Hair Moisture and Your Home

Are you interested in increasing your salon revenues and becoming a known expert in a billion-dollar industry? Although many stylists are struggling to make it in a tough economic climate, you can drastically increase your profit margin by expanding your specialty skills and knowledge with in the African American market.This is the best time ever to offer a process that will be inviting for so many clients during this movement in time with the  hair industry.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/statement-brazilian-blowout-good-morning-america/story?id=11771699
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/blow_back_DCftyacDl0LFtBtnzmxhNP

Hair is The Top Priority for Black Women

Women email and call Hair Salon Owner, Stylist and Thermal Reconditioning Expert Gina Rivera from all over the world asking her if she knows of a stylist in their area that cares about healthy black hair care or knows how to do Japanese Thermal Reconditioning on black hair. Why? There are not a lot of salons that specialize in healthy hair care and Thermal Reconditioning on black hair. There is now a major demand for salons that know how to successfully perform Thermal Reconditioning. However, the Thermal Reconditioning companies do not have the experience to teach healthy black hair care, which is necessary to master before doing Thermals on this range of hair texture. This is a particular need right now, in light of the fact that the majority of the United States population in the next five years will have textured hair.

Here is a sample of the email inquiries that Gina has received over several years:

“Can you recommend someone who can do this process in Orange County, CA?”

“I recently watched your video on Youtube.  As a mixed raced woman , who has had nothing but horrid experiences at black hair salons since I was a child, I found your videos to be refreshing and honest.  I currently  reside in London, England,  so I am obviously not close to your salon. Do you know of a good stylist here by chance?”

“ I am a 21 year old black girl living in London, England. I have had the fantastic opportunity to follow some of your amazing videos and articles about Thermal straightening black hair. I have truly been very impressed by the work that you have done. I really would like to get the same done on my hair but alas I have no idea where to get started. Your salon is obviously too far for me to travel to, so I wondered if you had any contacts in the UK, anyone that you could specifically recommend to me that does the same level of Thermal Hair straightening that you do. I would really appreciate this opportunity to give my hair much needed TLC.”

“I am a black female in the Chicago area, do you know anyone in my area that does the Thermal Reconditioning process? I can’t afford to fly to Connecticut or I would. Any help would be greatly appreciated!”

“My hair type is biracial. My mom is white and my dad is black . . . I go into Toronto [and] there are over 25 salons that offer [Thermal Reconditioning] but I’m not sure which one I should go to. Trust me, if you were closer, I would already made my mom drive me to your salon for a consultation but sadly you’re not. I was wondering if you could help me out because I don’t always want to relax and straighten my hair, the TR seems like a much healthier route for me.” “Do you know if there is any trained hair stylist who could apply thermal reconditioning on coarse, African American hair in the Montreal or Toronto region?”

According to BlackAmericans.com, studies show that Black women still flock to their hairdressers for routine maintenance, despite the recession. According to Global Report, African-Americans account for just 13 percent of the U.S. population. Yet they also account for 80 percent of hair-care sales in the United States. African-Americans spend three times more on hair-care than all other Americans combined. “Every woman wants to be beautiful no matter what color. But Black women have a special pride that includes taking care of their hair,” says Britney Adams, a Louisiana-based stylist.

Gina Rivera’s “Healthy Black Hair Care and Thermal Reconditioning” Seminar Hair’s Talent Salon is now offering a seminar entitled “Healthy Black Hair Care and Thermal Reconditioning,” which will teach stylists how to do Japanese Thermal Reconditioning on African-American hair textures, as well as teach various methods on how to take proper care of African American hair textures in order to achieve excellent results.

What is Thermal Reconditioning?
Thermal Reconditioning is a Thio-based chemical procedure which uses heat to restructure the hair’s protein bond, enabling those with frizzy, curly, or wavy hair to experience permanently straight hair while at the same time preserving the health and improving the feel, texture, softness, & shine, leaving the hair completely manageable. Why should you offer Thermal Reconditioning to your clientele? It is one of the best ways to expand into the booming healthy hair care market. Today, black women have become more disenchanted with the damaging effects of sodium-hydroxide relaxers and are seeking another method of permanently straightening their hair while simultaneously achieving long, healthy hair. In addition, black women are seeking a hair straightening method that will lessen the amount of hair processing time on a daily basis. Thermal Reconditioning is the perfect solution for women who want healthy, straight, manageable, gorgeous healthy hair. In order to successfully execute a Thermal Reconditioning Treatment on a client, you must be trained by a certified stylist who knows how to do the treatment on African American hair textures.  Gina Rivera is one of very few stylists around the world who has mastered the Thermal Reconditioning Technique on African American hair.

