Hair cream has multiple uses, depending on the type. You might use it to deep condition, restore shine, prepare ethnic hair for straightening or assist with styling. There are so many hair cream choices that picking one can be harder than choosing between a sparkly vampire or an angst-ridden teenage werewolf. Depending on your needs, you might find the simplest, cheapest solution is just to make your own hair cream at home, using shea butter, which can benefit all hair types.
Shea Butter Benefits
Shea butter was well known as a beauty enhancer by African women long before it became popular in other countries. Shea butter is an emollient, meaning it smooths and softens. It also soothes irritated skin, dry scalps and even works for sore baby bums. When applied to your locks, the high levels of vitamins A and E, along with essential fatty acids, can tame split ends, heal broken hair shafts and leave you with smooth, sleek tresses.
Damaged Hair
Create a homemade shea butter cream for damaged hair with one 14-ounce can coconut milk, 2 tablespoons shea butter, 1 ripe avocado, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 2 tablespoons honey. Combine all ingredients in the blender and mix on high until you have a smooth paste. Apply to your hair and leave on for 15 to 30 minutes. Put on a shower cap to keep the mixture on your hair, not your face, and then wash with a gentle shampoo and conditioner. You can store this mixture for up to two weeks in the fridge between uses.
Styling cream
Make the best oil treatment and styling cream you’ve ever tried by combining 4 oz. shea butter, 2 tablespoons coconut oil, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon almond oil, 10 drops rosemary essential oil, 1 tablespoon castor oil, 2 tablespoons aloe vera oil or gel and 1 tablespoon amla oil. Feel free to substitute any of the oils with olive or coconut oil if you have trouble finding one — except the rosemary essential oil. Essential oils are concentrates, and a substitution of another type of oil wouldn’t be the same, unless you swap out rosemary for another essential oil, like sage or lavender. Melt the shea butter in the microwave before adding the other oils and mixing thoroughly. Let it chill out in the fridge overnight to firm up. Bring it back to room temperature before using. Apply a small amount to your wet locks and style as usual. Store in the fridge to prolong the life.
Moisturizing Cream
Make a dual-purpose hair and skin moisturizing cream with 4 oz. shea butter, a few drops of your favorite essential oil for scent, 1 oz kukui nut oil and 1 oz. camellia seed oil. Order hard-to-find products on the Internet. In a double boiler, add shea butter, kukui nut oil and camellia seed oil, heating gently until the shea butter melts. Mix thoroughly to combine before adding the essential oils. Keep at room temperature and apply a small amount to your hair. At night is a good time to moisturize, since this heavier recipe could skewer your style potential if overdone. You can also keep this in the fridge, or a cool, dark spot, to keep it more solid and use it as a skin lotion.
References
Daily Glow: The Benefits of Shea Butter for Hair and Scalp
http://www.dailyglow.com/articles/197/hair-care-treatments/shea-butter-for-hair-and-scalp.html
Sweet Sassafras: Homemade Hair Cream
http://www.sweetsassafras.org/2009/03/15/homemade-hair-cream
From Nature With Love: Shea Butter Cream Recipe
http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com/recipe/recipe.asp?recipe_id=623
Laeh Shea: Shea Butter Recipes
http://laehshea.com/shea-butter-recipes-2.html
Short Hair Style: Shea Butter for Hair and Scalp
http://www.short-hair-style.com/shea-butter.html