Sassy Southern Curls

It's the end of the year and also around the time that people begin thinking about their goals for next year. I've always been a goal setter but this year I wanted to try something different. I wanted to create a vision board. What's a vision board you may wonder? According to makeavisionboard.com a vision board is  a t ool used to help clarify, concentrate and maintain focus on a specific life goal.  To create a traditional vision board, you'd use a large sturdy poster board. Then using an old magazine you'd cut out pictures and words create to a visual collage of your goals. I took to Google and Pinterest for ideas and came across a digital vision board. Sounds interesting right? I didn't have any magazines laying around and I sure as hell didn't want to buy magazines just to cut them up. A digital vision board proved to be my best option. So how did I get started? I'd already written down my goals weeks ago so that part was complete. I spent a S...

I hope everyone is enjoying the cooler weather! It's really important that you keep your hair properly moisturized during this time of the year. The only way to seal in moisture is by using an oil or butter. For a limited time this Winter, I'll be offering Sassy Curls Hair Oil with peppermint oil. I was first introduced to peppermint oil last year at our natural hair show here in Phoenix. Not only does it smell awesome but peppermint oil has tons of benefits. Sassy Curls Hair Oil can be used as a sealant, heat protectant, and hot oil treatment. With over six different oils, it's the perfect product for textured hair.  Visit www.sassysoutherncurls.com to learn more and to purchase your bottle today!

One of the biggest challenges of having natural hair is retaining moisture. When I first went natural I instantly noticed a difference. It also didn't help that I lived in a dry area such as Phoenix. Many women use the L.O.C. (liquid, oil, and cream) method however more of us are leaning towards the L.C.O. (liquid, cream, and oil) method for moisturizing our hair. Honestly I just find that using oil as the last product makes more sense. I never really tried the L.O.C. method so I really never had a reason to switch over. I go into a little more detail on why I prefer the L.C.O method in one of my recent uploads.

In one of my recent videos I test out another DIY deep conditioner using three ingredients: aloe vera gel, coconut oil and honey. I must say this is hands down the BEST DIY deep conditioner I've tried. Next time, I may add 1/2 cup of cholesterol. I'm including the video below.

This Fall/Winter I'll be introducing a series of DIY hair masks and treatments for natural hair.  A couple of weeks ago I posted a short clip of my go to hot oil treatment. (See below) I honestly think that a lot of naturals overlook the importance of hot oil treatments and deep conditioning.  I like to deep condition every month however I have been slacking on hot oil treatments.  So stay tuned ladies!! Every month I'll be coming at you with a different hair mask.

I finally did a video on how I maintain my twist outs through out the week.

One of the first essential oils I started using was lavender oil. It's also the only essential oil added to Sassy Curls Hair Oil . I also use this oil for aromatherapy to enhance my mood or just to clear my mind. Check out some other usages below.

Lately I've been a bit obsessed with perm rods. If you follow me on Facebook then you've been subjected to my fetish.  I recently decided to try the style again and the outcome was AMAZING.  So I decided to post some tips on how you too can achieve a beautiful perm rod set.  Dampen the hair before setting For best results set the style on dampened hair. I personally allow my hair to air dry after my wash and then use a spray bottle to rewet the hair if needed. You don’t want your hair soaking wet. Allowing your hair to air dry stretches it and then lightly rewetting the hair will create defined curls.   Make sure the hair is detangled You’ll want to work with your hair in sections and detangle thoroughly. This shouldn’t be a problem if you’re setting your hair on wash day. Make sure you detangle on wet hair using a detangling tool. Pay close attention to the ends to ensure a smooth set. Stretch the hair Whether you’re trying to create sp...

Check out this recent video I did for ladies who reently did the big chop.  Make sure you scroll down to see the resources I include below the video. Natural Hair Dictionary: http://urbanbushbabes.com/natural-dictionary/ Natural Hair Journey App: https://hairjournalapp.wordpress.com/ __________________________________________ Hair Products:  Kwench Dale Moisturizing Spray Jane Carter Revitalizing Spray Cream of Nature Leave In Spray Cantu Leave In Conditioner Conditioning Repair Cream Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie Shea Moisture Leave In Conditioner  Oyin Honey Hair Dew Great oils for 4b/4c hair: grapeseed oil, olive oil, carrot oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, tea tree oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil Coconut oil as a prepoo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcUSSdFxZBY Denman brush: http://www.amazon.com/Denman-Medium-Styling-Brush-Nylon/dp/B003YFG6VK/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1438294805...

