I’m a type 4 natural and I hate hair butters and oils. Now that I’ve said it, all the women who would like to tell me how I’m using them incorrectly or that I used too much listen carefully because I hate repeating myself: I just don’t like them. Deal with it.
It’s been said time and time again that what works for one natural does not work for all, and never has this been truer for me than when I started my natural hair journey. Naturally I entered my hair type and went to my appropriate forum and began asking way too many questions and stalking countless women. I wanted hair like the women whom I admired and thought that if I followed their regimens and used what they did, then my hair would be just like theirs.
Myth: All Type 4s Like Butters
Off I went to hunt down shea butter and oils, which was no easy task in Canada. I then proceeded to mix and whip and create my hair concoctions. Now imagine my dismay when time and time again I was left with dry, greasy, crunchy hair. Oh, and I vividly remember the oil stains from layering my leave-in then my moisturizer then my sealant. Those were not good times. It was always a constant guessing game to figure out how much product was too much or too little and, frankly, I just got fed up.
I finally figured out that my hair’s issues were because of the butters by complete accident when I just went to bed with a liquid leave-in in my hair one night. One can imagine how confused I was to find soft, shiny, moisturized hair the next morning. I continued to experiment with this by adding butters and oils slowly back into my regimen to see if they were the culprit, and now I can say with certainty that I am one of those type 4 naturals who can’t stand the stuff.
Truth: I’m Not The Only One
Since writing my last post where I briefly touched on this issue, it seems that I am not the only one. Thank God. It was getting lonely in this corner. There are probably many more women out there, but they might not figure it out anytime soon since the myth that all type 4s should use heavy products and layer is so deeply entrenched in the natural hair community. Couple that with the fact that most popular brands have this unnatural love affair with shea butter and fill their products with oil, it’s no wonder that many women have not been able to figure it out.
I just want to take this time to ask natural haired companies ever so nicely to pretty, pretty please create more products that are water based and have oils way down on the ingredients list. ‘Tis all I ask.
For the women who are reading this who can relate to having dry, greasy hair, the problem may not be solved by switching to another brand of products with shea as the first ingredient and oils for the rest. This is insanity, people. Just once try conducting this experiment to see if you too can join team #saynotobutter.
Advice: Test It Before Your Buy It
Go shopping for a liquid leave-in that is water based. Rub the product on your hand and allow it to be absorbed. If it leaves behind an oil stain, then quickly and without hesitation put it back on the shelf and move along until you find a product that leaves your hand moisturized without the stain.
Once home cleanse your hair then apply your product and style as usual. If once dry you are left with soft moisturized hair, then you know that you are one of us. If not, then your dryness and oiliness could be because you are using too much product. Remember you should only dip a finger or two into the jar to scoop up product not the whole hand.
And, just in case you were wondering, my favorite mix of all time for my hair is 2 parts liquid moisturizer or leave-in for 1 part aloe vera gel or juice. The moisturizer plus the shine and hold from the aloe vera gave me the best twist outs to date.
It felt good getting that off my chest. I’ve heard confession is good for the soul, so let me know of your hate for butters or your undying love for them.
And as always, remember to have love peace and curly haired bliss.
After nearly 2 years natural, I have realized that–while my hair doesn't totally hate butters, I have to use them sparingly. My hair is low porosity, so that means I only use light oils to seal my leave-in. I'm on the LOC method, so I'm using 1) Giovanni Direct Leave-in, 2) a light oil mix of grapeseed/evoo/rosemary, 3) Cantu Shea Butter or Shea Moisture Smoothie.
This week I sealed my Giovanni with a bit raw shea butter on the ends, and my hair started to fuss, but after a couple of days, my hair was okay. My hair definitely prefers creamy moisturizers.
I've been natural five years and sad as I am to say it, I must agree. I want to be on Team Butter so bad and get on my all-natural high horse. But last night I called myself trying out the Giovanni Direct line to assist with my dried head of straw. Everything was going fine until I started experimenting with oils- coconut, olive, glycerin- and shea butter. This morning, I put on the leave in and then "sealed" with those oils. Today at work, I couldn't put my hand in my head because everytime I took it out, my fingers were drenched. I also agree with IrulanRae that basic shampoo-conditioner-leave-in works just fine. And finally, I understand why. In the last 36 hours of research, I have learned SO much about hair structure. My non-porous Type 4b hair simply won't absorb heavy oils, and protein conditioners make it feel tough and stiff. Creamy moisturizing conditioners and shampoos- even if they're not all natural- work best. And maybe a light leave-in and light oil. I'm going to try what Chavon is doing below with the Giovanni and grapeseed oil. So glad for this forum, ladies, I've read just about every comment so my hair and I can like each other better!
