Caution: Disposable Gloves

Because quite a few people have latex allergies, hairstylists often prefer vinyl gloves over latex gloves.  Hair glue and certain condoms often are made of latex; so people with latex allergies should tell their hairstylist during the first consultation and at every visit. Of course, the condoms have nothing to do with hairstyling, but the hair glue and the disposable gloves can be a medical threat.

According to California Proposition 65 Warning as seen on the Diane by Fromm box pictured above, some vinyl gloves are made of vinyl chloride which has been shown to be cancer causing and harmful to one's health. However, before we get too un-nerved, I was told unless you are heating up the vinyl gloves or eating the vinyl glove, you should be safe.  Of course, food service handlers who pick up hot foods such as sandwiches could be introducing vinyl chloride into the food if the gloves contain a "vinyl chloride." 

I do not handle anything hot with my disposable gloves so I do not worry, but this information was good to know.  I picked up these pink disposable gloves for Breast Cancer Awareness month.  Soooo cute!

The color is called Radiant Orchid. The brand is ColorTrak.  I did not see the cancer causing warning on this ColorTrak box, but I definitely will be cautious with all disposable gloves.

Lining the Relaxer Bowls

 Cleaning out relaxer bowls was a clean-up task that was taking up extra time. So I decided to start lining my relaxer bowls.  So far so good!  I do not have to wash extra chemicals down the drain.  I can just toss the liner in the trash can.

As you may remember from a previous article, I have used disposable cake decorating bags before for other time saving tips.  Well, I purchase the Wilton's 16 inch bags to line the relaxer bowls.

 Wilton has 12" and 16" disposable decorating bags.  I prefer the 16" size. (Large)

You can puncture the bag to get the bowl handle through it in order to make a nice well to work from.  There may be some relaxer bowls that are too big for the liner.  So use your best judgement as to relaxer bowl size compared to the size of the decorating bag.

Using Disposable Decorating Bags for Base Refills

All the hairstylists are just going to love me for this one. This is a "no mess" base refill into the squeeze bottle applicator solution.

So as everyone knows, the 4 pound bucket of relaxer base is much more economic than purchasing any of the smaller sizes. However, the downside is trying to get a bucket full of greasy base into a small neck squeeze bottle applicator.

So I purchased some disposable "cake" decorating bags, 12" size plus a "Smart water." I drank the water. Hydration- yes! I cut the top of the water bottle off and lined the inside of the bottle with the disposable decorating bag. Cautious, the next point is crucial in not making a mess.

You must tie a loose knot at the narrow end of the disposable decorating bag prior to lining the water bottle. Also, make sure the wide end of the decorating bag is overlapping the water bottle a few inches in order to be able to twist the end shut and squeeze the base into the squeeze bottle applicator. ( On a side note, this picture looks like an oversized condom - OMG. Anyway, I digress. Smile.)

So to recap: after scooping the base from the 4 pound bucket into the lined water bottle, then removing the loose knot at the narrow end of the bag and twisting the opening at the wide end and squeezing the greasy relaxer base into the the bottle applicator. It is now filled, and the decorating bag can be disposed of. Best of all, this procedure is orderly, quick, and no mess!