Tool Review: MiraCurl by Babyliss

I just tried out the newest automated curling tool called the MiraCurl.  The name reminds me of a "miracle."  Overall, I was impressed with the tool and its results for the right type of hair.  The side of the tool with the "writing on it" is supposed to face the clients' head.  Pull a section of hair out, place it across the MiraCurl opening, and close the tool up.  It then automatically "reels" the section of hair into the curling mechanism.

Hold and then release after the "beep."  The curl created is spiral and uniform.

For those hairstylists who are starting to have challenges with their wrist, this tool is perfect and quick.  The hair needs to be straight going in.  Do not expect the tool to smooth the cuticle and curl at the same time.  I repeat that it is for curling hair that is already smooth and straight.  The tool is retailing for about $300. It has created a lot of buzz lately.  I do not feel like I have enough clientele who would truly benefit from this service.  So the only downside to this tool is the price.

Tool Review: Over the Cabinet Hook

I just picked up this "over the cabinet" hook for $4.00 USD on sale. It is perfect for holding my curling irons and any other cords. There is rubber backing on the hooks as to not damage your cabinetry. Also, the drawer can close just fine with the hook in place!

I love new organizing tools!!!!

A Bad mix: Too much heat on relaxed hair

I shampooed, blowdried, and marcel curled my hair a few days ago. It felt great, but much thinner than I wanted. It felt like I had a fresh relaxer again. I have to admit, I have had a few stressors along the way too. Well, I ended up roller setting at night to achieve the body in this hairstyle the following morning. Of course, it had to rain, and the hair flopped. The good thing is that it is straight; unfortunately, that also feels like a bad thing. Remember that example some time ago where I talked about raw vegetables? As long as they are crisp; then there is more time to cook them. If they are too soft, then they fall apart.

Well, I think the Mild True Indulgence touchup followed by the regular True Indulgence touch-up four weeks later, and I applied it myself to my own head, was an overdose. Then I added the heat styling this week although I had been roller setting. Okay, you live and learn. It will definitely be another six weeks before I do another touchup. I think that I need to alternate Paul Mitchell relaxers with the regular strength True Indulgence. The mild True Indulgence is still a little too aggressive to apply at the four week period. The Paul Mitchell relaxer should be adequate enough to retexturize at a four week period until I can relax at a 8 week period with the True Indulgence. Also, roller sets, roller sets, roller set.

With straightness comes responsibility. I had to trim a little again for this picture. I am mainly focussed on growing out sides and front because I can always use the hair from these areas to make a ponytail or a simple, quick maintenance regimen. Also, I had abused the back of my head plus I sleep on the back of my head. I know it needs more recovery time.

I feel like I am rambling. In a nutshell, straight hair is great if you are blending hair extensions, but straight hair is more vulnerable. Avoid the heat! Also, True Indulgence relaxer touchups should be spread apart at least six weeks.

Now I know the power of the True Indulgence.

Tool Review: Hot Tools Curling Irons

I was used to turning my curling iron up to a halfway point for curling my hair. However, with this Hot Tools electric marcel curling iron, it seems to get exceptionally HOT! So I started using it between the settings of 1 and 2 which is considered low. I still managed to burn myself. Of course, it takes a day or so for the skin to scab up. I think that the lower settings are great! I feel that it puts a nice bend in the hair without feeling like you are cooking it.

No matter what brand of curling iron that you are using, definitely consider using the lowest temperature settings first. The Hot Tools brand seems to get hot enough to probably press out natural hair. I really underestimated the heat on this iron. No more halfway points for me. Setting #4 is probably the hottest that I ever plan to use on this iron. Also, I can appreciate curling irons with a cool tip. The cool tip would have prevented me from burning myself. (Pictured: scab near my eyebrow and hairline) The barrel of this iron is all hot. When the iron is on, the handle is the only thing cool on it. Hot Tools curling irons also come in different sizes as well as the spring closure versus marcel closure.

Break Point: The Bend

Pictured is a single strand of hair that has a sharp bend in it. I believe that I also captured a shadow of the strand so it may look like two strands with a very sharp point. Well that very sharp point is actually a bend in the hair. It is a very weak area, and upon attempting to unbend this strand it will break into two at the bend. I have found more than my fair share of these over the weeks. I think the double/triple relaxation that I performed about two months ago generated these plus my sleeping on my hair without wrapping nor rolling it. I know that I do not have the type of hair that is naturally low maintenance so I am doing much better with my nighttime regimen as long as I am not too exhausted. As my hair gets longer. I will be able to manage it quicker at night. I have been roller setting for the last three weeks. This week, I am going to try to eliminate using the curling iron to tighten curls for the whole week. I need prayer. Smile. I can do this! Also, I only plan to use Bee Mine products and some virgin coconut oil if need be. Let's see if that regimen prevents me from picking up that curling iron. Stay Tuned.

