The very name of the oil "Monoi de Tahiti" carries something exotic, evokes associations with paradise islands in tropical seas. And if you inhale the fragrance of the flower from which it is made, you will immediately be mentally transported to a snow-white sandy beach, where palm trees tousled by the breeze languidly bent over the turquoise smooth surface of the lagoon…
Perhaps for those who prioritize the pleasure of the smell of cosmetics, this description will be enough. But we need to know everything about the beneficial properties of the oil and the possible harm.
How to apply it - for skin, hair, bath or massage? What is the composition of this product? Now monoi oil is sold by many cosmetic companies, both domestic and foreign.
Which manufacturer to choose? All these questions will be the focus of our article. The opinion of customers is of no small importance for us, therefore, their reviews formed the basis for writing this essay.
What is monoi
First of all, we will find out what kind of plant it is, from which aroma and beneficial properties for oil are extracted. Meet Tahitian gardenia, or (another name) tiare.
The plant itself is a low (up to two meters in height) bush with glossy dark green leaves. But monoi oil comes from only one part of the Tahitian gardenia, namely the flowers.
They are very beautiful in the plant - in the form of a star, with white petals, gently turning to the middle into a yellow dot. Have you ever been to Thailand, Bali and similar countries and have not seen a tiara?
Then look at Gauguin's painting "Woman with a Flower". The original name of the canvas is Vahine no te Tiare. That is, the flower that is stuck in the hair of a woman, this is the Tahitian gardenia.
What does this charming white star with a golden core smell like? Charming! In its aroma there is also the viscous sweetness of tropical flowers, and the tenderness of European gardenia, and the sour smell of apple petals. Therefore, perfumers wanted to perpetuate the tiare in perfumes and other cosmetic products.
How Monoi oil is made
Educated readers will immediately ask themselves the question: what kind of oil can be extracted from the petals of a flower? After all, these are not sunflower seeds and not olive fruits. The product is actually based on pure coconut oil.
This product itself is also useful. And not devoid of its own pleasant smell. But so that it does not interfere with the fragrance of the tiara, this oil is carefullyrefine, purify. And then comes the process of enfleurage.
This French-named technology is over two thousand years old. The Tahitians have long been accustomed to taking away the aroma and beneficial properties of flowers by soaking freshly blossomed buds in coconut oil.
The process of enfleurage lasts at least fifteen days. Moreover, the flowers should go into production no more than a few hours after collection. Can't let them fade a little.
In two weeks, coconut oil will be completely saturated with the aroma of flowers and will absorb all the beneficial properties of the plant.
Composition
First of all, you should keep in mind that the basis of the product is refined coconut oil. It consists of a mix of fatty acids: lauric, palmitic, linoleic, stearic and oleic.
Coconut oil also contains vitamins E, A and C. This product is also valuable because it can solidify at +24 degrees and become liquid again when heated, without losing its beneficial properties at all.
As for monoi oil, coconut is complemented with elements of tiare flowers. And the plant, which has become a symbol of French Polynesia, is rich in saturated fatty acids that have an antioxidant effect. It also contains vitamins A, E and C.
But the main beneficial component of the tiare flower, transmitted by enfleurage to coconut oil, is hyaluronic acid, a unique natural moisturizer that can retain fluid inside the skin. In addition, Tahitian gardenia contains benzyl and terpenealcohols, as well as esters.
Southeast Asia Application
Europeans were attracted to the tiare flower primarily by the smell. Therefore, the aroma of Tahitian gardenia was first adopted by perfumers. But Polynesians used tiare flowers for more than just scented garlands.
They treated with monoi oil the so-called "ghost disease", the symptoms of which are headache, insomnia, depression, unmotivated anxiety. Polynesian women anointed their body and hair with this remedy.
It is believed that the oil not only makes the skin smooth and curls lush and shiny, but also protects against excessive ultraviolet radiation. Southeast Asians believe that the fragrant tiare flower has aphrodisiac properties, enhancing male potency and female sensitivity.
