Posted on July 13, 2009 with No Comments
Innovation has never been the strong suit of the hair care industry. Instead, companies rely mostly on taglines, bylines, smooth talking salesmen, pretty commercials, and emotion-based marketing tactics to promote their wares that, more often than not, use the exact same formulas and chemicals.
Moroccan Oil
Strip away all the hype, cover your eyes, randomly pick a shampoo, and you’d end up with exactly the same product with only slight differences in ingredients more often than not.
Therefore, the introduction of the Moroccan Oil® brand and its “Series” of products is a refreshing change in a market swamped with bland, over-hyped shampoos, oils, treatments, conditioners, 2-in-1 shampoos and conditioners, and many other miscellaneous formulas that offer the same end via the same means. However, could it be that Moroccan Oil® itself is an overrated product as well? We’ll find out in this review.
One of the things that separate Moroccan Oil® from other brands is its manner of dosage and treatment. In order to get a natural, silky softness that whole generations of hair care brands claim to provide, you need only apply a few small drops (Argan Oil) to clean, wet hair from its roots to its tips. Say goodbye to the greasy feel of other serums that weighs down.
Moreover, this truly revolutionary product line works its concentrated magic by nourishing your scalp with valuable antioxidants like Vitamins F and E, penetrating deep into the roots and repairing all its split ends in one fell swoop. Considering that it does all this in just a few drops, it may not be an exaggeration to refer to this product as a super serum of sorts that works well on all types - especially for shine, faster drying and improved smoothness.
One of the things I think is now so great about their line is that in addition to their best selling Argan Oil treatment, they have now introduced the “Moroccan Oil Series” that includes: a Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner, an Intense Curl Cream, Gold Glimmer Shine, and a Restorative Hair Mask - all with Argan-based formulations or with the use of unique and pretty effective ingredients.
The true test to Moroccan Oil®’s mettle is, of course with its shampoo, how it handles two extreme types—the coarse, dry ones and the thinning, breakage-prone ones. Considering its potency, it won’t really help in restoring follicles that have begun to shed, especially considering the fact that it contains no DHT blockers in its formula.
Furthermore, it caters more to the latter dry type because untangling knots and curls is its specialty. It can be used on any hair type, but the puffier and more unruly, the better it performs.
As for the drawbacks, its subtle, incense-like smell may not be for everyone, especially those who prefer a tropical aroma over its spicy Caribbean coconut smell. Although its benefits reach panacea-like proportions (it protects against ultraviolet rays and pollutants, leaves no build up or residue, and so on), its results may vary from person to person.
Regardless of its shortcomings, Moroccan Oil® remains styling and hair care products of choice for types ranging from thin, (but not thinning) normal to thick and coarse. As such, until a better product comes along, it gets a nigh-perfect 9.5 out of 10 star rating.
Tags: Argan Oil, Conditioner, damaged hair, fast drying, hair damage, hair product review, Hair Products, healthy hair, improved shine, moroccan oil, morrocan oil, review, Shampoo, shampoos, styling damage
Category: Damage, Dense, Thick & Coarse, Shampoo, product reviews
Posted on June 21, 2009 with 5 Comments
Thinking of relaxing?
Choosing the best relaxer is very important for the health of your hair. Fear not! With the right relaxer and proper maintenance your hair can be healthy and strong. An experienced hairstylist is most qualified to identify which chemical treatment is right for your hair.
Of course, the texture and curl of your hair are key considerations in selection of product and processing time. But more importantly, your history of hair processing will determine which chemical relaxer can be used on your hair.
Some relaxers, when combined with others, even when months have passed since your last relaxing process, will break protein bonds in such a way that disastrous hair breakage results. So it’s important to see a licensed stylist for this chemical service.
Relaxers typically need to be touched up every 6 to 8 weeks depending on the rate of your hair growth. This is a process where the relaxer is only applied the “new growth”.
The three main active ingredients found in chemical relaxers are sodium hydroxide, guanidine hydroxide and amonium thioglycholate.
Sodium hydroxide, commonly known as lye, and has been blamed for causing damage, while guanidine hydroxide and amonium thioglycholate are promoted as “gentle” or “no-lye” formulas.
The truth, however, is that all three of these chemicals will cause severe follicle and scalp damage if they are misused; and all three can produce good results when used correctly.
When it comes to lye relaxers my favorites are Mizani and Mizani Butter blend. I’m also a fan of Affirm. When it comes to No-Lye hands down I would choose Phytospecific Phytorelaxer Index 1; it’s pricey but the end result is fabulous!
