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!!!!!

Relaxer and Roller Set Success in November 2015

Hair by Benita Blocker

(Relaxer and roller set, NO Extensions)

Hair by Benita Blocker

(Relaxer and Roller Set, NO Extensions!)

Both of these clients are on the Paul Mitchell relaxer system.  I now use color alert neutralizing shampoos as a part of the neutralizing process.  As I mentioned in a previous article on this blog, my salon water tested to be more alkaline in pH so I am now allowing the final neutralizing shampoo lather to sit undisturbed for five minutes to make sure the pH of the hair normalizes back closer to its acidic level.

Styling aid for coarser hair:  Nairobi setting lotion with Tropical Roots Jamaican Black Castor Oil spray.
Styling aid for fine hair: Jane Carter Solutions Wrap and Roll foam

Hair by Benita Blocker

(Two weeks post relaxer)

This client in the pink top is relaxed with the VitalePro High Comfort Regular Relaxer.  Her hair is naturally gray. Nairobi Setting Lotion (from concentrate) was used to roller set this client.

Nairobi Hair Care Line Shows Inconsistencies

So the Nairobi customer service agent who had an Asian accent says it is normal for their products to vary in  color and consistency.  So my inquiry about the product performance will be disregarded.  She says that they have had no complaints about their product.  Although, one of the local distributors, to my recollection, did mention returning some bottles recently because of the white "syrup" look of the product.  However, the customer service agent denies any knowledge of any complaints. They suggest stirring or shaking the products up before using.

The bottle on the left was manufactured in 2014.  The bottle on the right was manufactured in 2015.  The same Nairobi customer service agent says their products do not expire.  Wow!  That is scary.  No expiration date.

• Inconsistencies in color and composition
• No expiration dates
• Cynical Customer Service

I personally do not feel comfortable purchasing the Nairobi line anymore.  I will be working on finding a replacement for their styling agents. 

Benita's Favorite Hair Products of 2014

First of all, anything on my 2013 List from December of last year that I still love will NOT be repeated on this list.  So let's get started!

Favorite Shampoo made with Quinoa
Abba Moisture Shampoo

Favorite Hairspray for straighening hair
L'Oreal Paris Elnett Satin- Extra Strong Hold

Favorite Firm Hairspray for holding curls without stickiness
Joico JoiMist Firm Finishing Spray (Hold 9)

Favorite Clear Shine Semi-permanent Haircolor
Dudley Blank Clear

Favorite Blue/Black Semi-permanent Haircolor
Nairobi TruColors Indigo (#2)

Favorite Natural Dark Brown Semi-permanent Haircolor
Affirm MoisturColor 2N

Favorite Light Brown Demi-Permanent Haircolor for Same Day of Relaxer
Beth Minardi Liquid Demi-Permanent Haircolor (acidic/liquid only)

Favorite Color Sealer
French Perm Stabilizer Plus Conditioner (pH 2.5)

Favorite Final Neutralizing Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Shampoo Two  (always on hand in case regular neutralizing shampoo does not wash out all the grease/oil from the relaxer service)

Favorite Moisturizing Conditioner with heat
KeraCare Humecto

Favorite Moisturizing Conditioner withOUT heat
Uans Crema

Favorite smooth edging gel
Design Essentials Natural Honey and Shea Edge Tamer

Favorite Gray Cover-up Temporary Solution
Roux T'ween Time Stick

Favorite Volume Shampoo/Volume Conditioner
Pureology Volume

Favorite Color Indicator Conditioner
NuExpressions 10 in 1 Conditioner

Favorite Luxury Shampoo
Pureology Nanoworks

Favorite Foil for Highlights
Sanek See-Thru Premium Professional Foil

Favorite Violet Conditioner
AG Sterling Silver Conditioner

Favorite Dry Set Twistout Cocktail for Natural Hair
Mizani Moisture Stretch
layered with
Mizani Perfect Curls


NOTE:  Most of my clientele still receive relaxers and/or permanent Haircolor.  In addition, I use the same high quality hair care products on my small but growing loc clients.

Nairobi Tru Colors has a New Shade!

Nairobi Tru Colors, a semi-permanent color line, added a Bombshell Dark Brown color #3-D to their collection.  It has a neutral base and reminds me of a milk chocolate color.