Europeans also became interested in the composition of the plant and discovered that it has a lot of useful properties. In addition to perfumes and fragrances, the oil began to be used for medicinal purposes.
Use in modern cosmetology
Users in their reviews of monoi oil claim that it is an ideal moisturizer. Therefore, it is used to make rehydrating day creams that help restore skin's moisture balance.
The oil is rich in antioxidants, which allows it to be used in other cosmetics. It is noticed that monoi smoothes the structure of the hair, nourishes them and eliminates dandruff.
Creating an invisible film, it protects lips from wind, sun and frost. It also cures herpes.
Gently softening, hypoallergenic oil can also be used in baby cosmetics - in baths and diaper creams.
It is ideal for massage: it penetrates deep into the pores, and its smell helps to relax, achieve spiritual harmony.
The oil softens even the driest skin, which is why it is often added to hand creams. The Europeans adopted the Tahitian method of protection from the sun with the help of tiare flowers.
How to use the oil
The product is sold both in pure form and as part of creams, lipsticks, shampoos, balms, tanning products, hair masks. Monoi oil is used for both massage and baby baths.
Depending on the purpose and apply it in different ways. If you want to add a delicious scent to your shampoo or cream, just add a few drops of Monoi to your beauty product.
To keep your hands well-groomed, soft, lubricate them with oil in the evening and put on cotton gloves at night. Before going out into the cold and wind, apply the product on the lips. They will remain soft and undamaged by the aggressive environment.
Due to the unique properties of coconut oil gently dissolves in hot water without forming a film on the surface. Therefore, it can be used for aroma baths.
The oil intensifies the tan, making it even and bronzed. Therefore, the product is applied before going out into the sun.
The oil also heals skin burns. After sunbathing, lubricate damaged areas.
Haircare
But above all, monoi oil in reviews is characterized by consumers as an ideal tool for restoring damaged curls. It also strengthens the hair follicle, eliminates dandruff, and nourishes the scalp.
Thanks to coconut oil, in which the aroma and trace elements of tiare flowers are dissolved, the product is washed off well, leaving no greasy film behind. It aligns the structure of the hair along its entire length, helping to solve the problem of split ends.
Oil will also be an indispensable tool in cases of unsuccessful hair dyeing. With it, you can return the hair to its original color.
Curly and unruly curls oil pacifies, and too flat hair gives volume thanks to mild conditioning. Therefore, it is a frequent component of shampoos, conditioners and masks.
How to use monoi oil for hair
In the reviews, users recommend purchasing a natural remedy in its purest form. Then it will be possible to make a regenerating hair mask.
Due to the fact that tiare flowers are dissolved in coconut oil, the product hardens already at a temperature of +24 degrees. But, despite the transition from a liquid to a solid state, it does not lose its useful properties.
Before applying the oil to the hair, it should be warmed up. This can be done by simply holding the narrow neck of the bottle in your hands. You can also run it under hot water.
But heat the oil over the fireor in the microwave in the reviews is not recommended. If you want to deal with the problem of dry ends, apply the product to the middle of washed and slightly towel-dried hair. Then comb through.
A folk way to moisturize excessively dry hair is as follows. Apply Monoi de Tahiti oil to slightly damp hair.
In the reviews, consumers recommend putting a shower cap on your head, and a terry towel over it. Walk like this for about 30 minutes. In especially severe cases, you can spend the whole night in this way. Shampoo your hair the next morning.
Which remedy to choose
Now many cosmetic companies use oil from tiare flowers in their products. Which manufacturer to choose?
Users in their reviews praise the Israeli company Mon Platin. Hair oil in it is presented as pure monoi with coconut, and with the addition of Dead Sea mud.
Easy to use mask and conditioner from Yves Rocher. For those who want to support a domestic manufacturer, we can recommend Aromatica, Choice, TM Planet Organika.
But still it does not hurt to look at the composition of the product. It should say: coconut oil and tiare flowers. Everything else is superfluous.
