Relaxed Hair: Conventional Marcel Ironing

Hair by Benita Blocker, January 2015. 

 My client was relaxed using the Paul Mitchell relaxer system.  I used the conventional stove and marcel irons for the for final look.

Hair by Benita Blocker, January 2015.

I refreshed her bang with a cut and trimmed her hair along the perimeter. The relaxer touch-up service left a slight bit of texture to her hair allowing for a healthy blow-dry and marcel iron styling.

The Comeback: The stove and Marcel Irons!

Ebony Magazine September 2012 edition showcases a photo shoot with a stylist using a marcel curling iron in hand. Halleujah! The flat irons are finally coming under fire! One of my clients mentioned that the Dr. Oz show had a dermatologist confirming the dangers of flat iron usage within the last few months.

Also, in this recent 2012 advertisement for professional ear protectors, the stove, pressing comb, and marcel irons are side by side of the ionic flat irons! Hello! Finally, my beauty industry colleagues are seeing the light!

By the way, would you pay $20.00 USD for these Mimi's Ear Shields?

Paul Mitchell Relaxer Client: Almost two years!

Hair by Benita Blocker. My client started with me in October 2010. Her curl pattern is probably a Type 3c. I put her on the Paul Mitchell regular strength relaxer system.

Hair by Benita Blocker. She gets relaxer touch-ups about every 10 to 12 weeks. We just completed another relaxer touch-up and a traditional stove and marcel curling iron service. We trimmed the hair for some shape and used some Kayvel curl wave to assist with holding the curls.
My client uses the KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo Classic for home care because of the amount of texture that she keeps in her hair. She wears her hair in a bun on top of her head on bad hair days. She loves the Paul Mitchell Relaxer system. It works for her.

Turning a 45 cent investment into a 45 dollar return

You may be wondering what does a stamp have to do with hair? Well, it is a long story . . . As you know, I have been "flat iron free" for about a year and a half now - and it has been the best decision for both me and my clients that stuck with me.

Well, before I went "flat iron free" I had a client that swore that the flat iron was not healthy for her hair. I was not ready to believe this. All the hair shows were pushing "flat irons" as healthy. So eventually, she discontinued patronizing my salon. Her words as with all of my clients' feedback stuck in my head.

After finally seeing a consistent pattern of results from the use of the ionic flat irons, I stopped using them and went back to the traditional stove and marcel irons. Oh boy, I still had a learning curve to get used to the old school stove and heat, but finally, I got my rhythm and everyone is back on the right track with their hair. I am so happy of my decision and now, I cringe every time I see a flat iron being used on television or youtube video. All I am thinking is: "they are cooking their hair from the inside out" and they do not even know it. It pains me, but life will go on.

So one day recently, I decided to write this former client a nice little thank you note saying "You were right!" The flat irons are damaging to the hair. I was not ready to receive the information back then, but I sincerely appreciated her feedback. I was listening to her, and I just wanted her to know that I appreciated her past patronage.

Well, believe it or not, she came back for hair services over and over again. It turns out that she had just received a relaxer that was too strong, and she knew that I was the only hairstylist that kept a variety of treatments and product lines for all the different hair types. She was asking God for a sign of what to do next, and my "thank you" letter arrived in her mailbox.

God works in mysterious ways. After about five to six visits, her hair is back on track, and we both are happy. I hate that I was not able to fulfill her hair needs during my "flat iron" phase, but no one is perfect. I thrive for perfection, and as far as the changes that I continue to make in improving my service offerings . . . I am now on a million dollar track. Of course, I am dependent on manufacturers not to alter their products, and that I make sure I keep fresh product, but life is good in my hair world . . . a salute to healthy hair!

Tool Review: Golden Supreme Starter Set

As you may know, I also service clients at a nearby mall. I finally bought a new set of marcels for that location. That way, I do not have to transport tools between locations. I am especially excited about this purple set because my stove is adjustable temperature. The idea is that I can keep my irons warm without overheating them. It has been about ten months since I converted to marcel irons for heat styling, and I am fully commited to them even to the point that I am denying flat iron service requests. I would rather for a client to go someone else for flat iron services than to know that I contributed to flat iron damage. Sometimes the clients feel that they know more than the hairsylist; sometimes the client does know more than the hairstylist. Case in point: Deciding which relaxer strength to use . . . I remember telling a hairstylist to use a mild strength relaxer because I knew that my scalp was very sensitive. I probably should have told her why I requested a mild strength, but about five minutes into the relaxer application, my scalp was starting to burn. I immediately asked the hairstylist, is this a mild relaxer? Her response was "no, it looked liked you needed a regular strength relaxer." Oh my God, it was not a good day! That situation happened to me in a New York hair salon. Let me not get into my long list of my own hair horror stories. I actually am dedicated to this blog because I believe knowledge is power for the stylist and the consumer.

Unfortunately, because I was a "flat iron only" hairstylist for several years . . . I have grown many ladies' hair to mid back with quality maintenance products and protective styling aids, but I also have seen some of my hard work go down the drain with continued use of flat irons at high temperatures. It is not worth the risk to me, and for those clients who relate the flat iron usage more to "hair growth," I have an uphill battle that I am willing to lose. It took me several years to give up my flat iron addiction even after I remember being told a few times to consider going back to stove and marcels. I was not ready to receive the message, then January/February 2011 (this year), the light came on. My compounding experiences with long-term flat ironing plus what I was seeing over the years really made me go "cold turkey" and I am not going back. Knowledge is power.