Background on Gina Rivera:

Educator, Stylist and Hair Consultant Gina Rivera’s been a stylist since 1976 and the owner of Hair’s Talent since 1986. During her career, she has worked with thousands of women with all kinds of hair textures, creating healthy, appealing and manageable styles. Gina developed a passion for styling textured hair early in her career, and has since achieved much success. Through intensive lifelong training and study, Gina’s created innovative alternatives for clients with various hair textures. They no longer need weaves or wigs — they can just style with them for the fun of it. Nor do they need to keep using the chemicals that had previously damaged their hair. In addition to her enormous following in the Northeast United States, women from all over the world have visited Gina for the superior results she consistently delivers. Whether visiting from the Caribbean Islands, Greece or all over the United States, Gina’s clients always return home 100 percent satisfied with their results. If you sign up for one of Gina’s seminars, you will be training with one of the top coaches around the world on how to properly take care of African American hair textures. Through her educational seminars, Gina will prepare stylists for a career in textured hair care and Japanese Thermal Reconditioning. In her friendly salon, you’ll join like-minded professionals to learn what works with textured hair. You’ll gain insider information on the needs, wants and concerns of a multicultural market. And you’ll enjoy lively discussions in a small class of 15 stylists.

“I want to give stylists the skills they need to work with this hair texture and market,” says Gina. “As professionals, we can help women with textured hair achieve the healthy look they want.”

After attending Gina’s seminar, you’ll feel confident saying “Yes, I can help you” to clients who want healthy hair and/or want the Japanese Thermal Reconditioning treatment. You’ll know how to deliver 100 percent satisfaction to new clients. “I would love to share all my tricks and time saving techniques that only 34 years of experience can teach you.”So get to the seminar and start creating a large, loyal following of your own. Can You Afford to Miss This Seminar? Your success in learning to care for textured hair depends on your trainer’s knowledge and skill. To excel in textured hair care, you need a coach with unmatched expertise and a proven reputation.

Gina Rivera’s seminar will help you take your career to a whole new level. At Hair’s Talent, clients pay between $500-$1,000 for a Thermal Reconditioning treatment, depending on the condition and length of their hair. After approximately 5-7 months, clients come back to the salon for a “retouch,” which can range between $550 and $650. In between Thermal treatments, clients come into the salon for various other treatments offered, such as protein and moisturizing treatments (ranging between $50 and $100) colors and highlights ( $50-$135) and cuts ($35-$55). Financially, you can drastically increase your profit margin by offering Thermal Reconditioning at your salon and performing it on African American clientele.

Seminar Details When:
The seminar will take place on Sunday, March 27, 2011, through Tuesday, March 29, 2011.
Where:
Hair’s Talent Salon
906 West Main Street
Branford, CT  06512
www.hairstalent.com
(203) 481-1246
Here is a breakdown of the schedule during these days:
Sunday, March 27, 2011:

1^st Day –Theoryà 9-1pm: Healthy Black Hair Careà

1-2pm: Lunch Includedà

2- End of day: Thermal Theory Q’s & A’s Monday,

March 28, :

2^nd Day –Thermal Reconditioning 9-9pm:

à Thermal on African American Virgin Hairà

Retouch Thermalà 1-2pm: Lunch Included

Tuesday, March 29,:

3^rd Day –Thermal Reconditioning 9-9pm:

à Thermal on African American Hair Growing Out a Sodium-Hydroxide Relaxerà

Thermal on African American Hair With Color Onlyà

1-2pm: Lunch Included

Included in the seminar cost is Hair’s Talent’s complimentary

“Healthy Black Hair Care and Thermal Reconditioning” educational package. Topics covered in package:
Introduction: The “Hair’s Talent Way”Healthy Black Hair CareThe Importance of Customer ServiceThe Importance of ConsultationsThe Importance of Product KnowledgeHow to Properly Shampoo HairHow to Properly Blow-Dry and Flat Iron HairHow to Properly Execute a Hair Protein treatmentInformation about the Chemicals used in Thermal Reconditioning TreatmentThe Profitability of Offering Thermal Reconditioning At Your SalonIn addition, this package will include The 3 Day Seminar in DVD Format so you can review what was taught to you.( It will be shipped to you 2 weeks after classes)

Cost:

The seminar cost is $1,500

Note: During this seminar Gina will be working on·

Four Thermal clients·

One Non-Chemical client for a straight blow out·

One Chemical Client for a protein treatment Also included·

Instructional package on Thermal Reconditioning·

Healthy black hair care package·

Lunch is included·

Seminar’s end, enjoy wine and refreshments with Gina and classmates.

There’ll be no sales pitch to buy hair products.Although, they will be there if you would like a chance to purchase. ***

Note: You can purchase the instructional package for $800.00 without attending the seminar if you are a licensed hair stylist.***

Reserve your seat today with a $500 nonrefundable PayPal deposit. A $1000 balance is due at the seminar and most major credit cards are accepted. ***Seminar Specials**********For every additional paying stylist that you bring with you, you will receive $500.00 off your individual seminar cost. Two for $2500.00 If you are able to bring a hair model with you, you will receive $100.00 off your seminar cost, and a Thermal Reconditioning Retouch Client after 6 months.Note: You must call Gina Rivera at least 2 weeks prior to seminar in order to discuss the model’s hair so that the model is an ideal candidate for teaching purposes.************************

Time’s flying, the demand for this seminar is high, and we only allow 15 stylists per seminar in order to provide top-notch individual attention and training. Register now and get ready to boost your client base and income. Don’t wait till it’s too late!

