questions? Love your hair.

Mischo Beauty Pick: Desert Essence Organics

After learning more about the benefits of jojoba oil in cosmetology school and trying to take steps toward using more natural products, I started using Desert Essence's Jojoba Oil. So when they offered to send me their Green Apple & Ginger Body Wash (smells good enough to eat!), Almond Hand and Body Lotion and Lip Rescue in an effort to help me winterize my skin I was eager to try what they'd offered.

I'm loving all three products, and using the body wash as my current morning "pick-me-up". You should know that all of their products are 100% vegan and contain no parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfates, phthalates, artificial colors, silicones, EDTA, glycol or petroleum-based ingredients. You may view the entire range here.

Mischo Beauty Pick: Organic Argan Oil

If you've been keeping up with my blog, you all know how much I love jojoba oil and how I've discussed it's use in a variety of hair, skin and nail products. Well I must let you all know that I have a new love and it's Argan Oil. It differs from jojoba oil in that it's extracted from the Argan Tree, which only grows in Morocco and it's very rich in Vitamin E (antioxidant) and essential fatty acids which work together to prevent signs of aging! Premature aging is caused by free radicals which damage skin cells, destroying the skin's collagen and elastin. As a result, the skin begins to sag and show fine lines and wrinkles. Prevention is the key and once I discovered Argan Oil I couldn't wait to start using it. I've been using it at night after cleansing and toning and before moisturizing and I've been waking up to smooth, glowing skin. I'm sure to double cleanse in the morning before applying my eye cream, moisturizer, sunscreen and makeup for the day.

Argan Oil is similar to jojoba oil in that it is also a great moisturizer for hair, skin and nails. And the beauty industry has jumped on the bandwagon! If you haven't noticed, you'll begin to see major cosmetic companies incorporating it into their beauty products. But, nothing beats using the pure 100% certified organic version! It's fragrance free, paraben free and not tested on animals. Because of it's multi-use, you're getting anti-aging benefits, a hair conditioner, body moisturizer and nail strengthener all in one- and that you can't beat!

Is anyone using Argan Oil? Any thoughts?

(photo courtesy of arganbody.com)

Mischo Beauty Pick: SolarOil, By Creative Nail Design

I was first introduced to SolarOil about three years ago while completing cosmetology school. A representative from Creative Nail Design taught our course on nails (both natural nails and nail enhancements) and introduced us to just about every product made by the company. As much as I love receiving manicures and pedicures, the nail course wasn't my favorite. And to this day I still can't believe I used to wear long airbrushed tips with an acrylic overlay! I could barely get through the section on nail enhancements due to the odors! At any rate, I will tell you that one of my favorite nail products is the SolarOil, by Creative Nail Design. It's a very light nail and cuticle conditioner which contains a blend of jojoba oil, rice bran oil, sweet almond oil and vitamin E. This blend of oils works to protect cuticles from cracking and conditions the nails, preventing breakage. I love that fact that the SolarOil contains one of my favorite ingredients, jojoba oil! Jojoba oil is very similar to human sebum (the natural oil produced by the human body) and therefore is structured so that it's able to penetrate deep into the skin. This helps with cell renewal and slows signs of aging. And, as we all know, the hands along with the forehead, eyes, mouth and neck all show signs of aging first. While this is used during a manicure or pedicure service, it should also be used nightly.

What do you use to keep your cuticles and nails conditioned? Please share your favorites!

Mischo Beauty Pick

I have normal/combination skin and I've started using Dermalogica's clay based Skin Refining Masque on my oily t-zone (forehead, nose and chin). It's reduced the oil, and because it contains cucumber and menthol, it's very soothing on the skin. On the other areas of my face, the dehydrated areas (eyes, lips, cheeks and neck), I've been using the Skin Hydrating Masque. This cold, winter weather seems to be taking a toll on my skin and not only has this given me much needed hydration, my skin is also being nourished with antioxidants. I highly recommend both!

Mischo Beauty School: Jojoba Oil 101

Jojoba oil is extracted from beanlike seeds of a desert shrub. Chemically, jojoba oil is very similar to human sebum, which is the oil produced by the body and used to lubricate and protect skin and hair. When this oil decreases due to age, stress, pollution, or the environment, jojoba oil can be used to replicate it. Jojoba oil conditions the hair and prevents it from becoming dull and brittle. It is also a widely used ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, lotions, nail care products, baby care products, bath oils, soaps, sunscreen, makeup products and perfumes.

Jojoba oil is my top recommendation for dry hair during this winter season. It is an effective conditioner, moisturizer and softener for the hair. Hair is often stripped of protective oils and never replenished. My recommendations for it's use are as follows:

- Use as a preconditioning/hot oil treatment by heating it up and applying to your hair and scalp. Allow to penetrate hair and scalp for about 15- 20 minutes and follow with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.

- Deep condition hair by adding it to your favorite conditioner and sit under a dryer for 30 minutes.

- Use as a blow-drying serum. Apply to wet hair before blow-drying. It's the right amount of moisture without weighing hair down. And, it adds a great shine!

- Use nightly (or as needed) on dry ends or other dry areas of hair before wrapping hair with a satin/silk scarf.

Please feel free to e-mail me with any questions! Love your hair.