Benita's Favorite Products of 2018

First of all, anything on my 2017 List from November of last year that I still love may NOT be repeated on this list.  So let's get started!

Favorite Tea Tree Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Lavender Mint Shampoo (It does have sulfates so it may not be friendly to colortreated hair.)

Favorite Smoothing System Maintenance Shampoo
Design Essentials STS Express Smoothing System Cleansing Sulfate Free Shampoo

Favorite Blow-Dry Priming Spray
Design Essentials Agave and Lavender Silk Press Moisturizing Blow-dry and Style Primer (Pictured above)

Favorite Multi-purpose Foam
Congo Perfecta Wrap-Set-Twist Foam (Pictured above)

Favorite Natural Hair Initial Hydration Spray for (L.O.C. Method)
The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Sweet Oil and Honey Endless Moisture Restorative Spray (pictured above)

Favorite Natural Hair Cream for (L. O. C. Method)
The Mane Choice Tropical Morings Sweet Oil and Honey Endless Moisture Sealing Cream (no extra oil necessary - step 2 and 3 in one - pictured above)

Favorite Loc Setting Lotion
Jamaican Mango and Lime Lock and Set Styling Lotion (pictured above)

Favorite White/Gray Toning Conditioner
AG Hair Cosmetics Colour Care Sterling Silver Conditioner (blue color complements Schwarzkopf's Color Save Silver (violet) Shampoo to give hints of purple and blue mix)

Favorite Blow Dry Creme
Colorproof HeatProof Anti-frizz Blow Dry Creme (pictured above)

Favorite Color Sealing  (low pH) Conditioner
Abba Color Protection Conditioner (pH 2.5 to 3)

Favorite Lightweight Hair and Scalp Dressing
Dudley's Hair and Scalp Conditioner Plus Vitamins A, D and E

Favorite Lightweight Hair and Scalp Glossifier
KeraCare Dry and Itchy Scalp Glossifier

Favorite Natural Hair "Sponge" Cream
The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa Sweet Oil and Honey Endless Moisture Sealing Cream

Favorite Natural Hair Sponge
Diane by Fromm


Many products from my previous lists of 2017, 2016 and 2015 are still my favorites.  So if you are going Christmas shopping or Black Friday shopping - print out this list as well as my 2015, 2016 and 2017 favorites list.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Benita's Favorite Products of 2017

First of all, anything on my 2016 List from November of last year that I still love will NOT be repeated on this list.  So let's get started!

Favorite Sulfate Free Tea Tree Shampoo
Straight Request Black Carbon 500 Sulfate Free Tea Tree Shampoo (Pictured above)

Favorite Temporary Hair Softening System
Syntonics Thermasoft (TM) Shampoo and Leave-in Protector (Pictured above)

Favorite "Edge Control" Foam
Influance It's Natural Honey Styling Foam (Pictured above)

Favorite Natural Hair Initial Hydration Spray for (L.O.C. Method)
Design Essentials Natural Coconut & Monoi Coconut Milk Leave-in Nourisher

Favorite Natural Hair Cream for (L.O. C. Method)
Design Essentials Natural Coconut & Monoi Deep Moisture Milk Souffle (make sure product is fresh, cautious of batch codes)

Favorite Moisturizing Conditioner
Straight Request Power K-60 Instant Conditioner ( Pictured Above)

Favorite Loc Setting Lotion
Design Essentials Natural Almond and Avocado Twist and Set Setting Lotion

Favorite Smoothing Conditioner
Joico Smooth Cure Conditioner (can be cocktailed or layered with a moisturizing conditioner)

Favorite Color Alert Neutralizing Shampoo
Nairobi Normalizing Shampoo

Favorite Brown Colored Shampoo
GemLites Fashion Color Care  Colorwash Color: Brown Diamond Sunbrown

Favorite Red Colored Shampoo
Celeb Luxury Fashion Color Care VIRAL EXTREME Red Colorwash

Favorite White/Gray Toning Conditioner
AG Hair Cosmetics Colour Care Sterling Silver Conditioner (purple/blue color)

Favorite Blow Dry Creme
Colorproof HeatProof Anti-frizz Blow Dry Creme

Favorite Soothing Neutralizing Shampoo
Syntonics Botanical Neutralizing Shampoo

Favorite Relaxer for Resistant Virgin Hair (one time use to get it straight)
Syntonics Botanical Conditioning Creme Relaxer (MILD not normal) using the virgin relaxer procedure.