Sincerely, Gina Rivera,
Hair’s Talent, LLC
906 West Main Street

Branford,

Connecticut

06405

Business Phone: 203-481-1246

Subscribe to our You Tube Channel and check out our videos

http://www.youtube.com/user/hairstalent?feature=mhum

• Always use a protective product on the hair before applying heat.
• When straightening curly hair : use a paddle brush, when you blow dry, take very small sections, & work slowly down the hair shaft .
• When straightening hair that has chemical: to avoid breakage & save time, start at the ends first & work your way up to the roots.
• Stop split ends from traveling up the hair shaft by getting regular trims.
• To avoid breakage while sleeping, sleep on satin or silk pillow cases, or tie your hair in a satin or silk scarf, all of which are sold in many hair-care stores. Avoid cotton pillow cases or scarves.
• If you are not happy with a service, inform your stylist & give her the chance to correct it.
• Proper Shampooing: Normally, two shampoos are sufficient, before conditioning the hair. The first shampoo focuses primarily on the scalp, while the second shampoo should focus on the hair shaft. Do more shampoos if there is a lot of product or build up in the hair.
• Proper Conditioning: conditioner should be more focused on the hair shaft, not the scalp. Gently rub through the hair, without tangling, & rinse with lukewarm to cool water, to seal the cuticle of the hair shaft.
• Proper Combing/Detangling: using a wide tooth comb, start at the ends, & work your way up towards the root, to avoid tearing and stretching. Look at the comb afterwards: you will see much less breakage!
• It is said that ethnic & chemically treated hair needs oils to protect it. A dime sized amount of protective serum is sufficient before blow-drying or styling. If you absolutely have to apply oil, only use a dime sized amount about once a week.
• Be honest with your stylist about your at home hair care routine. What you do at home can sometimes affect what is done in the salon & vice versa.
• Wet hair with lukewarm to cool water before swimming. This will decrease the chance of your hair absorbing any chemicals that may be in the water.
• If doing an at home chemical, wet the ends before rinsing the chemical out of the hair. The hair will absorb the water, leaving little chance for the hair to absorb the chemical.
• Never do a chemical service immediately after removing braids or extensions from your hair. Wait at least 48 hours.
• Monthly protein or moisture treatments are necessary to maintain the health of chemically treated hair. Be sure to provide the correct protein & moisture balance for your hair to prevent breakage.
• When rinsing out any chemical, be sure to rinse it out for at LEAST 10 minutes, with warm water. Improper rinsing can lead to breakage of the hair shaft.
• Never perform a permanent color process and a curly perm/relaxer process on the same day. This can result in immediate breakage. Do the color AT LEAST 2 weeks after you receive a chemical service
• Avoid jagged edges on the teeth of the comb, which will “catch” and pull the hair out.
• When washing hair, rinse it twice as long as you took to wash it. Shampoo residue can dry your hair and lead to breakage.
• When washing & conditioning hair, try not to tangle the hair excessively-sometimes it is easier to wash the hair in sections to minimize tangles and frustrations.
• Before getting a chemical service, let your stylist know if you have been perspiring, working out, or wearing a hat before your appointment. If so, sit under a cool dryer to close your pores, if not you may have burning.
• Never use a comb when applying relaxer- you can accidentally scratch your scalp and cause irritation.
• Do not excessively brush your hair. Too much brushing can weaken the hair shaft. If you have to brush your hair, use a paddle brush instead of a bristle brush.
• Avoid overuse of products with mineral oil or petroleum.  They tend to block the pores and are not readily absorbed.
• Remember that water (moisture) is your friend and get plenty- inside and out. Get regular Moisture Treatments to protect you hair on the outside, and drink plenty of water-not only is it good for your health, but it also replenishes your hair from the inside.
• Avoid putting hair styling products directly on your scalp. If you feel like you have to put something on your scalp, use very little to avoid clogging your pores.
• When your hair is braided, make sure that it is not too tight or large sections it could cause breakage and/or hair loss.
• Avoid taking hot showers or washing your hair in hot water, use warm or cool water instead, the heat can dry out and/or damage your hair and skin.
• Use a clarifying shampoo after swimming to wash out the chlorine/salt and any residues that may be in your hair. Chlorine will severely dry out your hair if it is not washed out.
• “Summertime heat and activities can lead to sweat and buildup. Refresh and cleanse your scalp with Nigelle LX shampoo and conditioners. Nigelle LX is specially formulated by hair care professionals to prevent problems such as itchiness, redness, and dandruff”…Nigelle LX is sold and used at Hair’s Talent!
• If you wear your hair curly, do not try to comb or detangle it while it is dry. Wet you hair first, and then use a medium to large comb to detangle. This will prevent unnecessary tension and breakage.
• When using a flat iron or curling iron, use small sections of hair for better results. This will eliminate the need to go over the same sections over and over and prevent heat damage.
• Hair should be washed at least once a week, to promote a healthy scalp, remove build up, and for overall healthier hair.
• Do not “over use” products in your hair. Product build-up on the hair & scalp can prevent moisture from getting in. If you do use a lot of products in your hair, be sure to use a clarifying shampoo to break it down, followed by a moisturizing shampoo.
• If you have curly hair and are interested in a lighter hair color, try not to lift your hair more than 4 levels. Lightening the hair can weaken the natural protein bonds in the hair and can lead to dry, brittle hair with breakage. Conditioning treatments are also essential when performing a lightening process.
• Never use metallic dyes, or vegetable henna dyes, on relaxed hair. The ingredients in these specific types of dyes are incompatible with the ingredients in relaxers, and can therefore, prevent relaxers from getting into the hair.
• Semi-permanent & Demi-permanent colors are great for people who either want to try a darker color, cover up grays, or experiment with different hair colors….and they are safe to do with a chemical process!!!
• It is important to retain as much moisture as possible when doing any kind of coloring process, and especially on textured hair. Regular moisture treatments are recommended to keep the hair healthy.
• When going to a salon for the first time, and for any kind of chemical/color service, it is important to have a consultation with the stylist BEFORE any work is done. You and your stylist should be on the same page, as far as your hair needs, wants, and concerns are. Feel free to ask questions and be prepared for honest answers.
• If you do your hair at home, write down EVERYTHING… (Product brand, timing, color mixtures, etc…). When you go into a salon for a consultation, or even for a service, you will be able to tell the stylist exactly what you did, and she can plan accordingly.
• Don’t be afraid to try a new style that you’ve been eyeing…if you want something similar to what your favorite celebrity is wearing, or just want to step outside the box, tell you stylist…not only can she customize it to fit your face and hair type, but she will be just as excited as you are to try a new look. Schedule the appointment in advance and have pictures of what you would like.

