Whipped Shea Butter.

Shea butter is a fantastic moisturiser and great for use in creams and lotions.

It is quite hard in its solid form however melts easily on skin contact. Whipping the butter makes it a lot easier to apply to the skin and also the hair.

Shea butter needs to be whipped with other carrier oils, not only to stop it from re-hardening but also increasing the shelf life.

Put about 100gms of natural shea butter in a glass or metal bowl. You can melt your butter using the double boiler method, however it is recommended on a very low heat. You can also boil some water and remove from heat and place your bowl over the pot to melt the shea butter slowly. You can microwave to melt however the temperature is a lot more intense and you may ruin the nutrient value of your butter and cause graininess.

Once your shea has melted add 30-40gms of coconut oil.

Use your double cake beaters or the whisk attachment and beginning beating on medium to fast setting.

You will have to whisk for 10 minutes before seeing any decent changes. After 10 minutes the shea butter will start thickening up like cream.

After 20 minutes of whipping your butter should be light and fluffy and have increased in volume 2-3 times.

Store your whipped shea butter in a cool dark place (not the fridge). Your whipped butter should last between 6 months to a year when mixed with coconut oil or jojoba oil.

You may need to adjust quantities of oil depending on what your whipped butter looks like and stores like. If it starts to turn hard increase your oil content.

Try this version for your hair

• 170gms. - Shea Butter
• 1 Tablespoon - Sweet Almond Oil
• 2 Tablespoons - Coconut Oil
• 1/2 Tablespoon - Olive Oil
• 1/2 Tablespoon - Sunflower Oil