Oil pulling – ten day trial

I first heard about oil pulling when reading around the benefits of coconut oil, you know, that product that is everywhere these days!

I’ve recently become more aware of staining on the backs of my teeth and so was willing to try anything, and if the reviews I was reading were true this ancient practice was going to have all kinds of positive side effects. Including; overall improved oral health, whiter teeth and fresher breath. The oil can be any oil but I knew for a fact I the only one I could bare swirling around in my mouth for 20 minutes would be coconut oil as in my opinions is the best tasting oil out there.

The process…

This is the oil I used, mainly because it was refined (which means no nasty extras! and all natural) it was also on offer in Tesco and with coconut being a pricy product I was all for saving some pennies. This is a 283ml jar and it was reduced to £5. I have had a look online and can’t seem to find it any cheaper ANYWHERE.

I’ve read in some places this process is best done on an empty stomach and others deny it makes a difference but for arguments sake I would do it on an empty stomach. Usually as soon as I got home from work, so having not eaten since lunch time.

Spoon one healthy sized table spoon of the oil into a small Pyrex glass. You will not need anymore than this as over the 20 minutes of swirling around the oil will double in size in your mouth. Pop the glass in the microwave and heat just enough to melt the oil until it has returned to its liquid form. Only 20-30 seconds is necessary and you do not want to overheat it because you will be swirling it around in your mouth straight after.

So this is the least glamorous part of oil pulling. I tried to do it when no one else was around so no one would try and talk to me or make me laugh! It is just a case at the point of sitting their with the TV on and just swirling it around your mouth, making sure you force it through the gaps in your teeth and just keeping it on the move for 20 minutes. You won’t want to be too forceful as 20 minutes is longer than you think and your jaw will start to ache.

Once the twenty minutes is up don’t put the oil down the drain! it is only going to clog it, so I pour it back into the glass, wait for it to set again and put it in the bin. I then floss like crazy, brush my teeth and rinse with water. You wont be able to feel the oil on your teeth after this you might just have a lingering taste of coconut, which isn’t such a bad thing! I then try and leave it as long as I can before eating. Drinking water (which is all I am drinking at the moment anyway) is absolutely fine.

The Review…

Overall yes I have noticed a small difference after just ten days, the stains and plaque on the back of my teeth are slowly but surely disappearing. My teeth are not sensitive like they can be after using unnatural teeth whitening products. However, my biggest issue was with the price. This is a very pricey method of oral healthcare and with having to do a session of pulling everyday to notice a difference it will not be something I keep up. I intend on buying one more jar (mainly because it is still on offer in Tesco!), using that up and then look at cheaper home remedies for whiter and healthier teeth. Not just the price but the process is a lot to think about, which regards to having to time your meals and think about when you can eat. It just really does not suit my lifestyle.

If you have any oil pulling stories please let me know, there are so many mixed reviews out there! it is really is a try it for yourself and see if it works for you process by looking around at everyone else’s experiences.

Love

Joanna x

Lush lip scrub review!

I have not heard much about this stuff anywhere, or heard much of any lip exfoliator/scrub for that matter. And in my opinion, the fact exfoliating lips is not talked about more is a travesty!

and here are 4 reasons why…

My lips are often dull after doing my foundation, even after wiping them –  I never find my lipstick goes on as well unless i have exfoliated before application. Lip stick is less flakey and generally sits a lot smoother and is longer lasting after exfoliating my lips.

The blood flow makes my lips so much plumper – I can walk out confident without a lip tint or lipstick on. Exfolating makes my lips look so much brighter and healthier and I would be more than happy with o’natural lips as long as i have exfoliated them.

The lush lip exfoliator range tastes SO good! – I am currently using the bubblegum flavour from Lush, but I have previously used their popcorn and mint Julips (which is a minty chocolate scrub) and both I have LOVED scrubbing them all over my lips, if not just for the effect they have on my lips but also the taste they leave lingering. They really do taste like what is said on the little pot so I would recommend going for your favourite flavour. For me after trying three of the flavours my heart will always lie with bubblegum.

It takes off the dead skin you never even knew was there, revealing a much healthier looking lip – if you are anything like me you will rub your lips sat and work and find (without going into too much information) horrible flakey skin. Lip scrub completely stops this and as long as I don’t go more than three days without using my scrub the top layer of skin on my lips will remain a healthy pink.

So how and when do I apply it if you have not guessed already. I place a small amount as shown in the picture and rub vigorously all over my top and bottom lip after I have done my morning make up. I will then leave the scrub on while I brush my teeth and as you can guess this takes most of the left over scrub and dead skin cells off and then I will take a flannel and wipe the excess off and reveal the lovely plump pink lip I will be wearing that day.

So far the lush scrub is the only one I have any experience with but if anyone has any other scrub they think is worth trying please let me know. The scrub retails at £5.50 and in my opinion this is a little high but when the demand (I expect) is so high and the supply is lacking, Lush would be silly to make their scrub a steal. But, before I was introduced to this lush scrub I was making my own and I will do a post with a DIY lip scrub for you this week.

Much love,

Joanna x