I prefer when this color line is thick versus runny.  I have had a distributor sell me color with a runny consistency, and I discontinued using the line because of this inconsistency.  The distributor later mentioned that I should let him know if I prefer the thicker consistency over the runny one - that way, he can pull it for me.

In my head, I am thinking - really? There should be some sort of quality control. There should be some sort of consistency in how the product should be.  Why sell hairstylists inferior products because they do not know  how thick or thin the product should be to achieve optimum results with their clients?

Anyway, the size of the Tru Colors bottle allows you to get several uses out of it so I prefer to buy the blue/black/Indigo color from Nairobi.  I do not have many clients who want the blue/black color, but it is the best option for semi-permanent hair color for those clients who do.

My One year and Seven months Lock-versary!

Today is another Lock anniversary.  It is one year and seven months so I added a red brown rinse and performed a perm rod set. My locks that still have relaxer processing in it seemed to have lightened up from the sunlight or because I condition a lot less so I wanted to take advantage of this color change by depositing more color.  I used a Nairobi Mahogney Semi-permanent TruColor. I may use a colored shampoo to maintain the color change.  I will also need to make sure that I do not have lint or product starting to cling.  So I will have to keep everyone posted on this color rinse change.

 I did not use any clippies for my styling.  I did use a LOT of Lottabody setting lotion and a little hairspray.

 Drying time was still at least two hours because I did not retighten the roots.  Surprisingly, the 3.5 hours that it takes to re-tighten my roots allows the locks to dry.  So by skipping the re-tightening did not save me any significant service time.

I was feeling a little "abstract" here.  I twisted one side up and left one side down.  This picture was the week before this most recent lock-versary.

Roller Sets Still Rule in 2014

 Hair By Benita Blocker. Applebaum Salon.  December 2013/January 2014.  New Year's Eve Roller Set!

• Vitale Pro High Comfort Relaxer touch-up -Check!
• Trim- Check!
• Nairobi Setting Lotion and Nairobi Foam - Check!
• Red Mesh Roller Set - Check!
• One hour dryer time - Check!

There are no hair extensions.  Color highlights completed by Master Hairstylist Benita Blocker on a separate visit.

Wet sets/Roller sets rule for relaxed tresses!

Figure Eight Hair Lacer Set on Relaxed Hair

 Hair by Benita Blocker.  This is  a figure eight (8) Lacer Set on Relaxed Hair.  We just completed the VitalePro High Comfort Relaxer.

I used Nairobi Setting Lotion and Foam for the setting agent.  I used mini-bobby pins and end papers to hold the hair around the hair lacer loops.

I placed the lacers in a brick lay pattern in order to finger through them and hide all the partings.  I finger teased the front hair at the roots to give the client a bob look.

Those with locs can also achieve this pattern.  It looks like a zig zag when unwrapped from the lacers.

Hair can also be elongated into a wave pattern by blow drying and finger stretching the zig zag set.

Hair by Benita Blocker.

Semi-permanent haircolor: The Clear Choice

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All semi-permanent haircolor are not equal.  I have found the Dudley's "Blank Clear" of their Fantastic Colors Conditioning Haircolor is my first and top choice for shiny hair.  Hands down.

When comparing it to the Nairobi Tru Colors' "Clear Gloss," the Dudley's gloss is crystal clear and absorbs quickly into the hair.  The Nairobi clear gloss is cloudy looking and seems to coat the hair versus absorb into it.

When charging extra for this clear color bath, the Nairobi clear gloss did not deliver dramatic results.  Whereas the Dudley's clear gloss, people are willing to pay extra after just one trial service.

Dudley's is the clear choice for semi-permanent conditioning haircolor.

Safe Gray coverage on relaxed, type 4, resistant hair

As promised, a healthy solution to gray coverage on resistant, relaxed, type 4 hair. Also, those who have color allergies, consider this semi-permanent hair color option.

As stated in my previous article, gray hair /white hair is missing all colors. So all the primary colors need to be added back into it in order to get coverage and allow for the colors to cancel each other according to color theory.

I have chosen Nairobi TruColors Semi-permanent color for its intense pigment deposit. Also, they have a professional coloring guide to follow. In order to create a "Cognac" light brown color, I had to mix #4 Mahogany (reddish brown) with Marigold (yellow gold) as well as #2 Indigio (blue black). The percentage is mostly Mahogany followed by Marigold then Indigio as needed. Test the color mixture on a white paper towel, and you are ready to apply to resistant White hair.

