Olive Oil Outside the Kitchen: Everyday Uses

EVOO or extra virgin olive oil started flying off the shelves and into our hearts and cabinets around the same time that Rachel Ray first captured our hearts with her freakishly adorable ways. If I had to guess, I would say that at least 95% of the people who read this article already have a bottle of it on hand, maybe you even have Rachel's own signature brand!

Sure, you can use EVOO to cook up some delicious meals, but if you're not so into cooking and more into pampering your skin and hair, I've got some olive oil secrets that even Miss Ray may not know.

To get silky smooth and super soft skin, no matter what time of year use Olive Oil as an after bath or shower skin treatment. Take a nice long shower and exfoliate your skin with your favorite scrub, washcloth or loofa. After turning off the water to your shower, stand in the tub, or stall and smooth some olive oil over your entire body, rubbing it in sufficiently, but don't worry about it all getting absorbed, it works much better if you stay a bit slimy.

Stand for a few moments, letting the excess moisture fall off of you and then without drying off immediately put on your favorite old sweat pants and long sleeved shirt. These should both be loose fitting. Then hop in bed, wrap up in your blankets and relax. When you wake up in the morning you're skin will feel like it's been at spa all night without you!

Now, what good is great skin is you've got lackluster hair? Rachel Ray may spill a bit of EVOO on her hands every now and then put a doubt she'd ever tell you to put it in your hair! Whether, you suffer from a sun damaged summer locks or a dry and dull winter mane Olive Oil is an easy and inexpensive way to get your hair back into shape.

After your evening shower lightly towel dry your wet but unwashed hair. Take a few tablespoons of EVOO and heat it up either in your microwave or in your bathroom sink or tub. You can heat it up in the sink simply by filling up the sink with hot water and putting in the cup or dish with the Olive Oil.

On your damp hair work in the small amount of Olive Oil, starting at the ends and working your way up. Stop about 3 inches from the roots, or else you may end up with greasy looking hair. Remember that less is more when you're putting Olive Oil in your hair, be very careful not to put in too much.

After you've worked the heated Olive Oil into your hair, pile your mane atop your head in a loose bun. Then wrap you hair in plastic wrap sealing in the moisture and heat. Then top it all off by loosely wrapping a towel around that. Keep it on for at least an hour or if you can overnight.

When it's time to rinse just wash away the Olive Oil with warm water and finish up with your favorite shampoo and conditioner. Use these Olive Oil skin and hair treatments once every two weeks or as often as you find yourself needing a little extra pampering.