Blow-dry tip: L. O. C. It!!!!

Blow dry service by Benita Blocker

So you have heard of the  L.O.C. Method for loose natural hair before?  Liquid, Oil, Cream is the hydration order for shingling "wash and go" hair.  In recent months, I started applying the same theory for blow-drying hair in order to lock in moisture.  The key is to use products designed for blow drying hair.

Natural hair Blow dry and electric curling iron service by Benita Blocker

Products like (liquid) KMS Blow-dry spray, (oil) Paul Mitchell Treatment oil, and (cream) Colorproof Blow dry Cream are geared toward blow-dry services and are lightweight.  Coarser hair can substitute for heavier oils as well as "milk leave-in sprays" for the "liquid" component of the L.O.C. method.

Natural hair blow-dry and electric curling iron service by Benita Blocker.

It's 2018.  Continue to L.O.C. IT!!!!

Review: Willie Morrow's Unbreakable Nozzle

Some natural hair clients are scared of a blow dry service using a brush so having a dependable comb attachment is necessary.  I paid around $20 USD for this Willie Morrow's Unbreakable Thermo Blow Dry Nozzle, and it was well worth it.

I had to use a real screwdriver in lieu of a jeweler's screwdriver to secure the attachment to my twin turbo hair dryer neck.  The nozzle withstood the heat from the dryer, and the teeth did not break.  The attachment stayed secure.

There are three different sized inserts to adjust this comb attachment to all sizes of handheld blow dryers.

So you are wondering who benefits from using this comb attachment?  The answer: Those with long, resistant, type 3 hair.  I do not recommend any type of comb attachment for fine hair nor for short hair nor for hair that is not properly detangled before use.

The client that I used it on had booty length, thick, resistant, type 3 hair.  The blow dry service was 1.5 hours.  My average blow-dry time for relaxed hair is 20 minutes.  So massive thickness and massive length made this unbreakable, heavy duty comb attachment priceless.

In the past, this same client's hair was causing the teeth to break on regular comb attachments.  Also, holding onto other "clamp on" blow dry attachments were challenging.  

With this natural hair movement, I suggest keeping one of these in your salon tools inventory for those special occasions where a brush will not work due to customer request or otherwise.

This Design Essentials' Class Blew Me Away

Everyone knows that I give all the manufacturers a hard time, but I give them compliments when I can.  So Design Essentials is no exception.  Although, I am not ready to try their relaxers again, but I am open to more of their non-chemical styling options.  So let's dig into highlights from this July 2014 class.

Almost Natural Blow-out
The model did not have a relaxer, but she has had various permanent color services completed on her hair. The model/stylist loves changing her hair color.  In addition, her natural curl pattern may have been closer to a Type 3c.  Every permanent color service acts like a texturizer in my opinion so that is why I call this model "almost natural."

The platform artist is using a "Denman-type" brush to blow dry or air form this model's hair.

As you can see, this model has highlift color, but no relaxer and no keratin treatment.  The blow dry service alone got it pretty straight.

The platform artist uses her ionic flat iron for final styling.  For professional platform work, artists do not want to carry a conventional stove and marcel irons. Everyone knows I am against flat irons so I will not make a big deal in this article.  If you or your clients keep your hair cut or trimmed then flat irons are fine because you are always trimming away the damage.

This particular platform artist recommends relaxing hair (texlaxing hair) to 65% to 70%, then using permanent haircolor and blow-dry with thermal styling to keep the hair under control.  This approach to hair will definitely work for some, but not for everyone.

Towel Blot
Towel Blotting before using neutralizing shampoo is highly recommended to not dilute the neutralizing shampoo's performance as well as to conserve the amount of neutralizing shampoo used.

Fine hair clients who do not like Holding spray
In a separate article on this blog, I discussed that in order for hairstylists to get repeat business, the hairstylist has to deliver hairstyling that has memory plus movement.  The proper holding spray used within the thermal service makes a huge difference, but in case you get a fine hair client who just refuses any type of holding spray, the platform artist suggest using the Design Essentials Masterpiece Setting Lotion.

New Products
They have a new conditioner in the retail size called "Deep."  They also have almost doubled their natural textures line with a Almond and Avocado Detangling Leave-in Conditioner and more.  I will do product reviews at a later date as I try these new products out.

With the mindset of Wendy Williams, I paid for my admission to this class in order to have an unbiased opinion.  Any events that media gets in for free lends itself to pressure to be exceptionally nice.  I enjoyed the class, and the content of this article honestly reflects that.

Headstart: Using Water as a Natural Detangler

Pictured above is Frizzy human hair.

When soaking wet, the human hair detangles as bonds are temporary broken.

I learned some things from my clients this week about natural hair.  Keeping a water bottle on hand is the best way to keep naturally resistant hair manageable and free of tangles.  Whether you are rolling it, braiding it, or even blow drying it, every small slice or small section at a time has to stay fully saturated with water in order to maintain control over it.

I always wondered why a blow dry service on resistant hair seemed like it grew more and more difficult as I advanced through the full head.  Literally, it seems crazy and contradictory to keep a water bottle on standby for a blow dry service but if you are blow drying resistant hair, you will have to keep re-wetting each section as you get to it while trying not to re-wet the section of the hair that you have already blown dry.

I will also re-emphasize "towel blotting" enough to keep the floor dry. However, you want a "soaking wet" head as the basis for your natural hair service.  I was amazed at the simplicity of water versus all the other leave-in conditioners on the market.