Shea Butter:

Shea Butter: Rich, Gorgeous… and Not for Everyone

Shea butter sounds lush, doesn’t it? Like something that belongs in a luxury spa treatment while soft music plays. And yes, it’s a fabulous emollient — sealing in moisture, giving hair a smooth finish, and offering protection from the elements.

But here’s where we swerve away from the “Shea for all!” bandwagon. Your hair’s need for shea butter depends on what shape it’s in right now. Damaged, porous hair may love the rich, heavy coating. Healthy, low-porosity hair? It might just feel greasy, weighed down, or start breaking because the strands can’t absorb it well.

It’s like treating every piece of wood the same after it’s been cut. Once the tree’s down (aka, once the hair grows out of your scalp), you can’t change the wood’s quality — you can only oil and maintain it. Shea butter is one type of oiling, but if the “wood” doesn’t need it, you’re just slathering for nothing.

Also: your wellness and lifestyle play a massive part in how your hair behaves. No butter can undo months of poor sleep, stress, or lack of nutrients.

So before you pass your shea tub to a friend with a “This will change your life” speech, remember: it might just change their wash day for the worse.

✨ Curl Coach says: Follow me on Instagram or join the WhatsApp channel for real curl care advice tailored to YOU.