Summer Saviours: Manoi Oil

Manoi oil, a traditional Polynesian hair and skin softner is becoming a large craze in Europe and America. Like many other oils popular in the beauty market at the moment, manoi oil can be used for a multitude of things. After a shower for rehydration, to provide protection from wind and sun (plus soothing sunburn!), as a hot hair treatment oil, or simply just for dropping in to bath water for relaxation. One thing I really like about manoi oil is the history it has behind it, something which quite often gets lost in the hustle and bustle of Western beauty market where profits are all that matter. Manoi, originates from Tahiti, and is created by soaking the petals of the Tiare flowers in coconut oil. The process of creating the oil has been protected to guarentee great quality.

The way I love to use my Manoi oil is to pour the oil into a container (I used an empty Elemis Marine Cream jar) and put it in to the freezer until it clouds over and becomes a sort of semi-solid. When you rub your fingers over the solid the heat from your fingertips melts a small amount, which I then apply to areas like elbows, knees, decollette, and hands.

Now the protected oil can be very very expencive, so many brands have released cheaper 'knock-offs' if you will. You get what you pay for when it comes to these oils, the more expencive generally means better quality. The Body Shop have their own here, as do Elemis here.