Revolutionary Relaxer Service News 2016

Relaxer Touch-up tips for Growing Long, Relaxed Hair:

• Blot the hair dry 
• Lift the client's head completely up from the shampoo bowl
• Visually, check the nape and hairline areas for relaxer residue
• Check neck of the shampoo bowl for relaxer residue
• Use a color indicator solution to take the guesswork out of alkalinity
• Check the neck towel for signs of alkalinity
• Shampoo several times if needed
• Never condition before shampooing when neutralizing
• NOTE:  Squeaky clean hair does not mean the relaxer residue is completely washed away.
• Make sure multiple shampooing does not dry out the hair.  
• Use conditioning neutralizing solutions. (Two products are mentioned in this youTube video.)

This video shows akaline water tests.  Porous hair should have as much water removed as possible before the final neutralizing shampoo is completed.

Crochet braids talk: Jamaican Bounce versus Caribbean Bounce

Crochet braids by Benita Blocker using Jamaican Bounce Curl. Colors: #350 and #2

"Hot Water Set" Possible was pictured prominently on the Jamaican Bounce Curl packaging label.  I will explain more about this at the end of this article.

Crochet braids by Benita Blocker using Beauty2bar.com Caribbean Bounce Curl. Color: #4/30

I believe the Caribbean Bounce Curl is exclusive to the beauty2bar website; however, the Jamaican Bounce Curl is definitely a twin sister.  The curl diameters look the same to me.  

Both were prone to frizz with the least wrong move.  The Caribbean Bounce Curl was easier to twirl to get the frizz under control. I did not "hot water" pre-set, but both of these curl patterns may benefit from a dip in the hot water before crochet interlocking them.  Of course, if the client is bringing their crochet hair with them, then the service will be prolonged to just hot water set the hair.

Both curly textures require a hair bonnet to keep curls under control.  I plan to experiment on a few pieces to see how they each hot water set without perm rods.  I will add a comment to this article referencing my findings.

YouTube channel and brand ambassador Sadora Paris brought spotlight to the Caribbean Bounce Curl; however, on her most recent "Teal Ombre" YouTube video she used Kanekalon Straight hair and hot water set on purple flexi-rods to achieve her own DIY spiral curled crochet interlocking hair.  I can only assume that she may have encountered too much frizz too soon with the Caribbean Bounce Curl or the website sold out of the Caribbean Bounce Curl.   You can see the Do-It-Yourself hot water spiral curls technique at the 2:02 minute mark. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/dVa6cCe8zMk

Three Reasons for the Shrinking Black HairCare industry!

Flat Irons
When the electric, ionic flat irons took over the market,  they evened the playing field.  Everyone with or without a hair license had the ability to deliver salon styling results.

Remember the conventional stoves and marcel irons?  How about the pressing comb?  Those tools required practice and skills.  Everyone could not work the conventional hot tools.  The Black hairstylist had the competitive edge on Black hairstyling prior to the flat irons.

Salon Suites
When salon suites started making salon ownership affordable, hairstylists flocked to independence, but hairstylists stopped learning from each other.  "Divide and conquer" is exactly what happened.  Then YouTube took over.  Everyone with or without a hair license began learning from each other on an international level.

The "perfect hair" movement redefined
People have always wanted "perfect hair" despite the weather and the workouts.  However, one can not control the humidity and sweat without a lot of spritz, holding spray, hairspray, gel, or some styling aids. Over the last decade, people decided against a lot of "frozen hairstyling."  They wanted softer, flowing hair that could withstand the weather and an active lifestyle so wigs, extensions, weaves, and protective styling became mainstay.

Nowadays, many salon clients shampoo and condition their hair before going to the salon.  The Black salon in 2016 has become the place for protective styling application or braiding.  Many Black hair salons in 2016 are less about hair care as well as less about hair products.  However, around hundred years ago, it is interesting that Madame C. J. Walker started her business with hair products and expanded her business into hair services.

Black hair - Freedom or Slavery?  Are we controlling our hair or being controlled by our hair? Are we becoming the "Stepford Wives" or just simply expressive? You decide.

I look forward to 2017.

Headband Updo on Medium Length Locs

I am two days away from my two years six months Sisterlocks anniversary.

This video tutorial includes

1. Wet setting agent
2. Plait and tuck technique
3. Headband updo
4. Finger combing
5. Finger teasing
6. Finger raking

Enjoy!

Hand Interlocking on Sisterlocks

This YouTube tutorial covers

• Hand interlocking using two hands
• Hand interlocking using one hands
• Gaining length by locking natural hair
• The terminology of hair popping
• The originality of locs based on one's individual hair texture
• When is it safe to cut off buds off the end of Sisterlocks

My Sisterlocks are two years and five and half months old.

Half Shoelace knot on Sisterlocks

This video tutorial discusses

• Night time regimen for tying up Sisterlocks
• Morning regimen for taking Sisterlocks down
• Curl products used for setting the locs while keeping them hydrated
• Half shoelace knot for loose curls on medium length locs
• Three strand twist with an underlay to maintain length but add some curl to the ends
• Application of the curl setting agent
• and more

 As discussed in my YouTube video, Design Essentials Honey CurlForming Custard with Honey and Chamomile.

