Stylists and Smoking Cigarettes outside the Salon

First of all, employers can not discriminate because you smoke . . . but any stylist that smokes within the boundaries of the hair salon is sending a negative message.

If you have to smoke, please smoke in private where no one can see you. (Absolutely no one should see you smoking!)

You will find that you will attract more people and make more money without the cigarettes. Please give it a try!

Products that Cause Frizz in African American Hair

I have found two products thus far that cause frizz in African American hair. They
are 1) Pureology Volume shampoo and 2) Aquage Healing Conditioner.

These two products are great for those who want volume with a chance of frizz, but not for those trying to achieve a sleek, straight look.

Initially, I was trying the Pureology Volume Shampoo as a "deep cleansing" shampoo. Then I would follow up with two moisturizing shampoos. Unfortunately, there is something in the Pureology volume shampoo that stays in the hair past the conditioning phase and my clients were returning with frizz. Upon eliminating this shampoo from my routine, the frizziness went away and everyone started to normalize back to sleek again.

Now in regards to the Aquage Healing Conditioner, I liked the instant moisturizing of the hair at the shampoo bowl. I was in love with it at first use, but I noticed that it seemed to interfere with the sleek finish that I was accustom to achieving for my clients. Again, the returning client feedback was a "no go." Hairstyles did not last like they were accustom to. It created frizz.

Luckily, I incorporated these two products at different times so that I could narrow the cause of the frizziness really quickly. I am hoping that this review will help others thinking about trying these two products. After researching and comparing the ingredients of these two products, I found "alcohol" to be a common factor. I would conclude eliminating future shampoos and conditioners that have alcohol in them, but supposedly some alcohols are acceptable to allow for emusulification of the ingredients of the product. "So, go figure."

Hair and Dating

I had forgotten that the movie "Good Hair" by Chris Rock featured a man who would judge what kind of dates he would have with a woman based on her hairstyling . . . whether or not she had low or high maintenance hair . . .

Examples: 1) Riding in a convertible with the top down . . . wind and "weave" do not go together. So remember to keep a scarf around "weave free" or not. Smile.

2)Water sports and swimming are obviously for those who know how to swim and do not mind getting their hair wet. The ability to "wash and wear" your natural hair will be a big dating plus for this particular catch. Braided hairstyles also a good option.

3)Sleeping pretty . . . and waking up glamourous . . . without rollers, without scarves, etc. . . . This is the ultimate "Halle Berry" test. LOL!

On a separate note, hair and skin can make men "lose their mind!" A lot of men do not like hair extensions, but they can deal with braids. I believe that men enjoy having the freedom of touching their lady's hair. They like the illusion of having a princess or an woman that has an exotic (Indian or Ethopian) look.

The closer your image looks more natural to this exotic/prestigious look; the more men that you attract! It seems like it is always "all or nothing." You either draw every man in the room or you draw no men. Smile. Example: I decided on a invisible braids style that looked so natural that unless I actually made people look at my roots to see that I had braids at the roots, they just were clueless. I left my perimeter hairline out which further threw them off, but the response from both men and women was unbelievable. I had men slipping me phone numbers, and women all in my hair. I had some Mexican women wanting to feel my hair because it looked "long and strong." And all of that was within the first week! By week two, I was being asked out on a date.

The braiding hair used for my invisible braids hairstyle ran $110 for two packs of hair at 2010 pricing. I paid the braider $150 to put in. I cut, styled and maintained it. So $300 later . . .I had "stop traffic" hairstyling and a "making money" look! Please see my article on invisible braids.

The attention that "great hair/great skin/great image" can give you is priceless at times, but hopefully, a good relationship is not built solely on "good hair."

Best Conditioner for Extension hair

A few years back, the Purple Diva, Veronica of Veronica's Beautyrama, told me about Cream of Nature shampoo. It was fabulous for extension hair up until they reformulated their whole line.

Now, hands down, Hairdreams "regeneration" conditioner is the absolute best conditioner on the planet for extension hair(commercial hair)! Even if the hair has become easily tangled, just generously detangle with the "regeneration," rinse, and run the regeneration back through it again. This conditioner will be a God send. Honest!

Hairdreams Anti-tap spray is a great leave-in conditioner for extension hair as well!

The best shampoo for revitalizing extension hair thus far is Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo. It restores moisture instantly!

The combination of Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Creamy Aloe shampoo and Hairdreams Regeneration conditioner should be all that is needed for extension or weave clients. (Hairdreams Anti-tap spray is a great backup plan as an optional leave-in conditioner just in case the shampoo/conditioner does not get you there.)

Camera and Mirrors are important!

I caught a good bit of Oprah's show highlighting the book "Women, Food, and God." I agree that people have to look past their physical flaws in order to start whipping their physical image in shape.

I would like to piggyback that the mirror is important because sometimes we wake up one day and do not recognize ourselves. That is when you have to look deeper into the spiritual world. The start is at the mirror!

To go even further, use that camera on the cell phone and snap yourself all the time; at least once everyday! The camera will tell you how others see you.

Sometimes when we are in the mirror, we see beauty inward and/or outward; then we need the camera to verify what we see in ourselves. The camera can capture your mood as well as your image!

So lights . . . Camera . . . Action! (No more comfort foods! Think portion control!)