For me I learned that I need to be light handed with any product I use in my hair, except with water. I don't care for pure shea butter on my hair but a shea butter mix is fine. I just have to be light-handed with it.
what do u use to moisturize? I believe I'm hvn the same issue & just starting to understand.I have been nature 2 1/2 yrs. I'm also 4a-4c
Finally! I found someone who understands my pain! 🙂 I also have type 4 hair. I have fine spiral curls, and lots of them. People often get confused when I explain that my hair is not thick but I just have a lot of it. They see the volume of my hair and assume it is thick. For this reason (and after reading countless blogs) I tried my hand at butters and oils. I HATE them!!! They leave my hair dry, oily, greasy, heavy and dull. I have had to learn what MY hair loves and that the basic "shampoo, conditioner, leave-in" process works wonders for my hair. I also found co-washing to be a savior.
eh, i'm still figuring it out. Shea butter can be too oily and heavy for my liking but it depends on how much I apply.
i am team shea butter my hair doesn't mind it all that much
Grease works fine for me. My moisturizing products are not mostly non-natural based and my hair has no problems. It's only when I get into the "natural" products hype where I have problems.
Hair looks like crap and is far from soft. I need consistent results. Not "sometimey". I have things to do and places to go.
Hair lotions are my BFF. Butters are way to heavy for my hair. My favorite hair lotions are Palmers Coconut Hair Milk, and BB Oil Moisturizer.
I am a 4C natural for 2 years now I would say that recently I found that the Softee mango treatment works best for moisturizing and sealing my hair. I just happened to stumble upon this product the other day, and I must say I am in hair product Loveee. I live in the caribbean until the 16th this month, and my hair was usually able to dry out quickly…not any more! My hair is soft, shiny and very moisturized whenever I wake up. It is all because of the mango butter ingredient I feel. So I am teambutter all the way
maybe you have low porous hair.an oil works better for low porous hair than butter does in my opinion.butter may leave the hair greasy but not well moisturized but an oil may do the job effectively.find out your hair porosity,i think this will help you to solve your problem.
i don't know WHAT i would do without*
i'm a 4b and i don't know WHAT i would do with my shea moisture curls smoothie for a twistout. it is my holTy grail!. does that count as a butter? i don't think so, but i just needed to get that off my chest.
So sorry Sis that you had drama with the butters. I have fine hair and use butters seriously diluted with other oils – coconut, jojoba and avocado oils. Now that we are transitioning into Spring I am going 85 percent oils and 15 percent butter as my sealant. It's true, hair care is highly individual and it's great that we all can compare notes and ideas.
That is awesome to hear you found what works best for your hair. After reading your post, I will do the same to see how my hair interacts with just a leave-in with no oils in it.
The only butter I've used so far is Shea and I love it on my hair. It makes a great twist out that lasts a few days and it makes my hair feel soft without being greasy. On days when my hair is looking thirsty, I just spray a little water, add some shea butter and style it in a protective style. I used some on the edges of my hair today to smooth it down, but my hair does not feel greasy like some of you have described. Does that mean my hair is high porosity?
I will definitely have to do "the test" and see where I come in. I love the smell of the coconut oil and shea butter I'm currently using, but my hair (after it dries) never seems to retain any moisture. It's not exactly crunchy either. Thanks for the article!
To Anonymous at April 3rd, 10:39PM who said…
"i hate hair typing because i think it's ignorant"
You probably won't come back and read the subsequent responses, but I want to bring my concern to your attention (and to others).
You also said: "…do what works for you" I verily say to you that we who type our hair 4a, 4b, 4c ARE DOING WHAT WORKS FOR US, and have no problem with DOING the darned thing!
By now EVERYONE knows that not everything works for everyone.
Please don't label typing as "ignorant". There are many of us who use this descriptor as a data filtering tool. I have a bin full of products that I wouldn't have purchased had I read the reviews more carefully. I have also repurposed many of these products because I read how a hair twin "tweaked" it to work for her. Some of my early "epic fails" are now "holy grails" because a fellow 4c posted a way to individualize it to her hair!!
No product is off limits because of your hair type. You may have to apply it differently than the next user.
Hair comes in all colors, porisity, texture, and curls…
Viva La Difference!
Dear CurlyRoo at April 4, 4:19am.
