Phenomenal . . .

Phenomenal . . .
Life, Growth, and Connection (This sunflower was nourished by my hands.) 2010; Photography by Benita Blocker. Please become a follower of this blog.

Total Pageviews

Thursday, June 14, 2012

Keratin Treatment Alternative to try first!

I believe the price of keratin treatments have come down, but please consider spending $175 on the following products to achieve healthier hair and similar styling finish.

1) KeraCare 1st Lather Shampoo or any clarifying shampoo. 2) Pureology Nanoworks shampoo (luxury line - $55 for this one bottle, but worth it!) 3) Pureology Supersmooth condition (skip this conditioning step- if you have fine hair. The luxury shampoo has conditioner in it.) 4) Spray a generous amount of the Joico Leave-in detangler and distribute a small amount of the Pureology elixir for slip. Blow-dry. You should achieve a nice straightness. Then use Pureology Shinemax sparingly throughout and touch up any areas with a curling iron. Follow with Aquage Beyond Shine spray to tame any flyways! By the third try at this, your hair should be improving in health without all the flat ironing . . .

39 comments:

  1. Hi! Can you recommend a good moisturizer to use at night for fine, soft, thin relaxed hair? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Chenoe123! Bee Mine products have two great options! 1) Luscious Balanced cream Moisturizer (lightweight and no buildup) and 2) Hair and Scalp Moisturizer - this one is more oil based; so you want a tiny dab emulsified in your hands and lightly massage through your hair and then brush it to distribute.

    The Luscious can be used daily without buildup. For fine hair, every few days will be plenty. However the hair and scalp moisturizer, once a week is plenty unless your hair has permanent haircolor. Both of these products can be ordered directly from BeeMineProducts.com or if you are local to Charlotte, NC, we sell them at Applebaum Salon.

    I am curious . . . why are you relaxing your hair if it is fine and soft? The only relaxer that may work best for fine, soft hair is the Paul Mitchell Mild relaxer. Most of the ethnic relaxers would probably be too strong for your hair texture. Please feel free to share your relaxer system that you are on.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you!
    Well the last relaxer I got was DE Lo Lye but I had to change stylist and she said the next time I am due she would use Affirm, I am not sure what strength though. I get a relaxer because the humdity is crazy here in Alabama and I like to rock styles like rods, roller sets, and straight looks. Thing is I don't think I need a relaxer but not sure how to acheive these styles without one. Could you recommend a good regime for me to use and products to use if I decided not to do a relaxer? I always get confused on what products to use for my hair, especially the concept of moisture and protein. I know my stylist uses the Affirm 5 and 1 reconstucter sometime but my hair feels dry afterward. Please help if you can! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  4. If you are a type 4 curl pattern, then you probably need a mild relaxer for control in the Alabama humidity. If you are a type 3 curl pattern, the Arosci Restructuring Smoothing Treatment maybe an alternative once every three months. The Arosci treatment is amino acid based versus keratin. I am not fond of the flat iron, but if you use it four times a year for this treatment only . . . your hair should survive.

    The product combination subjected in this article will work well for you for blow-dry styling without the relaxer. However, rod and roller sets are going to need some "curl reduction" in the humidity. Joico has a great humidity blocker to spray generously over your sets. It is an aerosol spray, but NOT a hairspray. So no stiffness. Just a light coating on the hair to block humidity. Lightweight spray.

    Hopefully, this information helps you to make a few changes to allow your hair to possibly thicken up or transition out of a relaxer if you so choose. Best wishes!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thank you so much I plan on trying the keracare pureology and joico products out to help me from getting a relaxer. One last question can you recomend a protein conditoner or treatment I could do to help my hair from breaking it's so soft that it breaks so easily and with the. As well as should I use the treatment before the super smooth conditoner by pureology and should I use protein, once a month, twice a week or weekly? Thank you!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. You are so welcome! A monthly treatment to do in lieu of the Pureology superSmooth conditioner is Redken CAT protein treatment (comb through, rinse out) then follow up with Mizani Moistufuse conditioner (under medium heat for 15 to 20 minutes). So once a month - protein treatment. The Moistufuse can be used anytime, but it must be rinsed out. Your hair may respond better to the Mizani Moistufuse more than the SuperSmooth Conditioner. I have a separate article on the Redken CAT if you want to read more about it. Please keep me posted!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sorry to bother you again, I just want to make sure I get everything when I go shopping but when I do a roller set our rod set should I use the same set of products (keracre 1st lather, pureology nano, etc) that I would use when I blow dry my hair straight our do I need to use something else our deleate some of the products for the wet set? Also should I use a foam or setting lotion to do these sets and should I use the paul mitchell spray daily for humdity or just the 1st day after it's done. I thank you so much for taking the time to help me!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Detailed questions are good! Others probably have the same questions so I am a happy that you asked.

