February 2013 Honorable Mentions

The CIAA Tournament had me very busy this week! After doing some quick collection of thoughts, I figured that I would make these Honorable Mentions . . ..

1) Design Essentials Naturals line is now being sold in Sally's Beauty Supply stores.  It was a corporate decision.

2) I had a conversation with a rock band member about his hair.  He claimed that smoking weed/pot/marijuana caused his straight hair to turn curly.  Any type of drugs, prescription or not, can potentially change your hair's behavior.  It's something to think about.  Careful about alcoholic beverage consumption as well.

3)  Foiling in "lowlights" can be a great way to come out of ombre hair/two toned hair.  You can use the "Gray Away" spray (separate blog article) to temporarily test out your decision before using a demi or semi-permanent color.  Keep the color wheel on hand for any color correction.  Foil placement is important.  I would stick with having a professional colorist to blend in lowlights to alter ombre hair.

4) When deciding to get the "big chop," a barber may be better suited for a "low fro" than a cosmetologist.

2013 Oscars Academy Awards were a "Bang!"

With our FLOTUS now wearing bangs, I was curious how many bangs would follow.  Checklist:  Octavia Spencer

Sally Fields

Jennifer Hudson

Anne Hathaway

Kelly Rowland

Photo credits from redcarpetfashionawards, huffingtonpost, justjared, fabsugar

Maintenance regimen for Human Hair Extensions

To refresh human hair extensions,  you can pre-shampoo the human hair extensions with TRESemme Color Revitalize Color Protection conditioner. In other words, before you wet the extensions, just run this TRESemme conditioner through the extension hair to soften and keep the extension hair manageable.

Then shampoo the extensions as needed.  I usually let the "run off" water from the Paul Mitchell Tea Tree shampoo and other shampoos cleanse the extension hair, then use the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Conditioner to condition the human hair under the platform dryer.

The TRESemme conditioner can be used to coat the extension hair during a permanent hair color service as well.  It will add a layer of protection to the extension hair from the haircolor rinse water.

So far, the Lugo's hair from Miami has been the longest lasting hair without tangling, but it sheds a good bit.  Now, I just got word that "Indique" has long lasting hair without tangling, and I was told it does NOT shed.  I will keep you posted.  Indique's hair is even more expensive than Lugo's.

My yarn unit is a success!

Compliments after compliments . . . are constantly coming to me on my yarn unit.  I love it. People are always trying to figure it out - Yarn braids??? No.  There's no long-term attachment.

It's not for everyone, but even a Senior Manager at Soft Sheen Carson talked with me about the unit at the Bronner Brothers hair show.  I will keep you posted on new developments.

Also, I met with a veteran loctician in my local area.  She helped me understand more about locked hair.  She and some of her clients in her salon were amazed at my yarn headpiece as well.  I had a full audience when it was time to put my unit back on at the end of my consultation with her.  I felt really proud.  It was not awkward because my locks are still doing fine and are still growing nicely.  I left her salon armed with few changes for my daily maintenance plan as well as a plan to have two different locking methods performed.  Twisting in the front and interlocking in the back.  I will keep you posted when I make that transition.

But who said "long hair" isn't sexy?   They were wrong! LOL! Even "long haired yarn" can bring sexy back!

Ethnic Hair Direction: What are your thoughts?

Lately, I have been stopping "sistahs" left and right asking about their hair.  I do NOT introduce myself as a hairstylist.  I am just another sistah admiring other sistahs' hair. What I am finding is that a lot of sistahs are doing their own hair or they have a "hair partner" where they do each other's hair.

Also, while attending the Atlanta hair show recently, I realized that successful hair professionals (barbers and/or stylists) may only be earning about $52K per year.  Thirty years ago, $52K was good money.  Manufacturing was prosperous in the USA.  Housing was very affordable.  Money was flowing like water.

Now, the hair service prices have not changed much for men's haircuts and some ladies' hair services; however, the cost of living is significantly higher.  So the ethnic hair professionals are now earning less for the same amount of work that they now have the expertise of doing much better at least in some cases.

I am constantly hearing about hairstylists relocating to find a better market.  Of course, some return back to their familiar territory and others find other jobs where they can make a fixed paycheck.

As far as excuses for people to get their hair done, typically, job interviews, job presentations, a day off, and social events are the main reasons that drive my non-regular clients in for hair services.  So my questions  to the ethnic hair consumers are

1) Would you donate $10 periodically to a hairstylist's retirement account  (if she had one set-up) to show long-term support if you can not patronize the stylist on a regular basis?  That way when you periodically do make time for a hair appointment, your favorite stylist will still be around and available to service you.

2) Do you respect the hairstyling profession as legitimate and needed?

3) How do you feel about the billion dollars of hair extensions walking around?  Many sistahs have their natural hair braided down and prefer protective styling. However, the hair extension money is not going back to the community.  Many people are spending more for the hair than the labor.  For example:  Hair packages may cost $200, but people  may only spend $50 total labor to put it in.  Any thoughts on spending habits?

4) Are you still using ionic flat irons despite the massive hair damage that has been caused over the last three years?

5) When you go for hair services are you serviced by a licensed natural hair care specialist or a licensed cosmetologist?

Finally,  as I am approaching four years of writing this blog,  I want some feedback on continued direction. Are you interested in seeing more relaxed hair styling, natural hairstyling, product reviews, current hair events,  or what other hair topics that is on your wish list?

I look forward to the feedback!  It will benefit the styling industry as a whole.