THAAAAANK YOOOOOU! I learned something new today! 🙂
I have never heard of the LOC method and looked it up. Liquid+Oil+Cream.
Here's a link
http://discoveringnatural.blogspot.com/2012/02/moisturizing-your-hair-with-loc-method.html
I have never commented on this post but I could not pass up this discussion. I have type 4 a kinky/coarse hair. My hair loves shea butter, but……my scalp can not STAND heavy butters and oils!!! The only products that both soften may hair and soothe my scalp are the Giovanni Direct line. I do not allow any other products to touch my hair after month of "natural product" experimentation. The only oil that I use is Grapeseed Oil (coconut oil dosen't do a thing for me). After over a year of frustration I have finally found what works for me and my SCALP THANKS ME DAILY:)
I thought it was just me. My hair cannot do the butters either. Way to heavy. It just sits there staring back at me. 🙂 I guess if typed my hair would be 4b fine. I have had to use my QB AHTB for my skin because it was too heavy for my hair. I too have the QB heavy cream sitting under the sink (let me know if anyone figures out how to cut/repurpose it).As a new natural I thought butters were supposed to be a holy grail of sorts. Now I just use Taaliah Wajid protective mist bodifier as my leave in and occasionally seal with vatika or jbco. I mostly do twists and twist outs.
I'm Team Oil, lol! I love to use oils and my hair loves me for it. It leaves my hair very soft and shiny when I seal with a moisturizer. Butters I found to my dismay just sit on my fine hair. I do however use them on my ends from time to time because I found that butters seal better than oils.
I am Team Butter and am still currently experimenting shea butter. I'm only discovering that I can only use it during the winter months. I've gotten moisture to stay on for days during the winter while in the summer, my hair will get greasy and dry up with a quickness. I've been dying to try out a whipped shea butter mixture to see if that'll chance my first experience(currently shopping for a mixer right now). I know how it is though, I'm kinda in that boat with glycerin. On every hairboard I've ever been on, ppl just say add glycerin to everything. I can't tell you how much my hair hates the stuff! It will insta-dry in 1 hr or less and get tangled up while everyone talks about how it supposed to draw moisture into your hair.
Just for reference, I heave a low porosity, medium density, and finely strand head of hair. I have to use the LOC method in order for my hair to even try to get moisturized.
Greasiness has been major pooblem with shea butter & activator gels. Starting to prefer foam for two strand twists; water based moisture products & oils for moisture retention. These types of product don't leave the jerricurl stains!
Anyone ever noticed certain styles retain amazing moisture? For me it's COILS! Spritz with water, seal with oil and coil and I'm soft, shiny and moisture-locked for days! The results dissipate faster with twists, braids.
My hair LOVES water, hydrosols, aloe/water spritzes and though I've had success with oil, butter and pomade sealants and love creamy textures, I HATE 'greasiness'. So water-based shakes that include humectants and oils are good for non-coil days which is often because I fall asleep coiling.
I'm a "type 4" and I am not a fan sealing with butters/oils. They always make my hair hard, greasy and attract lint. *shudders* The exception is cold-pressed castor oil on my ends and edges–It makes for soft, smooth hair.
Anyways, my hair likes water-based, creamy, lotion-like leave-in conditioners/moisturizers with butter/oils in the ingredients. My current faves are Alba Botanica Leave-In Conditioner, Curls for Target Creme Brulee and Shea Moisture Curl & Style Milk.
I am Team butter only for certain ones…shea butter is too heavy and doesn't provide any sheen/shine and no moisture. Oyin Shine Pomade is okay a bit too oily if I use too much. Just found a new butter that I think has the right amount of moisture added to it… B.A.S.K 7 Blend Whipped Butter is really nice!! Very little goes a long way and I love it on dry hair especially refreshing wash n gos or braidouts along B.A.S.K. Detangling Milk
Interesting article…what type of liquid moisturizer or leave-in do you currently use?
I'm not the only one 🙂 I have never had luck with shea butter. But I'm tempted to try again. Try any butter again for that matter. Moving from a more humid (Toronto) to a more dry climate (Calgary) is giving me hair issues 🙁
Luvs this post 🙂
i hate hair typing because i think it's ignorant but my hair loves coconut oil. in fact, all i need is a good [but cheap] conditioner to co wash and occasionally prepoo [as a mix w/ the coconut oil] and my hair is fly forever. my hair is fine but dense [fine strands, lots of hair] so without even trying it, i know that things like shea butter, etc. will be too heavy for my head. i say, do what works for you! no one is judging you for hating oils 😉
Oh girl, I feel your pain. I cannot do the "butters". You made my day with this post.