The Feather Extensions Trend

In a previous article, I mentioned that "Feather extensions" were trending. They were selling some of the Feather extensions at the August 2011 Bronner Brothers Hair show. The long "cheetah" print hair extensions are the cheaper version of the "feather" look. The more real looking feathers cost about double the price. All of them are designed to be safe to curl with the curling iron.

Do's and Don'ts: The Flat Iron Free Pledge

Do NOT use the flat iron to curl your hair with. Why? The hair stays in contact with the flat iron for too long of a period of time. Also, according to my findings, after the third time using the flat iron to curl with- your hair stops holding curls. Consider using a curling iron with adjustable temperature settings to curl your hair. It will give you more body the next day.

Do NOT use the flat iron if you any type of allergic reaction to the scalp from surgery, medicine, etc. Why? According to my findings, the flat iron seems to reactivate the allergy symptoms and may cause hair to shed. The main concern is the scalp. If you have long hair and your roots are straight, and you just want to pass the flat iron through a few ends of long hair for a quick styling touchup, then you should be safe. If you have short hair or curly hair - I would completely avoid the flat iron until there is no chance of activating an allergy.

Do NOT use the flat iron on the same day as a relaxer service. Why? According to my findings, relaxers and flat irons are a bad mix. Many blame the relaxer for their hair problems. The relaxers can be a potential issue, but more than likely the flat iron is causing the thinning of the ends and possible breakage. Without a relaxer, regardless of your race, flat irons can cause hair to thin, get stringy and break.

Do NOT use the flat iron to straighten really curly hair. Why? Most people have to pass the flat iron through sections of curly hair over and over again to try to straighten out the waves. I have found that these multiple passings are doing more long-term internal damage to the hair shaft and overexposing the scalp to any "radiation-type" side effects since the roots usually present the most resistance in straightening. This scalp "overexposure" can result in shedding. The hair should be blowdried as straight as possible before using the flat iron. Ideally, the hair should require one pass through of the flat iron to get you your desired straightness.

Do use heat protection serums and sprays when using the flat irons. Why? They will help prolong the potential damage to the hair.

Do try lower temperatures first before using a high temperature on your flat iron. Why? Fine hair and chemically treated hair are advised not to use the flat irons on high at all. Also, when using a curling iron, I used to never turn the curling iron to maximum so why should a flat iron be used at top temperatures? If your curling iron dial goes from 1 to 25. Try 13 to 17 range. Most of the time, that is all the heat that anyone will need.

Please consider going flat iron free for two months. No cheating at all. Promise? If you do not see a difference in the one inch of new growth compared to the previously flat ironed hair - then go back to your flat iron. If you do see a difference, then remain flat iron free and grow the flat iron damaged hair out.

Hair tools: Direct heat versus Infrared Heat

Hot hair tools have been around for over a hundred years! Direct heat is the oldest technology. If you have to wait for a good 10 minutes for the tool or appliance to heat up, then it is direct heat. If the tool heats up in 15 seconds or less, then it typically using infrared heat. So your old curling irons, old flat irons, and hot rollers that you had to turn on early to get them hot enough to use are also direct heat. Pictured are two 2 inch irons. One cost $40 retail and the other costs $200 retail. The $40 marcel flat iron must be heated up in or on a heat source. The use of it becomes direct heat. The $200 Chi Turbo flat iron pictured heats up within 15 seconds of plugging up and turning it on.

When to use the infrared heat versus the direct heat? If you are going for bone straight hair without any bend nor curls, then infrared heat from the flat iron works great for styling purposes. Thermal protectant is vital to maintain the health of the hair. However, if you want any type of body or curl without having to use heat everyday to touch it up, then direct heat from even the traditional curling iron seems to hold for days without reapplying heat. The direct heat seems to give more body. Re-emphasizing that direct heat method has been effective for styling and allowing the hair to grow for over a hundred years WITHOUT "thermal protectants." The only things needed for decades were 1) styling spray for maximum hold and 2)shine spray. And yes, pressing oils were needed for pressing comb applications. No rocket science here . . . and we had plenty of "growing hair!" Madame C.J. Walker was living proof that we did not have to have infrared heat to have long hair. We just need "higher end" hair care products and conservative application of heat for styling.

Please remember that hair should be as clean as possible when using any type of hot tool. Also, hair growth is normally a half inch a month, but we have to prevent the strands from breaking in order to see that the hair gets maximum length.

On a side note, Black salons are losing the black haircare business . . . I do not think that it is coincidence that switching from the traditional stove and marcel styling into exclusive flat iron usage just happened around the same time. The traditional methods of marcel irons and pressing combs defined "Black hair."