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

Monday, June 27, 2016

Revolutionary Relaxer Service News 2016



Relaxer Touch-up tips for Growing Long, Relaxed Hair:

  • Blot the hair dry 
  • Lift the client's head completely up from the shampoo bowl
  • Visually, check the nape and hairline areas for relaxer residue
  • Check neck of the shampoo bowl for relaxer residue
  • Use a color indicator solution to take the guesswork out of alkalinity
  • Check the neck towel for signs of alkalinity
  • Shampoo several times if needed
  • Never condition before shampooing when neutralizing
  • NOTE:  Squeaky clean hair does not mean the relaxer residue is completely washed away.
  • Make sure multiple shampooing does not dry out the hair.  
  • Use conditioning neutralizing solutions. (Two products are mentioned in this youTube video.)
This video shows akaline water tests.  Porous hair should have as much water removed as possible before the final neutralizing shampoo is completed.


Saturday, June 25, 2016

Wet Loc Check-in at 3 years 11 months

3 years 11 months old Sisterlocks Wet Length in the back.


My locs fall below the back of the styling chair now. Hooray!!!!  I typically part the back and lay both sides on my shoulder to frame my face.



Friday, June 24, 2016

Sisterlocks Anniversary at 3 years 11 months


So it's 3 years and 11 months with Sisterlocks! 

I had a client to come in for a makeover.  She said "I don't want to be that person who has the same hairstyle for their entire life.  She wanted a much shorter hairstyle.  

Well, I departed from relaxers in 2012. I definitely don't have the same hairstyle now or do I?  I am trying to achieve the same relaxed hairstyling with the Sisterlocks.  I am pretty darn close.  What do you think?



Monday, June 20, 2016

Starter Microlocs: Comb Coils Edition

My client had fine, resistant hair.  She decided on locs, and I decided on microlocs for her based on her curl pattern.

We loved it!!!!  (It took about 4 hours to part for long term style versatility.)

Starter microlocs by Benita Blocker.

Simply Royalty.

Custom Cut Reveal: The South African Haircut

Another summer haircut from medium long length to Short.

My client does not have a relaxer.  She maintains highlift haircolor.

We decided on a bob.  She did not want ponytail length.

The South African Haircut by Benita Blocker.

She can also wear her natural hair wet and wavy!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

Custom Cut Reveal: The Tonia II Haircut


Asymmetric Haircut a.k.a. "The Tonia II" by Benita Blocker.

This custom haircut was a transitional Haircut because the client had a long bob and wanted a new look.  This new look required me to take off 4 inches or more of length, but it gave her a side for flexible styling to be sassy or conservative based on her event needs.

She actually liked the lower maintenance of the shorter look so we performed a second haircut the next week to make the look more symmetric.

Going from Ponytail backup length to Active Play Length was a perfect Summertime Trial period!

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Locs, Fitness, and Love

Why am I so "bright eyed and bushy tailed?"  

"Cupid" keeps shooting arrows at me. Smile.  It is still too soon to know how real the relationship is destined to become.

However, this special person has prompted me to stick with lifestyle changes this year.

My fitness goals are in the forefront. No turning back now!




Sunday, June 5, 2016

Virgin Relaxer for the Summer

Virgin Relaxer and Gray coverage by Benita Blocker.


My client went a year and a half without a relaxer service.  With summer workouts, summer vacation, and summer events, she wanted more control.  It was time to straighten the shrinkage and cover the gray roots.

She gained incredible length getting demi-permanent haircolor as her only chemical for a year and a half.  We used Clairol Advanced Gray semi-permanent haircolor on the same day as the relaxer.

Hair By Benita Blocker. 

We used electric curling iron to complete her final styling.


Wednesday, June 1, 2016

Real Hair, Real Talk: The Real You!

All hair pictured are my actual clients.  Real Hair by Benita Blocker.
You can have your hair your way!

Hair falls into Four categories: 
  • Faux Natural (Relaxed)
  • Loose Natural
  • Locked Natural
  • Relaxed


Faux Natural:  My faux natural clients have relaxed hair, but they wet set in flat twists, perm rods, etc to give the illusion of natural hair.

Loose Natural: Everyone is born with Loose Natural hair.

Locked Natural:  Sisterlocked, Interlocked, Traditional locs, etc.  The loc nation is a part of my own personal hair journey.

Relaxed hair:  If it works for you, then no use in fixing anything that is not broken.

The Aging Process:  Gray hair can be resistant to coloring and taming in order to keep it straight.  As my clients are aging, some are becoming double processed.  Haircolor plus relaxer touch-ups can make the hair temperamental and vulnerable to breakage. As clients are entering the age 40+  category, they need to prepare themselves for a potential new set of hair rules.