How to Use a Cream Hair Butter Conditioner
Hair butters are very versatile products that can be used as pre-wash conditioners, in-shower conditioners, intense conditioners, and leave-in conditioners.
A hair butter conditions and moisturizes naturally medium-to-coarse hair, tightly coiled curly hair, or dry brittle hair and over-processed hair that is prone to frizz, breakage, and dryness.
They are also great to use sparingly for any hair type prone to flyaways. A good example is graying hair. Although gray hair may feel coarse or wiry, the actual structure of the strand has not changed. The hair follicles produce less natural oil which makes gray hair drier giving it that wiry texture.
The most important thing about using a hair butter is to use make sure you are using a small amount and that it is distributed evenly. If your hair is thick, sectioning your hair into a top and bottom layer can make distribution easier. The thicker or coarser your hair the more layers you may need.
Although hair balms can be used on either wet or dry hair, to allow better absorption and maximize its hydrating effects, use hair butter on damp or moist hair.
When applying a hair butter, focus on areas that need extra TLC like the hair ends since they are far from the scalp and lack natural oils.
Basic Instructions:
- Can be used on dry or moist hair.
- Place a small tiny pea size amount of butter into your palms and rub your palms and fingers together.
- Rake your hands and fingers through your hair length like a comb to evenly distribute the butter through to the ends.
- If hair is sectioned, follow the same procedure for each layer sectioned.
For hair that is simply prone to flyaways, use the basic method above with less balm concentrating on the problem areas.
Deep Conditioning Treatment Use as a Hair Mask
Use it as a pre-shampoo, deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week depending on your hair type. Your hair will become softer and easier to manage.
- Wet your hair
- Follow the basic instructions above
- Focus on the hair ends
- Wrap buttered hair in a shower cap
- Leave it on for an hour
- Wash with a mild shampoo and style as usual
- If you have damaged or very dry, coarse hair, leave the mask on overnight and wash off the next day
Tip: Any time you are leaving the butter on your hair, cover your hair with a shower cap. A shower cap keeps your head warm, preventing the butter drying out on your hair strands and protects your pillow!
Creamy Hair Butter Balm as an In-Shower Conditioner
As the proud owner of long, grey, coarse, a bit dry, and unruly, mature (over 70) locks, I swear by hair balms for smooth, manageable tresses. My lazy-day hack? Applying hair butter balm in the shower! My hair's personal favorite is the Cocoa Butter Whip.
For more intense moisture: Apply balm directly to damp hair using the instructions below.
- Shampoo and rinse as usual.
- Start by squeezing excess water out of your hair because if your hair is too wet, the conditioner might slide right off.
- Place a small tiny pea size amount of butter into your palms and rub your palms and fingers together.
- Rake your hands and fingers evenly through your damp hair length, like a comb, to evenly distribute the butter from mid-length to ends. Experiment with application points to find what works best for your hair.
- Allow the balm to sit for a few minutes while you complete the rest of your shower.
- Rinse a bit and towel dry as usual.
For a lighter feeling balm: My hair thrives on subtle, lightweight nourishment, so I use a more lightweight approach that works well for me.
Steps for my lighter weight method:
- Shampoo and rinse as usual.
- Squeeze excess water out of your hair.
- Prepare the Butter: Using a small spoon (to prevent water from entering the jar), scoop a pea-sized amount of butter (to avoid over-application) into your shower wet palm. You may want to use more or less based on hair length or type.
- Emulsify: Swirl the butter with your index finger for a few seconds, mixing it with the water already in your damp palm, until it becomes lotion-like.
- Apply: Rub your fingertips into the balm, then rake your fingers evenly through your damp hair length, like a comb, to evenly distribute the butter from mid-length to ends. Experiment with application points to find what works best for your hair.
- Allow the balm to remain on your hair for a few minutes while you complete the rest of your shower.
- Rinse a bit and towel dry as usual.
As A Leave-In Conditioner
Use as a leave in conditioner after shampooing to help prevent split ends, calm frizz and flyaways and add a healthy shine. Place a small amount of butter in the palm of your hand, rub palms together and scrunch into damp hair ends or smooth from mid-length to the hair ends. Comb thoroughly to evenly distribute the butter. Do not wash. Style as usual.
Use as a pomade butter to touch up problem spots or help keep curls in place. Rub a tiny bit of hair butter in your palms, apply to clean, dry hair to smooth down coarse or wiry flyaway hair strands, giving hair a healthy sheen.
Should You Oil or Cream The Scalp?
For most people it is recommended to avoid applying oils or butters to the scalp. So when using a hair butter begin at least about three inches from the scalp and work all the way to the ends.
Whether or not to oil your scalp seems to be up for debate. While many articles encourage applying oil directly to your scalp, others state that applying oil directly on your scalp may put you at higher risk for dandruff. But some people with dry hair also have a dry scalp. If you typically oil your scalp without any problems then continue to do what your hair and scalp like.
For Dry Scalp: Using your fingertips gently massage a small amount of hair balm into your scalp. The massaging action aids in the absorption. Leave on for at least 15 minutes and then wash and style as usual.
Helpful Hints
- When using a hair butter more is NOT better. Too much conditioning cream can weigh your hair down, cause excess buildup, and give hair a greasy look and feel.
- Be sure to wash your hair to remove the residue from a previous application before applying more hair cream.
- Combining a hair butter with other hair products like mousses and gels may cause heavy buildup and greasiness.
Learn more: Read "What is Your Hair Type?"