Favorite Natural Hair "Wash and Go" Custard/Gel
Design Essentials Natural Honey Curl Forming Custard (Light/Clear/Yellowish color for best performance - sometimes product darkens and performance is questionable)

Favorite Lightweight Smoothing Serum
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Styling Treatment Oil



Many products from my previous lists of 2016 and 2015 are still my favorites.  So if you are going Christmas shopping or Black Friday shopping - print out this list as well as my 2015 and 2016 favorites list.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Transitioning from relaxed to natural

Hair by Benita Blocker

Styling Options for Transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair:

1) Wet Set Flattwists using Design Essentials Twist and Set Setting Lotion as seen in attached pictures.

2) Protective styling:  Crochet Braids, Sew-in's or regular braided styles

3) Sisterlocks, Interlocs, Locs

Transitioning to Natural

Flat Twist styling

Sisterlocks Anniversary: Four years ten months

Four years and ten months later, I have enough length to wash and go!

I use the L.O.C. regimen.

Liquid _Oil_Creme

Design Essentials  Coconut Monoi Line (Coconut Milk Leave-in Nourisher and Deep Moisture Milk Souffle) are a part of my Liquid and Creme.  I used the Design Essentials Hydrience Argan Hair Repair Oil Treatment for my Oil component.  The Coconut Monoi line is purchased from Sally's Beauty Supply.  I used this regimen after the shampoo and/or condition of my Sisterlocks.

I also have started carrying handbags versus shoulder bags.   My Sisterlocks kept getting trapped in the shoulder strap of my shoulder bags no matter how hard that I try to lift them off of it.  The stress and pull is not worth weakening my locs.

Sisterlocks Four years and Six Months Anniversary

Almost Four years and six months ago, I started my Sisterlocks journey.  The picture above is DAY two/three after my pipe cleaner set. I usually need about two nights before my roots fluff back up like I like them after a shampoo and set.

And to those followers who have stuck with me on this blog, THANK YOU!!!!

Another late night pipe cleaner set using Design Essentials Twist and Set Natural hair setting lotion.  It comes in a ready to spray bottle.

When my Sisterlocks are wet, they are at least armpit length in the back with my head upright. I usually need a couple of hours of dryer time to get my wet set almost dry.  It's definitely a four hour task. Also, I am on Instagram now. I post about my Herbalife weight loss results.  I am working on a few more beauty related articles. So until next time!

Benita's Favorite Products of 2016

First of all, anything on my 2015 List from November of last year that I still love will NOT be repeated on this list.  So let's get started!

Favorite Detangling Shampoo
ColorProof SuperRich Moisture Shampoo

Favorite Light Brown Semi-permanent Haircolor
Clairol Beautiful Collection Advanced Gray Solution color name: 6N Toasted Hazelnut

Favorite Weightless Shine Spray
Chi Shine Infusion

Favorite Hairspray for Thermal Straightening
Joico JoiMist Firm Hairspray

Favorite Roller set Foam
Congo Perfecta Wrap-Set-Twist Foam Lotion

Favorite Moisturizing Conditioner
Rucker Roots Moisturizing Conditioner

Favorite Loc Setting Lotion
Design Essentials Twist and Set Setting Lotion

Favorite Leave-in Repair Spray
Paul Mitchell Forever Blonde Dramatic Repair (use on wet hair)

Favorite Color Alert Neutralizing Shampoo
Elasta QP Stop Action Neutralizing Shampoo

Favorite Liquid Chalk Temporary Color
L'Oreal Technique Liquid Chalk colors: Pink Pop and Better Off Red

Favorite Synthetic Hair Moisturizer
Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Styling Butter

Favorite Loc Repair Aid
Invisible thread color: Smoke

Favorite Wet Gray Cover-up Temporary Solution

Roux Fanci-full Color Styling Mousse colors: 23 Frivilous Fawn and 12 Black Rage mixed together.

