In response to the surging demand for vegan hair products, Sayblee Darsale, the innovative hair scientist, has entered the U.S. market. The growth in this sector of the hair products market is driven by a rising awareness of the benefits of plant-based, cruelty-free ingredients for both men and women. This trend mirrors a broader shift toward sustainable and ethical beauty choices, as consumers increasingly prioritize products that align with their values and promote healthier hair care.
As I’ve grown older and started losing my hair, friends and family have approached me with various products claiming to restore hair and improve its health. With a background in data-driven problem-solving as a former IBM business and technology consultant, I’ve always been skeptical—are these claims scientifically rooted, or are they just another marketing ploy? My perspective shifted when Reina-Flor Okori, a four-time Olympic athlete and a friend, introduced me to the founder of Sayblee Vegan Hair Products. Based in the Miami, Florida area, Sayblee Darsale sent me samples two weeks ago for my daughter, wife, nephew, and myself. I’ve been genuinely impressed with what I’ve discovered, leading me to delve deeper into the story of the vegan hair scientist behind these products and the science that supports them.
A Lifelong Mission for Healthy Hair
Sayblee’s mission has always been to help her clients maintain healthy hair and scalps through her vegan hair care products. Growing up in Liberia, she learned from an early age which ingredients best promote hair and scalp health—knowledge passed down from her grandmother, who lovingly groomed the hair of her children and grandchildren.
A Seed of Hope
In the vibrant streets of Liberia, filled with the sounds of life and the scent of possibility, young Sayblee Darsale found solace and purpose in an unexpected place—her neighbor Ma Mary’s hair. Ma Mary would sit Sayblee down, her eyes filled with warmth, and say, “You have a gift, child.” For 50 cents, Sayblee would braid her hair while Ma Mary prayed for her future, envisioning a life in America where her gift could flourish.
Pursuing the American Dream
When Sayblee finally arrived in America, the land of opportunity, her thick, kinky hair became a battleground. Stylists, unfamiliar with its texture, resorted to harsh chemicals, relaxing her hair until it lost its essence. Within a year, she looked in the mirror and saw the damage. She warned herself, “If you don’t stop relaxing your hair, you will go bald by 50.” Determined to reclaim her hair’s natural beauty, Sayblee began braiding it while attending college. One day, a classmate asked her to do her hair. Ten hours later, that classmate handed her $40 and a $10 tip. This moment was a revelation, leading her to one of the world’s top beauty schools, where she encountered products that were toxic to human health. She vowed to create a safe, healthy alternative someday.
For five years, Sayblee isolated herself from the outside world to focus on the science of ancient African hair wisdom. She emerged with one of the first patents on vegan hair products and initiated a 14-person clinical trial for hair growth and restoration.
A Hair Scientist Betrayed
With a head full of dreams, Sayblee took her ingredients to a manufacturer. However, they betrayed her, producing the wrong products and selling her ingredients to a supermarket’s branded product line. Leaving her lawyer’s office, she cried hard but resolved, “I will make my own products. They will not win.”
The Birth of Sayblee Hair Products
In 2011, Sayblee launched her business on a small scale, working from her kitchen. Over more than a decade of testing, selling, and improving her vegan hair shampoo, conditioner, oil, and hair growth treatments, she developed over a dozen products. Starting with a modest investment of $247.58, Sayblee began selling her handmade products to clients. The business grew exponentially—from $58,000 to $2,000,000 and counting. After working on the hair of people who needed her products for over 25 years, her goal has always been to make their hair and scalp healthy with her first patented vegan-certified hair care line, which she describes as “food for your hair.”
Ancient Vegan Wisdom Meets Scientific Breakthroughs
As the beauty industry evolves, more people are becoming interested in their appearance and individuality. However, frequent chemical treatments can damage hair. To protect and maintain healthy hair, many people use conditioners. Recently, there has been an increasing preference for hair products made with natural ingredients, avoiding harmful chemicals.
A study focused on shea butter, known for its excellent moisturizing properties, assessed how well it could protect hair. Researchers created three versions of a hair conditioner with varying amounts of shea butter (0%, 2%, and 5%) and conducted tests to measure weight changes, hair damage, thickness, and tensile strength. Results indicated that conditioners containing shea butter significantly improved hair health, making it thicker, stronger, and less damaged.
Coconut oil is widely recognized for its ability to deeply condition and nourish hair. It penetrates the hair shaft, reducing protein loss and enhancing elasticity. This oil is also effective in maintaining a healthy scalp by managing bacterial infections and reducing inflammation. While its benefits are supported by some studies, more robust clinical trials are needed to conclusively prove its efficacy in hair care.
Rosemary oil is known for its potential to stimulate hair growth and reduce hair loss, often compared to minoxidil, a common hair growth treatment. Some studies suggest that rosemary oil can improve circulation in the scalp, promoting hair growth and preventing follicle damage. However, more extensive research is needed to fully understand its benefits.
The Future of Hair Care
Sayblee’s journey from a small kitchen in Liberia to the forefront of the hair care industry exemplifies resilience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to health and beauty. Sayblee Hair Products showcase what can be achieved when natural ingredients are combined with scientific rigor. Her ongoing mission is to explore more hair care products and ensure that everyone can have healthy hair, regardless of their background or challenges. This is just the beginning, so stay tuned for more innovations from Sayblee Vegan Hair Products.
Citations:
[1] https://saybleeproducts.com
[2] https://www.linkedin.com/in/sayblee-darsale-16222a5
[3] https://patents.justia.com/assignee/sayblee-handmade-natural-hair-care-llc
[4] https://patents.google.com/patent/US20150110905A1/en
[5] https://saybleeproducts.com/products/hair-growth-treatment
[6] https://saybleeproducts.com/pages/sayblee-before-after
[7] https://www.marieclaire.com/career-advice/small-business-spotlight-tory-burch-foundation/