by Victoria Wurdinger on Monday, January 18, 2010

Big or small, specialized or not, all salons start with a spark in a stylist’s mind. Lukeand Rona O’Conner started off with a silver-screen vision they worked hard for and came to share. Today, they co-own Lukaro in Beverly Hills, where they coif and color celebs like Debra Messing and Brooke Shields. Luke, who spent decades in film and television, is a spokesperson for Suave; Rona colors celebrities in the salon and out—for films like “Pirates of the Caribbean.”

In Branford, CT, Gina Rivera, owner of Hair’s Talent, always wanted to specialize in multi-cultural hair—AKA curl.

“I have a passion for curl, maybe because my own hair is poker straight,” says Rivera. “When I started out in the late ‘70s, I was often the only non-African American at certain shows. I learned everything I could, from how to shampoo curl to how to relax it. I’m all about healthy curl.”

Rivera’s 26-year-old salon was the first to offer Japanese Thermal Reconditioning (TR) in New Haven county, in 2000. Today, clients come to her five-employee operation from Greece and France, Virginia and St Croix, proving you don’t have to be a New York mega spa or a celebrity hot spot to enjoy success and a global rep.

The O’Conners also spent their time in the trenches, learning from Vidal Sassoon. “I was the perm king before I was a curl king, which helped a lot,” recalls Luke. “I worked in the Beverly Hills Sassoon location, and Vidal would come in and talk with everyone, while he got a manicure. He was open to any question.”

Maybe that’s why Rona’s management style is to share and re-share. She says the secret to keeping staff is to teach and tell all—never hoard knowledge. “I train all my assistants to be my hands,” says Rona. “I trust them so much, I can guide them through any appointment via my mobile. I give good phone color!”

All three agree that what it takes to make it as an owner includes a love of learning, a passion for hair and a grasp of finance and management. So, learn (everything you can) and share (ditto). Here’s what else these super-successful owners say helped them traverse the winding road to the top, which you can use, too.

Develop Artist-to-Owner Transition Skills

Luke O’Conner says you need systems in place if you expect to be a business success. They should include how you hire and fire, train and treat your staff, as well as details regarding the way clients are greeted, consultations are conducted and services are delivered. Of course, he adds, take business classes! Rivera says you should either understand the business end or hire someone who does. (Partnering works, too.)

Work the People Factor

If you think clients complain, just wait until you have employees. The O’Conners advise openness and honesty, which builds trust. Rivera knows that a confident staff is a happy one, and she teaches each employee her systems. “Our curly haired clients will try anything and want solutions,” she says, “I teach my stylists how to create a hair plan for each person.”

