PAIR ‘N SHARE: Making Hand Sanitizer Together

One phone call from JCarver Distillery
+ 6000 bottles in Custom Formulations inventory
—————————————————————————-
= a Hand Sanitizer Partnership to combat COVOD-19.

Bill Miller of JCarver Distillery in Waconia, MN distills alcohol out of mash made for his nationally known spirits. On March 18, the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau---the agency regulating distilled spirits makers—issued an emergency order allowing companies already holding permits to “immediately” start producing hand sanitizers through June 30. “These measures are generally authorized in…disaster situations,” according to the agency.

Enter JCarver, whose setup was ready to produce a hand sanitizer using the guidelines of the World Health Organization: specific amounts of undenatured or denatured ethanol, glycerol and hydrogen peroxide. Bottles were needed in which to place the product.

Enter Custom Formulations (CFI) of Cologne, MN, just 6 miles south of JCarver. Bill Miller contacted Richard Hegener, owner/operator of CFI, a manufacturing resource of private label hair care products for salons across the country. Richard searched his inventory and the match for hand sanitizer and bottles happened!

Over a long weekend, the JCarver staff filled and labeled 6000+ bottles to be distributed to first responders and health care related professionals.

Spray On - Leave In Conditioner – Restores – Repairs – Reconditions

Our spray-on, leave-in conditioner:

·         Restores sheen and luster to drab hair

·         Detangles hair, leaving a light and bouncy feel

·         Controls wispy, fly-away hair

·         Allows no build-up, leaves hair looking and feeling its cleanest

·         Helps repair chemical damage and reduces split ends

·         Moisturizes and conditions

·         Hair feels soft and smooth

·         Is not tested on animals

The Spray On – Leave In Conditioner Formula Number 13 can be used on wet or dry hair. Use less if hair spray or other holding products are already in the hair.

TIPS & TECHNIQUES

For FINE, LIMP hair which TANGLES easily (especially effective for children):

Spray on wet or dry hair. Works best if hair is not coated with other holding products.
If extra tangled, spray directly on the area, work through gently with fingers, then comb.

For extremely DAMAGED, POROUS, CHEMICALLY TREATED hair, all textures:

Shampoo hair, towel dry, mist lightly with conditioner, comb through gently.
A holding gel or mousse may be applied before styling, if desired.

For PERMED hair – CURLY, WAVY or BODY only, all textures:
Excellent when applied after shampooing, or to perk up curls when dry. Works best if little or no other holding formulas are on hair.
Just mist lightly and reshape curls or scrunch in waves.

For COARSE hair – all textures with or without chemical treatments:

Apply to freshly shampooed or clean, dry hair.
Leaves hair feeling soft and smooth, without stiffness.

For SWIMMER’S hair:

Spray on immediately after swimming in chlorinated pool to help eliminate stiff, coarse feeling.

The Spray On – Leave In Conditioner Formula Number 13 is especially effective when used between deep conditioning treatments. Also recommended for use by those who normally do not have time to use other types of conditioners.

This product has very little holding power and is not intended for style holding applications. It is an excellent product for reducing static and fly-away hair, without leaving hair feeling stiff.

Free 2oz Hair Spray No. 1006

Want to try the best hair spray you will ever use? We want to send one to you.

We will include a 2oz travel size of our customer favorite No. 1006 Hair Spray with every order over $30.

Merry Christmas!

The Ultimate Finishing Spray

Why our customers are loyal to this finishing spray…

Once our customers try this finishing spray they will not use anything else. Why?

Time and again, we hear stories of customers who cannot find another finishing spray which is as effective as our 1006 Finishing Spray. This formula out-performs all others. Here is why:

• Due to the product’s formulation of ingredients, it is fast drying which enables the style to be held in place immediately without weighing down the hair and causing the style to collapse. It is one of the fasting drying sprays on the market.
• This spray dries crystal clear on the hair, allowing the true color of the hair to glisten and shine through. Many other sprays dry causing a yellowish cast to the hair.
• Because this finishing spray is completely water soluble it does not build up in the hair and it rinses out easily. When sprays build up in the hair, the hair can become very difficult to work with.
• Once the spray is applied to the hair, it is resistant to humidity and therefore the style will not collapse.
• The sprayed hair will retain moisture because it holds the moisture in the hair.
• Sprayed hair will appear with increased shine and gloss.
• Hair can be re-styled by misting water on the hair and re-styled.
• The light fragrance and quality of formula ingredients will not clash with other perfumes and fragrances. The hair will not smell of product all day long.
• The formula is delivered in a non-aerosol bottle which is better for the environment and the bottles can be recycled.

