Shea butter is a heavy fat/oil, extracted from the seeds of the fruit of the karite tree, which is native to African countries including Ehtiopia, Chad, Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda, South Sudan, etc. It has been used since ages ago for moisturizing and protecting skin & hair from wind, the sun and germs in the environment that can cause infection. Shea butter is rich in powerful anti oxidants and nutrients, as seen below, which makes it so good for hair:
Nutrients found in Shea Butter
Vitamins – Shea butter is rich in vitamins A, E and K. Vitamin E applied on the scalp is said to help combat hair loss in many individuals. Due to its amazing healing properties, application of vitamin E on the scalp will help reduce inflammation, repair hair follicle damage and stimulate them to promote hair growth. Vitamin A helps with hair growth, prevents hair loss and also helps moisturize.
Fatty Acids – Containing a high amount of nonsaponifiable fatty acids, shea butter acts as a great emollient and is very good for dry hair types. Fatty acids help lock in moisture and protect the hair strands from environmental damage by coating hair strands with a protective lipid layer.
Note: If you’re living in a tropical region/warm climate, then you probably don’t need to melt the shea butter because it’s already soft and not hard like it can get in colder regions.
1. Citrus Burst: Bergamot Shea Butter Hair Mask
What makes shea butter so good for skin & hair is that it is non-comedogenic, which means it does not clog up the pores/hair follicles – so you’re hair follicles will not get blocked, thereby warding off germs, stale oils and scalp acne. In this shea butter hair mask, we’re going to add bergamot for a splash of citrusy goodness! Bergamot essential oil is a natural astringent and so it helps combat any excess oiliness in the scalp and keep it clean and fresh.
Ingredients
• 1 to 3 tbsp of shea butter (get it here)
• ½ to 1 tbsp of coconut oil (get it here)
• 2-3 drops of bergamot essential oil (get it here)
Directions
Melt the shea butter and coconut oil using a double boiler method by placing them in a pyrex container then resting it on a pan containing hot water. When it’s melted, add 3 drops of bergamot essential oil and stir with a spatula. Using a hand mixer/egg beater, whip the contents of the dish for about 15 minutes till you get a fluffy spreadable hair mask mixture. Scoop up this whipped shea butter hair mask with clean fingertips and start slathering it on your scalp and hair. Once you’ve covered every inch of hair, cover with a saran wrap/shower cap and let it penetrate for at least 30 minutes. When the time is up, wash your hair very thoroughly.
2. Soothing: Avocado Shea Butter Hair Mask
If you’ve got an inflamed/itchy/dry scalp, then this shea butter hair mask is for you! It contains avocado, which is rich in vitamin E just like shea butter, that has skin healing properties and soothes any inflammation and calm down the itch. Peppermint essential oil helps numb down the itchiness as well as stimulate the hair follicles.
Ingredients
• 1 to 3 tbsp of shea butter (get it here)
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 drops of peppermint essential oil (get it here)
• 1 to 3 tbsp of water *optional*
Directions
Wash, halve and pit your avocado. Scoop up the flesh, transfer it into a blender and blitz on high to get a smooth lump-less puree. Now add just enough (not a lot!) water to the avocado puree and blend again for about 5 to 10 seconds. Keep the blender and contents aside for a minute while you melt the shea butter in a double boiler. When its melted, add the shea butter and peppermint essential oil into the blender with the avocado puree and blend till everything is well mixed. Coat your hair with this mask. Leave it on for 30 minutes. Wash off very well with lukewarm to tepid water and a sulfate-free shampoo.
3. No More Frizz: Coconut Water Olive Oil Shea Butter Hair Mask
Shea butter can help tame frizzy hair especially when combined with other frizz-fights like myrrh essential oil & olive oil. Olive oil is a great emollient that locks moisture into dry frizzy hair strands while myrrh essential oil is one of the best essential oils for dry hair. Coconut water which is the start ingredient in this shea butter hair mask is bursting with electrolytes and other nutrients which nourish frizzy hair and help water dry curls.
Ingredients
• 1 to 3 tbsp of shea butter (get it here)
• 1/2 to 2 tbsp of coconut water (get it at Whole Foods or here)
• 1 to 2 tsp of olive oil (get it here)
• 2 to 3 drops of myrrh essential oil (get it here)
Directions
Place all your ingredients in a medium sized bowl. If you’re shea butter is hard, first melt it a little using the double boiler method till its soft. Place all the ingredients in a blender/hand mixer and blend till smooth. Apply the mixture on your hair, wait for 30 minutes minimum, then wash off thoroughly using lukewarm water.
My Favorite Tried & Tested Shea Butter Recipes Ebook
Do you love shea butter and want to make your own beauty products with it?! Check out this ebook “My Favorite Tried & Tested Shea Butter Recipes for Luscious Skin & Hair” for 30 awesome recipes, complete with step-by-step instructions, beautiful pictures and other valuable shea butter info!
Hello! Is there anything that can be used in place of Bergamot for the first mask? Thank you!
Hey there 🙂 For substitutes for bergamot in particular, you can use any other citrus oils like sweet orange or lemon. But you can also use a completely different essential oil like lavender or tea tree!