Hair Care

What does hair care mean to you?

Prior to becoming a hair stylist, I was a social worker. I enjoyed teaching parenting classes and getting teen parents to return to school. It was a job I loved to do. To be honest, I was very successful. I completed many reports to funders that demonstrated how mothers reunited with their children and how teens returned to school. Many may think that referrals and linkages were the keys to my success. After all, that's what families in crisis need, right? That is true. But I kind of liken my success as a social worker to that famous "Ginsu" commercial from the 70's, "But wait, there's more!"

Yes, not only was there more. There was another way. Referring families to the appropriate community resources was essential. But then so was, connecting the families to resources that provided bus passes, pampers and milk which afforded them help to aid in their decision to return to school. Yes, referring and connecting was pretty much my focus as I headed off to my drive to work. However, whenever I arrived at my families homes, something more than referrals and linkages were always happening. No, there were no fights. I rarely experienced a "no-show" on my home visits. My parenting classes were always full to capacity. So what was it you ask? Why were the families I served so consistent and determined to modify their parenting and return to school?

The answer is easy, hair. Yes, I must have told this story a thousand times. So writing it in a blog surely won't hurt. Right? Yes, I have a funny sense of humor. Humor is very important when working with people. So, humor is what I used to incorporate hair care into my scope of social work. It appeared that upon my every arrival, my hair was the key to getting my big toe inside the door. They loved my hair. Regardless the race, income, age and hair texture; my hair always became the main topic of discussion. Having no knowledge of hair styling, I humored them by creating analogies to hair care and self-esteem (or whatever the issue was that I was there to modify). Modifying their behaviors took more than a pep talk. My goal was to change their action of sitting in the house complaining, to them physically doing something that mattered to them. I wanted them to experience the magic of their actions. 

Before I knew it, those hair care analogies were being shared more than candy. It seemed whenever I arrived to a home or to one of my parenting groups, the word was already out that the "hair lady" had some good news to share about how to do your own hair. When I look at my career as a cosmetologist, I see that like Brian McKnight; I am, "back at one." 

Yes, with the natural hair movement sweeping the beauty industry like a push broom, people continue to want to know what is going on with their hair. Now that social media has quickly moved from photos to "live" feeds; oh, it's on and poppin'! Consumers are quickly realizing that pictures are not worth a thousand words nowadays. No. Pictures are worth a thousand filters, fancy phone camera lights and selfie angles that make my size 16 look like an 8. Ok, well maybe not an 8, but you get where I am going with this? The case of the fake people is rearing its ugly head. Once again, certain hair stylists are finding themselves lost in yet another trend. At first, it was finger waves. Then it was the Afro. Then it was cornrows. Then it was those Farrah Fawcett layers. Then it was the relaxer. Then it was curly perms. Then it was relaxers are bad. Now it's,  "going natural" (which by the way, I still have not figured that one out. Seeming as any hair that grows from the scalp is natural. But nobody asked me-sips tea).  The next trend certain licensed hair stylist found themselves lost in was, "The Big Chop." Then it was "protective styles." The latest appears to be these "twist out" hair styles. 

The disappointment is real.

In the famous words of the little boy who's video went viral as he attempted to explain to his mom, "Listen, Linda, listen!" Listen up people, understand that hair care and hair styling are entirely two different things. A hair style can never be hair care. And hair care can never be a hair style. Why? Well because they are not trends that you follow. They are not videos and tutorials. No, they are verbs that you do. You really have re-do them both daily. Neither last like batteries or trends. For some reason, many sincerely feel and believe that a paid for hair style or hair care products translate into lasting. 

The time has come to end this madness for once and all. Hair styles have their place in the world. Hairstyles belong in places such as photo shoots, picture day, TV sets and special occasions (i.e. holiday hair, weddings, family photos and so on). They don't last. Hair care products are supposed to be used up. You don't wait to use your products for Easter or a special occasion. Once the hair is styled, it is officially being "lived in." So, the wanting your hair style to last situation has to be put to an end. For the most part on most humans; hairstyles honestly do not last long. The attempt to preserve it is a gallant one. But trying to make a hairstyle last hours (for some) or days after it is has been "lived in" is about as effective as trying to preserve a souffle' that has been poked. Dude, it ain't happenin'. And for those whose hair can last, a big shout out to you and your one in a million hair. For many people, hair styles don't last because hair moves. Hair care products should not be in your cabinets for years. No, they should be used. If you are not using them, discard them. Do not share and pass them off to your children or friends. Many people say to me, "Why am I just now hearing this?" Well, I'm certain it has been said. What it has not been, is PROMOTED. There are not enough licensed cosmetologists standing up to help the consumers face the reality of hair care on real people in real life. 