    The "Redken Treatment" is definitely once a month. Everything else is safe for daily shampooing or whenever you blow-dry. Assuming that you are stretching out your relaxer, a blow-dry service would be needed. These products listed are premium products for the hair, but they do not replace a relaxer or any other intensive smoothing treatment which "infuses" a product into the hair.

    The humidity blocker spray is lightweight enough to see everyday, but if you are roller setting or rod setting then you may not need to use a humidity blocker. If your curl pattern is a type 4, there are no products that are going to stop an "afro" from forming except a relaxer. Even a an Arosci smoothing treatment will not control overly kinky curly hair.

    If you are rod setting or roller setting, the Joico Detangler L/I can be used to assist in detangling, but I would only use the Pureology elixir to allow the hair to slip through the brush or comb during a blow-dry service.

    As far as foams or setting lotions, Jane Carter Solutions Wrap and Roll Foam does well with texturized hair. You can not never use too much. However, it delivers a soft hold. With your hair being fine, if you have a foam or a setting lotion that has already been working, then do not switch. I keep about about five different foams and setting lotions depending on the client's preference to a strong hold, medium hold, or soft hold. Sometimes it is trial and error to figure out which setting agent delivers the results that a particular customer desires.

    So I will list the setting agents that I rotate through: Nairobi Setting Lotion (Styling Lotion diluted), Salon Exclusive Design Foam, Jane Carter Solution Wrap and Roll, Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam, and Paul Mitchell Sculpting Lotion. Choosing one.

    So in a nutshell, your leave-in agents are going to be different based on wet set versus blow-dry. The Aquage spray is mainly to tame flyaways so you would not need the Aquage spray for a wet set.

    Okay, let me know if you have more questions!

    ReplyDelete
  9. By the way, the Pureology Shinemax is a wild card. It can be used wet or dry for sealing the hair. I prefer to use it on dry hair. It can be a used as humidity blocker or a slip agent or a heat protection for the hair. Daily use works, but do not be heavy handed. Sparingly is good.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Also, the original article was geared toward a blow-dry service because people receiving a keratin treatment are typically trying to eliminate frizz from color damage or trying to reduce the curl pattern by use of a blow dryer and hot tools. Wet sets are working with your own curl pattern. I may write a future article re-visiting the setting agents for wet sets and their hold. Thanks for inspiring another idea for an article!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ok so this is my plan for now;
    1. Wash my hair with the Keracare 1st Lather
    2. Wash with Pureology nanoworks shampoo
    3. Deep conditon with Mizani moisturefuse conditoner for 15 min med heat
    4. Rinse and apply Joico Detangler and Paul Mitchell Sculpting Lotion
    5. Roller set or rod set
    6. Style hair and spray Paul Mitchell Anti Humidty Spray
    7. Once a week moisturize with BeeMine Scalp and hair Moisturizer
    8. Protein Treatment once a month with Redken CAT followed by moisturiefuse

    I'll do this until my hair has crown out some and then I can start doing your blow dry technique.

    Thank you again for helping me with a soild regime.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Chenoe123 you got it! Great healthy hair regimen! One little correction, the brand of award winning humidity blocker spray is by Joico in your step number six (6). Also, if your hair feels great after shampooing with the Pureology nanoworks shampoo, then you can skip the conditioning step entirely. Just use the Joico Leave-in Detangler as your conditioner especially since you are roller or rod setting (i.e. no hot tools). You can try it with and without conditioner to see which method holds your set longer. Also, the Paul Mitchell Sculpting Lotion can dry a little hard, but it should release its hold and become soft to touch as soon as you start to finger through the set. If you find that you used too much sculpting Lotion, then take a dab of the Bee MIne Hair and Scalp Moisturizer emulsified in your hands and start helping the set to loosen up more. A little product will go a long way!

