Time For Product Knowledge

Shopping for that perfect product to treat your hair, can be very tough. All products promise to give you the BEST benefits e.g: Shine, Moisture, Repair Split ends, Max. Hair Growth etc. But lets really be honest, those products are just false advertising. When it really boils down to finding the right products, you have to read the ingredients on the back label. But who really understands what those long scientific words really mean? Most can hardly pronounce any of them. And I don't believe that is fair to the consumer.


So, that's where this post will help you next time your in the store, trying to search for products. I am going to build a product key for you, that you may study or take with you to the store.

First, I want to let you know about reading product labels, is that the first ingredient listed is what the product consist most of and the last is the least. And that is something very important to remember. What do you want your product to consist most of?

Product Key

Proteins- are needed when hair is weak, used as a strengthener, repair split ends, keep hair smooth

• Hydrolyzed Soy Protien
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protien
• Hydrolyzed Keratin Protien
• Cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen
• Hydrolyzed silk protein
• Potassium cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen
• TEA-cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen
• TEA-cocoyl hydrolyzed soy protein
• Hydrolyzed oat flour
• Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed rice protein

Amino Acids- are fatty acids, used for moisture, promotes hair growth, helps promote blood circulation

• Lysine
• Methionine
• Glycine
• Arginine
• Glutaminc Acid
• Coconut Fatty Acid
• Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl silk amino acids
• Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed hair keratin
• Cocodimonium hydroxypropyl hydrolyzed casein

Oil- are used to seal the cuticle, help reduce damage cause by the sun, provides shine, rich in Vitamin E

• Line Seed
• Wheat Germ Oil
• Sunflower Extract
• PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60
• PEG-10 castor oil
• PEG-10 coconut oil esters
• PEG-10 glyceryl oleate
• PEG-10 olive glycerides
• Jojoba Oil
• Safflower Oil
• Sweet almond oil
• Coconut Oil
• Olive Oil
• Palm Oil
• Sesame seed Oil
• Mineral oil
• Petrolatum

Vitamins- used to promote hair growth, natural antioxidants, promotes new cells, promote blood circulation

• Vitamin E (Tocopherol acetate)
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin A (Retinol, Retinyl palmitate)
• Vitamin F
• Vitamin H
• Vitamin H1

Moisture- helps hair maintain mouisture rentention, soothes scalp, repairs dry hair, give hair natural shine, needed for color processes

• Water- soluable Shea Butter
• PEG-75 Lanolin
• Dimethiconol Meadowfoamate
• Aloe Vera
• PEG-100 hydrogenated castor oil
• PEG-10 cocamine
• PEG-10 hydrogenated lanolin
• PEG-10 soyamine
• Cetearyl stearate
• Dimethyl Lauramine Isostearate
• Glyceryl Stearate
• Glyceryl cocoate

Also, Laurel Sulfate, Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl Sulfate, are made in most shampoo's and some conditioner's they are the same ingredients found in car wash detergent. It is put in there to create bubbles (since we love bubbles) but it makes our scalps itch and gives us allergic reactions. Do Not Purchase a prodcut contaning these ingredients.

The list above of ingredients are for what to look for if you do not find these, then put the product down!
If you found anymore that you are unsure about please ask and I will let you know.

Let's Talk Diversion

Definition of DIVERSION

1: the act or an instance of diverting from a course, activity, or use : deviation <bad weather forced the diversion of several flights>

2: something that diverts or amuses : pastime

3: an attack or feint that draws the attention and force of an enemy from the point of the principal operation

 

 

What I like to do is educate my client's on things that are going on in The Industry. One of the most talked about topics is DIVERSION, Now, Diversion meaning in this case, if I may put it in laymen terms is basically. When you the consumers purchase  products from Walgreens, Target or Beauty Supply stores. As opposed to purchasing the product from the provided professional retailer.

 

I understand one of the reason's is that, you believe you are getting the product for a cheaper value. Which I honestly can't blame you. But in reality you are actually spending more than what you should .  You see the professional products that are sold through salons and professional stores all have one set price (even sales). We will purchase that product for, let's say, $10 and we will make a 50% profit so we charge $20. and that's all across the board. We can't sell it for more than 50%. But when you go to Diverting stores they purchase it for $10 and may charge however much they like. (I myself have seen products being sold for more than 90% the sugg. retail price) and then what they like to do is give you a sale. Which will on be at 10% off making you think you saved money. Hard to believe go look for yourself.

 

Now, I am going to take you a little deeper, into purchasing a professional product from a professional retailer, when doing so you are GARUNTEED to having that product in that bottle. But, from a Diverting store who knows, what's in that bottle. You see, we get our products from the manifacturer itsself , so we know what we have in our products. Diverting stores recieve their products from the black market, on the black market people are able to put anything in those bottles and call it whatever they want. That's why some people have allergic reactions to certain products, or the product was working fine until one day it just stopped working. I have clients that have been using my products for along time and they still continue to deliever the same results. Because its the right product in the bottle. Don't risk your hair being healthy just to save a dollar.