Be Prepared to Overcome Challenges

In Beverly Hills, the O’Conners saw many a great salon fail because of booth rental, which dominated Beverly Hills in the ‘80s and ‘90s. Today, the area is about half rental. A good name, a reputation for honesty and consistent service (which isn’t possible in a rental op) saw them through. Far ahead of the multi-cultural curve, Rivera had to prove herself to African-American clients before they believed she could do their hair.

Do Something New and Tell the World

Recently, Rivera devised a way to perform TR services on traditionally curly African-American hair: Hint: You need 4 inches of regrowth, then treat just the regrowth, in stages. She plans on teaching it to other stylists and salons, and will promote classes through her website. It’s all part of promoting her brand, as a salon for healthy, curly hair.

The O’Conners say no matter how “big” you are, keep promoting yourself locally. Stay involved with your community. Recently, they raised funds for a local charity aimed at foster youth, the United Friends of the Children. Clients got a complimentary blow dry and a Sebastian gift bag when they bought gift cards for foster children. More than twice the amount of people the salon could hold showed up, just to donate.

Heed This Final Advice

Research everything. If you have downtime, find something to do that promotes your business. Keep staffers busy with business-building, too. Don’t think you know it all—you can always learn at least one thing from any class, any show. Finally, remember that clients want problem solving and personal attention, and when the clients have curl, this is doubly true. You have your plan for beauty success, and they want theirs, too.

Hair’s Talent

Thermal Reconditioning in Connecticut

Healthy Black Hair Care Consultant

www.hairstalent.com

Another Article on Dangers of Formaldehyde in Brazilian Straightening

Brazilian Hair Straightening – Fabulous or Fatal?
Fad Hair Treatment Responsible for at Least One Death
By Nancy Lichtenstein
Takeaways
The active ingredient of the straightening solution is formaldehyde, a known carcinogen.
Most solutions contain up to 10 times the amount of formaldehyde that the FDA considers safe.
In March 2007 a 33 year old Brazilian woman died from the treatment.
Brazilian Hair Straightening is the hottest fad to hit beauty salons since, well, Brazilian waxing. Touted as a more natural, cheaper and less labor intensive process than Japanese hair straightening, stylists who perform this service claim it uses keratin, a natural protein, to soften, smooth and straighten hair. Before and after photos used as promotions for the treatment feature models with shiny, pin-straight tresses. The truth is, Brazilian Hair Straightening, also known as Brazilian Keratin Treatment, really does work as advertised. The only problem is, the part they don’t tell you is that it can kill you!
While keratin is indeed an ingredient in the formulas used to perform Brazilian Hair Straightening, the true active ingredient is formaldehyde (as in embalming fluid). Formaldehyde is known to be an aggressive carcinogen, and its fumes are extremely dangerous. Heat and moderate humidity levels accelerate the noxious effects of the chemical. Since the Brazilian Hair Straightening treatment also involves applying heat to the hair with a straight-iron, stylists who perform it are in danger, and are cautioned to wear gas masks and latex gloves and perform the procedure in an area with ventilation. Even with these precautions the FDA considers any solution containing more than .02% formaldehyde to be patently unsafe. They don’t regulate the formulas, however, most of which are manufactured in Latin America, and the higher the percentage of formaldehyde, the more effective a straightener the treatment is. Random testing performed by Allure Magazine indicated that some salons were using solutions that contained as much as ten times the safe amount.
Brazilian Keratin Treatments aren’t dangerous only to the stylist. It is theorized that repeated treatments will cause formaldehyde buildup in the hair, releasing formaldehyde fumes every time a patron blow dries or hot-irons her hair. There has been at least one documented death from the treatment. In March 2007, a 33 year old Brazilian woman actually died from the process. Anvisa, Brazil’s National Health Surveillance Agency, believes that an excess of noxious fumes were released from the heat when she took a shower after leaving the solution in her hair for 4 days. Is straight hair worth dying for? That should be a rhetorical question.
When news reports of the potentially fatal consequences of this treatment hit the mass media through an article in Allure Magazine and a report on CBS News’ “The Early Show,” however, it only seemed to give the process illicit appeal for some women in fashion-conscious cities with large Brazilian populations. In Miami, for example, newspapers and local craigslist sites feature numerous classified ads advertising Brazilian Straightening, often touting the fact that the solution is “the highest concentration available.” In many cases, these ads refer to treatments done in homes of individuals who are not even licensed cosmetologists, and the perceived benefit to the client is more straightening power for less money. But by using embalming fluid on her hair, they may be hastening her and themselves to the grave.
Sources:
www.cbsnews.com
December 6, 2007 Time Out New York Magazine, “Scared Straight” by Rachel LeWinter
October 14, 2007 New York Magazine, “Shear Madness” by Emma Rosenblum

This is exactly why I have chosen to stay away from the Keratin Treatment and stick with   the successful  Thermal Reconditioning. I will not put myself , my stylist, nor my clients at risk , just for the almighty dollar. I have not only researched these products, talked to stylist in Brazil, gone through the training on the   Keratin and Brazilian Lines…… I had a chemist check out 5 different product lines of the keratin treatment that advertise “no Formaldehyde” and found that they all had very high count of formaldehyde in them. There is another name of Formaldehyde that they are using in the ingrediant lable.

