I bought my dirty-white shea butter from a vendor. I paid $10 for 1lb. He wanted $15
. It was a solid mass. I had no idea how it would work but was excited to try it. As I was twisting my hair, I'd scoop up a bit, rub in my hand and apply to the hair. I noticed that even if I don't rub it in the hair, it would melt right in. I could see how it could weigh the hair down and could feel a lil' greasy. Since I was putting all my hair in a bun, it didn't bother me at all. In fact I sealed with castor oil which sometimes weighs my hair down as well. My twists seem much longer than last time I did them a few months ago. But then again, my hair was 90% dry before I started. Since I was doing a 3-hour job, I didn't keep up the rubbing and melting. I'd pick up a little piece with my fingers and just work it in the hair. I liked it so much that I used it on my skin and about to put some on my lips! I have a friend that will be traveling to Ghana and already placed my order for some unrefined raw shea butter (the white one). Thank goodness this thing doesn't expire.
I'm not sure but, to make it creamy (and I agree the application would be much easier and it also allows you to better control how much you apply) you might not need to melt it. Putting it in a blender should be enough. My friend had a vitamix blender/mixer and it came out like pudding.