In our modern society, the cuticles in hair are usually damaged by blow drying, bleaching, coloring, perming, hard brushing or too much water or sun exposure, and this damage shows up as split ends, and coarse, fragile, dry hair that breaks easily. Split ends mean the cuticle has worn away and therefore the inner portion of hair, called the cortex, is exposed, and frayed.

The molecular structure of coconut oil is ideal for penetrating within the hair shaft, and works wonderfully with the natural hair proteins, particularly close to the ends, which have a tendency to be the most vulnerable to splitting and fraying.

Coconut oil has these great properties which makes it absolutely wonderful for our hair:

Using coconut oil as a hair conditioner

Apply coconut oil to your hair straight after a shower or bath, when the hair is still wet, not dripping wet, but more than barely damp. The coconut oil can be either liquid or solid (pure coconut oil hardens at less than 76 degrees F ). If solid, it will simply melt in your hand as you use it.

Use a touch (about a half small spoon for long hair, less for shorter hair) and rub your hands together and begin the application at the ends of your wet hair, using your oily fingers to distribute it evenly and gently.

Use just enough so the oil will penetrate the hair, without leaving an oily or oily look. Use more at the ends, less in the middle and little, if any at the roots. If you have used an amount that leaves your hair oily, simply leave it on to soak in for 20-30 mins and then re-wash the hair to get rid of the surplus oil. You might experiment a bit until you find the right dose for your particular hair, so you are able to leave the oil in your hair when you have applied it.

2 oz unrefined cocoa butter (melted); hydrating and high in vitamin E with emollient (smoothing) properties.

1 oz coconut oil; penetrates the hair shaft to condition and strengthen.

1 oz sweet almond oil; softens and conditions, rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6 and E.

1/2 oz aloe vera gel; moisturizing, humectant, ideally pH balanced for hair.

15 drops each of lime and mandarin essential oils; sweet citrus aroma is energizing and uplifting.

Heat and melt the cocoa butter using a double boiler, or the double boiler method. Pour butter into a bowl and add in the coconut oil and sweet almond oil. Stir until fully mixed into the cocoa butter.

Allow mixture to cool for five minutes before adding the aloe vera gel. With a hand mixer or whisk, blend in the aloe vera gel.

Place the mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove from the freezer and whip more as mixture begins to thicken. Place in the freezer again for 5 minutes. Remove from the freezer and add the lime and mandarin essential oils.

Whip a final time until mixture has a frosting-like consistency.

Scoop the whipped butter into a container for easy storing. This creamy butter is great for strands needing some heavy duty protection and coating.