Classic and Creative Combined: ISSE 2015 Long Beach

International Salon and Spa Expo 2015 Long Beach, California

Sassoon Presentation

Chad Clark Presented the Bob to the Third Power

Ibiza Hair Blow Dry Presentation

Hairstyling Competition

Hairstyling Competition

Hairstyling Competition

 Ergo Blow Dry Presentation

Gigli and Massimo Italy Salon Furniture

This article is just a taste of the Long Beach Hair Expo.  Do you want to learn more?  I am offering a  three hour intense workshop in metro Charlotte, NC!

Curious if you should take this workshop?  Just answer these questions . . .

1) Are you still using the neck of your blow dryer to rest long hair as you round brush?

2)  Are you interested in some blow drying tips to assist in preventing carpel tunnel?

3)  Do you know how to use the tool pictured below?

4) Are you interested in a quick temporary root cover-up that will not smudge like the sprays and the crayons? (And no, it is NOT a mascara wand either!)

5) Do you need more guidance in bang positioning and bang haircuts?

6) Do you know how the West Coast market their hair services?

7) Want Cosmetic Makeup Application tips for those over age 50? 

8) Is the pH of tap water really 7.0?

9) Is a boar bristle brush really safer than a nylon bristle brush?

10) Want some brand names that are not sold locally?

Are you ready to learn these things and more?

For $100 in advance or $150 at the door, Sunday, February 22, 2015 from noon to 3 pm . . . you can get the knowledge you need for 2015 and beyond.  

Just contact Applebaum Salon, Huntersville, NC to register in advance or to get more details!  The class will be limited to 10 at a time. Invest in yourself to get some West Coast flavor! 

• Save on airplane flight to West Coast
• Save two days travel time
• Save on hotel stays
• Save on luggage check-in fees
• Save on taxi fares
• Save on Expo registration

What are you thinking about?  Register NOW by contacting Applebaum Salon or Master Cosmetologist Benita Blocker!

Loc Start, Loc Care, Loc Repair

Master Loctician and Master Cosmetologist:  Benita Blocker

Licensed in California, Georgia, North Carolina

Applebaum Salon is headquartered in metro Charlotte, NC.

Video Tutorials at ReelLife channel on YouTube

Services: Relaxers, Extensions, Haircut, Haircolor, Consultations

Thanks for following me!

Headband Updo on Medium Length Locs

I am two days away from my two years six months Sisterlocks anniversary.

This video tutorial includes

1. Wet setting agent
2. Plait and tuck technique
3. Headband updo
4. Finger combing
5. Finger teasing
6. Finger raking

Enjoy!

Using a Headband to Create a Loose Updo

 I still have some texture in my locs from the last wet set that I performed plus securing my ends at night.  My locs are two years and five months old.  I am approaching another loc-versary within another week.

 The headband that I used was black in color, but it was packaged with this headband.  Notice all the ends of the headband are either square or blunt.

 The headband is easy to unassemble and reassemble.  It is not stressful on the locs.  The headbands seem to be made of a lightweight plastic. I do not remember how many years ago that I may have purchased this set of headbands, but I am so happy that I held on to them.

 I love the profile of this partial updo. It can work for casual as well as formal occasions.  I consider my locs medium length.  I had a bob cut prior to my start of locs so my front locs were definitely longer that my back locs.

I have a lot of new growth at my scalp area in the back, and I did not concentrate on a clean parting. Maybe next time!

I really enjoyed my partial updo because it was quick, cute, and stress-free. I believe that you need some curls or texture in the locs to assist the headband with form and shape.  So wet set or dry set prior to trying any updo.

Hair Consultations: January 2015 Southern California

I have been away for about five years, but I will be returning to SoCal for two days:  January 25th and January 26th of 2015.  I have been licensed in California as a cosmetologist for over five years.  I am already booking hair consultation appointments for two days only.  Hair consultations are free for up to 15 minutes.  Natural hair, locs, relaxed hair are all welcomed.

Ready for some new hair ideas based on your curl pattern?  Ready for some product or technique suggestions?  Ready to be a part of my West Coast family?  Ready to meet me?

Just contact Benita Blocker or Applebaum Salon for a consultation in the Southern California (Long Beach) area!

NOTE: I started booking those who have previously written me prior to this posting. But No worries!  I still have some slots left!

I look forward to meeting you!!!

Vertical Roller Set by Benita Blocker

Hair by Benita Blocker

This look was created with all rollers facing toward the back of the head.  Some are overdirected, but all the side rollers were placed vertically.  My client is relaxed and highlighted so wet sets are the best option for her to maintain a healthy length.

