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.

Intro to the Naked Relaxer System

I attended the Naked Relaxer class on yesterday.  They opened the class up with a prayer.  That's always a good sign!

But on to the technical details, this relaxer system is an (8 minute) time release relaxer designed to give a lot of moisture to the hair. The Naked Keratin Plus Reconstructive Masque is lighter than the Naked Honey and Almond Moisture Whip Conditioner.  So finer hair will benefit from the lighter conditioner. The relaxer itself only comes in one strength along with the sensitive scalp version which the strengths can be adjusted.

The model pictured has wet hair.  The relaxer was completed and neutralized.  The model's hair was flat wrapped with the Naked Max premium foam and dried under the rollaway hair dryer.

 After the model's hair was dried, she received a haircut.

The model's hair was styled using a flat iron to deliver the final finish.

I am not convinced to start carrying this relaxer because this model did not have coarse hair.  I was still unclear as to how much healthier this relaxer is to the other competitors on the market. 

I will continue to use some of the styling products from this line.  I do not have any existing clients that will benefit from this relaxer at this time.

The Essations Soothing Scalp Base is designed not to drip nor run.  Those who sweat a lot may benefit from the product not melting and spreading and becoming messy.  However, it is best to use this base only with the Essations relaxer lines.  I do not think other relaxer systems work with this particular base due to its ingredients.

Sisterlocks Four Day Training Milestones

I have completed 12 days of training with two different Sisterlocks Master trainers, and I now can analyze and troubleshoot locks.  Yes, the majority of the information that is now embedded in my head was probably introduced within the first four days, but there's a difference between "memorizing information" and "knowing information."  Memorizing information may allow you to pass a "written standardized test," but only when you know enough to apply your knowledge in your practice as needs arises does your training really pay for itself.

Let's look at my milestones for each four day Sisterlocks training sessions:

August 2012 Sisterlocks Four Day training in Boston, MA

Cons:
1) I had no concept of what interlocking hair meant prior to the class.
2) I had just finished having my own hair Sisterlocked resulting in a less than perfect experience.
3) I had just been laid off from a corporate position shortly after wearing this new Sisterlocks styling into the workplace.
4) The travel and tight time schedules had me absolutely exhausted the whole time.

Accomplishments:
1) I learned how to interlock hair.
2) I learned to follow the parting size guidelines suggested by Sisterlocks.
3) The Sisterlocks literature was high in quality, and the company provided us with plenty of promotional materials including Sisterlocks postcards.

With the trauma of my Sisterlocks establishment session, the corporate backlash of natural hairstyling, the travel, the learning of a totally new hair concept, at the end of four days,  I was retaining next to nothing new about Sisterlocks, but I networked with some wonderful classmates.

January 2013 Four Day Training in Charlotte, NC

Cons:  My classmates never warmed up to each other.

Accomplishments:
1) Because the interlocking hair concept was no longer new to me, much of the four day training felt like a refresher, and everything that was "information overload" from the Boston training was just right for me to retain in this Charlotte class.
2) My own Sisterlocks journey was continuing to raise more questions, and this second four day training was a great time to gather all the answers to my questions.


January 2014 Four Day Training in Charlotte, NC

Cons:
1) No live model to practice on.
2) Sisterlocks literature for classmates were in lower quality resolution.
3) Limited Sisterlocks merchandise was available for immediate purchase.

Accomplishments:
1) Having seen so many more heads of natural hair, my understanding of the variety of curl patterns out there helped me to really understand troubleshooting and repair of locks.
2) Having a different Sisterlocks instructor also provided me with an opportunity to hear the standard Sisterlocks material presented using different terminology and everything that was unclear from the last two training sessions became clear.
3) The classmates really bonded.
4) I even discovered something new about my own head of hair.  I had two significantly different curl patterns in my head.
5) I had more length and lock styling ability surrounding my own hair.
6) I learned that the Sisterlocks founder, Dr. Cornwell has a short and shallow curl pattern which is different from my curl pattern of short and deep.  I assume Dr. Cornwell's hair is also pliable, and my own hair is more stiff and resistant.

 Dr. Cornwell probably 20 years ago.

Dr. Cornwell, more recent.

Anyone with short, shallow, pliable curl patterns like Dr. Cornwell should expect to have a pretty smooth Sisterlocks journey because she herself is proof of the Sisterlocks technique and philosophy.

For all other short, tightly coiled, deep, stiff curl patterns that are not like Dr. Cornwell's hair, the traditional lock twisting methods may serve your better.

When it comes to hair, it is best to compare apples to apples.  People can not all expect the same results when they are starting with different hair types.

Now, as far as the four day Sisterlocks training goes, people who have some hair interlocking experience prior to the Sisterlocks training, will really have a headstart.  Two four day trainings may be more than enough to get you the proficiency in doing things the Sisterlocks way.  Although, it took me three training sessions/12 days, I can easily see two training sessions/8 days as plenty.  One four day training is only enough to get you started.  A refresher should be taken within a year after the first four day training in order to become more proficient at offering the Sisterlocks package.