Think about it~~~~~why spend $150-$300 on the Keratin Treatment that last between 1-3 months (depending on how well your stylist can blow out your hair straight) when you spend a little bit more every 6 months on a permanent straightening service . The Keratin / Brazilian treatment are the same without the formaldehyde it wouldn’t work the way it does.

It is not permanent, you’re taking a big chance that you might be allergic to Formaldehyde and it’s certainly  not good for family member that depends on your shoulder, like a baby breathing  in those fumes .

Gina Rivera, Hair’s Talent

Thermal Recondition and Healthy Hair Care Specialist

Dealing with her finely textured and curly African-American hair took hours a day. Taylor had reached the limits of her frustration. She said, “Sometimes to wear it straight, I’d spend an hour or so just flat-ironing it, never mind the shampooing and conditioning. And it’s just been exhausting!”

Even after hours spent straightening, Taylor’s hair didn’t always hold the style. “To do all that work, then the weather changes on you and you’ve got humidity and frizz. You’ve got to flat-iron it again if you want to keep that straight look. And that’s just damaging to your hair, all that flat-ironing.”

Believing there had to be a way to save time on her hair, Taylor got online and started searching. “I came upon this Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning and then came upon the Hair’s Talent web site with before and after pictures. “And then lo and behold, there’s a video of Gina actually doing the procedure. It was really awesome to see because you realize Gina is really passionate about her work, and she takes it personally. That’s what made me choose her for this treatment. So I gave her a call, we talked several times. Gina returned all my calls, we emailed back and forth,” and she said,” Send me some pictures of your hair.” So I did, and we talked about the products I used on my hair and on my daughter’s hair, we talked about textures.

Besides Gina Rivera’s enormous following in the tri-state area, women from all over have visited Gina for the superior results she consistently delivers. Whether visiting from the Caribbean Islands, Greece or all over the United States, Gina?s clients always return home 100 percent satisfied with their results.

Check out Gina Rivera’s top-rated YouTube videos — just search for Hair’s Talent on You Tube. And don’t miss the fanfare about Hair’s Talent on Facebook or www.hairstalent.com .

“I just got tired of my hair controlling my life.”

“The Thermal Recondition will reduce the time and effort that I had to put into it, so I don’t have to worry about what the weather’s going to be. “

“It’ll be easier getting ready for the day without having to blow-dry and flat-iron every single morning!”

~ Taylor

The first thing you do is to decide how you are going to grow out your relaxer. I suggest to draw up a hair plan, have faith and know it has been done and can be done.

The most important thing is to  set your mind to it ,like everything else. You want to lose weight, buy a car,go on vacation…. Yes, it will take time , but do you want it that bad??

When you do thermal reconditioning once, I guarantee you won’t go back to relaxing

Have your stylist use a light relaxer on the regrowth area to soften the abrupt gradation. A thio-based relaxer would be best, but the relaxed hair has to be protected when it’s applied.

Be sure to tell your stylist that before rinsing, saturate the relaxed hair  with plenty of water. The hair will be filled with water and won’t be able to absorb the relaxer as it is rinsing out onto the ends. This will do far less damage to your  hair and allow it to look its best during the growing-out phase.

Keep the hair as straight as possible and moisturized during the growing-out period. And be extra careful when combing through the hair — especially where the curly and straight hair meet. Protein the relaxed hair and the line of demarcation and moisturize the new growth.

@copyrights 2010 Gina Rivera Owner of Hair’s Talent LLC

www.hairstalent.com

Taylor & Daughter Travel One Thousand Miles for Thermals by Gina

Software engineer Taylor stops at nothing to achieve her goals. One long-time goal: styling her curly hair in minutes — not hours.

Yesterday she traveled from her Georgia home with daughter Olivia to Branford, Conn., for a Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning by Gina Rivera, owner of Hair’s Talent.

Taylor sits patiently as Owner Gina Rivera treats her hair with a process called Japanese-Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning. After seeing her daughter’s finished thermal, as it’s commonly known. “My daughter’s hair is just gorgeous,” she said. “I’m so excited, I’m ecstatic.” Olivia flashed a ready-smile nearby.

Dealing with her finely textured and curly African-American hair took hours a day. And Taylor had reached the limits of her frustration. She said, “Sometimes to wear it straight, I’d spend an hour or so just flat-ironing it, never mind the shampooing and conditioning. And it’s just been exhausting!”

Even after hours spent straightening, Taylor’s hair didn’t always hold the style. “To do all that work, then the weather changes on you and you’ve got humidity and frizz. You’ve got to flat-iron it again if you want to keep that straight look. And that’s just damaging to your hair, all that flat-ironing.”

