Coffee for natural hair

Hello Maicurlies,

I am FINALLY back with a DIY!

I was requested to share a whipped butter recipe that doesn’t include Shea Butter or Coconut Oil but first, I have a few other whipped butter recipes which you can find below:

I replaced the Shea and Coconut Oil with alternative ingredients but the process of making the whipped butter follows the same pattern as the previous mixes I have shared above.

Ingredients/Tools:

3oz Unrefined Cocoa Butter
2.5oz Mango Butter
2.5oz Coffee Butter
4oz Coffee infused Grapeseed Oil
3oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
0.1oz Glycerin (optional)
3 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (optional)
3 capsules Vitamin E Oil (0.15oz)
5 drops Chocolate Fragrance (optional)
Double Broiler
Spoon
Weighing scale
Containers
Gloves (optional)

(P.s I purchased all my butters from SheaButter Cottage – an awesome company that not only provides superb products but also gives back to local village women in Ghana with every purchase made!)

Ingredient Alternatives:

The EVOO and Grapeseed Oil can be replaced with any other carrier oil of choice. You can replace the butters as well, I suggest using at least one hard butter (if you live in warm climate). The Essential Oil can either be replaced with an oil of choice or omitted altogether. Keep in mind that EO’s MUST be diluted otherwise it can cause skin/scalp irritations and if you are pregnant please refrain from using any EO.

Mixing Process:

You want to first double broil the Cocoa Butter on low/medium heat for no more than 5 minutes. Once the butter melts (don’t melt all the way) remove it from the heat and add the mango & coffee butter along with the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and stir. Place the bowl in the fridge for 15 – 20 minutes. Whip the mix and then add the remaining ingredients. I like to replace the bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes before I do a final whip till I get it to the consistency I like.

Benefits:

Unrefined Cocoa Butter: is an extremely popular natural ingredient that is used to help increase the hairs manageability and moisture. The butter is known to help reduce hair loss and breakage. Due to its highly moisturizing properties it can alleviate scalp itching and irritation which in turn can eliminate dandruff. Since it is a fat, it can be used to replenish lost oils due to chemical processes such as perms and dye. It is known to effectively strengthen hair, tame frizzy and flyaway hair.

Mango Butter: Mango butter contains high levels of antioxidants and beneficial vitamins A, C, and E. It is a highly moisturizing butter which is able to restore flexibility, effectively treat dry and itchy scalps and therefore aid in the growth of hair (due to a healthy scalp.) Because of its high content of fatty acids it is believed that it might actually be more moisturizing that Cocoa and Shea butter (I cannot attest to that as I have never used it before.)

Coffee Butter: caffeine helps with hair growth stimulation and it helps reduce shedding. The natural butter helps with sealing in moisture, provides shine, makes the hair soft and (p.s is incredible for the skin)

Extra Virgin Olive Oil: can be used to help seal in moisture, aid hair manageability but can be a little “heavy” (especially for those with fine hair) therefore it is best to use it lightly so it does not weigh your hair down.

Grapeseed Oil: Another example of an oil that is easily absorbed into the hair and scalp without weighing down the hair or clogging up pores due to the fact that it is an extremely “light” oil. Although it is a “light” oil it gives hair a sheen so those with fine hair can use it without worrying about having greasy hair. It is known to help heal alopecia areata as well dry and itchy scalps therefore helping fight dandruff. It is great and sealing in moisture and retaining the natural moisture in our hair.

Vegetable Glycerin: Vegetable Glycerin is a humectant since it attracts water in the air (humidity) and directs it to the area applied (the hair.) Due to its oily nature it can also be used as a sealant and “trap in” moisture however should be used sparingly and should be diluted since it is thick and sticky. Vegetable Glycerin is better served when used in humid climate since it attracts that moisture however, if used when there is a lack of humidity in the air it can do the opposite (extract moisture from the hair to the air.)

Vitamin E Oil: Vitamin E is a commonly used oil to help extend homemade products shelf life (however only extends products for a little bit.) This oil rejuvenates and offers protection for the scalp and skin by nourishing both.

