Heavy Weight versus Lightweight Hair Accessories

One of these hair accessories weighs THREE times the other.  Can you guess which one?

Clip #1 by dcnl is very decorative and classy! (French Couture)

Clip #1 curves with the head.

Clip #1 weighs in at 3/4 ounces.  Almost a full ounce.  That's heavier than a letter in an envelope.

Clip #2 is the expandable ponytailer.  We have discussed this accessory a few times in past blog articles.

Clip #2 weighs in at 1/4 ounces.  It is barely there.

I discontinued use of Clip #1.  It is the weight of a bundle of hair extensions in one spot.  It is cute but overkill.  I do not think anyone needs that much weight in any one spot in one's head.

So Clip #1 weighs three times that of Clip #2.  Did you guess right?

Hot Rollers Review: Helen of Troy versus Babyliss Pro

I had two clients that I warmed up "hot rollers" to service over the last few weeks.  One needed a formal updo, but she was short on time.  The other wanted to re-curl her wig.  As much as I really liked the carrying case for the Babyliss Pro hot rollers, they did NOT pack much heat. They underperformed with both clients. 

The Helen of Troy rollers are metal, and you almost need a "finger protector" to sustain the heat of the rollers.  They curl the hair like a "hot iron."  I was too scared to use the Helen of Troy hot rollers  on the synthetic blend wig.  Hands down, the Helen of Troy hot rollers outperformed the Babyliss Pro hot rollers.

Both rollers are smooth.  The Babyliss Pro roller is more hollow, but I believe the plastic does not sustain the heat.  Ideally, I think the Helen of Troy metal hot rollers are overkill, and the Babyliss Pro rollers are underachievers.  I would love a hot roller set that fall in the middle of these two options.  Until then, I will stick with the Helen of Troy as my first choice.

Sisterlocks Check-in at 3 years 5 months

All my clients are starting to notice my Sisterlocks length at 3 years and 5 months.  Yes, it's my anniversary again!  I check-in every month. This is it!

I have a ton of hair accessories.  I pinning and clipping my front into partial updos.

I wet set my locs with perm rods three days prior to this little photo shoot.  I used the Lottabody Setting Lotion- the newest formula.  

I am still hand interlocking as needed and as I have time.  Life and Locs are all good!

Christmas 2015: Jesus is Reason for the Season

I finally picked up some great loc jewelry from the beauty supply stores!  

I had to bind about six Sisterlocks together to get the loc Jewelry to hold, but I had fun! Jesus is the reason for the Holiday Season!

And it is good to have a little hair fun too!  (Like the Raindeer bun!)

Happy Holidays from PhenomenalHairCare blog!

The Healthy Approach to Long, Relaxed Hair

Hair by Benita Blocker

My client is 3 weeks post relaxer.  She gets the Paul Mitchell relaxer every 3 months.  We used the MoisturRight Hair Repair Masque cocktailed with KeraCare Humecto conditioner under medium heat for 18 minutes. A Processing cap and a regular platform dryer was all that was needed.  No steamer.  

We used red, hard mesh rollers and Jane Carter Solution Wrap and Roll foam.  One hour drying time was enough to deliver the results pictured above.

My client loves to just let her curls fall naturally.

Extra Long Locs: Short Look Solution

It takes about 3 hours to set this look with Lottabody setting lotion. The curly results last for weeks in your locs after you get tired of wearing the short look.  You just bend the "long loc" at the one third mark and twirl up and back down and let the end of the loc rest in the bottom loop.

The short look is adorable!  A great change from the daily cascading ponytail.

Thank you to my client for sharing her loc wet set!

Low Maintanence Partial Loc Updo

December 2015

I am a little past due for a shampoo, but I believe the flash from the camera may have caused a "dusty" look!  I used the expandable ponytailer to assist with my bun.  I have discussed this hair accessory on this blog before.  http://phenomenalhair.blogspot.com/2011/11/tool-review-expandable-ponytailer.html

My Sisterlocks are 3 years and 4.5 months old.

No curls needed for this updo!   Yay!!

A Closer Look at Braidlocs

Braidlocs or 

Three strand twists plus interlocking

Interlocking can be used to achieve a well manicured loc look at the roots.

My client's curl pattern is a type 3. So even with my braiding with tension, her natural curl pattern re-adjusted the wide of the braids on their own.  We used perm rods and Tropical Roots Foam to dry set her hair.

With locs, how you start them does not matter, as they mature, they eventually transform into perfect locs. 

Often times if people have Sisterlocks or interlocks with too many loose ends, then I often recommend braiding the ends.   If you think about it, the braidlocs locking approach is in reverse order. 

My client will require a followup appointment to finish interlocking the back to achieve a well manicured look. Based on time constraints, we completed the core braiding with the intent to retighten roots at her followup appointment.

Fashion head Jewelry for the Holidays

Rhinestone head jewelry using comb attachments

The combs lay relatively flat.

It takes time to align the center of the headpiece in line with one's nose.

But I accomplished it!  A last minute glam up for my locs.

Holidays 2015

Yet Another Questionable Texture Release component

Avlon's Texture Release Thermal Protecting Mist

I decided to open this spray and discovered solid particles inside which I question if it is mold?  The batch code is 14F2704.  Outside of the shampoo that comes in the Texture Release kit, everything else has become instable.  I have documented another Avlon product with mold growth on this blog before.

http://phenomenalhair.blogspot.com/2012/03/keracare-intensive-restorative-masque.html

I am sure that Avlon wants the best for its customers, and I am sure they are desiring to correct any defects.

I just caution people to definitely pay attention to the Texture Release kit products.  I am convinced that the Texture Release launch has been a failure.

March 2016 Update:  The bottle contents started to smell.

This dark liquid came from this bottle.  In the trash it goes!

Virgin Relaxer Service on HighLift Hair

Hair by Benita Blocker

After three years of maintaining natural hair, this client decided to return to the "relaxed hair world."  I used a virgin application process and the Paul Mitchell relaxer.  I used the Paul Mitchell super strengthener in process treatment during the neutralizing phase for her highlift ends.  I used the Beth Minardi liquid demi-permanent color to tone her color and blend in any gray hair. The Naked Max Foam was used for flat wrap molding. I also used the electric curling irons to curl her hair.

Hair by Benita Blocker

Relaxed hair can be healthy hair.