I am only Team Karen Body Beautiful Hair Butter. Love it!! In the winter I melt it and add two tablespoons of coconut oil and let it become solid again. Other than that, I haven't had great luck with hair butter either.
if you coat white thread in an oil or "butter" and then put it in a water based blue dye, the thread will remain white. for my hair this means the oil is blocking not locking moisture.
so no oil based pre-poo, no olive oil and water spritz, no shea no way.
btw, my hair is thick 4a/4b with beautiful coils that i have a hard time not touching.
My hair rebukes shea butter. Period.
I agree with Laurie… I tested my hair and found out the reason heavy oils and heavy butters sat on my hair is because I am a low porosity 4b girl. I had to stop when my husband stopped touching my hair because it was greasy. lol Now I only use coconut oil sometimes, jojoba oil and just started using olive oil. I like argon oil also. I need light oils not heavy. I only use those for deep conditioning.
you are not alone. i tried many times. the only butter that actually works is oyin whipped pudding. (i dont know what they put in there, but my hair is never left greasy afterwards.)
Thick-but-fine mostly-4b chiming in and nope, straight shea butter has always been way too heavy for me. I do much better with shealoe but actually this year I haven't used any butters at all. The only oil-based mix I've been using is Cipriana's Love Potion #9 (recipe over at her Urban Bush Babes blog) substituting sunflower oil for the jojoba oil. I use it on my dry hair every morning when I'm fluffing it out. So far so VERY good…
I'm a new natural so i'm still tryna figue everything out…but i DON'T think my hair likes shea and i been thinkin' i've been doin' it the wrong way since it works for so many naturals but mayb my hair iz too fine for it.. but i gotta look into that aloe vera gel
No to butter. My 4a/4b hair is fine and loves water based products. I use curl activator diluted with water as a nice moisturizing spritz.
as long as I use shea butter on damp hair after my leave-in then i am good to go. However, I cant use it multiple times throughout the week,because it blocks moisture from entering my strands. I can only use it on wash day.
To anonymous at 3:27pm who found the AOHC to heavy and sticky, you might want to try the Qhemet Burdock root cream. I have fine hair and found that one worked great for me, but the AOHC is just sitting under my counter. I also like to use the Burdock root cream as moisturizer and put the Olive and Honey hydrating balm on top of that (like a light gel).
My hair says no way to butters….I have tried ever technique available ..no go for me… my hair is very soft when I use water based products or just plain water. Never really used a lot of butters on my relaxed hair… and now my hair is letting me know that butters are still not acceptable….
I've never been a butters person. My hair loves water so creamy water based products are all I need. Water,then Giovanni Direct leave-in,then Kimmaytube leave-in,seal w/oil, twist, and go to bed. Wake up with the best flat twist-out ever.
You know what? When I bced my mom flat twisted my hair for me using a watery leave in, no creme or butter, and that was the best and last good twist out. I fell for the idea that kinky natural hair needs a thick creme, butter, custard etc. (these names made me want to buy them even more). Recently I have been thinking I need to try it again.
Thank you! Now I wanna PJ over to Oyin Dew! I already have Qhemet AOHC, but thought it was too sticky or heavy. Before I buy something else, has anyone had success with "cutting" AOHC? You know, diluting it with something to make it not so heavy?
I want soft hair too, y'all!!
My hair is 4a/4b and hates butters. I created a concoction of shea butter with jojoba, grapeseed, and coconut oil and my hair said, NO ma'am. Sable the Fro responds best to a leave-in conditioner followed by grapeseed, jojoba, OR argan oil with a very light touch.
YEP. Figured this one out pretty quick. My hair even hates Herbal Essences highly recommended "super slippy" conditioners. All they do is coat my fine 4 hair and make it impossible to moisturize. I have found all my hair really needs is a watery leave in, a creamy one for daily moisturizing(Thats right I don't use traditional conditioner anymore!), and a light oil to prevent tangles.
My hair is fine and thinning in the top. As much as I would love to indulge in butters, my hair won't let me. I go for water based leave ins and light oils.
Chile, thank you for this post. I thought I would have to give my "natural" card back, if one more person advised me to try a products that were oil based. My hair didn't like oils when I had a relaxer and it doesn't like it now. Water and aloe are my hair's BFFs.
My hair likes both. But like many have said, I can't use too much. I mix my own butters. I love Kinky Curly's Knot Today leave-in conditioner. I've just started using Giovanni's Direct Leave-In. The jury is still out on them. But I would agree that a particular may work for one or some, but may not work for all.
