Curly Hair, Don’t Care
More and more people are starting to embrace curly hair, and we’re seeing an increasing number women (and men!) flaunting their naturally curly hair, proudly and unapologetically! “Curly hair, don’t care,” is the logo of the day and while many straight-haired ladies wish for curly hair, more and more curly-haired beauties are now loving their curls and not wishing for straight hair! Surprising, huh?
Yes, curls run the world and life is too short to have boring hair. But taming the rebellious curls every morning is no mean feat and the difference between a good day and a bad day could depend entirely on that one stubborn curl that refuses to cooperate.
That’s why curly haired divas are full of apprehension when it comes to trying new products on their hair. Many people ask me if shea butter is good for curly hair and in this article we are going to find out more about shea butter and how it can help curly hair.
Is Shea Butter Good for Curly Hair?
Shea butter is a natural plant butter that comes from nuts/seeds of the the African Shea (Karite) tree. African people have curly hair ranging from tight coils to wavy curls. So do you think God would put the shea tree in a continent full of curly haired people for nothing? This is no coincidence and the connection is too clear to be ignored.
Shea butter is rich in so many nutrients including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and antioxidants, which make it a super nourishing food for both skin and hair. Shea butter help your curly hair by acting as a:
- Deep conditioner
- Shampoo
- Hair growth oil
- Hair moisturizer
To me, it’s very clear that shea butter is good for curly hair, but some people think it’s not! I was shocked to hear of people opting to use conventional store-bought products laden with artificial fragrances, preservatives and synthetic compounds, which are scientifically proven to be neurotoxic, carcinogenic (cancer-causing) and hormone disrupting, in preference to natural, organic, side-effect free shea butter. Who in their right minds would do this? Only those who do not know how to properly use shea butter to extract maximum benefits out of it.
So here are some tips on how you can use shea butter in the correct manner to make your curly hair look enviably lively, healthy and nourished:
→ Understand that shea butter, like any other hair oil or butter, acts as a sealant, creating a barrier between your hair and the atmosphere, and preventing your hair from absorbing the moisture in the air. Solution: After washing your hair, do not dry it completely using a blow drier. Instead rub in a sufficient amount of shea butter into your slightly wet hair to seal in the moisture
→ Understand that water evaporates from the hair between 4 – 7 days after washing. If you do not take proper care of your hair by conditioning, washing and moisturizing your hair every 4 to 7 days, then no amount of shea butter can prevent your hair from losing moisture and looking dull and lifeless. Solution: Have a regular hair care and washing routine and use shea to moisturize your hair before and after washing with a sulfate-free shampoo.
→ You cannot put 100% of the blame for dull, lifeless hair on shea butter. Diet plays a huge role in the health status of your hair. Lack of sufficient water intake also affects the quality of your hair. Solution: Use shea butter wisely in conjunction with a balanced diet, or vitamin supplements, if necessary and drink plenty of water to moisturize your hair from the inside out.
Shea Butter Hair Mask for Curly Hair
Ingredients
- ½ cup unrefined shea butter (get it here)
- 2 tablespoons of raw honey (get it here)
- 2 tablespoons of aloe vera gel (get it here)
- 6 – 12 drops of rosemary essential oil *optional (get it here)
Directions
- Blend all the above ingredients, except for the essential oils, in a blender until creamy, frothy and soft.
- Now using clean fingers apply the hair mask to lightly dampened hair.
- Wrap your hair in a plastic wrap and allow the hair mask to sink in for at least 15 minutes, or up to an hour if you have time.
- Now wash out your hair using a gentle sulfate free shampoo. Or, if you’re like me, ditch the shampoo altogether and just dry your hair with a towel to absorb excess oil after washing. Your hair will look lustrous, strong and healthy and you won’t even need to moisturize afterwards!
Notes
- Do not use essential oils if pregnant or lactating.
- Raw honey lightens hair. If you do not want to lighten your hair, skip the honey.
- Use this mask once a week for best results.
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