cold weather body & hair butter DIY

before i start this post, i will say please do not put this on your face. it has a high comedogenic rating, but it’s great post-shower during cold months when your skin needs help staying moisturized.

here is a body butter that is purchase-worthy, but easy enough to make in your own home. it’s a true THICK whipped butter product.

this body butter works best if applied on damp skin from shoulders to toes, like after a shower. PS – it also dupes as a bomb hair butter, so you can also run the tiniest, tiniest bit through the ends of your hair, if it needs some cold weather repair.

body butters, depending on the types of butters and oils use, range in ratios from 70% butters/30% oils to 50/50.

as with any of my recipes, you can use your favorite carrier oils in place of the 2 carrier oils that i’ve chosen. if you also choose to substitute the butters, i can’t promise consistency or recipe ratios. please share your versions if you do!

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pic: VegaVert / RECIPE MINE

mango butter

  • deeply moisturizng emollient
  • antioxidant and revitalizing, leaving a glow
  • rich in omega-9 and vitamins C and A

cupuacu butter

  • soft and nourishing emollient
  • high water absorption capacity, protecting skin from moisture loss and restoring skin elasticity
  • rich in phytosterols, making it anti-inflammatory
  • rich in fatty acids omega-3 and -6, and vitamins C and A

marula oil

  • healing and moisturizing, improving the overall look and feel of your skin
  • absorbs instantly; completely non-greasy, “dry” oil
  • rich in omega-6 and -9

hemp seed oil

  • deeply healing and moisturizing
  • absorbs quickly
  • suitable for sensitive skin
  • contains omega-3/6/9

 

HOW TO:

this recipe makes 6 ounces.

  • 2 ounces mango butter
  • 1 ounce cupuacu butter
  • 2 ounces marula oil
  • 1 ounce hemp seed oil

in a double boiler, slightly heat the two butters until liquid. remove from heat. add marula and hempseed oils and stir with a spoon, and then allow the oils to cool. once closer to room temperature, blend with a hand mixer until whipped and smooth. if you want to add essential oils, now is the time. try starting with 6 to 8 drops, increasing little by little if you need to. the end result will look like a thick body butter lotion-type product.

store in an airtight jar, away from direct light and heat.

use sparingly after a shower on damp skin and hair, making sure to avoid the face and neck area.

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WHERE TO BUY

here are some links to help you source the ingredients. none are affiliates. i gain nothing; the links are only provided to help guide you.

it’s more cost-effective to buy double what’s needed, but the links provided are for 1 body butter mix (except for the hemp, because 4 ounces is the smallest they carry).

  • mango butter – 2 ounces for $8
  • cupuacu butter – 1 ounce for $4
  • marula oil – 2 ounces for $11
  • hemp seed oil – 4 ounces for $11
  • 200 mL sturdy glass containers – 1 for $19; this has a really wide opening, best for scooping out of; can be reused many times
    • if you get the 3 pack for $39, you get a free 15 mL screw top jar, perfect for traveling or another DIY. this is just on their website banner in plain sight – it has literally nothing to do with me nor do i benefit from your purchase.
    • here’s a 100 mL option. it’s technically 3.38 ounces, but i won’t tell you to just put a blank sticker label on it saying 3.28 ounces and take it through airport security… because that would be wrong… and i’ve definitely never done that…

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COST ANALYSIS

  • 1st 6 ounce finished product – $41
  • after 1st 6 ounce finished product, when the cost of the jar is no longer allocated – $22

if you want to purchase a body butter, 100% Pure sells some ‘okay’ ones in 3.4 ounce containers (half the size of your DIY) for $26.

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looks pretty good to me from all sides! what do you think?

do you have any favorite butter d.i.y’s or ‘buys’? please share with our community!

XO, ALEXRAYE

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favorite hair oils

over the past few years, i’ve shared a lot about my own personal hair care routines and things i use. for this post, i wanted to give credit to a few oils that have stood the test of time in my journey. hopefully they can sneak their way onto your bathroom counters and shelves, too (if they haven’t already)!

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as always, make sure your oils are pure, cold-pressed, and organic or wild-harvested (even better).

UNGURAHUA – moisturizing, shine boosting, strengthening, nourishing, healing

hands down, this greenish-yellowish oil takes the cake for haircare as far as i’m concerned. sourced from central and south america, this seed oil, rich in omega-9, is touted for its wide range of hair uses, including healing scalp issues, taming frizz, intensive moisturizing, helping with hair loss, and boosting shine. it only takes 3 to 4 drops to make my hair lustrous and super soft, usually done once a week mid-way between weekly “washes.” disclaimer: this oil smells like an earthy barn. i’m not quite sure how to describe it, but it could use some essential oil action if you’re sensitive to smells, especially if you’re using more than a few drops at once.
i bought my latest bottle here (not an affiliate; just trying to help). it’s a little pricey at about $8/ounce, but it will last a long time and is well worth the money.

CHIA SEED – nourishing & hydrating

this light yellow seed oil is lightweight and chock full of omega fatty acids. it’ll leave your hair moisturized and smooth, also helping to promote hair growth and soothe dry/itchy scalps. best of all – it’s a kickbutt body oil that absorbs super fast! note – please keep this oil in the fridge once opened. note II – this oil is edible!
i bought my latest bottle here (again, not an affiliate) for about $4/ounce.

HEMP SEED – nourishing & hydrating

most likely old news to you, but hemp seed oil, containing omega-3/6/9, is still one of my favorites for hair and body. it’s healing and hydrating, absorbing quickly in small amounts. you can use it to promote hair growth with its follicle nourishing properties, or soothe scalp issues. it’s a cool, swampy green and has a little bit of a seedy/earthy smell. it does go rancid more quickly than other oils, so like chia seed oil, please keep this in the fridge once you open it and use it quickly. note – this oil is edible!
i bought mine here (again, not an affiliate).

learning about and testing various oils has been one of my favorite parts of my green beauty journey. please share your favorite hair oils below!

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