Favorite Moisturizing Semi-permanent Haircolor
Nairobi TruColors

Favorite Setting Lotion Concentrate
Design Essentials Masterpiece


Many products from my previous lists are still my favorites.  So if you are going Christmas shopping or Black Friday shopping - print out this list as well as the previous versions of my favorites list.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

Natural hair Wet Individual Twist Set

Combo Twist Set by Benita Blocker

BEFORE:  Pictured wet with Design Essentials Defining Creme Gel, I actually comb twisted most of the head.  I double strand twisted the crown/horseshoe area to allow the client to see the results of both wet set methods.

After 30 minutes of dryer time, the hair was ready to separate to become less scalpy.  Some people are welcomed to wear this pictured look as is, and then separate the individuals twists the following week. A client would need at least 2 to 3 inches of new growth to achieve the final full look.

Natural Hair versus Relaxed Hair: It is All Good!

Natural hair styling by Benita Blocker

This client received individual double strand twists throughout her full head using Design Essentials Honey curlforming custard.  We completed permanent haircoloring as well.

Fresh relaxer and trim service by Benita Blocker

This client has gained length while sticking with the Paul Mitchell relaxer system.  I use the Affirm neutralizing system in conjunction with the Paul Mitchell system to make sure no relaxer residue remains in the hair.  The client wants to continue gaining length so what you see is her length after I trimmed it.  If she wanted a cut, I would have taken an additional inch off.  Since she is a roller set client, curls hide a multitude of flaws.

My Loc Curls for CIAA 2016

3 years 7 months mature Sisterlocks

It's CIAA Week! (2016)

Loc Curls - 

Twisted with Design Essentials Masterpiece and curled with perm rods

Lovin' my loc curls and my liquid chalk color!

Loc Styling: The Making of Mardi Gras Masquerade Hair

It was Mardi Gras time again for The Crown Jewels (NC) chapter of the Links, Inc. I decided to wear my locs down this year!  It required advance planning to make my curly locs blend in with my straight hair "sistahs."  

I even picked out the perfect jewelry ensemble from my collection of rhinestone head jewelry.  I introduced the concept of Fashion Head jewelry in an article on this blog during the 2015 Holiday season.

I started with a fresh wet set using perm rods for more curl definition about four days prior to the event.  I twisted slices of my locs like the start of Bantu knots and then anchored them with a perm rods.  I used the Design Essentials Masterpiece setting lotion 1:1 mixture.

This Aldo cap became my new "bestie!" I took out all the perm rods and coiled the front top Sisterlocks to stay under my cap while the side and back hung down with minimal to no manipulation for three days up to the hour before the event.  My clients had probably never seen me working in a cap, but I was determined to have curls for my event.  

It was the best decision ever!  

I was a Goddess!

My Double Strand Twist Set on Sisterlocks

Loc Styling by Benita Blocker

I started this wet set like a braid out but with 2 strands instead of 3 strands, but I ended with three strands to hold it in place.  Then I just rolled and tucked.

My Sisterocks are approaching 3 years 6 months in another few weeks. The gain in loc length is undeniable.

I used the Design Essentials Masterpiece setting lotion in a 1 to 1 ratio of water. I also added some Jamaican Mango and Lime Island Oil to my Sisterlocks after they dried.

Deep Red: Gray Coverage on Relaxed Hair

Healthy Hair by Benita Blocker

Pictured is a Paul Mitchell relaxer service followed by Design Essentials Colaura Semi-Permanent hair color in Passion/Deep Red color.

The client was already reddish copper in  hair color with gray and white hair present as well. I had to apply hair color to the whole head from root to tip to make sure of even color distribution.  I used a brush application.  I conditioned the hair before applying this color because I performed a same day relaxer service.

I did not mix anything with this color.  I used 90% of the new 4 ounce bottle on one medium length, thick head of hair.  Areas of the client's hair that was more 100% gray/white, it had a little "flame" to it, but it was not bad at all.  As long as the hair is not parted in the slightly "flaming" area, then it all blended nicely with the styling.

Three Sisterlocks Styles in One

Almost two years and 11 months into my Sisterlocks journey.  I can achieve styling without much effort!

My Doobie look

My center part look!

