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!!!!!

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!!!!!

Product Review: Joico Bio-advanced Restorative Treatment

This Joico K-pak Revitaluxe Bio-advanced Restorative Treatment is quite aggressive in protein deposit.  Without any heat and only a quick instant massage through the ends seems to be overkill in natural and relaxed African American hairtypes.  It seemed to cause some dryness to the hair using alone so I do suggest following up with a moisturizing conditioner without protein to balance it out.

Those with "oily hair" and receiving highlighting on a regular basis may find it a good monthly treatment that is quick and can be done in the shower.

As far as ingredients are concerned, the fifth ingredient is propylene glycol.  The second ingredient is glycerin.    Toward the end of the ingredient list is sodium hydroxide.  Overall, the ingredients are half good and half bad.  It will not be re-purchasing this treatment.  The store manager recommended it, but it is just not the best fit for my clientele.

Joico Blowdry Spray: Reduce Drying Time

Joico K-pak Quadraion Blowdry Spray claims to reduce blowdry time.  Well, when using an ionic blow-dryer, I can testify that it certainly does! I believe that Joico makes an ionic blow dryer that they suggest to use with this blowdry spray, but even with my Turbo Power twin turbo ionic blow dryer, I did cut my drying time down.  This blowdry spray does have silicone in the spray so I made sure that all of my "healthier" leave-in conditioners were distributed into the hair first, then sealed the hair with a generous amount of this spray as I sectioned off and blowdried.  Results:  Shiny, silky hair with a lot of body.

Wet wrap Regimen for short relaxed hair

Lately, I have been very successful with styling short cuts by using the combination of products pictured.

1) Spray Joico Leave-in Detangler through out hair and comb through. 2) I have been using the "Freddie J" inspired molding pattern. Please see separate blog article on hair artist Freddie J "Breaking the mold Dvd." 3)I would then use two palm full of Paul Mitchell Sculpting lotion distributed. 4) Next apply Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam distributed making sure that the hair is molded flat. 5) Use the "wrap styling strips" to hold hair down around the perimeter. I believe Freddie J's dvd that I mentioned in step 2 above has a professional way of using two styling strips for a secure placement. 6) Upon drying completely, you can use Bee Mine Products "Hair and scalp moisturizer" and a large paddle brush to loosen up the hold. (I may experiment with a few more other lightweight oils in the future just to have other options.) 7)Also, distributing some Kayvel Curl Wave sparingly helps with your marcel iron curling. Remember to brush the mold to loosen it up! It will be soft when you release the "temporary" product hold.

Final Results: Soft to touch shiny hair with a firm hold without it being crunchy.

The Press and Curl Regimen to beat the HEAT!

The Summer Heat is on, and the only "Afro Circus" that you want to see is probably in the latest Madagascar III movie! (Loved it!!! in 3D! :)

On a more serious note . . . Are you all natural and want a press and curl service that will beat the heat?

I have been tweaking this regimen for years! This one is the best one yet!!!!!

Tools needed: Kizure Pressing Comb, pressing pad (optional), paddle brush, Marcel curling iron and stove.

Products needed: KeraCare 1st Lather sulfate-free shampoo, Bee Mine Botanical Moisturizing Shampoo, Mizani Moistufuse conditioner, Chi Silkeratin17 treatment, Joico Detangling Leave-in, Pureology SuperSmooth Elixir, Kayvel Creme Press, and Kayvel Curling Wave.

Technique: 1) Shampoo with KeraCare 1st Lather Sulfate-free shampoo once or twice if hair is extremely oily from a hot oil treatment, etc. 2) Shampoo with Bee Mine Botanical Moisturizing Shampoo two or three times until hair feels soft. 3) Towel blot the hair and generously apply the Mizani Moistufuse conditioner through out the hair. Comb the Moistufuse conditioner through the hair. Spray the Chi Silkeratin17 fortifying treatment through the hair layering the treatment on top of the Moistufuse conditioner. Comb through and apply the Silkeratin17 everywhere that the comb is catching in the hair. As soon as you are completely detangled from the Chi and Mizani cocktail, then sit under the platform dryer for about 15 minutes. Not much longer because most of your work is already done . . . you detangled before going under the dryer remember? 4) Rinse the treatment out and apply your two leave-in conditioners for your blow-dry service. (Joico Leave-in detangler and Pureology Supersmooth Elixir) Comb through to distribute evenly. 5) Blowdry completely, start warming up the pressing comb, and then apply your Kayvel creme press. Distribute a nickel size amount emulsified in your hands trhoughout the hair, and that is all that you need. Comb the creme press to finish even distribution through the hair. 6) Test the pressing comb to make sure it is not too hot. Grab your pressing pad if you have one. Soft press the hair all over with pressing comb and pressing pad if your comb is starting to cool down on lengthy hair. The hair should be manageable by combing through without being bone straight. Warm up your marcel irons. 7) Comb the hair into a ponytail. If there are any extremely uneven ends, clip some of the hair ends off. Apply your a nickel size of Kayvel Curl wave emulsified in your hands throughout the hair. Comb through for even distribution 8)Test your marcel iron. Begin curling your hair and clipping the curls down until they cool down.

Then voila - your core press and curl is complete! If you need smoother edges, then decide if you need a temple pressing comb (small pressing comb) or just some smooth edge styling aids.

Results: Soft, straight hair without the grease! Very humidity resistant too!

Let me know how you like this technique and product selection!!!!

Keratin Treatment Alternative to try first!

I believe the price of keratin treatments have come down, but please consider spending $175 on the following products to achieve healthier hair and similar styling finish.

1) KeraCare 1st Lather Shampoo or any clarifying shampoo. 2) Pureology Nanoworks shampoo (luxury line - $55 for this one bottle, but worth it!) 3) Pureology Supersmooth condition (skip this conditioning step- if you have fine hair. The luxury shampoo has conditioner in it.) 4) Spray a generous amount of the Joico Leave-in detangler and distribute a small amount of the Pureology elixir for slip. Blow-dry. You should achieve a nice straightness. Then use Pureology Shinemax sparingly throughout and touch up any areas with a curling iron. Follow with Aquage Beyond Shine spray to tame any flyways! By the third try at this, your hair should be improving in health without all the flat ironing . . .