I'm team hair butter!!! I couldn't live without my shea butter, not to mention the fact that its spells absolutely amazing. My favorite leave in to use, is proclaims tea-tree leave-in conditioner. That stuff works wonders on my hair. The only oils I really use are grape seed and jojoba mixed up. & even then I don't use them that often.
My super thick hair loves both. I tend to do butters on drier days but, on humid/hot days I just go for leave-ins & a light oil
I have thick, yet fine to medium strands of 4a/b hair so and I have found a really good, simple regimen that works for me. I do my twistouts (staple style) with just CD Loc Butter, and I moisturize every night or every other night with just water topped with a bit of whipped shea butter (infused with oils). My hair is left moisturized, soft, and fluffy at all times, and never too oily feeling. I always get told that it looks really healthy.
I do NOT use straight up oils on my hair by themselves, other than on wash day for a pre-poo and/or oil rinse. I was previously using castor oil (the smell, boo) and grapeseed oil to moisturize throughout the week, and I quickly became tired of greasy hair, and the massive oil stains on my pillow. Oils quickly became a "no no" for me.
To each her own, you do have to find what works for you!
~caramelcurls
so true! too much oil is not always a good thing! the base of my favorite mix is aloe vera gel, as well. it took me a while to figure it out, but experimentation is the mother of invention, right? lol~ i do add a bit of evoo & shea, but i finally ended up with a mix i can live with. i call it a custard or pudding. whatever – it gives me the best hair ever and i'm happy with that!
I have to agree with you on this…I'm not a type 4, but my hair doesn't not like butters, can only tolerate light oils and really really loves water based products.
I am team shea butter…it works for my hair. However, I am definately on board with the aloe vera juice. I just started using it in hopes to obtain stronger and longer hair and it's working! And no joke, the aloe vera juice has given me the best twist out to date too!
Heyy..I need some help
How do I know if my hair doesn't like butters? it loves oils especially coconut..I have a shea butter mix and I didn't add enough oil to make it fluffy so I tend to put too much on my hair…My hair doesn't feel hard or anything..it feels okay and when i untwist my hair it's sooooooo greasy..The only time my hair felt hard was when I tried giovanni leave-in..My hair felt soft but it was sooo crunchy afterward…i wasn't aware it had protein otherwise i wouldn't have put so much.
My hair loves shea moisture smoothie thing..but it leaves white residues all over and i always think my hair needs to be washed.. I currently have my hair in braids and my hair feels dry on touch but when I undo them, they are greasy..is it because of the braids because I do moisturize..maybe too much cuz they feel dry???
Thhxxx..
I can only use butters IF AND ONLY IF I use a water based product first. I use butters in the winter, but I try to stay away from shea butter at all cost. Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie is one of the view I can use mind you I have to rotate it out. I do love the Olive and Honey Hyrdating Balm by Qhemet. It rains in TN too much in the summer for butters. They all would just run down my face and make my hair not dry from the humidity. I hear mango butter is better for us no shea people.
I am Team no butter as well. Sounds like low porosity just like me. The only butter i use is OM Hair Bling on wet hair. Everything else is too greasy ontop of my hair and will disapate throughout the day and I will have straw like hair. Besides a water based leave in that may have butters in it–i dont add anymore because it will not absorb. The only leave ins my hair likes is OM Everyday leave in mixed with distilled water to dilute and Cantu shea butter leave in because it evaporates on my fingers with no residue.
I LOVE HAIR BUTTERS! – "watered" down that is. all types of hair can be smothered under these butters especially shea because it's such a waxy fat so they often must be cut with something. i've found though that type 4's with fine and or coarse strands hate butters by themselves the most. i being one of them.
HOWEVER, i love qhemets burdock cream and it transforms my type 4 hair (both fine and coarse) making it soft and supple but does not coat my hair at all. it seals in moisture like a dream and if they stopped making this, i'd really have a big problem on my hands. holy grail this stuff, i tell you. the way it's "cut" with organic oils is perfectly spot on. you can see my post about it here with pictures of my hair:
http://www.kisforkinky.com/2012/01/qhemets-biologics-burdock-root-butter-cream-product-review-1
I have type 4 hair, very kinky-curly and lots of it, however the texture is very fine. I went thru this with butters when I first went natural a few years ago. I couldn't understand why my hair was so jacked and dry after using shea butter. I'm done with butters but I do LOVE coconut oil used on top of my water based leave-in for moisture. Used at moderation, it makes my curls so soft and the combo give nice twist outs. Good luck curlies, don't be afraid to experiment and find what works for your tresses!
team no butter! they don't absorb into my hair, leaving it greasy feeling but still crunchy. I swear by coconut oil.