I used the Hempz Vanilla Plum shampoo and conditioner.  I felt it was a little dry so I used the Design Essentials Nutriment to hydrate my scalp and locs.  I will probably shampoo again next week.  I have a few other shampoo samples to try out.  I also have been exercising more because of my weight loss competitions.  So the extra sweat and salt from the sweating has made me a little more sensitive to monitoring my locs.  So far so good, my locs shrink as usual when dry, but it's all good!

June 2015 Honorable Mentions: Sensitive Shelf Life

I purchased some more Bee Mine products this year.  I could have sworn the Curly Butter in Coconut Cream scent was the same color as the Luscious moisturizer in the same scent when it was shipped, but now, my Bee Mine Curly Butter looks "chocolate."  Anyone else experienced this?  It does not have a batch code on the bottom.  I will probably open it for personal use and hope that it still has some life left in it.

 On a separate note, the Bee Mine products website mentions a 3 to 4 months shelf life for the curly butter.  I will have to discontinue ordering because I do not have a strong enough demand to keep fresh product on hand.  I was wondering why one of my local natural beauty supply stores stopped carrying Bee Mine products. Their sensitive shelf life would probably be why.  I prefer for products to have at least 3 years of shelf life from the time that they are manufactured.  Anything less seems to be a waste especially when people are rotating through different product lines anyway.

I also had a Design Essentials edge gel manufactured in 2014 to dry out on me.  I keep the lid on the product when not in use, but I do not know how it dried out within a year or less.

I will start keeping this extra covering over it to see if the next jar stays fresh longer.

The batch codes are on the bottoms.

I like the Design Essentials Natural Honey and Shea Edge Tamer.

2015: Beauty Products are Always Changing!

Both of these jars are Design Essentials Honey Curlforming Custard.  Both are fresh product, and they both deliver the same performance according to the McBride Research representative.  So why the change in color?

The yellowish version was manufactured in 2015 and has an ingredient change. The clear version was manufactured in 2014.  I know- you thought one was old- right?  Imagine me the hairstylist having to investigate into the color change.  The beauty industry is a full time job to keep up with changes.

 Redken changed their packaging of their protein treatment Extreme CAT.  The ingredients list looks the same.

Marianna changed their packaging of their hair pins as well.

The old packaging had a Quality Control Check list on the bottom of the box.

The new packaging had no quality control checklist. I did not call the company, but it does make you wonder about whether or not the quality is the same.

Another Marianna box of bobby pins with Quality Control label/ checklist on the top of the box.

Design Essentials Smoothing System Revised

The new Design Essentials STS Express Strengthening Treatment shortens the steps of its original version.  You only have to blow-dry and flat iron once versus twice with the old system.  Also, the flat iron should be between 340 and 400 degrees.  The educators pounded "1-2-3 Smooth" into all of us.

Relaxed clients, natural clients, curlista's - all can benefit from the new smoothing treatment.  There are three different "Step 2's" to choose from.

Another hairstylist and I asked about using the marcel irons and pressing combs. The educator said that the direct heat from these tools would take the product back off of the hair.  So sealing the product with a flat iron is the only option.

They did not showcase a final style.  The class was to demo the smoothing treatment.  I didn't see much beveling of the ends.  So if you just want straight hair, this system should work great.   Please note that many of the hair classes as of late - no longer offer final styling.

On a separate note, this platform artist says "natural hair is not a trend; it is here to stay."

Star Struck at the 18th Annual World Natural Hair Show

Aevin Dugas is known for having the world's largest afro.

 April from vh1's Sorority Sister TV show came out to support the event.  She was not scheduled for any appearances, but I recognized her walking around, and she graciously agreed to take a picture with me.  I absolutely loved her on the Sorority Sister TV show.  She was the best dressed; had the best hair; smart, lively, theatrical, and one of the classiest divas of the show. I just loved her!!!!

 22" of natural hair weave by Curl Genetics.  Their longest length is 28 inches. The black hair is the model's own natural hair.  The brown color is the weave.  The company's focus is on texture.

Jane Carter Solution

Design Essentials

Taliah Waajid looked awesome in red.  I did not get a picture of her, 

but this was my first show attended of hers and I just loved it!!!!  I also had a lady to recognize me from my youTube liquid Chalk Tutorial.  I felt like a little celebrity.

A great day trip indeed!