From 'Fro to Flow: Thermal straightening

We just finished the blow dry service which delivered a big 'fro a.k.a. afro.

She did not want to lose her natural texture so I used the Mizani Thermasmooth Serum and Anti-Humidity Spritz along with Kayvel Pressing creme.  If her hair was more fine, then I would have skipped the Kayvel Pressing Creme.  Some people have mentioned that the Kayvel can cause hair to become heat trained so I would use caution depending on the hair texture and long term goals of the client.

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Healthy Hair by Benita Blocker

Conventional stove and marcel iron made it flow.  It does not have the movement of a relaxer or a smoothing treatment, but it showcases a relaxed look without worrying about losing one's original texture.

My Baby Picture: A head full of hair!

I had my parents to bring my High School Senior yearbook into town.  My baby picture was posted in there along with other classmates.

I look adorable.  LOL! I had a teeny weany afro, and a head full of hair!  I also had a big forehead.  LOL! Some things never change.

I purposely covered my family member names from the photo ad to protect their privacy.  On a separate note, I think it is refreshing to reflect on what type of hair that we were born with.

Blue Ivy, Beyonce, and Hair

Photo credit:  www.theapod.com

Besides Rihanna's AMA Doobie hairstyle, Beyonce's Blue Ivy Carter has had a lot of talk about her fro.

Based on the natural curl patterns that both Beyonce and Jay Z both have according to my own photo evaluations,  Blue Ivy was destined to have a soft, overcurly curl pattern.  Granted, sometimes genes will skip generations, but Blue Ivy's fro looks to be a Type 3c  curl pattern which looks to be fine as far as texture is concerned.

I think that Beyonce is doing the best thing for Blue Ivy's hair . . . just let it grow and thicken and decide later whether to lock it, press it, or chemically alter it.

People have to remember Beyonce and Jay Z are trendsetters.  They lead.  The only advice they will probably listen to is from fan's comments of their music, clothes, or anything driving their net worth.

Blue Ivy's hair is not attached to any fan base at this time neither do they seem to be seeking any opinions on her hair.

Beyonce is focussed on her newly released digital album on itunes.  According to online news, Target stores may NOT carry this latest CD because it was released digitally before being released physically.  This news supposedly is not stopping Beyonce's fans from loving the new album.

Also, I want to make a note that Beyonce and Jay Z have been speculated to be a part of the Illuminati (secret society).  During Rihanna's performance at the AMA's, she did make a hand sign that people associate with the Illuminati.  Rihanna is also in Jay Z's music camp.  I believe there is something to the Illuminati theories.

Believe what you would like, but as far as Beyonce and Jay Z are concerned, I advise taking notes versus criticizing.  I think that they are definitely a family to follow.

2013 Texture Takeoff!

 Photos from Lucky Magazine, Februaury 2013 edition.

This picture was taken from one of my hair industry magazines.

A lot of Type 3b to Type 4a texture is being showcased everywhere.   How about ladies with type 4c, resistant hair?  I would love to see a broader spectrum of curl patterns or locks.

These women are beautiful, but I  have not seen my hair type yet in these fashion magazines.  Let us see how 2013 shapes up!

Curly Leave-in Conditioner for the Budget Conscious!

Working periodically with the elderly and others on a tight budget, I am sometimes asked about products that are less than $20 to purchase. So this Soft and Beautiful Botanicals Lite Creme Moisturizer costs about $4 and seems to work great on a customer that I met in Sallys Beauty Supply on her "ultra tightly coiled" shiny afro.

So for the "curly hair sistas" on a budget, try this lightweight leave-in conditioner for daily use! (And please give me feedback!)

Relaxer Service: From Afro to Straight

Fresh relaxer service with a cut! Hair by Benita Blocker
Type 4c hair can shrink 75%. We measured this hair to be over 3 inches long when stretched out!
Type 4c hair means extremely overcurly and maximum shrinkage. Pressing the hair would still be difficult to manage without chemical relaxation. We made sure that she had at least 3 inches of "new growth" before relaxing it. Anything under 3 inches will eventually overprocess with relaxer touchup services. So relaxing "the afro" prior to 3 inches of growth is not ideal. 3 inches is six months of growth. Say a seven month wait to allow for reshaping/trim after the relaxer.
Client received a virgin relaxer application, roller/wet set, flat iron, and cut. Client just came out of a full sew-in hairstyle, and we did not want the added stress of a full blow dry service after the relaxer process. Some of the ends were still slightly texturized after the relaxer; so flat ironing will be needed each time to finish her look. Some Texture in the hair is a good cushion for this hair type for future relaxer touchups. Hair by Benita Blocker.

9/5/2011 Update: I have posted another article called "Hair Growth: Five Months review." This particular article gives a more detailed journey of going from Afro to Straight. Honestly, if you have a sensitive scalp, I do not know if you can get the level of straightness that you desire in one relaxer setting.