 The Design Essentials Natural Honey Curlforming Custard is a clear gel.

 I also discussed this Dark and Lovely Curl Defining Creme Glaze Au Naturale.

 It looks peachy in color but seems sheer going on.  I have not tried to set my locs with it yet, but one of my Sisterlocks clients was successful with it.

My set is about five days old here.  The Curlforming custard did great for hold and hydration.  Please excuse my eyebrows.  I was trying a new brow sculpting gel.  It is looking too ghost-like so it is not the right color for me.  I hope that you enjoy the video.  By the way, let me also mention that my video camera angle was not figure flattering on this video tutorial because I was layered underneath my sweater.  However, the video content is excellent.  I will continue to work on my fashion so please be patient with me.  Smile.

Natural Hair Expos Have New Purpose!

Photo credit:  http://consciousvibes.co.uk/natural-lifestyle-expo/

I have started noticing that many of the natural hair divas attending the Natural Hair Expos already have found a regimen that is working for their hair.  Compared to a few years ago when the audience members were struggling with their hair, YouTube tutorials and curl care product line expansions have turned some audience members into actual teachers.

Let's face it,   as I stated in a previous blog article, there are probably over 40 different hair types walking around based on the various curl diameters and curl behaviors.  Natural hair requires a lot of trial and error.  So that means that many women have become an expert on their own hair.  I have witnessed natural hair speakers and facilitators who do not hold any type of state issue license speak with authority on their subject matter which is their own natural hair.  We see it on YouTube all the time.  I love YouTube!  I am a licensed hair professional in three states, and I am willing to learn from everyone with or without a state issued license.

Luckily, I have been doing hair long enough to know when I hear something that does not sound right, I improvise as needed- but I do learn from other's trial and errors.

So back to my original question, with so many natural hair divas already savvy with their own hair, why attend a natural hair expo?  My guess is to discover even more styling options, styling tools, and great discounts on products that already are working on their hair.

Sometimes mothers may want to take their daughters to a natural hair Expo to help them appreciate others with hair like theirs.

Can you think of any other reasons to attend?

Answers about Resistant Hair

I just completed a  Design Essentials Product Knowledge class with Platform Artist Yolanda.

I asked her how to determine if hair is resistant.  She said if it stands straight up on its own, then it is resistant.  She could not visually categorize my hair as resistant, but within this video I show you how my loc stands straight up!  So you get to see a closer look at my hair, my locs! 

And feel free to subscribe to my youtube channel ReelLife.

2 years Sisterlocks Anniversary

It's Official!  My Sisterlocks are two years old!  And I have a youtube channel so this video should work when you click on it! Yay!



Disclaimer:  I have not had my locs retightened recently so I may have one to two inches of new growth shrunken up at the roots.



I am self-maintaining my locs so as I run my fingers through them, if I find one that is too far past due, then I hand lock it.



I have found quality is better than speed.  I also found that $15 a hour is a reasonable rate to pay Sisterlocks consultants.  Those at $25 per hour, $30 per hour, $50 per hour - I have not seen anyone's work that was worth that. That is not to say that there are not consultants worth these prices - I just have not met them yet and I have not seen their work.  The higher the hourly rate the faster the consultant should be, but if they are sacrificing quality and the health of the loc, then I have a problem with those situations.



I am attaching a six month old picture of my well manicured Sisterlocks below.  I no longer keep my locs this manicured because I prefer the thicker look.

Six months old well manicured Sisterlocks

My advice to anyone on their loc journey is to be true to yourself.  My journey has not been easy.  Sisterlocks empowers people to abuse the opportunity by scamming.  It is NOT Sisterlocks` intent to enpower unethical people, but it happens.  Everyone is an independent contractor.  Just remember that!  

Also, too much manipulation of the hair and/or locs can cause damage - learn when your locs have had too much manipulation and let them rest for a couple of months.  You can still wash them, but the interlocking may be working against you. Every hair type responds differently to locs and locking methods.  Just like all the other naturalistas out there - what works for one may not work for another.  Also, permanent haircolor is not safe for everyone. Try a few locs at a time before diving into a whole head of haircolor.

I think that is all that I can think of. I am going to add one more two year photo.  Thanks for being a part of my loc journey thus far!

Two years Sisterlocks - alternating between handlocking and twisting.

The longer the locs get- the less I worry about manicuring the roots. Okay, until next time!

A Hair Shaking Shout-out!

I purposely did not speak in this video.  I am still testing video functionality on this blog.

(I had just did a partial tightening using hand interlocking .  My hair is dry versus wet.)

Two years loc anniversary coming up at the end of this month!  

Ten year salon anniversary coming up in August of this year.

This blog also turns five years old this August.  

I decided AGAINST publishing a book on hair because too many people are writing books on hair.  

 But I am considering vlogging on youtube!

So please continue to stay tuned! 

and

Thank you for following me!

7/19/2014 Update:  My youtube channel is born:  

In case video does not work, here's the link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QpWQLqGNQA&index=1&list=UUQFrkMISufjQ7oedlaEL6dA