IOTW: Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Balm

ITEM OF THE WEEK is a weekly series on Stained Couture that highlights a product I’m currently loving. This week: Design Essentials Natural Coconut & Monoi Moisture Balm.

ITEM OF THE WEEK: Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Balm | STAINED COUTURE

A few weeks, during one of Walgreens BOGO half off hair products sales, I picked up 2 products from Design Essentials. Both products are from the Design Essentails Natural Coconut & Monoi line, which my colored, natural hair seems to enjoy. I picked up 2 products from the line that I haven’t tried before for my hair. Although both products were for my hair, one of the products has been helping more than just my hair. The Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Balm is a moisturizing balm for hair AND skin. After using this balm for a couple of weeks, I feel like I use it more on my skin than my hair.

First of all, I picked this balm up with every intention to mainly use it for my hair ends, because my ends need all the moisture it can get. Although the packaging said I could use it on my skin, I was a little apprehensive. My mind couldn’t grasp putting a hair product on my enlarged pore-filled skin. However, after reading that it was free of petroleum, paraffin, and phthalates, I felt comfortable that it wouldn’t break me out. Also, this balm has shea butter, marula oil, and macadamia oil, which made me feel like I have to try it on my skin.

I first started to use it to moisturize my feet at night, in lieu of lotion. The next morning my feet felt super soft and not a speck of ash in sight. Eventually, I decided to use it on my face, which I was super nervous about. However, I made sure to use gentle and natural products in my skincare routine that night, in case I did break out. If I would’ve broken out, I would’ve been confident in the culprit. Thankfully, I didn’t wake up to a face full of new breakouts. The next morning, I was greeted with soft and moisturized skin that didn’t feel heavy and greasy.

The consistency of this balm reminds me of homemade cookie dough – thick and little crumbly. However, all you have to do is take a little pea size amount and rub it in your hands. The moisture balm instantly melts down in your hand and you can apply it to your hair and/or skin. Trust me; a little goes a long way.

The cherry on top of this balm is that the smell. OMG – the coconut and monoi smells like a tropical vacation. It smells so good, especially with the sun beaming on you.