So, I'm going to do my own "gallant effort" to help the masses with the "how to" of hair care that will result in a great hair style for a few hours if that long.

Shameless plug!

Yes, it is official. I have decided to come out of the closet about my dream. My dream is to be a writer. So, I write. I aim to write to tap into the feelings of what it takes for my readers who want to know and learn more about themselves. I aim to connect with the readers who are willing to be responsible and actually do it. In addition to writing, I am going to teach "how to" care for your hair the right way.  

How does one care for their hair the right way? By using "The Wright Hair Products."... I couldn't resist! They also have to learn how to care for their hair by using the "Wright" hair styling techniques. Doing hair properly requires doing the right thing. I will introduce to the world how I am going to do it. I will be live and direct, Saturday, April 8th at the Reverence Design Team Hair Salon. I will go live on all the social media platforms. Because I am not the only hair stylists in the world who feels this way, I have united with hairstylists from around the world starting with Arizona, Atlanta, Cleveland, Gambia (yep, Gambia the one in Africa), Kentucky and North Carolina. 

In my opinion, the mood in hair care and hair styling is going nowhere fast. It has an undertone of cyber bullying, it's light weight sexist, it's stereotypical, at times racist and fascist. It alienates and leaves many women running to the chairs of hair stylists worldwide with their smartphones and tablets showing us picture after picture; video after video all but saying, "I wanna sit with them." I honestly do not liker that. Because you can't. They won't let you. You don't have their hair, their phone, their filters or their apps...lol I understand your angst and hopes, though. 

I never was a fan of the mean girls, the clique, the echelon, the it-girls, the pretty little liars, the haves and the have-nots and the "you're not a factor bitch-boo-bye," thing-a-ma-jiggy. Nah, I liken myself to the part of change that has taken place in the world of hair care and beauty that promotes cleanliness is next to godliness. The, "be your own kind of beauty" message. After all, change is here. Change, done came, saw and conquered. Change is the new chic. Change is the new "to do." It is the big kahuna and kapow. Change is the little engine that could. It is the BMOC (Big Man On Campus)! And since it is on the minds of millions influencing them to do something about themselves. I have decided to drop the hairstylist, cosmetologist title and be my own kind of beautiful in this hair care, hair styling industry and be a "Change Agent." 

Hair care is about adapting to the changes that it goes through every single day of your life naturally. It will never matter the texture, the length, they type or the race. Because change is inevitable when it comes to hair. Change in hair needs to promoted so you will be prepared to accept and embrace it.  And who's better to help you with the changes your hair goes through than a, Change Agent?

Welcome, my dear readers, welcome.

Color Treated Hair

Inquiring minds wanna know!

I recall the day I announced to my colleagues in social work that I would be switching careers from social work to hair care. They were all very excited for me. "What will you do, what will be your areas of expertise?" Those were the questions of the day. I would happily respond, "I will specialize in Trichology and hair coloring." I hope to travel the world teaching the masses how to do their own hair and in between engagements color the world beautiful!" They would all smile. Then one day, my dearly beloved colleague, Ellie Heiser overheard my response. She called me over to her office and said,"Ladosha, I'm a little old Jewish lady who spends a lot of money and time in hair salons. And though I don't know much about hair care for black women, I can tell you that women of all colors want to have their hair colored by a colorist who specializes in hair color who also has her hair colored."  I laughed so hard as I looked in the mirror at my black hair with a serious skunk streak going off center down my entire head of hair. 

The rest they say is history. At that pivotal moment, I decided I needed to step my A-Game up and learn more about what I was to specialize in and of course, re-vamp my image. I turned to my very southern belle of a cousin, Nickcole to help me in the image department. And boy did she pluck every hair that didn't belong, threw out my standard social work jacket, cut down my nails and urged me to fix my smile. Ahh, nothing like the brutal honesty of family!

Now that my image was all together, I still had this skunk streak I needed to get rid of. The interesting thing about becoming a colorist was learning the truth about hair color. So in my quest to get my tresses colored properly, I quite naturally devised a list of things to consider about coloring my hair. As a colorist, I have pretty much stuck to that list and only modifies it when a new technology enters the scope of services. 

So for those of you who are just dying to know the secrets to great hair coloring; read on!

There are five simple things to consider if you are interested in having your hair colored. Perhaps you are having problems with getting your gray hair to cover properly or maybe you are simply afraid of getting your hair colored. 