Self Relaxing
My suggestion is that if you don’t have experience in self relaxing…DON’T! Self relaxing is very tricky and over processing is very common for the inexperienced. It’s especially important when applying to new growth. One of my favorite products for self-straightening is the Organic Root Stimulato kit that, when applied correctly offers salon results.
Black Hair Maintenance
It’s important to wrap hair each night and cover hair with a silk scarf before going to bed. Apply light moisture daily or apply a light silicone spray. Wash and Condition weekly with moisture enriched products such as HHP Emu Oil Shampoo and conditioner. Apply a heat protectant, such as HHP Spray Straight to smooth and straighten and Blow dry. Deep condition monthly and apply protein based products as needed or as recommended by stylist.
Posted on April 26, 2009 with 1 Comment
Many of us have lengthened the time between stylings and haircuts in the past year or so. As a result, many of our 
friends (and stylists who work with us) report increase in problems - particularly dryness, frizziness and increased breaking.
Basically there is a fundamental cause. Flat irons and curling can reduce moisture content in the follicles. Additionally, a periodic cut trims spit-ends and frizz. Though we may have some “cut shock” following styling, it does help keep hair smoother and easier to manage (usually within a week). But, with many of us postponing the $45-$125 treatment due to economic issues, paying a bit more attention to cleansers and conditioners, may keep our healthier.
- Keep your moisture up - Normal moisture content for follicles is about 8%. Below that you will experience dryness and lack of control. While inexpensive shampoos are especially appealing when you walk down the Wal-Mart beauty aisle, consider many products may not give your hair the nutrition and hydration necessary for prolonged health. A more expensive shampoo is generally that way for a reason. Most manufacturers price their products competitively. Excessive pricing is generally a result of either packaging or marketing. Find a manufacturer where you can buy “direct” and you will usually find the best products at the best price.
- Conditioners help (a lot) - Many conditioners can help repair damage as well as provide protection. Most of us have just gotten back from Spring Break - so, we probably have been in the sun, ocean or possibly on the slopes. UVA/UVB damage combined with Chlorine from pools or salt water can dry out locks and make styling pretty difficult. Again, the best conditioners are generally pretty expensive, but they are best because of the ingredients. Emu Oil, Jojoba Oil, Panthenol and various proteins proven to moisturize and improve control are top of the line ingredients used by manufacturers - because they work.
While more expensive products are not a panacea, they tend to last longer, require less application, and are best at improving scalp and follicle health. In a time where we are all watching our pennies, a little investment in hair care can reduce costs in the short and long run.
Tags: conditioners, hair damage, Hair Products, healthy hair, inexpensive, recession, Shampoo, shampoos, spend less
Category: Controlling Hair Care Costs, Damage, Hair Care Products
Posted on April 16, 2009 with No Comments
For all the effort and wonderful outcome (eventually), my wife usually has to endure a month or so of hair damage after she gets her hair colored or permed. She doesn’t have treatments too often, but when she does, we (the family) sluff through a few weeks of a disgruntled Mom. Here are a few ideas we recommend to our customer and a few things that she has come up with.
- After a new cut and color - don’t blow dry. In fact, for a few days following, air-dry and be gentle with a brush. If you have gone ”short”, the exposed follicle shaft can be harmed by excessive heat. FYI - we get calls daily from folks walking out of a salon after getting a big cut and color and finding out their hair looks like the end of an old broom!
- Stay out of the sun - We just got back from the beach for Spring Break. Kids and wife spent a lot of time in the sun (while I worked much of the week in Atlanta). Everyone had rosey cheeck and my son’s hair is starting to turn blonde. Sun affects your hair. It’s effects can be amplified by styling products, increasing damage. Try to wear a hat when outdoors or use a shampoo with SPF protection.
- We recently began carrying Argan oil products - may have heard of Morrocan Oil, Miracle Oil or Marrakesh Oil. This is not a pitch - these are great. They greatly increase drying time, moisturize and improve shine. We had a friend and large salon owner in yesterday. Unsolicited, he went on for 15 minutes about Argan oil and how he and his staff use daily for most of his clientle. I’m writing a post on this in a few weeks…stay tuned.
- Find the best moisture shampoo and conditioner possible - sounds to obvious…but most hair breakage and damage is caused by stipped moisture.
We are posting a short series on repairing dmage and a few products you might consider in June…but, these will help out. Thx.
