What does cheap weave look like?

This hair was $22 for the pack. It was supposed to be 12" length. However, it is only solid for the first 3 inches past the weft. So really this hair is not but about 4" long with some stringy ends. A waste of money. It was downhill after day two. Ten years ago, $22 could get you some nice, full, middle grade commercial hair. Now, year 2011, if you do not pay at least $35 per package, then you should not expect much performance out of the hair.

Also, I was watching Dateline the other night. A black hair weave was found near a skull that was buried in the desert. I had to laugh. They identified the lady as being Black by the texture of the hair weave amongst other things. Hair weave lasts forever. LOL! On a more serious note, I hope that the victim rests in peace.

Product Review: True Indulgence Relaxer System

Yes, it has been 2 weeks 6 days from my last relaxer, and yes, I relaxed my hair yet again. One would probably think that I am really trying to destroy my hair, but I am not. However, I am fearless enough to push the limits. That is how you learn! So I brought the True Indulgence relaxer back with me from the hair show. I had used this relaxer system years ago, but never on myself because I was sold on the sensitive scalp relaxers. Of course, now we know that the sensitive scalp relaxers are not good for the hair long term.
I was able to keep this relaxer on for about 20 minutes. I had some minor irritation about 14 minutes into it. However, I loved the softness and shiny results.
Prior to relaxing with the True Indulgence Regular Relaxer, I removed the partial quickweave which involved wetting my hair. I dried my hair under medium heat under the platform dryer. I based my hairline and ears only. I also discontinued taking the Viviscal pills for the last few days.
This was the third relaxer within three weeks. Notice: I still had texture in my hair? I did not preprotect my ends. I just based the full hairline and ears and started another virgin application.

I am going to have to get my layers tuned up in the back, but overall, I absolutely loved this relaxer. I think that my search is over. I am extremely sensitive scalp with resistant hair. Paul Mitchell relaxers were not straightening my hair enough. Design Essentials Time Release relaxer seems to soften, but not straighten. Weird. The Chi Deep Brilliance relaxer was very drying to the hair, did not straighten enough, and corrosive to the skin and scalp. So the True Indulgence relaxer is my new love. Pictured are the before pictures of my hair after taking out the quickweave and before relaxing it with the True Indulgence relaxer. I did not take picture of my hair while it was wet after the relaxer. I was so excited about the look and the feel of it that I could not wait to finish it out. I will say that I still have some wave to my hair when it is wet. It is still not bone straight. A few of the tips of my hair maybe a little more straight, but overall, It was not overly agressive.

Now, brace yourself. I must mention that Dudley does make this relaxer system. Okay, slow your horses. Yes, you heard me. This relaxer is a Dudley product, and yes, I know some people can not stand Dudley, and they say that any stylist that uses Dudley is not a good stylist. I heard it all before. That is why I stopped using a lot of Dudley products because there were a lot of people that did not trust Dudley. However, this relaxer is one of their newer lines. It has been out for about ten years. I used it while in Dudley Beauty School. I used it after I graduated. I always got beautiful results. So I am full circle back to Dudley. I am not adding any of their maintenance products or styling products at this time, but yes, I would have to hurt someone if they stop making this True Indulgence relaxer. It literally made me one of the happiest women on Earth. I have quite a few clients waiting for this perfect match. It is a sodium hydroxide relaxer and very healthy as you can see! I will take pictures the next time that I shampoo my hair to show you my hair texture while wet with this True Indulgence relaxer in. I will try to write a separate article to compare the two wet pictures of a before and after. Regardless, I am so excited my relaxer search is over!

Honey: The Latest Loc tightening solution

I have stopped quite a few "sistahs" lately who were sporting locs. Their locks were freshly tightened and beautiful. I asked what they were using to tighten their locks, and the answer that I have been repeatedly receiving is one word "honey." For some, just honey and nothing else. Others use honey and a few other favorite natural ingredients. Majority of the sistahs are also tightening their own locs at home. Sisterlocks, of course, require a tool and a certified technician.

Based on your budget, you can buy raw, imported honey or the cheapest honey on the regular grocery store aisle. I was told that using honey does not attract bees. It's a good question - you do not want to have to keep running shoes on hand. Smile. A little humor. Anyway, try it out!

Brainwashed on Bone Straight Hair?

I captured these images from my "Best of Soul Train" dvds. The commercial is for Ultra Sheen Permanent Creme Relaxer. The date is around 1975, and the lady's hair is not "bone straight." Also, anyone familiar with hair texture, can also see that this woman's natural curl pattern is not kinky. She is probably naturally a Type 3 curl pattern.

It's year 2011, and Black women have gotten more accustomed to "bone straight" hair even if it means sacrificing the health of the hair for the style. For the "healthy hair" hairstylists, the "bone straight" mentality has become a challenge because people are so used to the straightness achieved from the ionic flat irons. So Black women are either going completely curly or they want completely bone straight hair. What happened to the midway point? Healthy hairstylists are finding that clients do not want this midway point. Some hair stylists have decided to either make sure the hair gets relaxed really straight or possibly use the flat iron for final finishing.

