Wet wrap Regimen for short relaxed hair

Lately, I have been very successful with styling short cuts by using the combination of products pictured.

1) Spray Joico Leave-in Detangler through out hair and comb through. 2) I have been using the "Freddie J" inspired molding pattern. Please see separate blog article on hair artist Freddie J "Breaking the mold Dvd." 3)I would then use two palm full of Paul Mitchell Sculpting lotion distributed. 4) Next apply Paul Mitchell Sculpting Foam distributed making sure that the hair is molded flat. 5) Use the "wrap styling strips" to hold hair down around the perimeter. I believe Freddie J's dvd that I mentioned in step 2 above has a professional way of using two styling strips for a secure placement. 6) Upon drying completely, you can use Bee Mine Products "Hair and scalp moisturizer" and a large paddle brush to loosen up the hold. (I may experiment with a few more other lightweight oils in the future just to have other options.) 7)Also, distributing some Kayvel Curl Wave sparingly helps with your marcel iron curling. Remember to brush the mold to loosen it up! It will be soft when you release the "temporary" product hold.

Final Results: Soft to touch shiny hair with a firm hold without it being crunchy.

Wrapp-It Styling Strips: Black versus White

These wrap styling strips come in handy for wet wrap molding of short hair and keeping the hairline molded for longer length wet wraps while under the platform hair dryer.

Typically, the wide styling strips come in the colors of black or white. So when do you choose the black color versus the white color? If the client has gray hair or light colored hair, then the white color is best. The black strip could possibly bleed into the hair thereby staining it.

If all else fails, buy the white strips. They can be used on everyone regardless of hair color.

DVD Review: Breaking the Mold by Freddie J

Hair artist Freddie J was featured in Chris Rock's Good Hair movie as one of the contenders for the Bronner Brothers Hair Battle title. She is an industry leader as far as the beauty industry is concerned.

I loved this dvd on how to mold/wrap the hair to achieve a "fresh" style without combing into the typical circular wrap around the head. This "new" wet wrap method delivers a "soft, corporate" mohawk effect. Very nice.

However, the downside to this video is that all three models featured have the exact same headshape. All three models have a high occipital bone and a deep inset in the nape area. Their headshapes are perfect for sporting a short cut.

However, for a client with a flatter head and less nape area, this "fresh" wrap method would not give you the same result. Actually, it would be a waste of time to attempt this mold.

So your client's headshape is a factor in how you conform a haircut as well as how many options you have to wet wrapping it.

Technique Review: How to Wet Wrap

Products used: KeraCare Setting Lotion, KeraCare Foam Wrap regular hold, NuExpressions Styling Gel; Medium Length hair dryer time: 1.5 to 2 hours; If you do not plan to curl your hair for your final finish, then you can skip the styling gel.

Do anchor and curve the center of the head as you comb around. You want to keep the center flat. You may want to comb all hair down into a mushroom first, then begin to comb/wrap around leaving the top of your mushroom flat.





Side view of wet wrap.











Side view of wet wrap.

















Front view of wet wrap.









These paper "megastrips" can be purchased from Sally's Beauty Supply.










Wet wrap is now completely dry. The paper wrap strips can be removed after the first 30 to 40 minutes. Usually, they will loosen on their own and fall away if you forget about them.






Breaking the mold to make sure it dries completely. You can use a wax, pomade, or a silicone serum to soften and loosen up the hair depending on if you used the styling gel or not.







Back view curled. I used Design Essentials Styling spray to curl with. I was going for a pretty firm hold without being hard.









Side view curled. Hair by Benita Blocker