I am team hair butter and oil. Water, butter and oil seem to be the only thing that my hair responds well to. It seems that most products contain some kind of ingredient that makes my hair freak out! Soooo water, butter and oil it is for me and my girls.
Yep,that sounds right for me too. I haven't completely turned away, but I use sparingly. I noticed with a good leave-in and light oil, my hair is at its best! Hair Butters are too heavy for my type 4 fine strands. They seem to block moisture and weigh my hair down. I couldn't use heavy grease when I was permed…so this shouldn't have surprised me.
It also has to do with the low or high porosity of your hair-not all 4s have the same porosity. Which would explain why butters "sit" on your hair and don't absorb.
I agree Danica, but of course that requires more formulatory skills which, let's be honest, not everyone has or wants to spend time developing when a quick buck can be made.
Nawwwwwwwwwwwwwww son! I love my butters! The ones that can double up for body and hair are my boo thangs (monogamy is for the birds)!
I don't like butters by themselves ie, shea, mango, ect. The butters should be water based so that they can effectively penetrate your hair. They should also include, an emulsifier, oils, and even conditioning agents. A lot of companies sell just butters mixed together without giving thought to anything else. Read the label on the back. I have a company that sells Hair butters so of course I like them. But I can say that we don't just slap oils and butters together and sell them we're more intentional than that.
@Joy I love Tresemme naturals (not technically a leave in but it's what I use and I love it). No silicones, it's cheap and it moisturizes my hair better than some $20+ conditioners I've tried in the past.
I'm not team butter – way to heavy for my hair. After my leave in conditioner I seal with a mixture of jojoba, castor and grapeseed oils. That's it. Best hair days ever!
I am Team No Butter. Thank you. Yes I have Type 4 hair, but it's so fine. Very fine. And I think that is a big factor in whether your hair responds well to butters. My hair does not and I have come to accept it. I use cream moisturizers for a better moisture POW. My favorite is Oyin Handmade Hair Dew, lightweigt and a little goes a long way. Works well on wet and dry hair and can be used everyday. Now oils. I like oils. But only a handful. I have learned over the years to be more light handed. Coconut oil is by far my favorite. Very light and penetrates my hair. Olive oil next. Jojoba oil when I really want something very light. And lastly, castor oil, but only when cut with another oil, like jojoba or argan. That's me. Thanks for debunking the "all type 4 curlies like hair butters." I know I don't.
Can anyone reccommend a good leave in conditioner?
Nope, I don't use butters in my regimen. Weights my hair down too much. I don't like twists in my hair either, so this may be part of the reason I dont see a use for them. I will use some CD elixir to massage my scalp. I prefer a good pomade on my ends to seal and on my edges to help smooth them down.
I am team butters and oils. But I can get what you saying. I have yet to use Honey on or in my hair. I only recently started using it in tea's.Also I ain't working with EVOO in hair. No mam, I just cant. The smell is too much for me. So ja, what works for some doesn't work for everyone.
I prefer water based moisturizers over butters any day. I only use butters on my ends when I'm twisting. I have thick, fine hair so butters make my hair heavy.
Here, Here Totally relate as I can not use shea butter at all. It sits on top of my hair and leaves a whitish residue. I've done well with a water base leave-in conditioner with certain oils that can use. My hair responds well to Jamaican caster oil and argan and jojoba oil. I still have to be careful not to use too much. As a result my hair feels very moisturized and shiny.
I can't use all oil either. Coconut oil is too drying on my hair, i mean dry like crunchy dry. Olive oil is not much better. I hear other naturals swear by these products. Not me, has the opposite effect. Not everything works for everybody.
NO to butters. although my hair is crazy thick, it is fairly fine. hair butters weighed my hair done and made it SUPER greasy. and not the good greasy where at least your hair shone like the euww I feel like I need to wash it again greasy.
however, butters aren't moisturizers, are they? I thought they were only meant to be used on top of your moisturizers?
On the other hand, I LOVE my oils. EVCO is my BOO. haha. and recently [a FEW drops] grape seed oil has been giving my hair when heat styling incredible shine without weighing it down
*Raises hand
I'm team hair butter and I have thick fine hair. A type 3.
Hey you know what works for your hair. As long as something's working that's all that matters