Believing there had to be a way to save time on her hair, Taylor got online and started searching. “I came upon this Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning and then came upon the Hair’s Talent web site with before and after pictures. “And then lo and behold, there’s a video of Gina actually doing the procedure.

“It was really awesome to see because you realize Gina is really passionate about her work, and she takes it personally. That’s what made me choose her for this treatment. So I gave her a call, we talked several times. Gina returned all my calls, we emailed back and forth, and she said, ‘Send me some pictures of your hair.’ So I did, and we talked about the products I used on my hair and on my daughter’s hair, we talked about textures.

“Talking to Gina, I realized this was not some commercialized procedure here at Hair’s Talent. I decided I wanted this procedure done, but no one else will be doing my hair but Gina Rivera!”

So Taylor planned her annual mother-daughter spring-break road-trip this year to Branford, CT followed by a few days in New York City to show off their new styles. As Gina meticulously continued to treat her hair, Taylor gazed at her daughter with her new silky smooth and straight style and exclaimed again, “I’m just ecstatic about this!”

About Gina Rivera

Gina Rivera, owner of Hair’s Talent in Branford, CT, is a Gina Rivera’s been a stylist for 34 years and the owner of Hair’s Talent for 26 years. During her career, she’s worked with thousands of women with all kinds of hair textures, and developed a true passion for African-American textured hair early in her career. Through intensive lifelong training and study, Gina’s created innovative alternatives for clients with various hair textures, including her own Gina Curl. She’s now working on an innovative product for African-American hair that she plans to launch later this year.

Besides her enormous following in the tri-state area, women from all over have visited Gina for the superior results she consistently delivers. Whether visiting from the Caribbean Islands, Greece or all over the United States, Gina’s clients always return home 100 percent satisfied with their results.

“I just got tired of my hair controlling my life.

“The Thermal will reduce the time and effort that I had to put into it, so I don’t have to worry about what the weather’s going to be.

“It’ll be easier getting ready for the day without having to blow-dry and flat-iron – every single morning!”

~ Taylor

copyrights 2010 Gina Rivera Owner of Hair’s Talent LLC

www.hairstalent.com

Such was the case for Dr.Kim Flecther five years ago when she began researching Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning – or Thermals as they’re more commonly known — to straighten her curly hair permanently. “What I read online about Thermals for African-American hair was not a huge amount of information. And I was concerned that not enough African-Americans were doing it,” she recalls. “I didn’t know if I was going to hate how my hair looked … that was the biggest leap of faith for me.”

Black Hair-care Expert Gina Rivera, Dr. Fletcher’s stylist for the last four years, is one of the few Connecticut stylists with longtime experience doing Thermals on Black hair. “I’m shocked that some online sources still say the treatment is unhealthy for African-American hair. My clients love how healthy their hair is after a Thermal Reconditioning,” says Gina, who owns Hair’s Talent in Branford, Conn.

Determined to set the online record straight, Gina launched a campaign this year to update the web. Since posting videos of the treatment on YouTube and expanding her website, she’s been flooded with calls and emails from people worldwide. “They’re looking for facts about Thermal Reconditioning for Black hair, and most people want a referral to a stylist in their area,” Gina says. “I advise them to search for a trained stylist who has experience doing Thermals on textured hair. Without a trained stylist doing the treatment, a Thermal can damage the hair.”

THE GROWING DEMAND FOR THERMALS
From Gina’s vantage point, the demand for Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning — and experts to do them — continues to rise dramatically among Black populations. “That’s why so many clients come to Hair’s Talent from all over the country and all over the world, which amazes me,” she says.

Gina strongly urges stylists to learn her tried-and-true method of treating Black hair textures with Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning, but encourages them to first learn about textured hair. To that end, she’s holding the first of a series of workshops at Hair’s Talent next month.

“It’s an important first step in learning the basics of healthy hair-care for African-American textured hair,” she explains. “Unfortunately, beauty schools are not spending enough time teaching future stylists how to work with real hair – without the aid of weaves, relaxers and extensions.” Gina feels her advanced classes will help stylists understand the need for healthy hair-care in the black community and the desire of many Black women to wear their tresses naturally.

Gina’s now preparing to launch a comprehensive training video for stylists on Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning, which will teach them how to treat all textures of Black hair, including hair that’s been chemically treated. The training program will clearly teach stylists all they need to know to provide Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning to clients of color. “I’m developing this training program because many stylists who haven’t done the treatment are contacting me now and want to know what product I use. They have no experience with the treatment, but have clients who want it,” she says.

“Using the right product is essential, but I tell them emphatically, it’s the art and science of adapting the product to treat individual hair textures that gets the best possible results.”

DR. KIM FLETCHER STYLES LESS TO LOOK HER BEST
“Kim” is always on call. It’s not unusual for her phone to ring in the still of the night calling on her to rush to the hospital. And though her curly hair was easy to care for, styling it at such times was clearly not an alternative. “If I had to get up at 2 a.m. to go to the hospital, that was a ponytail day or I’d pull my hair back into a bun,” says Kim.