Relaxer:  Vitale Pro High Comfort Regular (every 8 weeks)
Setting Agent:   Jane Carter Solution Wrap N Roll

Other wet set options:  Lacer set, Flat Twists, Deep Waver set.

I love it when clients capture their hair looking fabulous days after leaving the salon.

Wet Set: Two Years and Five and Half Months

 I decided to use the second technique that I mentioned in my YouTube video titled "Half Shoelace Knot." I plaited and tucked all over my head.  I also used the Dark and Lovely Au Naturale Curl Defining Creme Glaze to set my locs.  It smelled great, but it did not feel as hydrating as the Design Essentials Honey Curlforming Custard.

On a separate note, I noticed that by using the curl cream products to wet set my locs caused my shampoo span to shorten. I usually can push six weeks between shampoos because I have a normal scalp.  I do not have any scalp issues so I never had to shampoo weekly -ever. There is nothing wrong with people who shampoo daily, weekly, or whenever.  Each to his own as far as shampooing, but when my scalp starts feeling too itchy, then I know that it is time to shampoo.

It was at a three week point that I needed to shampoo this time.  So the curl creams must be attracting more dirt from the air.  My locs started weighing heavier than usual; so, an earlier than expected shampoo was necessary.

I decided to play with styling options with my wavy set.  I am definitely going to do this setting technique again along with the Design Essentials Honey Curlforming Custard in the future.  It is a plait with a underlay tuck.

You can still see my compacted new growth in this picture.  My resistant hair naturally likes to stay close to home. (i.e. my scalp)  It gives me density, fullness, and volume.  Loving it!

Wet Length Check-in: Two Years and 5.5 months

Every loc I own and groom based on its own identity. Self tightening is on-going, but I know that my locs will support each other without worry.  I am not focused on well manicured locs.

I am not focused on consistent form.  Our natural hair does not have a consistent surface if we examine a strand of hair.  I say all of this to say that when it comes to loc maintanence, each to his own.  I am going to do me, and let others do them.  I am now two years and five and half months Sisterlocked.  I have been maintaining my locs for most of the time that I have had locs, and I could not be happier.  Hand interlocking works for me.

People love to see the locs gaining length, and so do I!  These wet check-in's are great!!!!

I am looking forward to my five year anniversary.  It will be twice this length. The shrinkage when it is dry will not make a difference anymore. The shrinkage does not bother me, but most people love seeing the length.

My back length is shoulder length or a little below. Black collars and Black turtlenecks are my best friends because they give the illusion of a solid bob.

I used the Colorproof Volume shampoo to deep clean because it felt soiled.  It cleansed fine.  I tell everyone about my wet set final styling in a future article soon.

Hand Interlocking on Sisterlocks

This YouTube tutorial covers

• Hand interlocking using two hands
• Hand interlocking using one hands
• Gaining length by locking natural hair
• The terminology of hair popping
• The originality of locs based on one's individual hair texture
• When is it safe to cut off buds off the end of Sisterlocks

My Sisterlocks are two years and five and half months old.

Shrinkage: 24 inch Kinky equals 11 inches

More and More people are buying kinky textured human hair at $200 a bundle, but disappointed in the length of it when it arrives.  Pictured above is 24" Kinky Bulk Freetress Equal synthetic hair. (24 inches)

When I measure the 24 inch hair bundle, it measures about 12 inches.  So for everyone ordering Peruvian Kinky or any other type of kinky hair, if you want 16 inches length then you need to order 32 inch length.

If you order 16 inch length, then expect 8" to 10" lengths to arrive.  Shrinkage accounts for the other half of the length.

We have come a long way from Chris Rock's movie "Good Hair" in 2009.  They could not give away kinky weave five or six years ago.  Now, people are buying it for $200.00 a bundle.  Amazing.

Relaxed Hair: Conventional Marcel Ironing

Hair by Benita Blocker, January 2015. 

 My client was relaxed using the Paul Mitchell relaxer system.  I used the conventional stove and marcel irons for the for final look.

Hair by Benita Blocker, January 2015.

I refreshed her bang with a cut and trimmed her hair along the perimeter. The relaxer touch-up service left a slight bit of texture to her hair allowing for a healthy blow-dry and marcel iron styling.

Natural hairstyling: Two Strand Individual Twists

Hair by Benita Blocker.   I used Design Essentials Honey Curlforming Custard to complete these two strand individual twists. This wet set is also known as Double strand individual twists.  This is my client's natural curl pattern.

Hair by Benita Blocker.  I gave my client flat twists on both sides in the front with a Pompadour hump in the top.  This was a New Year 2015 natural hairstyle!

Happy New Year Everyone!