Let me me tell yall something!! I have had so much fun over the last five years styling my hair. Natural hair is the most versatile hair there is. Don't get it confused. We can do so much with our hair if using the correct technique and product. I've worn perm rod sets, flexi rods, braid outs, twist outs, afros and loose two strand twists.. You name it...I've done it!! Don't believe me then check out the pic below. And also check out this video of some of the many styles I've worn: 

This Spring I attended two hair events in the valley. After speaking to numerous women it became very clear that a lot of naturals still have no idea what to do with their hair. I know it can be difficult with all of the info out there.  Everyone is a YouTube hair guru. Everyone is a subject matter expert on hair. Well I'm gonna tell ya...YOU should be the expert on your hair. I mean you've had it the longest right? You really need to take the time to learn about your hair. More importantly, what works best for your lifestyle. I've listed below some tips for those thinking about going natural or currently transitioning. 1. Develop a healthy hair routine. This is perhaps the most important tip. Developing a healthy hair routine means learning how to properly cleanse, moisturize, detangle, condition, and protect your hair. This also means not doing something that will counteract your hair health. For example, you may want to cut down heat usage if your already ha...

I recently had the opportunity to review two products by Maple Holistic , the Argan Oil Shampoo and Silk 18 Conditioner.  Maple Holistic is unique in their therapeutic approach to hair care and their customer satisfaction promise. If a customer is unhappy with a product they are granted a full refund or sent another product to try. I'm on board with that!!! So on to the review. Let me start off by saying this company really cares about what goes in their products. 100% natural and organic.They did not skip on quality ingredients and you can definitely tell. The shampoo contains ingredients such as argan oil, jojoba oil, and camellia seeds. The directions say to use a quarter size amount and let me tell you....USE a quarter size. I used $0.75 worth and that may have been overkill. Regardless the shampoo has a great lather and left my hair feeling clean without the stripping effect. Now the Silk 18 Conditioner which I'm going to rename Blessed Conditioner. This c...

So let me start off by saying my FAVORITE oil by far, is sweet almond oil. I discovered this oil three years ago and instantly fell in love. Sweet almond oil is a carrier oil derived from almonds. Of course there is a whole slew of benefits for your hair and body. This is mostly because sweet almond oil is full of Vitamins A, D, and E. One of the reasons why it's so versatile though is because it's lightweight and odorless. It has the consistency of vegetable oil, without all the bad stuff of course. Sweet almond oil is also the base for Sassy Curls Hair Oil . You can purchase the oil through any online health store, Amazon.com and even Whole Foods. Below is list of other benefits.

When I first went natural I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to hairstyles. I'd always worn different hairstyles when I was relaxed and switched them up quit often. Natural hair styling is totally different though. I often have to plan how I'm going to wear my hair throughout the week. Products are another story since our hair is dry in it's natural state. I have to ensure that the product keeps my hair moisturized with minimum frizz. With all that being said, I do find natural hair very versatile. There are some styles I can achieve that I know I wouldn't have been able to with relaxed hair. I find though that you really have to practice your technique and use the right products for the style. I may do another blog post just on that subject. Below is a picture showing the versatility of natural hair.

I started using a pre-poo four months ago. A pre-poo is a basically a hair treatment used to prep your hair for the cleansing stage. Now there are tons of recipes circulating the net. Most of them consist of an oil or protein treatment. I find that whipped coconut oil is a great conditioning oil and this has been my go to. You can check out my whipped coconut oil video below. Recently though I added a cholesterol, honey, and hydrolyzed wheat protein to my coconut oil. And girllllllll..this mixture left my hair VERY soft.  I slightly detangled my hair before applying the treatment and left it on for 20 minutes. Rinsed and then followed up with my shampoo/conditioner. Next time I think I'd omit the cholesterol and use more coconut oil. The cholesterol works best as a deep conditioner. I've included the recipe below. I think everyone should use a pre-poo at least once a month. Not only does it help with moisture retention but also helps to detangle your tresses.