There is no peroxide. There is no mixing with any activator nor lotion.

Dudley's Semi-permanent color line could also be used. I do not know the corresponding color names to achieve the same light brown color, but I do know that their semi-permanent haircolor does deposit a lot of color pigment as well.

For those who want Black semi-permanent color on their resistant, relaxed white hair but have found that the Nairobi color #1 Pure Black semi permanent haircolor only stains the hair. I am going to suggest using all three semi-permanent colors to cancel each other out therefore going dark. When you add medium heat, you should get a black color to deposit.

The individual bottles of Nairobi Tru Colors semi-permanent haircolor work great on pre-lightened hair such as bleached hair or on "sun kissed" hair. However, if you are fighting gray hair and need a corporate neutral black or brown, a medley of color bottles may need to be used.

The Color Bath: Benita Blocker's version

Hair by Benita Blocker. As promised, pictured is my previously highlighted client with my version of the "new" color bath. I used Nairobi semi-permanent cocktail of Sierra Brown and Mahogany layered on top of my favorite moisturizing conditioner at this time. Heat processing was about 30 minutes.


The color rinsed out very easily and seemed to close the hair cuticle in order to give it a smoother finish. I used an all boar bristle round brush to distribute the hair's natural shine after rough drying it 70% dry.

The client had a lot of volume and movement in the hair. It was "blow in the wind" movement without being "blowing away in the wind." It was a healthy, weightless finish in which my client was very pleased with.

I also performed my version of the "natural black" color bath on a second client on the same work day. The final finish was phenomenal.

The clients are loving the new 2012 options, and I am too!

NOTE: I will try to add more pictures to this article as I can. All clients are receiving the traditional stove and marcel services. No flat irons.



February 4, 2012: Hair by Benita Blocker. I completed another color bath using the Nairobi Marigold semi-permanent color and the traditional stove and marcel. Marigold is "yellow-gold."

Also, the color baths should not be used to make damaged hair look healthier. The color baths are designed to enhance already healthy hair. So doing a color bath on dry, brittle hair can lock out moisture. The hair needs to be moisturized and healthy before sealing it with the direct dye from the color bath.

February 22, 2012:
Nairobi "pure black" semi-permanent color was used on my client with the black hair. It is a nice, natural, shiny black. Not jet black. Client had a wine colored permanent haircolor applied at home prior to getting the pure black color bath. I still do not recommend relaxer and permanent color with coarse, overcurly hair.

We will continue with moisturizing conditioners in order to keep the hair soft. My main goal is to showcase the true color of the "pure black" color.

Product Review: Nairobi Texturizing Styling Lotion

Nairobi Texturizing Styling Lotion is a concentrate. It has to be diluted with water to be used as a setting lotion. If the client has color-treated or highly porous hair, then use 4 to 5 parts water to 1 part of this concentrate. You do not want the hair to over absorb ("suck up") too much of this concentrate in its pure form or the client's hair may dry "hard as a rock." Hard hair can mean snap, crackle, and POP! (i.e. breakage from a roller set)

For a crunchy to firm roller set on normal, healthy hair, then 2 or 3 parts water to 1 part concentrate.

The rule of thumb, more water than concentrate.

I just started back using the setting lotions for the winter. I had an older bottle of the Nairobi texturizing styling lotion. I felt that it seemed weaker than what I remembered so I bought a fresh bottle. So professional of me right? Yes. As I suspected the old bottle that I had in storage had become more runny. Also, the consistency of the liquid was thinner and when shaken, the liquid produced much more foam as you can see from the picture.

Again, this proves that if you buy products on clearance, then only buy products that you have used before. That way you truly know if it is expired or not. Expiration dates are not posted on bottles in general. So if you are trying something new, ask about the product turnover at the store. If they are constantly restocking a product, then more than likely it is fresh product unless you are talking about some retailer like Walmart that can order a "ton" of something at a discounted bulk rate at one time then distribute out as needed throughout the whole year to its various different stores.

Anyway, this Nairobi lotion concentrate offers versatile usage depending on the amount of water added. This lotion is a good buy, and it delivers a nice shine!

Stylists: if you take an empty spray bottle, pour the concentrate to about a 20% point or one fifth point, then add water to the top. You should be "in business." Enjoy!