Sassy Southern Curls

I’m kicking off this series with a discussion on jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is often brought up in the natural hair community however I don’t think most naturals really understand the benefits. Jojoba oil (pronounced “ho-ho-ba”)   is extracted from jojoba seeds.   The plant itself produces flowers and is known to grow in North America. The chemical structure of jojoba makes it unique from all other plant-based “oils”.   Jojoba oil is actually a wax ester.  The molecular structure is very similar to the structure of our natural skin oil. (refer to the diagram below) Because of these similarities, jojoba oil is a better alternative for topical application. This all sounds great so what does this really mean and how does it benefit OUR hair? Because of its unique similarities to our natural sebum,   it’s great for applying to the scalp and hair. I’ve been using jojoba oil for three years, which is why I didn’t think twice about adding it to  Sassy Curls Hair Oi

Low Maintenance vs Protective Styling I recently did a video on my preference for low maintenance styling over protective styling. I've of course worn both styles throughout my natural hair journey. At year three, I found that my hair flourished with low maintenance styling. I posted the video below however I want to summarize some key points: Protective styling can do more harm then good if the style is installed incorrectly. Also if the take down doesn’t go smoothly. Protective styling should be used sparingly Low maintenance styling should be a part of your hair regimen Protective styling can include utilizing your own hair Protective styling IS NOT required for hair growth