 

And last but not least, We as professionals just like any other field would like the support from our clients and soon to be clients. So when purchasing products through us, it's helping us, it's supporting us. And we need all the support we can get, we work hard to provide and enhance the beauty for people and love what we are doing. But we need your help, When purchasing from us, YOU are keeping Salons and Schools open. So that we may provide YOU with more services. So I feel it's only right to keep the Beauty Dollars within the Beauty Industry. And don't worry Target will not miss your money.

 

 

So, You want to hair color?

This past week I was scheduled for a client who wanted a haircut, as she was sitting in my chair she also decided she wanted a hair color, as well. I kind of already knew where this was going considering it was such a spontaneous move and she asked to see our choices.

In our Salon we use Chromastics which colors are rich in tones and penetrate into the cortex which means they are long lasting. And great for African-Americans. So, I knew that if She really wanted this color that we would have to find the best fitting and something subtle. Why subtle? well, 9 times out of 10 when someone is very quick to pick a color. The following week they will have (what I call) "Color Remorse". And just as I thought She wanted a Black and I am not talking about a regular 1N, I am talking about the Blackest of them all! A blue base black which is a very strong color, and when it comes to that color you can only do Permanent.

Now, the lady to me had a Kim Kardashian skin tone which I thought was too light to have such a dark color. I gave her other suggestions and told that I personally do not think that, that would be best for her. But, she continued to insist that, thats what she wanted. So, just like in every other customer service job, the number 1 rule is "The customer is always right." So, I did what I was paid to do. I pray she doesn't come back with "Color Remorse".


Unfortunately, She refused to listen to me but I hope you guys will take my tips into consideration before getting a color:

1. The first rule to getting a color is Always, Always, Always get it done professionally. When getting color from the Drugstores the contain the most harshest ingredients; Metallic Salts and Dyes that eat away at the hair.

2. When unsure about what color try Semi-Permanent, they wash out very easily and are the safest of colors.

3. I believe in contrast, never chose a color within 4 shades of your skin tone. They tend to wash you out.

4. Never get a Permanent Color unless you are totally, positively sure about what color you want.

African American Synthetic Wig Collection by Beverly Johnson

5. One of the best ways to see if you would really like a certain color, go to the beauty stores and try on different wigs.

6. Please listen to your stylist take whatever she/he has to say into consideration. They most likely know what they are talking about.

7. If you have a relaxer wait at least 3 weeks until getting a Permanent Color, relaxers dry out your hair and so do colors. You want enough time to restore your moisture.

8. And last but not least, after Permanent Colors on your next salon visit ask to get a deep condition. It helps your hair to stay strong and your color to stay vibrant.

I hope you use these tips when you are ready to change your color!

KinkyGirlHair xoxoxo

KinkyHairGirl Introduction

                                           KinkyHairGirl

I am yours truly, KinkyHairGirl I decided to create this blog for the women that do not have a clue on what to do with their hair. I am a licensed Cosmetologist in a salon in Downtown Chicago. I am trained in multi-texture hair, including natural hairstyles.

                                       Jennifer Hudson

Lately it seems to me that more women are moving out of the relaxer phase and going back to natural styles. A lot of these women are also Mothers or Full-time business women that do not have the money or time to spend on going to a salon. So, ladies just breathe a little more because I am here to help.

                                           Raven Symone
                                

I believe it is a wonderful thing that we (women) are trying to have healthy beautiful hair. But I also understand that due to our busy lives it makes it harder to achieve those results. Most of you go straight to the wigs and weaves thinking that, that will save you from having to take care of your hair. Well, my motto is and always has been, "If you have hair, you have to take care of it, regardless if its hidden, it is on your head." Even if you were bald you would still have to take care of your scalp. I know, I know you don't have the time well think about this. If you actually take the time out to take care of your hair (i.e. conditions, less heat, wrapping hair etc.) then when your hair becomes happy (healthy) you wont need so much time to do it.

                                     Kim Coles goes natural

The problem is you don't want to take the time out to get to the point where your hair is happy. Women nowadays are so stuck on things with the least effort as possible and are satisfied with the look of their hair not the actual being of hair. You want to hide it if it does not look up to your par instead of going to a salon to get it taken care of.

                                     Keisha Knight Pulliam

For example one of my biggest challenges with my clients is letting me cut their ends, everyone has had that one experience where a stylist chopped all their hair off. And because of that they refuse to let me clip their ends. And I totally understand, but at the same time you have to understand that by doing so, you are setting your hair up for DOOM. If you do not get your ends clipped then you are letting your split ends travel up to your root which will lead to a damaged hair bulb and that means your hair will not be able to produce. Also, when it comes to your look and style of your hair the result will look terrible because you CANNOT hide split ends. After explaining that to my clients if they still wont budge, i will consider letting them watch me clip their hair. Sorry ladies but it must be done.

So that was a little introduction into what this Blog will be about. I will also give you tips for at home or when you are at your next visit to the salon, if you have any question please post and i will answer those as well.

Love, KinkyHairGirl xoxoxo