BEAUTY INDUSTRY TOXICS?

I just came from the San Juan Beauty show, Which by the way is not much different than the IBS in New York. I find it to be overly priced, instead of a significant emotional experience is an abuse to the Puertorican market. The "Nanokeratin", "Brazilian Keratin Treatment" and the "Nanoqueratina del Caribe" had a fierce competition. One... offering to exchange equipment with the salon promising to buy at least every two months the supply for the treatment. The Other selling the one box of six treatments at $250.00. The complete system at $900.00 with compressor and one box of treatment. Now If I was to buy this product I would have to inflate the price of service to $120.00 for a short hair client. Someone with shoulder length is looking at $280.00 and up. Now... what they all failed to inform the Professionals purchasing these systems is if a client has a chemical service such as color on a monthly basis the treatment will deactivate! Or shampoo's with SODIUM CHLORIDE will also strip the keratin from the strand of hair! Try finding a shampoo without this ingredient in it.

This occurs with all of the Keratin treatments, regardless of brand. Some "Formaldehyde Free" Brazilian Keratin Treatment contains 2% Ether!, which is an anesthetic with side effects such as nausea and lung irritation. Now, I did purchased the nanokeratin treatment by "Tanagra"www.tangra.com.br I like it so far... but still take caution by wearing a mask, Then again I do the same when I use my airbrush tanning solution. Let's face it all of the chemicals in our industry will eventually cause some trauma to our lungs we are the ones more exposed to these vapors. A client might be exposed to it temporarily but we are there day in day out.
Till next time.

INDUSTRY ARTISTS

The industry has an Artist in every corner of the planet. This was created by the team ay JCPenney Caguas Puerto Rico.
Licensed Cosmetologists:

Noemi, Eva, David, Marta, Matthew, Noemi, Linda, Marylyn, Norma, Cynthia.

INSPIRATIONAL HAIR

The Brazilian keratin treatment vs straighterner

I have located so many articles that talked about the BKT being the same as the relaxer... well it's not. The relaxer is a Japanese Straightener that will last up to four months and no blow dryer will be needed for smooth results. The Brazilian treatment only last until your next chemical service. It WILL NOT relax your hair. BKT is a repairing service, which has a lot of people convinced that it's a relaxer including the industry experts. But upon interviewing the manufactures I found out the following. It does make very chemically stressed hair 100% smoother. It can be done on all types or hair. How ever a monthly chemical service such as a color service does deactivate the BKT. I have answered a lot of questions about the BKT not doing what the stylist claimed it would do for clients. If the hair has been previously relaxed, Japanese straightened, or chemically damage the hair will appear 100% in better condition than you would see on a natural head of hair. This is due to the dramatic contrast of the damaged cuticle in comparison with non chemically treated hair. Why is it that the Japanese Straightener had such negative results for so many? because... upon retouching the relaxer the proper precautions where ignored by many a technician. For example overlapping of the creme is almost inevitable because it had to be applied five to six months latter (that is about 5 inches of regrowth) you see... this is called over processing when a chemical touches the hair again. Applying products like "blockers" (used a lot by master colorist to protect hair that has been previously lighten), creating that very needed barrier so no OVER PROCCESSING occurs. This SUPER IMPORTANT step was skipped 99.9% of the time which as a result caused the hair to brake at the 5 inch mark where it had just been retouched. I've had success after success with the "Thermal Straighteners" & "Japanese Straighteners" just using a little common sense.The Brazilian is a huge breath of fresh air for all of us and our clients. Because we can now have answers for those whom have suffer the neglect from technicians in la.la land.

Where it all happens

My industry, is so exiting, invigorating, competitive and art filled. The people who create the haircuts, the colorist that gets inspired by a birds feather and the make-up artist that interprets shapes and shades of a face. These are some of the most amazing artists I've have ever had the pleasure of crossing paths with. I have been so fortunate to have worked and trained with a variety of them. A true stylist/cosmetologist "aka" image enhancer is the one, that when sharing a meal grabs your (off white) napkin and looks outside to spot a UPS truck and says "there"... is the (chocolate brown) that will go great with these highlights as she/he waves the napkins in front of you. Ever though of how they come up with the hairstyles for a runway show? and how is it that the make-up artist raps it all up with eyes and lips the perfect color. The artist knows what the other artist sees in an artist mind. Beauty is art and the art of it all is where it all happens.