“I had gone through phases wearing my hair curly, but it’s not easy to get up at two in the morning with curly hair. Curly hair just takes much more work than straight hair. So for me, straight hair is a function of what I need to do as an obstetrician.”

Relaxers helped but weren’t perfect. “I had relaxed my hair on and off since I was ten years old,” Kim relates. “One of the problems with Relaxers was the inconsistency in how my hair looked, depending on how much time I had to work with it. “

THERMAL DELIVERS SOFT, SMOOTH, SILKY HAIR
It’s been five years since Kim’s first Thermal, and she’s still ecstatic with her results. She tells friends, “The Thermal’s a great treatment; it makes your hair smooth and soft. The treatment is good for the hair and safe for the hair. My hair doesn’t break. It looks healthy and feels healthy. I’ve had this done for five years and I still get compliments.”

Kim also likes the flexibility that Thermals afford her when styling her hair. “There are certain styles I’d never try before the Thermal. I never wore bangs in the summertime when my hair was curly because you can’t wear bangs with curly hair. Now I can and I do.”

Today while on vacation, Kim got up and went to the beach. “I couldn’t ever have done that with my old relaxed hair,” she says. “The wind was blowing, it was cold, but my hair looked the same when I left the beach as it did when I got there.”

Gorgeous hair aside, Kim’s thrilled with the time she saves on its care. The early morning rush to the hospital is unavoidable for every obstetrician. But the Thermal lets Kim get up and go. “There’s nothing more convenient than getting out of bed and looking presentable without doing anything. Now, I can quickly style my hair in five or six minutes and get to the hospital. And that’s nice.”

CAREFREE HAIR INSPIRES WORKOUTS
Before her Japanese-Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning, Kim’s hair issues sometimes prevented her from working out. According to AARP, she’s not alone. In November 2009, AARP reported that, for many African-American women, hair issues commonly interfere with regular exercise regimes.

Before her Thermal, Kim would sometimes avoid working out on busy days. “Working out often means I need to wash my hair afterward. Before, if I didn’t have an hour’s worth of time to do my hair — at least — I would not even think about exercising.

“Now I can wash my hair and walk out the door in 45 minutes flat. So I can choose to exercise on a day when I don’t have a huge amount of time.”

MINIMAL MAINTENANCE
Dr. Fletcher now hits the salon three times a year to maintain her Thermal — but admits she needs to make time for recommended protein treatments. As Gina tells her, “The protein treatments will extend the life of your Thermal and revitalize your hair.”

THINKING ABOUT A THERMAL?
Dr. Fletcher’s advice to other women considering Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning: be sure you’re prepared to style your roots between treatments as your hair grows out.

“Expense may be a consideration; everyone has to do their own math. But some people spend a lot on weaves or go to the salon often to keep up with their hair. I think the Thermal might be something they’d want to consider instead.”

Gina Rivera advises people with Black textured hair to do their homework before getting a Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning:

Check to see if any of your local salons do Thermals. If so, speak to their Thermal Reconditioning expert. “Ask about their training and experience with textured hair like yours. And ask to talk to clients with textured hair similar to yours who’ve had the treatment done. Also be sure the stylist uses a genuine Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning product. If you like what you hear, make an appointment for a visual consult. Getting your history, learning your goals, and checking the condition of your hair and scalp should be your stylist’s top priority before giving you a Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning.”

If you can’t find an expert in your area, have your stylist contact Gina Rivera about her training program soon to be launched on DVD. For detailed information about Japanese Straightening-Thermal Reconditioning for black and biracial hair

ABOUT DR. KIM FLETCHER: Dr. Kim Fletcher is an obstetrician-gynecologist with the Obstetrics-Gynecology & Infertility Group, which serves patients in New Haven County with five offices along the Connecticut shoreline. A graduate of Harvard University and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, Dr. Fletcher is an Assistant Clinical Professor at Yale University School of Medicine and a Diplomate of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

@copyrights 2010 Gina Rivera Owner of Hair’s Talent LLC

www.hairstalent.com

My personal  opinion to this particular straightening approach is that our generation today considers this type of chemical service very seriously. I trust individuals could all learn about our previous generations. The fact that many people failed to take relaxers seriously. It has been proved throughout the years that unfortunately the consequence from non professionals servicing relaxers caused all cultural backgrounds to experience horrible breakage, damage, scaring and has manipulated your day and evenings.
This can also happen with our new generation in the event that they are not open minded and realize the fact that the thermal reconditioning can easily accomplish the exact same if the hair stylist or perhaps a person at home should do this kind of procedure without having adequate training.
This took me 1 month to train with a thermal master together with practical experience in order to completely have an understanding of Thermal Reconditioning.

@copyrights 2010 Gina Rivera Owner of Hair’s Talent LLC

www.hairstalent.com

Thermal Recondition Consultant in Connecticut