I don’t use shea butter a lot, but it is a natural product that I incorporate into my hair regimen in a couple of ways. When I first started experimenting with it in 2010, I found it was too heavy and waxy to use as a sealer for my ends. It just sat on top of my hair like wax and made it look dull and ashy. Coincidentally enough, it just sat on top of my skin as well. My skin would be shiny …and  it would just come off on my clothes and chairs!!! So, I started using shea butter by mixing it with Eco Styler Olive Oil gel to smooth and control my edges. And, it works great for me using it that way.

I also include it in my coconut oil whip that I use mostly for my hair now (it wasn’t doing much for my skin, which had become more and more miserably dry and cracked with natural remedies … had to go back to the old school stuff with water and parabens!! But, I haven’t given up on natural entirely yet. Just haven’t had time to research a new “formula!).

Anywho, above is the shea butter that I use. Nothing special … no name brand. Just “Raw African Shea Butter.” Wei picks it up for me from the vendors in Harlem!! It says 100% natural … but, doesn’t say 100% raw shea butter … so who’s to say if it is? BUT, I think it is shea butter because it’s off white and very solid. Some “shea butter” that is sold is yellow/amber in color and the reason I’m writing this is to share that yellow “shea” may not actually be shea butter. A couple of years ago, I watched a YouTube video by DuchessGabrielle wherein she shared that the yellow butter is from a different tree and is actually called African butter. She explained that both butters are beneficial, but that they are not the same. So, just wanted to share her videos on shea butter and African butter for those of you who are interested in knowing the differences between the two and the benefits!

Shea Butter 101: Off-White Shea Butter

Shea Butter 102: Yellow Shea Butter

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Do you use “shea butter?” If so, which one do you use, off-white or yellow, and how do you use it? If you use both, do you see any differences?