Shampoo Ingredients to Avoid and When

Sodium Chloride
Avoid shampoos with sodium chloride for those who get keratin or smoothing treatments.

Sulfates
Avoid shampoos with sulfates for those who get demi-permanent or permanent haircolor.

These ingredients strip the hair causing both of these salon services to fade and to not last as long.  There are other studies that claim these ingredients are associated with hair loss, but the actual haircolor or keratin treatment are both chemicals that could also cause hair loss.  So if you are willing to get chemicals, then you should be willing to use shampoos with sulfates in order to strip the hair of the "bad stuff."

So learn when to use shampoos that strip the hair and learn when not to use certain shampoos.  Ideally, home maintenance products should not be stripping.  Just leave the harsher shampoos in the hands of the salon professionals to know when to use them.

My One year and Seven months Lock-versary!

Today is another Lock anniversary.  It is one year and seven months so I added a red brown rinse and performed a perm rod set. My locks that still have relaxer processing in it seemed to have lightened up from the sunlight or because I condition a lot less so I wanted to take advantage of this color change by depositing more color.  I used a Nairobi Mahogney Semi-permanent TruColor. I may use a colored shampoo to maintain the color change.  I will also need to make sure that I do not have lint or product starting to cling.  So I will have to keep everyone posted on this color rinse change.

 I did not use any clippies for my styling.  I did use a LOT of Lottabody setting lotion and a little hairspray.

 Drying time was still at least two hours because I did not retighten the roots.  Surprisingly, the 3.5 hours that it takes to re-tighten my roots allows the locks to dry.  So by skipping the re-tightening did not save me any significant service time.

I was feeling a little "abstract" here.  I twisted one side up and left one side down.  This picture was the week before this most recent lock-versary.

Introduction to Beth Minardi Haircolor

When dealing with double processed hair (relaxer and permanent color), I prefer to stick with a haircolor line that has a 1:1 ratio of color vs. developer.  Also, I like that fact that the Minardi haircolor line has a 5 volume developer versus the 10 volume.

I am uncertain if this color line is progressive or not, but because Beth Minardi understands the importance of keeping the gray hair covered, I feel certain that this haircolor is going to become my new favorite.

I currently use Schwarzkopf haircolor in the salon which is also a 1:1 ratio, but with some recent company reorganizations, it sent all of us into a frenzy trying to get our hands on the new packaging, training, etc.

Everyone always needs a backup plan.  I spoke with a few Minardi representatives recently.  Here is what I learned:

1) They do not offer a semi-permanent color in their line.  Just demi-permanent color in either cream or liquid as well as permanent haircolor.

2) The "ICE" category is like a "NN" but it is not to be used alone.

3) The Liquid Demi-permanent color can be used as a filler during color correction services.

4) The cream Demi-permanent color is more alkaline than the liquid demi-permanent color.  The liquid formula is more acidic and sheer.

5)  The Demi-permanent color is in purple packaging, and the corresponding backbar shampoo and "after-wash"  has purple labelling.  The permanent color is in orange packaging, and the corresponding backbar shampoo and "after-wash" has orange labelling.

6) Clients with less than 50% gray can get solid gray coverage with the demi-permanent color.

7) Permanent haircolor has a 45 minute suggested processing time.  That's a good window for application as well.

I have noticed the swatches look darker than the usual color levels that I work with.  I will have to keep everyone posted as I get more experienced with matching the color levels for this particular line.

Hair Chalking Simplified

Hair chalking was announced in May 2012 as the exciting new trend since the feather extensions. Well now, it is simplified. Just rub your hair through the chalk case as pictured in the right top corner picture.

Color shows up best on lighter colored hair. It is temporary color to be rinse out with each shampoo.