When it comes hair color, don't sweat the small stuff. The five tips I put together will surely help you if you want your hair colored or like me; want to become a colorist.

Money makes the world go
round and your colorist too!

Number one, the cost. Not in the spirit of you get what you pay for. The cost has to do with technology, ingredients and availability. That scenario includes what you purchase over the counter and who you pay to formulate and apply it.

Second is the formulation. Now this is where the cost and the results could increase or decrease; improve or worsen. A true colorist and a forthright company will formulate according to the desired outcome the person is looking for. If you are coloring your hair at home, this can be difficult. I suggest you call the company's 1-800 number for advice instead of re-reading the box trying to figure it out. Coloring your hair is nothing like polishing your nails. As for paying a professional, the colorist should always do a consultation upon every visit and prior to mixing anything up in the back. If your colorist at the salon is saying things like, "So are we keeping the same color?" Run for the door!

Applying hair color is not like
applying nail polish.

Third is the application. Applying hair color is as intricate as painting the walls in your home or finishing your hardwood floors. Meticulousness to details. In addition, a "method to the madness" always brings about flawless mouth dropping results. Apply color in haste not only makes waste, but it also brings about blotchy inconsistent patchy results.

Fourth, is maintenance. What you maintain your colored tresses with is as important as what you color your tresses with. Shampoos, conditioners and styling agents that are formulated for color treated hair are always best. These products are more gentle. These products have the technology and ingredients to prevent color from fading. They also help your hair from becoming brittle as well as afford you to chemically alter your hair by way of Keratin treatments, chemical relaxers, flat ironing and perming your hair. I recommend that you follow the manufacturers suggestions if you are coloring your hair at home. Do not play in this area. Doing so, almost always results in damaged hair and faded color. If you are going to a salon, purchase what your colorist recommends without hesitation. Almost all products are money-back guarantee; therefore you are never stuck with a product.

Framesi's Color Lovers
line for color treated hair is
one of the best on the
market. 

Read the technology and care
Framesi put into their
Color Lovers product line.

Do not be tempted or duped into buying products according to race and lifestyle. Quality hair care products are like soap. They are formulated to address the skin/hair condition; not the race of the person. I mean have you ever heard or read a Dove soap commercial say, "Dove, formulated for dirty white people only?" Neither should hair care products. There is something unique in all hair textures not just Blacks and minorities. There is also something unique in every individual. So while a certain group of people may be of the same race, they are all individuals. Customize your hair care just like you do your skin care. 

The best flat irons for the price.

Fifth, are the styling tools. If you are using heating implements that are too hot; you will cause the color molecules to dissipate and your color will fade faster. If you are using heating implements that are not hot enough you will cause your hair to feel rough, brittle and the color molecules will dissipate. Your hair will break, your color will fade and damaged hair is again almost always the result. Invest in a quality pair of flat irons that have the technology built in just like your hair color and hair care products. Remington Flat irons have some of the best technology that is safe and effective for all hair textures at prices under $70.00.

As you can see, dying to know about hair color not only gets you the answers, it will also bring life back to your hair. The responses will have you thinking more responsibly about coloring your hair or having it colored. If money and time are "true" concerns, then do not apply hair color or have color applied to your hair. It does not matter if the hair color line is organic or synthetic; temporary, semi, demi or permanent .... they are all chemicals and they all chemically alter your hair. 

So now that you have the answers, you can get back to living with your hair!

The Problem With Hair Care

Albert Einstein's formula for relativity was a result of his constant pondering of what makes things move. In my constant wondering why do so many women turn their hair care and hair style over to the hair stylist or salon, I too developed a formula. I took those thoughts and answers and used them to develop a formula to help. It is my belief that licensed hair stylists should do more than just shampoo and style hair. Therefore, I will join the elite number of licensed hair stylists who care and use my formula to help women nation and world wide learn how to care for and do their own hair. It is my mission to teach the masses how to care for and style their hair themselves continues.

"When one is in chains we are all bound."

There are three simple steps to my mission. The first step is to expose the methods that contribute to the madness hair stylist and salon slavery. The second step is to reveal the formula and the third step is to spread the word.

The method to the madness in hair styling starts with the trouble of no hair care. Make no mistake, it is the overt removal of and disdain for hair care that is often times promoted UNKNOWINGLY by licensed cosmetologists or is passed from generation to generation through family members and/ who both more than likely misinformed. For licensed cosmetologists, the scenario of not being properly educated, trained and tested in hair care further perpetuates this madness. Because hair styling is the primary focus and income earner for most licensed cosmetologists and salon owners, hair care and how to use the salon visit to teach rarely gets addressed. 

