Earthly Butters: Discovering Natural Plant Butters for Beautiful Curls and Coils

Originally Published: November 4, 2012 | Refreshed October 2026

By Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks

A Beautiful Discovery From My Natural Hair Journey

Greetings, my beautiful naturalistas!

Ladies, one of the things I've always enjoyed about my natural hair journey is discovering small businesses and creative entrepreneurs who share our enthusiasm for natural ingredients.

Back in November 2012, while visiting Facebook, I came across a company called Earthly Butters, associated with an entrepreneur named Kim Mayo.

Naturally, my curiosity was awakened!

At the time, the natural hair community was buzzing with discussions about shea butter, mango butter, whipped body butters, and all kinds of rich botanical ingredients.

And if you know anything about my natural hair journey, you know I enjoy exploring products that may help keep my curls soft, manageable, and beautiful.

Earthly Butters caught my attention because of its focus on plant-based butter formulations.

I was particularly interested in trying the company's peach butter.

Although my original article expressed my intention to order it, I did not publish a personal product test in that post. So today, instead of presenting an unverified review, we're taking a fresh look at what makes natural plant butters appealing for curly and coily hair.

What Are Natural Plant Butters?

Natural plant butters are rich, fatty ingredients derived from various nuts, seeds, or fruits.

Some familiar examples include shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, and kokum butter.

They are commonly found in hair conditioners, styling creams, body moisturizers, and other cosmetic products.

Because of their fatty composition, many plant butters can help lubricate the hair's surface, improve softness, and reduce friction during styling.

However, ladies, here's something important to remember:

Plant butters do not add water to dry hair by themselves.

Instead, they can help condition the strands and reduce moisture loss when used as part of a well-balanced hair-care routine.

That's why I generally prefer applying richer products after cleansing, conditioning, or using an appropriate water-based moisturizer.

1. Shea Butter: A Longtime Natural Hair Favorite

Shea butter has been an important ingredient in natural hair care for many years.

Derived from the nuts of the African shea tree, it is widely used in cosmetic formulations because of its rich, emollient properties.

For tightly curled and coily hair, shea butter may be helpful for smoothing strands, adding lubrication, and softening the feel of dry ends.

But there's a little secret, ladies.

Not every curl needs the same amount!

Fine strands may become weighed down when too much butter is applied, while some thicker or more densely textured hair may tolerate richer applications.

The beauty is in finding the right balance for your particular crown.

2. Mango Butter: Softness With a Different Feel

Mango butter is another popular cosmetic ingredient.

It is produced from the seed kernel of the mango fruit and is frequently included in moisturizing creams and hair-conditioning products.

Depending on the formulation, mango butter may provide a smoother, less greasy feel than some heavier butter mixtures.

It can be particularly appealing when you're searching for products that help reduce roughness without leaving excessive residue.

And ladies, remember that the finished product matters just as much as the featured ingredient.

A formula containing mango butter can still feel heavy or lightweight depending on the other ingredients and their concentrations.

3. Cocoa Butter: Richness and Protection

Cocoa butter is well known for its use in skin-care products, but it also appears in certain hair-care formulas.

Its rich texture may help coat and soften hair strands.

However, its firmness can make it less convenient to use alone, and some formulations may be too heavy for fine natural curls.

For my own fine 3C/4A strands, I've learned to pay attention to how much product I'm applying.

Ladies, more isn't always better!

Sometimes a small amount, distributed carefully, accomplishes more than a generous application.

4. Blended Butters: Why Ingredients Matter

One thing that interested me about Earthly Butters was the creativity behind botanical butter products.

Many cosmetic butters are blended with oils, fragrances, and other ingredients to produce a particular texture, scent, or conditioning effect.

A product described as peach butter, for example, may refer to a cosmetic blend or an ingredient derived from peach kernels. The exact meaning depends on the manufacturer's formulation.

That is why I encourage you to read ingredient labels rather than relying solely on a product's name.

Look for formulations that suit your hair's needs, and remember that natural ingredients can still cause sensitivities in some people.

A patch test is wise when trying a new product, particularly one containing fragrances or botanical extracts.

Using Plant Butters on Natural Hair

If you've been thinking about including plant butters in your hair-care routine, here are a few gentle suggestions.

Begin with clean, conditioned hair. A butter works best as part of a routine that already addresses cleansing and conditioning.

Start with a small amount. Warm a little product between your palms and apply it where needed, particularly along the lengths or ends.

Pay attention to buildup. Heavier products can accumulate, making hair feel coated or less manageable.

Adjust for your hair texture. Fine curls, thick coils, low-density hair, and high-density hair may respond differently to the same formulation.

Avoid assuming every natural ingredient is suitable for everyone. Discontinue use if a product causes irritation or discomfort.

And don't forget, ladies, your routine can change with the seasons!

A product that feels lovely in colder weather may be too heavy for your hair during a hot, humid summer.

What About Hair Growth?

Now, this is one subject we need to approach thoughtfully.

Plant butters can be useful conditioning ingredients, but there isn't good evidence that applying ordinary cosmetic plant butters directly makes hair follicles produce hair faster.

Healthy hair growth is influenced by many factors, including genetics, nutrition, overall health, and scalp conditions.

Where conditioning products can help is with length retention.

When hair experiences less friction, tangling, and breakage, it may become easier to retain the length you've already grown.

And ladies, that's an important distinction!

Remembering Earthly Butters

Looking back at my original 2012 article, I appreciate how the natural hair community introduced us to innovative small businesses.

Through blogs, Facebook groups, and word of mouth, many of us discovered products and ingredients we might never have encountered otherwise.

Earthly Butters was one of those discoveries for me.

I want to preserve the business's place in my blogging history while recognizing that the original promotional information is now more than a decade old.

Archival note: Earthly Butters and Kim Mayo are mentioned here as part of my November 2012 discovery. I have not verified the company's present operations, product availability, or current formulations. This article should not be considered a current product endorsement or purchasing guide.

Continue Your Natural Hair Journey

Ladies, if you enjoy exploring natural oils, conditioners, and ways to care for textured hair, I invite you to read these Crowning Glory favorites.

1. 10 Ways to Keep Your Natural Hair Moisturized

Discover practical ways to maintain softness and manageability without unnecessarily complicating your routine.

2. Water, Water, Water! The Secret to Healthy, Hydrated Natural Hair

Explore why water-based conditioning and hydration matter for curly and coily strands.

3. Combating Frizz: Why Your Natural Hair Gets Frizzy

Learn gentle approaches to caring for frizz-prone natural hair.

Let's Talk, Ladies!

Have you ever used shea butter, mango butter, cocoa butter, or another botanical butter on your natural hair?

Do you prefer a lightweight cream or a richer whipped butter?

And have you discovered any small natural-hair businesses that left a lasting impression on your hair-care journey?

I'd love to hear your experiences in the comments!

Remember, my friends:

The best natural hair products aren't necessarily the most expensive or the most popular. They're the ones that complement the needs of your beautiful crown.

Until next time…

Happy Curls to You, My Friend!

Lady Carolyn M. Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks

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