Dimensional Highlights by Benita Blocker

 My client switched to Paul Mitchell relaxers around nine months ago because the Fiberguard Affirm line was causing moderate breakage.  I highlight her hair about every six months.  She likes blonde highlights.  Sometimes I alter her color formula, and she does not get her desired blonde color.  From a dimensional effect, this variation in colors work over a two year period.

Hair by Benita Blocker

Hair by Benita Blocker, December 2014

I used Wella Blondor Cream Lightener, Naked by Essations Detox Clarifying Shampoo,  and Straight Request After Calcium conditioner.  The Sanek See-thru Foil that I featured in a separate article on this blog came in handy to check the blonde processing without opening up the foil.The foil is heavy weight as well.

When to Reupholster Salon Furniture?

 My salon chairs are aging after 10 years of use.  Based on the picture above, new chair? or old chair with reupholstery completed?

Well, you probably guessed right.  The picture above is the "before" reupholstery of the bottom seat.  Nice.  Right?

I made a decision to start the reupholstery process after speaking with an expert at AFH Custom Upholstery and Decor in North Augusta, SC.

My current styling chairs are welded, heavy duty chairs with extra wide foot pedals on the hydraulic assembly.  The newer chairs are not built to sustain people pushing 300 pounds or more.  My chairs support all size people.  So it became a "no brainer" to hold onto my high quality chairs.  I just need to have them reupholstered for a fraction of the cost of getting a new one that is not even built to last.

AFH Custom Upholstery and Decor completed the one chair for me and kept the pattern on file to gradually get the rest of my same exact chairs completed as my budget will allow.  By completing one chair, it allowed me to have a proof of concept, and it works! As a luxury decision, I may change up the chair color scheme, but for now, I just prefer to reupholster the bottoms.

Avlon Angel Christmas Ornament

 I was actually saving this ornament to one day put on my own family Christmas tree, but with North Korea supposedly threatening to authorize terrorist acts over distributuion of a Hollywood movie and race relations protests nationwide for justice for unarmed victims of police, I figured that she needed to be seen.  So I gave her to my mother this Christmas 2014.

 The back of her.

 The side of her.

 She was created by the "Sandy Dolls" company.

 Avlon, the makers of Affirm, KeraCare, MoisturRight distributed these ornaments to hairstylists over ten years ago. My box was discolored from sunlight exposure while in my storage, but the ornament "Naya" inside remained protected.

Thanks Dr. Ali N. Syed! 

Two Years 5 Months Sisterlocks Check-in

 Happy Holidays!  I am late checking in for this particular Loc-versary, but it is all good.  So it is now, 29 months since I got my Sisterlocks, and I am so amazed at how many people that I have inspired to loc their own hair.  These people did not come to me for me to start their locs because of distance or for whatever reason, but I am amazed at the fact that they are starting their loc journey.  I am ahead of them in length, but only by a year or two.

I am also still enjoying my wet set with the Design Essentials Curlforming Custard.  Rainy days and hydration sprays seem to reactivate the Curlforming Custard.  My hair seems to stay hydrated and curly.  I am do not anticipate seeing any build-up.  I am definitely willing to continue using curl defining products as a setting agent for locs.  I have received the most compliments, and I am not doing any more work than before.  So I contribute this extra volume and fullness to my new preferred wet set agent: Design Essentials Natural Honey product.

As far as online video tutorials, I will continue to use the quadrant of my head that has my smallest locs to perform loc styling techniques.

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.