Testimonial on the Keratin treatment

Brazilian keratin treatments promise sleek, healthy locks

THE NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
August 28, 2007 - 10:58PM
After 14 years of relentless highlighting, bleaching and chemical straightening, Deborah Epstein, 32, a law student from Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, had ruined her unruly brown curls. Dull, brittle and difficult to style, her hair was so fragile a ponytail holder could snap it off. Moreover, all it took was a molecule of moisture and her hair frizzed. And no amount of expensive products, deep-conditioning treatments and weekly salon blowouts could tame her mane. But in April, Epstein tried the Brazilian Keratin Treatment at the nuBest Salon and Spa in Manhasset, N.Y. The results were so spectacular, she wept. “I got very emotional,” she said. “It was mind-boggling how beautiful my hair looked: straight, shiny, sleek and more important, healthy. I have no products in my life now. I wash my hair, air-dry it and then the last 10 minutes, I blow it and it’s pin-straight.” Such a gushing testimonial is not unusual, stylists say. “For a woman who had a thorn bush for hair and now it’s like silk, well, we’re talking revolution,” said Mark Garrison, who offers the treatment at his salon in New York. Originating in Brazil, the treatment has become widely available here only in the last six months. While it appears that no major American hair or beauty companies are now selling it, a cottage industry of hairdressers has emerged, importing the product from Brazil or creating their own formulations. So far, the brands include Brazilian Keratin Treatment, Brazilian Hair Straightening and Brazilian Blowout. “Right now, it’s blowing everything away,” said Meryle Nemeth, the nuBest stylist who administered Epstein’s treatment, one of about 500 she’s done since February, when it became available at the salon. “I’ve never seen anything take off like this as far as relaxing hair. Everyone wants it for summer, for affairs, for weddings. I’m talking all ages, 12-year-olds to 70-year-olds.” Sarah Brown, the beauty editor of Vogue, said the treatment is perfect for those with tumbleweed hair who are trying to simplify their lives. “For people who can’t master a salon blowout at home or go get a weekly blowout, a treatment like this is seriously liberating,” she said. Technically, it is neither a relaxer nor a straightener, both of which use caustic chemicals to change the texture of the hair. The Brazilian can be used on most hair types, even the previously color treated, without causing harm, proponents say. Treatment takes 1 ½ to 4 hours, and costs $150 to $600, depending on the length and thickness of the hair (Colorado salons cited prices ranging from $150 to $200). A stylist applies a solution made with active keratin, a protein akin to a component of human hair. Using a 450-degree iron, the hairdresser seals the formula onto the outer layer of the cuticle. The formula adheres to the cuticle’s inherently rough edges. Thus, it is said, it traps moisture, hydrating the hair, and adds a glossy veneer. The results last six weeks to a few months, depending upon how frequently the hair is washed. There are risks. There’s the hot iron. And the formula often contains formaldehyde, a known carcinogen that can irritate the eyes and lungs if the fumes are inhaled. Go to www.brazilian keratin.com or www.brazil ianhairstraightening.com to find a salon. Uncurliness comes with a caveat. Emily Dougherty, beauty editor at Elle, warned: “You need to do due diligence and challenge your stylist. Ask questions about where this chemical cocktail is coming from.” Only two Colorado salons currently offer Brazilian hair straightening, according to the two Web sites mentioned in the story: I. Cappelli Salon in Parker (1-303-773-3315) and Salon Belvedere in Denver (1-720-904-0330).



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Micro Links Extensions

This technique is great for many reasons. One, you can re-use the hair (if done right), Two, they hang on quite well for up-to four months. Three, it is a lot cleaner to remove than keratin. Like anything else in our industry beware of copycats. Euro Locs & Lord and cliff, are my favorites because of quality. Not only do you need to be aware of the hair but the cylinders ass well. I've purchased and tested (just cause) some online doodle from different websites and boy am I not surprised. How ever the technique has it's science one of these is there has to be enough hair through the tube or the extensions will slide eight out on the first brushing. The problem most commonly found is the "crinkle" effect it leaves behind after removal. The do tangle something fears when not properly maintained. Now a days however there is a new concept that seems to work well and that is keratin "cushed" tubes. They coat the inside of the tube to avoid sliding and crinkling. Some one's been thinking.