Peppermint Oil: Helps to stimulate blood flow to the scalp which results in hair growth as the root of the hair is being nourished.

Chocolate Fragrance: the scent of course!

I hope you enjoy this recipe!

Thanks

Maicurls

Hello Maicurlies,

Today I have a simple DIY to share!

Coffee RInse

A good old Cup of Joe for the hair! Yes, coffee Maicurlies! You might have noticed that a few of my other recipes (mainly my whipped butters and oils) include coffee and so today I wanted to share a quick and easy recipe that will literally take you 5 minutes to put together!

(P.s. I have previously covered hair rinses in the form of Tea Rinses – Green Tea Rinse & Hibiscus Rinse).

Why a Coffee Rinse?

A lot of commercial products include coffee/caffeine based ingredients because:

It stimulates the roots due to the increase in oxygen and blood circulated to the scalp.
With root stimulation comes hair growth!
It is known to reduce breakage.
Extremely effective in reducing shedding
Caffeine promotes shine to the hair.
Coffee deepens the colour of brown – black hair (not permanent but with frequent use is more visible).
Add’s natural highlights to the hair (not permanent but with frequent use is more visible).
Can potentially mildly darken grey hair (not always visible).

*Any men reading this and perhaps going through very early stages of hair follicle miniaturization caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) you can also try applying coffee to your roots to help slow down the miniaturization of your hair follicles.

A few things to keep in mind:

If you are not looking to darken your hair then stay clear of coffee rinses (blond/bleached/highlights).
If you are not a fan of coffee/allergic or sensitive to caffeine, it is best to stay away from coffee rinses.
Some of you might feel that a rinse with shampoo and/or conditioner might not be sufficient for you after the rinse, therefore a quick Deep Condition should have your hair feeling awesome (do what works for you).
Remember to wear a top you don’t mind getting stained, use a towel you don’t mind getting stained and immidetly rinse your shower/sink after application to avoid stains.
Use a shower cap to contain any dripping.

Ingredients/Tools:

8.8 oz. Plain Water
1 oz. Roasted Coffee Beans – you can lightly grind them to get more coffee essence*
3 drops Peppermint Essential (optional) – or any Essential Oil of choice**
Pot
Spoon
Sieve
Clean & Disinfected Container (e.g. a squeeze bottle/bowl/measuring cup etc)
Gloves (optional)

*Yes you do have to use coffee beans, instant coffee is just not going to cut it!

**If you are pregnant please do not use Essential Oil (you should consult your doctor if it is alright for you use to coffee rinses during pregnancy).

Alternatives:

I use quite a lot of water since I like to make sure my hair is completely soaked in the coffee (you might need more/less depending on your hair density & length). You could potentially add some Rose water to this mix (e.g. 7.7.oz water 1.1 oz rose water). The Essential Oil is optional and can be replaced with any you like or skipped all together, I use peppermint because it s great for the scalp, stimulates blood flow and I love the tingly feeling I get when I use it! Instant coffee will not be of any benefit for your hair so please refrain from using it (if you do not have coffee beans, opt for a tea rinse e.g. the two I mentioned above or Black Tea which is much stronger).

Mixing:

Basically you are brewing a light cup of coffee. You can grind the coffee beans for just a few second (you do not want to make powder because the coffee bits might get stuck in your hair!). Add the beans to the water on the stove and boil for 5 minutes. Note: the longer you boil the stronger and darker the coffee will become. Sieve out the coffee beans and then transfer the coffee to your container. Once it is at room temperature you can add your Essential Oil and you are done!

Process:

I like to start on my roots first and then move onto the length of my hair. I split my hair in two sections while applying and then once done I cover my hair with a shower cap for 20 – 30 minutes. I move onto applying my conditioner (or deep conditioner) if my hair feel dry. I actually just slap on the conditioner over the coffee (because I only have to rinse once) but that is optional. If you plan to use shampoo then rinse with shampoo first and follow up with conditioner/Deep Conditioner.