Putting the Sublime in the Coconut — Skin Gets a Tropical Sparkle with Kopari’s Coconut Body Glow
Beauty experts, including yours truly, have been extolling the wonders of coconut oil for quite some time, urging anyone who will read (or listen) to apply the lauric acid-rich substance to their skin, hair, nails, and cuticles. But not all coconut oils are created equal. Think of it like this: when you go buy white grapes at the supermarket, they don’t always taste the same; sometimes they’re a bit too sour or pungent, other times they might be crisp and have just the right amount of acidity. Factors like the region in which they were grown, the quality of the soil, the weather conditions during their production, the frequency with which the vines were pruned, and the amount of sunlight the grapes received before being harvested will affect the taste of the final crop. Similarly, not all coconuts — or for that matter, coconut oils — are identical in nature. With coconut oil in particular, the alternatives vary immensely depending on whether the oil was refined during the manufacturing process, cold-pressed from dried coconut flakes, or extracted from raw coconuts. As you might imagine, unrefined coconut oil offers the most beauty benefits as no nutrients are lost during the manufacturing process. Which brings us to Kopari, a brand that has made it its mission to find the purest coconut oil to formulate skincare and haircare products for coco locas everywhere.
What makes Kopari different from other brands that use coconut oil? Well, for starters, Kopari uses only pure (or virgin) coconut oil. Second, the oil is sustainably sourced from small family farms in the Philippines — specifically, from coconut groves on Basilan island, part of the Sulu Archipelago in the southwestern Philippines. Now, I grew up in Puerto Rico where coconuts were so bountiful we could literally go to my grandma’s backyard and pick up any that had fallen down from the tall palm tree therein, where coquito is as crucial a part of Christmas celebrations as lechón and pasteles, and where Coco Rico soda was invented. Still, even I have to admit that there must be something magical about the coconuts growing in Basilan island because the magical elixir used in Kopari’s products is unlike any coconut oil I’ve ever tried — and I mean ever. After trying Kopari’s Coconut Sheer Oil and its Coconut Body Glow, I’m convinced that the Philippines is to the coconut industry what Colombia is to the coffee world: the standard setter, the quality king. In the world of coconut oil-based products, then, Kopari is producing the Dolce & Gabbana to everyone else’s H&M.
Lately, I’ve grown increasingly enamored of the Kopari Coconut Body Glow ($42 at KopariBeauty.com) since it gives my arms, legs, and decollété a believable golden glow. The lightweight shimmering oil, then, gives the body a lit-from-within radiance while also nourishing and softening the skin. The product is formulated with over 50% organic coconut oil, then blended with shea butter ethyl esters, an eco-designed liquid shea butter ester with a low viscosity and a light, silky feel on the skin, as well as with mica, titanium oxide, and iron oxide particles that reflect oncoming light and give the skin the desired pearlescent finish.
Unlike other shimmering body lotions and oils, this one doesn’t transfer onto clothing nor does it feel really heavy and cake-y. It’s an extremely lightweight oil that’s readily absorbed by the skin, leaving it softer to the touch and looking smoother and firmer, while also swathing it in a veil of golden fairy dust. Moreover, the shimmer factor is perfect — not so intense as to make it look like you’ve been laying on a glitter-covered floor making snow angels, but not so understated as to go unnoticed. I’ve even worn the oil while on TV so as to boost my skin’s radiance under the set lights, and I’ve been pleased that it worked as desired and didn’t make me look sweaty or greasy (a common problem with body luminizers). In fact, the reflective minerals in the formula and the golden base tint give the skin a fun beachy sheen that works to make even winter-dull skin look more radiant and youthful.
If you’ve been wearing a heavy winter coat for months and want to give your pale legs and arms a faux glow before rocking a flirty skirt or frock, try this shimmering body oil. In a coconut shell: this body oil is your passport to a year-round, head-to-toe summer glow.