The finished look from the round brush blow dry service used to be enough decades ago, but now, even the dominican hairstylists are finding people want straighter hair in these modern times.

Literally, I have seen Black women with "heat damaged hair" still go pay for a round brush and flat iron service just because they like the finished look. I cringe when I see this happening, but I have to respect others' businesses. Sometimes this damage is happening on a platform at a hair show. In my mind, I am watching heat damage compound, and I can not say a word. Eventually, after the hair becomes completely fried from the "inside out," it will break uncontrollably. Flat irons heat hair from the inside out versus curling irons heat outside in. Indirect heat versus direct heat. No matter which heat that you choose, you can NOT use heat everyday. Direct heat is safer, but too much heat from any type of iron too often will weaken the hair.

Let's talk about image for a second. The "Sleek" look does carry a certain amount of prestige. People are driven by social acceptance and fame. The more texture that is seen in your hair usually means that you are viewed as "unpolished" in some social circles.

The best advice that I can give is to stay focus on maintaining a healthy body image and completing your educational goals. Most people can control their body image/weight. A fit body image and accessories can play off most any hairdo. Have you seen the editorial covers of some of these major magazines? "Crazy, avant-garde" hair mixed with designer clothes and designer shoes seems to be acceptable!

Do you need direction on weight loss? Jennifer Hudson is on the cover of Self magazine. I believe it is the August edition. She looks great, and her food menu and exercises are very reasonable. You do not have to feel like you need a personal chef and a personal trainer. Everything that she is doing is practical and can be done on your own. I really loved this article.

Candid Talk: Beauty School is for Everyone?

Ninety percent of all beauty schools are in existence to teach you basic haircare, basic styling, basic ways not to spread disease, and how to pass State Board exams. Once you pass the state Board exam, then you become qualified to practice without supervision. This does not mean that you know advanced haircutting techniques. This does not mean that you know everything about every product on the market. This new hair license means that you can start learning "what you want to learn about hair, when you want to learn it."

In beauty school, you are limited to using school approved hair products. Also, the clientele that comes into the beauty school for you to practice on may or may not be diversed. So your ability to service all hair types may not be achieved in beauty school.

Are there advantages to picking one beauty school over another? Yes, if you want to work in an Aveda concept salon, then attending an Aveda school will acquaint you early with the Aveda culture. If you want to master all hair types including extremely overcurly hair, then it will be better to attend a beauty school such as Dudley who will have more overcurly clients to learn from.

Typically, if you master overcurly hair, then all other hair types will be easy to service.

When touring the beauty schools, ask instructors about their demographics of people receiving hair services by the students. Hopefully, they will be honest with you. There are always times when a school may make a special initiative to advertise for more diversified clientele to give their students more exposure. However, most beauty schools have some "regular" clientele. Ask about their "regular" beauty school clientele to give you a better idea what your core hair services will be. For example: will you be performing more haircuts and haircolor or more straighening services?

Is beauty school for everyone? Yes, everyone should consider beauty school because everyone tries to be a stylist for their own hair. People are coloring their own hair at home. People are relaxing their own hair at home. People are straightening their own hair at home. You name it . . . people are doing a lot of hair at home. Why not learn the rules about hair? Once you are licensed to do hair, you still are only halfway to becoming an independent hairstylist. Similar to becoming licensed to teach school and becoming licensed to sell real estate, your hair license arms you to practice hair and really begin learning and getting more vast exposure. Or you can just be the family hairstylist without trying for a career in hair. Everyone with a hair license does not have to work in the beauty industry. It is an option; not a requirement.

Can beauty school teach you how to style hair? No. In the hair industry, there are mechanics and artists. Mechanics perform as told. Artists naturally can create an image. Styling can not be taught; you have to be born with the ability. Similar to playing music by notes versus playing music by ear. Playing music by ear is a talent that you are born with. However, anyone can be taught the basics. In music, you learn notes. In hair, you learn basic hairstyling techniques such as rolling up hair, straightening hair, but only a real artist can complete the final styling where it is absolutely becoming to the client.

Does the beauty industry have a lot of hairstyling jobs? There are a lot of hairstyling jobs, but they are not well paid positions. Maybe averaging around $8 per hour. . . Usually, newly licensed hairstylists are more a liability versus an asset. So if you are wanting a career change, a job in the hair industry right now will NOT be an upward move. Just like any other "start-up" business, you have to invest more into it at the beginning in order to reap the benefits later . . . possibly years later.

I am a graduate of Dudley Beauty School System. I also have a Bachelors degree along with corporate experience. A well-balanced individual learns to communicate and adapt to different social settings. I strongly recommend both a four-year degree along with your hair licensing if you are a woman. Men seems to excel in the beauty industry with minimal education. I think it is just the law of attraction that benefits the men more than the women. Happy "beauty school" searching and please mention this article if you enroll at any beauty school!