Product Spoilage within two years

 Paraben free means no preservatives, but it also means that the shelf life is limited.  I am having to trash "half full" products because of product spoilage.

 This Bee Mine product was made in December 2011 based on the product code, but it started to smell rancid already.  I think one ingredient is probably spoiling the whole jar.  I really think that this jar is only one year old.  That's money down the drain.

 This KeraCare Natural Textures Hair Milk seems to spoil quickly as well.  The 2010 bottle is already separated and the smaller 2011 bottle that I just opened smelled spoiled from day one.  I know what it should smell like . . .

Again, with the 2011 bottle, it is probably one ingredient that is spoiling the whole bottle.  Just be careful when purchasing "paraben free."  You need to get your hands on it as close to the manufacture date and use it within a year!

Product Review: Silk Elements Straight Edges

Can you say straight edge HEAVEN????? My, My, My, My . . . this Silk Elements Straight Edges Edging gel had me at "hello!" No caking, No flaking, No buildup, and a friendly ingredient list including glycerin high on the list! Past due relaxer? no Problem! Non-greasy! Non-sticky! It is described as a fusion between a gel, pomade and wax.

Well after a day or so, the hold may disappear so remember the Luscious product by Bee Mine Products? You can use this Luscious cream moisturizer to reactivate the Edging Gel without re-applying the edging gel. You can thank one of my clients for assisting with this combination. I introduced both products to her, but never thought that one complemented the other. This may save a few more hairlines from being overprocessed with relaxer touch-ups!
Worried about price? Don't be! Sally's Beauty Supply sells the edging gel for about five US dollars. Now, the Bee Mine Products are more expensive. I retail the Bee Mine products in my salon, but you can also purchase online from Bee Mine Products.

Bee Mine Products Packaging Change

Both of these jar of Bee Mine Products Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizers have 8 ounces written on the packaging, but the size and shape of the jars have changed. So I decided to weigh each jar. Do you think that they weighed the same?

The results are "new packaging" weighs in at 10 ounces and "old packaging" weighs in at 10.25 ounces. The plastic or the label could be a factor in the weight difference, but it is no big deal to me! I believe International sales may have prompted the packaging change.

Achieving a Bedhead Look with a Salon Finish on Fine Hair

Hair by Benita Blocker, hairstylist. Many of my clients do not like too "fixed" in place hair. They want a great haircut and to be able to finger in place and go.

Hair by Benita Blocker, hairstylist. My client here has fine hair with a Type 4c curl pattern. We can not use any heavy sprays that would weight down the strands. Also, because of her overcurly texture, we must relax about every 6 to 7 weeks. The Paul Mitchell Mild relaxer is the strongest relaxer we can use. Because her strands are fine; the mild strength is a preferred choice. We also found that demi-permanent color is too strong for fine, relaxed hair. Fine hair should not be double processed. Relaxer and a "squeeze bottle, no mix" semi-permanent color is all that can be used.

Hair by Benita Blocker, hairstylist. My client loves style so we try to maintain a great shape. We used the traditional blow-dry and marcel irons to complete this style. At night, she can wrap and moisturize lightly with products like Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer. Unwrap in the morning and pick through.

Hair by Benita Blocker, hairstylist. We also used Paul Mitchell Extra Body Hairspray (light hold) to make sure she maintains volume as the weather is getting hotter.

Product Review: Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer

If you are looking for a good daily regimen, then Bee Mine Luscious is it! It is a lightweight cream souffle for the hair. I do NOT use it on my scalp. Just hair only. I massage it through my entire head of hair every morning before my shower. By the time that I am finished showering, my hair is moisturized but no longer moist to touch. NOTE: I do not have dry scalp; so I do not apply anything to my scalp.

Bee Mine Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer is a little wet, but only equivalent to a light mist of water. Within about 10 minutes, one should be safe to hot curl the hair if needed.

I believe my protein treatment followed by the Bee Mine Moisturizing Conditioner really reset my hair. I have been using the Luscious every day plus the curling iron on a setting of 1 (one) which is very low heat in order to re-bend my hair in the back.

Luscious is the only hairdressing that I used all week. My hair is very soft and not greasy. The daily use of the curling iron does not seem to damage my hair with the Luscious in it.

I absolutely love this hairdressing!

Day Five Followup on my Relaxer service

Well, it is day five, and I am still "bright eyed and bushy tail" over the True Indulgence relaxer system. Also, the cooler weather means I can start back wearing my cosmetic/makeup without sweating it all off! Yay!

So far, I still working on a nightly regimen of rolling my hair and deciding which daily hairdressing to use. Also, I will be peforming a protein treatment at my next shampoo because I am still using the curling iron in the back to get a tighter curl in my hair. Yes, this is a "no no," but I think the Profectiv MegaGrowth hairdressing is a little too heavy in oil and the Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer is a little too light and wet for the back. Then add the fact that I sleep on the back of my head with and without rollers some times . . . I am looking forward to growing it out long enough to bantu knot or pin curl. Also, I hope to get a regimen together by next week in order to quit using the curling iron.

On a separate note, Affirm relaxer system has been revamped. Nice new packaging and new healthier formula. I believe they still want you to use their KeraCare Strengthening Thermal Protector to ensure the integrity of the hair. I purchased the 5 in 1 Reconstructor as pictured. Notice the old packaging versus the new packaging? The ingredients are different as well.

I do not plan to purchase this relaxer system at this time. I am really, really content with the True Indulgence relaxer system. I am happy to know that Avlon did improve their Affirm relaxer system. Many people felt that the previous Affirm relaxer system was too agressive. I think the beauty industry is moving in the right direction again. This is great news!

Two Weeks Later: True Indulgence Relaxer

It is two weeks since my last True Indulgence Relaxer. I am still pleased with the results. I still have a little more texture in the back than I would like. It is easy to revert to frizz after sweating or if I use a water based hair moisturizer. I am still experimenting with daily hairdressing. I have tried Big Bad D's Stretch and Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer. I am in the process of trying Profectiv MegaGrowth Daily Anti-breakage Strengthener. By the way, Profectiv MegaGrowth is on sale at Sallys Beauty Supply for September 2011. Another lady with high lift color was using it to maintain her blonde. It seemed to work plus it is cheaper than the previous two products that I named. I don't mind paying a lot for a product, but if I can get good results for less . . . I definitely think it is worth evaluating. The Bee Mine Luscious Cream Moisturizer is organic, natural, and lightweight that I can use for hair or scalp. Profectiv MegaGrowth is mainly for my hair only. Big Bad D's stretch cream is heat activated so I will use only if I am touching up my style with the curling iron.

As you can see, I am still enjoying my hair. I am still trimming as needed. My goal is to hot iron only once a week. I have my fingers crossed. I have been sweating the roots out. Hopefully, I will get a good regimen down to share.