    Please keep me posted!

    ReplyDelete
  13. P.S. Make sure that your Pureology Nanoworks shampoo is freshly manufactured. Pictured above is the newest packaging of this product. Since the shampoo is so expensive, some stores may not move their inventory a lot, you want fresh products! Buy the newest packaging to be safe! Have fun shopping!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I plan on ordering the BeeMine Moisturizer this week! I was wondering though could the Jane Carter Nourish and Shine be used as a moisturizer as well?

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Chenoe123: The consistency of the Jane Carter Solution Nourish and Shine is more of a butter. It is hard to emulsify and control the amount that you scrape out. Whereas with the Hair and Scalp Moisturizer by Bee Mine, you just shake the bottle and pour a little bit out. Also, with the Bee Mine Luscious just scoop a dab out of the jar.

    I found the Bee Mine products were less work with great results!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  17. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  18. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Hi Chenoe123: I've had a hectic couple of days . . . you asked about foams for medium hold . . .
    My earlier suggestions were everything from foam to setting lotion to sculpting lotion. A nice medium hold foam is probably going to be a Nairobi Wrapping Foam. (blue in color, and delivers good shine.) Have a Good one!

    ReplyDelete
  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. After doing some research, I found a stylist close by that uses the Paul Mitchell mild relaxer that you recommended. Is their anything I should know or do and does this effect the regime you prescribed for me , if I choose to get a relaxer again?

    ReplyDelete
  23. Yes, using Shampoo one versus Shampoo Two may be a more gentle option. Also, cocktailing Mizani Moistufuse conditioner with the Lavender Mint Conditioner will ensure the best moisture to the hair. All the other Paul Mitchell relaxer steps should be the same.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Ok, I will request that they use the Shampoo one on my hair and I will bring my moistufuse with me. They are a Paul Mitchell Salon so I know they will have that shampoo. I thank you for all your help you really have helped me out! If I stayed in Charlotte I would be coming to you every week!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Is the Aquage shine spray good to use for everyday sheen?

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yes- for sheen, but it provides no healthy hair benefits. It is more of a lightweight style/shine enhancement.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Got ya! While looking at some products at home I discovered a bottle of the Design essentials leave in. Would this be equal to the Joico Detangler or do you prefer the Joico instead?

    ReplyDelete
  28. Yes, you are correct! The Design Essentials HCO Leave-in can be used in place of the Joico Detangler. However, the Joico detangler has higher quality ingredients and less silicones than the Design Essentials Leave-in. When you run out of Design Essentials, then definitely pick up the Joico. Or use some of both until you use up all the Design Essentials.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Alright I want to stick with the best so I got the Joico today! You mentioned that the Aquage shine has no healthy benefits....Is there something else that you like for shine that does?

    ReplyDelete
  30. Shine should come naturally with a sealed cuticle and healthy hair, but the Chi Shine Infusion seems to deliver a healthier, lightweight shine for those with relaxed hair who need more shine enhancement.

    ReplyDelete
  31. I really have been thinking about your question why do I relax my hair...I've decided to go natural because usually my hair turns out over processed. My hair is so soft, thin and fine that I think the relaxers are just to strong. The other day my hair was straighten and he said my hair looked similar to Asian hair. I think i'm going to keep roller setting it but as it's grows out I will touch up the roots with a curling iron and maybe just roller set and do buns at times. I really not into the"natural" look so hopefully this won't be to much stress on my hair. Any tips for me going natural would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all your help, you really have been a blessing.

    P.S. I love the Joico humidity block...it's great!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Also I have updated my profile so now you can see me and my hair!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Hi Chenoe123! Thank you for sharing your picture and kind words! You are very welcome! I am glad to help! As far as keeping natural hair straight, my latest "press and curl article" can be used in moderation as you grow out the relaxer. Love your hair picture!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
  34. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  35. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  36. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete