Benita's Favorite Hair Products of 2015

First of all, anything on my 2014 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
Abba Moisture Shampoo (Great for transitioning from relaxer to natural!)

Favorite Deep Red/Burgundy Semi-permanent Haircolor
Colaura by Design Essentials' color name: Passion

Favorite Extra Cleansing Shampoo
Paul Mitchell Shampoo one

Favorite Cleansing Conditioner after Semi-permanent color application
Straight Request Power K77

Favorite Loose Natural Hair Haircolor
Beth Minardi Cream Demi-permanent Haircolor with 5 volume developer

Favorite Scalp Refresher Spray
Heritage Store Rosewater & Glycerin

Favorite Clarifying Shampoo after lightener/bleach service
Naked by Essations Detox shampoo

Favorite Color Sealer
Abba Color Protection Conditioner (pH: 2.5 - 3)

Favorite Color Alert Neutralizing Shampoo
Isoplus Neutralizing Shampoo and Conditioner

Favorite Kiddie Relaxer
ORS Olive Oil Girls

Favorite Jamaican Black Castor Oil Spray
Tropical Roots Jamaican Black Castor Oil Spray (light enough to use on fine hair, pre-blended with other oils for a subtle aroma)

Favorite conditioner with heat protection built in
Shea Moisture Professional Keravega Monoi Oil Complex Smooth Finish Conditioner

Favorite Gray Cover-up Temporary Solution
Color Wow Root Cover Up powder compact

Favorite Crochet Braid Removal Spray
Hawaiian Silky 14-in-1 Miracle Worker

Favorite Pre-Relaxer Scalp Protector
Syntonics Comfort Gel

Favorite Balayage Foil
Sunlights' The Balay Wrap

Favorite Hair Masque
Avlon Affirm MoisturRight Hair Repair Masque

Favorite Wig Detangler
HairUWear All Day Softness Leave-in Conditioner

Favorite Lightweight Foam for Relaxed, Fine Hair
Jane Carter Solution Wrap And Roll

Many products from my 2014 list are still my favorites as far as haircoloring is concerned.  So if you are going Christmas shopping or Black Friday shopping - print out this list as well as the 2014 version 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.

Fresh Twist-Out at Three Years Three Months

Three Years 3 months Sisterlocks Loc-Versary Twist out.

Free Flowing!

Below shoulder length.

Tropical Roots Jamaican Black Castor Oil spray and Foam was used as my setting agent. Around 320 locs - self maintained.

My Texture Unleashed

Styling Agent:  Tropical Roots Moisturizing Sculpting Foam (digital camera picture)

PureologyVolume Shampoo, Abba Moisture Shampoo, No conditioner, No oils! (cameraphone picture)

Goal:  Texture, Volume and Hold!

May 2015 Honorable Mentions

 I still have a lot more to discuss than what is in this article, but I needed to start somewhere so here it is!  This article is the honorable mentions to keep you updated on such things as the My Honey Child brand changing their labelling as well as increasing the size of the Sophia's Old Fashioned Hair Grease.  Please see another article on this blog for the old packaging and size.

I bought this newest Tropical Roots product at the Taliah Waajid's World Natural Hair Show. Jamaican Black Castor Oil. The Tropical Roots line is about double in size now. All the components are definitely starting to show up the East Coast stores.  Remember, I originally brought this line back from my So Cal trip earlier this year 2015.

 More Good news:  the Clairol Advanced Gray Solution now comes in warmer undertones.  In their initial offering, only ash undertones were available which sometimes bleed green on lighter colored ends.  I am so happy for the new Expresso Bean and Rich Walnut colors!!!!

 Back from the World Natural Hair Show, the Magic Twist sponge. It was a fraction of cost of the original Nu Dred sponge, and according to reviews, it works, but they say this sponge is not as durable as the NuDred sponge is.

 I am ready to try it out on some short natural hair.  The barber shops do benefit the most from this "sponge rub" styling.

I have been loving this Shea Moisture Professional Vibrant Color Conditioner.  It is great aromatherapy.  The hair smells fresh,  and the whole salon smells sweeter  with each use. I wished that I had tried the conditioner before attending the Natural Hair Show.  I could have stocked up!!!

Loc Wet Set using Tropical Roots Moisturizing Foam

Curls plus updo seems to be my new "fly" look as one of my clients called it.  Laughing out loud.

 Bronner Brothers has now added a clarifying shampoo, conditioner, and Moisturizing Foam to their Tropical Roots product line.  The shampoo and conditioner was not as important to me as the styling foam.  I had the Taliah Waajid Crinkles and Curls foam in my inventory, but I was still looking for another foam option for natural hair.  I like this new foam because it seems more hydrating compared to the Crinkles and Curls.

I used the plait and tuck setting technique throughout my head.  It delivers great texture and volume. Updos are going to last longer than wearing my locs down.  I am so excited about my loc length.  Ultra  curly is my new friend for finger teasing to get volume.

I brought some of this foam back from my California trip.  This foam is not even in most of the stores yet.  However, if you are ready to try it, I am selling them for $5 a piece.  I wanted to pass the savings on to you!