Instructions for use:

• Hold finishing spray 12-20” away from the dried hair to distribute the mist.
  • 1 spritz for light hold
  • 2 spritz for medium hold
  • 3 spritz for firm hold
• Formula works well on all hair types including fine, thick, curly and straight hair.
• Formula is not designed to be used as a working spray.

If you any questions, call us today at 1-800-328-5906 for a personal consultation.

The Secret to Restoring Healthy Hair

Anytime hair is damaged by chemical coloring, highlighting, chlorine, heat processing through blow dryers, flat and curling irons, or even the sun, the cuticle is injured. As a result the hair cuticle can dissolve, break off or become frayed. The hair will:

• tangle easily after shampooing

• feel drier

• be difficult to style or hold a style

• lack shine and luster

• lose stretch and elasticity

Protein is the secret to restoring hair back to its natural state. Protein is similar to the keratin structure of the hair. Since like attracts like chemically, these two substances that are similar in nature are attracted to each other and the protein will bond to the keratin in the hair. This physical bond is not a permanent bond. Some protein will begin to work its way out of the hair with each shampoo. Consequently an application of protein is needed with every shampoo to restore hair to its most natural state as possible. With each use, the hair will:

• be easier to comb out

• style and hold a style as desired

• have increased shine, luster, volume and strength

• retain the color service longer

There are 3 major types of protein which can be used to restore the hair:

1. hydrolyzed wheat protein

2. human hair keratin protein

3. silk amino acids

Silk amino acids are the most effective at treating the hair at its molecular level because of its molecular size. Silk amino acids work well at the cuticle and the cortex level of the hair. Our 12% solution only takes 3 minutes to bond to the damaged sites of the hair shaft structure.

The natural citric acid in our formula balances hair pH and helps preserve premature color fade. The silk amino acids and coconut-based natural ingredients repair and recondition the hair.

Directions: After shampooing with one of our shampoos specially formulated for your hair type, gently massage several sprays throughout the hair. You may choose to apply one of our formulated conditioners for added moisture and de-tangling. Leave on the hair for 3-5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and style as desired. Enjoy your beautiful hair!

It’s no longer a secret!  Share with a friend…feel free to spread the word!

What Can Be Done For My Damaged Hair?

What can be done for my damaged hair?
My hair stained by chlorine or iron?
Can it ever feel natural and vibrant again?

The ANSWER is YES!

Repeated exposure to chlorine or hard water will change the chemical structure of the hair. We recognize this damage when the hair appears straw like or reminiscent of plastic, baby doll hair. Usually the hair will take on a green, red or yellow tint depending on the type and frequency of chemical exposure. Eventually the hair strands will literally break off. It is a frustrating situation and our specially formulated No. 22 Corrective Swimmer’s Shampoo is highly effective in restoring the color, texture and vibrancy of the hair.

How does it work?

Extremely gentle, the No. 22 Corrective Swimmer’s Shampoo is the only formula in the market which contains two chlorine neutralizers – sodium thiosulfate and ammonium thiosulfate. Combined, these neutralizers will remove the green, red and yellow stains caused by copper and iron.  If stains have already set into the hair they can be removed through 3 or 4 applications of the No. 22 Corrective Swimmer’s Shampoo. Apply the formula directly to dry hair and leave on for 5 minutes. Rinse the hair and apply a softening and de-tangling conditioner such as our No. 575 Conditioner or No. 13 Leave in Conditioner.  The hair will appear light, fluffy and full of body.

In addition to neutralizing the effects of copper and iron, the No. 22 Corrective Swimmer’s Shampoo also serves as a clarifying shampoo. Used before chemical processing, the formula prepares the hair shaft to receive the intended color deposits, resulting in brilliant shine and depth of color.

Damaged hair due to chlorine, iron and copper can be restored to beautiful looking, natural, vibrant and manageable hair. We guarantee it! If you still have questions, call us today at 1-800-328-5906 for a personal consultation.

Can Fine Hair Ever Hold a Style? Can It Ever Feel and Look Full?

The ANSWER is YES!

