Roll Out

To hell with what "they" say.

Hair stylists listens to a lot of shop talk in the hair salon. Shop talk ranges from topics hot off the press such as the most recent preposterous government shut down for a wall to keep the country safe from people entering the country illegally, to the latest R. Kelly fiasco, to unjust killings of innocent African American men, to America's history of mistreatment of women, and of course thee old hair care do's and don'ts.

While attending cosmetology school, I recall being advised to keep our opinions out of religious and political school of thoughts. To date, I do as advised. I merely listen because they truly do get heated. But, now when it comes to topics about hair, I'm mouth all mighty.

People enter salons with all kinds of notions about hair care. The notions, I must say are all pretty much entrenched from cultural practices to the ever popular and most credited, "they." Yaaaaaas huntee, you know what "they" trumps anything and everybody; including hair stylists. This particular statement was stated around the holiday. A customer entered the salon to purchase some hair care products. She entered the salon with a head full of curls. As everyone complimented her, the customer I had just styled asked in amazement, "How do you keep your curls looking so nice and lasting so long?" "Easy, I roll my hair every night on sponge rollers," she happily replied. In astonished unison, all the other customer responded, "Sponge rollers!" "Yes. Sponge rollers." She was bombarded with statements and questions about how bad sponge rollers were for hair.

Sponge rollers are great for preserving curls.

The customer chimed in very loud, "Ladosha, did you hear what she said? What do you think about sponge rollers?" I replied, "Well, considering I told her to use them, I think they are great for what they are designed to do." Everyone was shocked. You would have thought I took my shirt off, or sneezed without covering my nose, or said I voted for Trump. With haughtiness, they were disdained by the mere endorsement and approval of sponge rollers on hair; let alone to be used to preserve curls. They all had much to say about what "they" say about rollers on hair. There were so many poignant comments about "they," Their comments were coming at me like a swirling scene straight out of Stephen King's 70's thriller movie, Carrie. It was as if everyone's comment was swirling in my ears, "They're all gonna laugh at you. They're all gonna laugh at you." I literally put my head over my ears and yelled, "Who are they?"

The bombardment of comments were silenced. "Who are they," I asked? Everyone looked around at each other, but had no response. My sentiments exactly. In hair care and hair styling refrain from what "they" say. Ignore the comments in your head about what "they" say. Ignore, any comments or suggestions from what "they" say. I honestly have no proof of who "they" are but If I could make a good guess, I'd say, people who don't know much about how curls are created and recreated.

"They" are typically the people telling people things with no merit, rhyme, reason or truth. "They" are typically the people who do not read any instructions per the manufacturer. "They" are typically the people who have lost all or most of their hair from doing too much to their hair. "They" are typically the people who did not complete their training or continue their education in cosmetology or trichology. You see, "they" are not the people anyone should be listening to as a source of credibility or assistance.

For the records, all curls are created in many forms of a rolling, twirling or winding fashion. Be it rolling a curling iron barrel, twirling of marcel curling irons, turning of flat irons, winding hair in a circular motion using two index fingers, or physically rolling hair onto a roller; in order for hair to curl, it must be rolled. Therefore, it is very obvious, for the varying manipulations used to achieve curls are all done in some rolling, twirling or winding fashion; it is practical to do the same to preserve the curls.

The ludicrous claim that sponge rollers pulls or snatches hair out is the same claim "they" make about combs. Just as people refrain and refuse to use rollers to preserve and maintain their curled hair, they refrain and refuse to use a comb to comb out their hair for the same reasons; what "they" say. Rollers not combs pull hair or take hair out.

For the sake of Pete and Pam, please stop listening to "them." Them people will not be there in the morning when you wake up and your curls are gone because you did not roll your hair. Them people will not pay for your hair to be curled daily. Them people will not be their help you with your hair, but you will. Hair styles are not like sculpting and molding a statue. Hairstyles are like sculpting and molding the blankets on your bed. Once you get out, you have to make it back up. Once you get out, you have to make it up. Hair styles like making up your up bed. Once you roll out, you have to make it up as soon as you get out the bed. The longer you wait, the more you pile things on it as you get ready for your day; thus make making your bed more difficult.

The same rules apply for rolling your hair as it does rolling out your bed. Rolling hair is best done the moment you've lived in the hairstyle and is ready to preserve it for the next day to wear it and live in it!

Keep it simple. Roll your hair with sponge rollers to keep your curls. The plastic rollers are not best for all hair textures like the sponge. Plastic rollers may fall out. Sponge rollers snap in and hold through the night. If you are seeing hair in your sponge rollers, it is probably because you did not comb your hair out thoroughly prior to rolling your hair, your hair is dirty (dirty hair sheds profusely) or simply you are seeing hair that is naturally shedding.

Now as for what "they" say about rolling hair?  Put on some Ludacris, motivating you to have them... Rollout (My Business) and roll your hair!

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.

Trends in Hair

Trends in hair care are essential in the world of hair styling and hair care. As a cosmetologist, being on the pulse of what consumers are looking for are very important. In my last blog, I highlighted the top five worst trends in hair care last year. In this blog, I will highlight the importance of discovering your hair and it's texture, style ability, care and it's uniqueness.