The power of marketing!

There is an unspoken contract between customers, licensed cosmetologists and hair care product manufacturers that is dropped off on an impromptu's notice in the salon and in certain CEU (continuing education units) classes by unscrupulous, untrained and unlicensed sales reps that add momentum to the madness that is surely spiraling out of control. The unspoken contract often starts with the solicitation to sell hair care products and education to the stylists as she styles the hair while the customer sits in the chair. The unspoken contract is also where segregation, race, hair textures and hair types are clumped together for the soul purpose of duping salon customers (old, new and potential) and consumers of hair styling products alike that what and who they see as well as hear in the advertisements are true. This statement is easily proven as fact when during this day and time there remains an "ethnic" hair care aisle in the varying stores that sell hair styling products. There remains "ethnic" in the marketing and commercialism in hair styling products. In addition, very few licensed cosmetologists, cosmetology students, cosmetology educators and hair care product manufacturers are bold enough to hold accountable the blatant removal and exclusion of textured hair mannequins in the schooling, education, training and stated tested licensing process. Sheer madness I say; sheer madness.

The unspoken contractual method all hurt and enable the consumer and the licensed cosmetologists. Yet the manufacturers of the multi-billion dollar hair styling/beauty industry become richer by the bulks, threads, needles, bottles, jars, tubes, cords and more. So, it is the method to the madness that hurts hair care.

Einstein's Theory

Now, on to the second step of my mission, sharing my formula. The formula to caring for your hair is simple and easy to use. Einstein's formula of relativity is E = mc2. Ladosha's formula to hair care is mhc2 = E. In Einstein’s relativity formula E=mc2, energy is pertinent; energy is the equivalent of what makes the mass and the speed of light (c) times acutally MOVE!  

In the formula for hair care (mhc2 = E) it is the ability to manage your hair care (at least 2 times per day) that actually takes energy (and time)! In addition, proper knowledge and instructions on which products to use for your specific hair texture and hair type is key to my manage hair care (mhc2 =E) formula.

I have always been concerned with women turning their hair care and hair style over to a hair stylist who don't even wake up with them in the morning, or after a work out and the likes to help when hair styling matters most. So waiting to return to the salon is not always the best option for many. Please keep in mind that the "waiting to return to the salon for two weeks" is another method to the madness. Dirty hair is where the money is. They even create hair styles as well as formulate hair care products and marketing campaigns specifically for consumers who do not shampoo their hair frequently. Hence, "ethnic."

Ladosha's formula on hair care.

Now this is where "the problem with hair care gets sticky." My experience has been, that for the most part it appears to be that there is a high number of women with textured (curly, kinky, wavy and Afro) who have a belief system as well as an earnest sentiment where they correlate the price and time spent in a salon on hair style with hair care. That truly concerns. It motivated my developing this formula. Removing, ignoring, not addressing and not making the time to teach the customer what to do with their hair in between salon visits is directly related to unwanted hair damage and hair loss. It promotes their false belief and sentiment. While it is difficult for a large number of women to fathom that they are being deliberately or unknowingly removed from the equation of hair care; it is true. To address this task (TIME/ENERGY) due to their daily activities (careers, family, children, church and other commitments) many women spend very little time. In addition, very little or none of their energy is spent on hair care. Therefore, I must reiterate the importance of YOU making the time and energy to learn your hair yourself. It is vital to longevity of having it on YOUR head. 

Make it your business to turn every salon visit as a "teachable moment" versus immersing yourself into your electronic device, gossiping, complaining, eating and the likes. Instead, utilize every visit to to include YOU into the formula of learning how to care for and do your own hair. Do not fret if you are a novice to doing your own hair. Any professional licensed cosmetologist would be glad to help you. If not, come see us at The Reverence Design Team Hair Salon in Cleveland Heights, Ohio!

Licensed hair stylist should be teaching every customer
how to care for and style their hair in between
salon visits.

2015 represents a new year. For many the new year brings about a new attitude. Check yours and your hair stylist's attitude toward hair care. See if you two are working on the same equation when it comes to your hair. And in that equation, E=mhc2 we know that you are the vital part of that (E)energy. Managing Hair Care (MHC) 2 times per day is what it will honestly take to keep your hair on your head. It will also give you the ability to style and re-style your hair.

In closing, do not allow anyone or anything to remove you from that equation.