Tea Tree Oil is a very common essential oil in the natural hair community. I originally bought it to use in a batch of whipped shea butter. I found the smell to be overwhelming though. It has a woody mint like scent. So of course I took to the internet to research additional benefits. I found a slew of usages for tea tea oil with most of them being skin related. Tea Tree oil can be used for skin tags, sunburns, acne, rashes, and even fungal infections. My skin has been suffering because I've gotten lazy about covering my hair at night. Since tea tree oil can be used as a topical oil, I lightly apply it to my face. I do find that the smell is still a bit strong so I like to add it to coconut oil and shea butter. This is a great moisturizer but sometimes my face does feel greasy. I like to apply the solution in the morning and then whip off the access. If it's still cooler where your at, I don't think you'll have this problem.   So if you're having problems with...

Varicose veins are unattractive and can be very painful. I started to get small varicose veins in my late 20’s. Recently though the veins became inflamed and swollen. I work from home and sometimes stand up in front of my computer. This is not good for circulation in the legs. I took to the internet in search for a natural remedy.  Cypress Oil was the number one suggestion for varicose veins.  After reading about the benefits I headed immediately to my Whole Foods and picked up this vial for only $10.00. Cypress Oil is hemostatic and styptic. In other words, it promotes blood circulation. I applied five drops directly to my veins and made a buttercream . Two hours later, the pain had subsided. Right before bed, I applied the buttercream to my legs. When I woke in the morning I was amazed!! The swelling was completely gone, there was no pain and the vein coloring had nearly faded. I've been using essentials for a while but I’m very impressed at how effectiv...

ATTENTION PHOENIX NATURALS!!! I'm excited to be a part of the 4th Annual Natural Hair Expo this year. The event will be at the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Phoenix. Tickets can be purchased at   http://arizonainhmdexpo.squarespace.com / .  Not only will you be able to purchase from local business but there will also be workshops, VIP bags, and stylists on location. I will be in attendance selling my hair oil and conducting a workshop on hair regimens. I hope to see you ladies as this wiill be a jam packed event!!!

It’s been several years since I’ve detailed my hair regimen. As my five year hair anniversary approaches, I figured I’d share what I’ve been doing to maintain my healthy curls. Daily Every day I check to see if my hair is dry. I use the L.C.O. (liquid, cream, and oil) to moisturize my hair. I prefer this method over the L.O.C. method as I find that I only have to moisturize my hair only once a week.  I typically wear my hair in twists pulled in a ponytail or pinned in an updo. I only unravel when I have to go to work. Because of my constant low maintenance styling, I’ve been able to maintain my length. Weekly Every week I co-wash my hair. I use all types of conditioners now so I really don’t have a staple product. I finger detangle prior to washing and I further detangle with conditioner. I cannot be lazy with the detangling process or I’ll pay for it later on. Biweekly Every two weeks I shampoo my hair. If I use more product throughout the week, I’ll wash my hai...

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...

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

One group of products that I think are under utilized in the natural hair community are leave-in sprays. I've put together a short list of sprays I've tried over the years. dale Moisturizing Spray dale Moisturizing Spray is the first product released by kwenCH Hair & Body Products.   The owner, Dee started off with a bang because this product was an immediate hit. Not only does it work as a leave in but I’ve also used it solely as a detangler.   The refreshing light scent is another win.   http://kwench.bigcartel.com/product/dale Jane Carter Revitalizing Leave-In Conditioner The Jane Carter leave in spray was the first hair spray I tried. This product leaves my hair feeling soft and manageable.  It’s very affordable and can be found at your local Whole Foods. http://www.janecartersolution.com/Revitalizing-Leave-In-Conditioner-8oz.html Twisted Sista Curl Spray The Twista Sista Curl spray is the only hair product that...

Over the past three weeks I've really been focusing on my YouTube branding. I've resorted my playlists, edited videos, created visuals and updated my editorial spreadsheet. The biggest payoff though has been creating thumbnails. Video thumbnails are the selling point of your channel.  Last year I'd began taking pics and adding them under custom thumbnails.  Now however I use PicMonkey to create exciting and appealing thumbnails. I highly recommend checking out YouTuber Gabrielle Marie . I am ADDICTED to her channel. She provides great tutorials on how to create banners, IMovie tips, and branding. Other suggestions: Learn how to name your videos for max exposure. For example since the focus of my channel is natural hair. I try to include the words "natural hair" in the video title.  Create a slide in PowerPoint or PicMonkey that includes info about your social media sites.  Include links to your social media sites, websites in the description of your...