The purpose of the previous blog was to inform readers about gimmicks used in the one size fit all approach to hair care. Understand that hair care is unique and different for every head of hair. There is certainly a discovery process in trying different things to learn what will and will not work for your hair. So quite naturally, taking a chance to try out some these hair care antics are par for the course in discovering. However, under no circumstances should no one get to the point of discovery where the health of the hair and scalp is compromised. My goal in hair care, hair styling and blogging is to prevent hair damage and hair loss.This is my passion. 

This year when you research or look up what the trends will be in 2016 for hair styling, your search will come up with: braids/twists extensions, tree braid extensions, straightened hair, short pixie cuts, and wash & wear hair. I doubt very little that there is much difference in hairstyles this year compared to last year. With the change of hair additions going from long, straight and wavy to long braids and twists; adding hair will pretty much be the same. As a matter of fact, hair extensions still trump as the most sought after of all hair styling options. 

As a hair stylist, quite naturally I am not anti hair additions or any hair style that gives one a myriad of creative options wear their hair and express what makes them unique. So, go with the trend or be a daring trend setter. Either way, I'm a happy hair care camper. Just be sure to keep your hair on your head.

I love this look for the trend in 2016!

What concerns me as a hair stylist about hair styling is not so much as the trends. What concerns me is this massive collection of untrained and unskilled people encouraging them to "follow." The follow me, like me, tweet, and give me hearts trend in hair care is scary from my perspective of working behind the chair. Why? For some reason, the follower translates what they are seeing and watching as their own hair. What I see are women who are devastated by the level of damage done to their hair, time and money lost trying out what the see on their phones, pads, computers and other devices. Don't get me wrong, I love looking at pictures that are posted on all the social networks. I also enjoy reviewing videos on YouTube to see what folks are doing and creating with hair. But when following and copying becomes synonymous, like it has in hair care and hair styling, "Houston, we've got problems."

Videos, blogs, periscoping, tutorials and photos main purpose are simply to inspire; not duplicate. Of course I can't watch look at every post and watch every video, but I do find the key words of "inspiration" are lacking. Many creators of these pages, links and videos are leaning towards a "monkey see - monkey do" indirect approach in their efforts to get viewers to buy into their act. Copying what someone does to their hair and trying it out on your hair is risky. In my opinion that is the equivalent of using someone else's toothbrush. Yep. hair care and hair styles like toothbrushes are great. They all have a universal appeal. One can watch videos and go to as many dentists as they like to learn how to properly care for their teeth. Yet, you will not find one dentist or person who will suggest that you use someone else's toothbrush and brush your teeth as they do. As a matter of fact, it is when your dentist customizes your visit that makes your experience more individualized. You get a sense of concern and care when your dentist demonstrates how to care for your teeth and gums and how "this' toothbrush is for your teeth and your teeth only. Imagine if your dentist reached over and took that toothbrush from another person's mouth and said, "here, do it like her" and walked away?

Follow for inspiration. Do not copy.

It is the individual and personal level of instruction and care that must be given to every person from all over the planet who will someday do their own hair that is important. If you are in the spirit of looking, liking, following, reading, listening, and watching things about hair, remember, those are guides. Do not copy it verbatim. 

Instead, read up on your product first. Call or visit the company's social media of the product you want to try. Companies love hearing directly from their consumers. Often times they will send samples or coupons that will give you the opportunity to try before you buy. Also, only buy travel size or travel size kits of the products you want to try. If you make smaller purchases, your closets and cabinets will not end up in a heap of unwanted clutter. Another option is to allow your hairstylist to try things out. This will give you the hands on chance to actually try and get instructions. Most hair stylists will give you pointers in caring for and styling your hair. If not, find a new one.

In addition,cosmetology schools and salon clinics are great places to try things out on your hair. Most cosmetology schools and salon clinics are offering service much cheaper than a hair stylist or regular salon services. Provided the service you want to try out do not require chemicals, you should be safe. Wait, don't turn your nose up to these options. The trade of are the free or deep discounted services and assistance you would receive in the form of a one on one about your hair.What is the worst case scenario? None, because you will not have spent much money and you can simply wash out the unwanted style. Your hair will be in tact. The style can be washed out or un-braided if you really don't like it. Lastly, keep in mind that even the greatest of hair stylists were students first. You would surprised to the many talents inside your local cosmetology schools! When I was in cosmetology school, I was very sought after. I tried many things out under the instruction of my instructors and the the help of my fellow students. The prices were well under 10 bucks.

Carefully follow manufacturers instructions. Resist cookie
 cutting the directions.

With these tips in mind you can continue to follow, like, tweet, and watch without totally compromising your hair or wasting time and money. Remember, no two heads are alike. What you see and watch on a screen rarely results in what you will see in your mirror at home.And that is okay. Be patient, work with your hair in smaller sections, purchase travel sizes, keep your receipts and lastly try a hair stylist or your local beauty school to get the one on one attention your hair needs. 

Hopefully, by the time you read this and try out some of my tips, the only thing you will be following are the directions!