Fine hair often appears wispy, limp and blows around easily. Typically, the diameter of the shaft of fine hair is very small and there are fewer hair follicles on the head. These characteristics are more common in blond and light brown hair than in dark hair. If the diameter of the hair shaft can be increased by using a shampoo for fine hair, you will see a dramatic difference in the ability to hold a style and give the feel of greater volume.  We recommend our Formula No. 1038, Extra Body, Fine Hair Shampoo.

How does it work?

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a sugar-based resin added to Formula No. 1038 shampoo for fine hair.   It sticks to the outside of the hair shaft and resists being washed away; it also thickens each hair shaft, enabling them to support one another. Each subsequent use of this shampoo adds a slight degree of volume to the hair. After 4 consecutive shampoos, the hair achieves the maximum body possible with this formulation. The volume can be maintained by using Formula No. 1038 on a regular basis. Clients notice increased body, fullness, and manageability. The hair feels coarser and rougher because of the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose coating the outside hair structure. If the client desires a silky feel to the hair, this product may be easily rinsed out with another shampoo.

In general, most people use Formula No. 1038 Extra Body, Fine Hair Shampoo without a conditioner unless the hair is dry, damaged or easily tangled.  What then?

• Our 12% Protein Treatment (Formula No. 528) increases the diameter of the hair shaft, too, and is applied after the shampoo is rinsed from the hair.
• Formula No. 1029 Fine Hair Conditioner is well suited for long and easily tangled hair.
• Formula No. 13 Leave-In Conditioner is a spray conditioner which de-tangles and does not excessively soften the hair.

Fine hair can look fuller and hold a style beautifully with the above formulas. We guarantee it!

If you still have questions, call us today at 1-800-328-5906 for a personal consultation.

How Does Product Chemistry Affect The Scalp & Hair?

Paying Attention to the Basics…

Years ago, people bathed and washed their hair once a week.  Typically, they used a lye-based soap made from ashes and animal fat.  Those with long hair struggled to comb through the tangled “nest” created by the weekly cleansing ritual.   To ease the comb out process the hair would be rinsed with vinegar.  The result:  an improved comb-out and shine…yet hair which was still difficult to manage and the scalp often flaky and irritated.

Creative changes brought us out of pioneer times to the present day where professional hair salons emerged as leaders with new products that were gentler on the hair and scalp.  It was suggested that hair could be washed more than once a week, even daily!  Specific formulas were developed for various types of hair and scalp conditions which produced predictable and desired outcomes:  luxurious, natural looking hair with increased shine and manageability. Jim King and Richard Hegener of Custom Formulations, Inc began formulating professional hair care products in the 1970’s with the goal of educating salon owners and stylists about product chemistry.  Through understanding product chemistry and by listening to their clients, the stylists could wisely choose product formulations for specific hair and scalp conditions. Clients who were satisfied with the outcome of their salon visit would be able to produce the same results at home using the product formulas designed specifically for their hair type.

Formulas?  Chemistry?  Let’s begin with a basic question: 

What is pH and does understanding pH matter?

The pH (parts of hydrogen) scale ranges from 0 to 14…0 being acidic and 14 being alkaline.  The amount of hydrogen in a solution determines whether it is more acidic or alkaline.  The transition point where a solution shifts from acid to alkaline is 7.  Normal hair and skin has a pH between 4.5 and 5.5.

Remember the old-time lye soap?  With a pH of 8 or 9, this solution would cause the cuticles on the hair shaft to raise up and make the hair tangle and appear dull and decrease manageability.

Remember the vinegar rinse?  While its pH of 2 or 3 caused the hair cuticles to flatten and increase manageability and shine, the vinegar acid rinse did not soften or condition the hair.

The result?  Dull, hard to manage, unruly hair and a flaky, itchy scalp.

Today, custom formulated shampoos and conditioners are gentle and safe, resulting in vibrant natural looking hair and a healthy scalp.  Why? The formulated shampoos are slightly acidic, protecting the cuticle and retaining moisture in the hair shaft.  A conditioner, slightly acidic on the pH scale, chosen based on the existing condition of the hair, softens the hair and creates a vibrant shine and increased manageability.  In other words, specially formulated shampoos and conditioners can reverse damage done and increase the natural appearance and luster of the hair.  In future blog posts, we will explain our formulations and how they are designed for specific hair and scalp conditions, so that they consumer may choose hair products which promote healthy hair and scalp, and achieve the shine, fullness, manageability, and color desired.