Abstract: The present technology is directed to methods and processes for optimally extracting and distilling desired natural ingredients from raw natural ingredients, involving pre-soaking the raw natural ingredients in a solvent, boiling the liquid component from the pre-soaking step, allowing the resultant vapor to contact the solid component, and passing the resultant enhanced vapor through a distillation column to obtain a desired product. Any steps of the methods and processes herein can be performed in conjunction with a vacuum or pressurizing device—that is, at an elevated or lowered pressure compared with ambient pressure.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a head covering having a partial or whole face covering component can be provided. For example, an apparatus to cover a head can be provided, including a head cover configured to cover a user's head, the head cover including an upper portion configured to be provided over a user's head and a lower portion extending from the upper portion, a mask provided at the lower portion of the head cover, a first ear portion provided on a first side of the lower portion of the mask, and a second ear portion provided on a second side of the lower portion of the mask opposite the first side, wherein the first ear portion includes at least one opening configured to be secured around a user's ear such that the mask covers a user's face.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a hair straightening apparatus are provided. For example, a hair straightening apparatus can be provided including a first foam section including a melamine foam material, the first foam section having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second foam section including a melamine foam material, the second foam section having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a flexible middle portion provided between the first foam section and second foam section, wherein the first foam section and second foam section are configured to be pressed together and rotatable around the flexible middle portion.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a hair straightening apparatus are provided. For example, a hair straightening apparatus can be provided including a first foam section including a melamine foam material, the first foam section having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a second foam section including a melamine foam material, the second foam section having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and a flexible middle portion provided between the first foam section and second foam section, wherein the first foam section and second foam section are configured to be pressed together and rotatable around the flexible middle portion.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions and kits for neutralizing alkaline hair. The present invention is also directed to methods, compositions and kits for straightening human hair. The methods comprise neutralizing the hair with a hair neutralizing composition comprising at least one fatty acid. The compositions comprise neutralizing compositions comprising at least one fatty acid. The kits comprise an alkali hair relaxer or components for preparing such a relaxer and the hair neutralizing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions and kits for neutralizing alkaline hair. The present invention is also directed to methods, compositions and kits for straightening human hair. The methods comprise neutralizing the hair with a hair neutralizing composition comprising at least one fatty acid. The compositions comprise neutralizing compositions comprising at least one fatty acid. The kits comprise an alkali hair relaxer or components for preparing such a relaxer and the hair neutralizing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to kits comprising multiple containers packaged in conjunction with each other, which provide convenience to a user when applying multiple hair products to the user's hair. A first container containing a first composition is packaged in contact with a second container containing a second composition, such that a user can easily purchase and transport the two containers together and use both as part of a hair care regimen.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods, compositions and kits for neutralizing alkaline hair. The present invention is also directed to methods, compositions and kits for straightening human hair. The methods comprise neutralizing the hair with a hair neutralizing composition comprising at least one fatty acid. The compositions comprise neutralizing compositions comprising at least one fatty acid. The kits comprise an alkali hair relaxer or components for preparing such a relaxer and the hair neutralizing compositions.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for straightening or relaxing human hair. The components of the systems and methods include a formulated relaxer cream or relaxer precursor cream that contains a level of alkali metal hydroxide or alkali earth metal hydroxide and an additional diluent cream of similar viscosity and consistency, yet lacking the alkali ingredient, that serves to dilute the strength of the hair-straightening admixture without any change in viscosity that may render the mixture useless or even harmful. A no-lye system will also include an activator solution, such as guanidine carbonate, to react with the alkali earth metal hydroxide. The components of the systems are mixed prior to application to the user's hair. The systems and methods provide a gentler and safer approach to straightening hair for users whose hair possesses low levels of curl or finer hair texture, for users seeking only a lesser degree of hair straightening.

Abstract: A head covering bonnet with an opening for the head and an elastic spandex band below the opening for holding the bonnet to the head. The spandex band is of a width so as not to apply high localized pressure on the hair, and spandex is not rough or abrasive when stretched, unlike typical elastic material which becomes rough and possibly abrasive to hair when the elastic is stretched.

Abstract: A head wrap or scarf assembled from two parts joined on a seam line. Each of the parts is a single layer thick with more slippery fibers on one side and less slippery fibers on the other side. The parts are joined with the more slippery side of one part and the rougher side of the other part facing toward each side of the scarf so that when the scarf is folded, one outward facing surface is slippery and the outward facing surface is rougher.

Abstract: A head wrap or scarf in a single layer having a first side that is more slippery against another surface and a second side that is rougher and less slippery than the first side. The single layer is formed of two fibers of two different materials with a greater proportion of a first slippery fabric toward the first side of the head wrap and a greater proportion of rougher fabric toward the second side of the head wrap.

Abstract: A dorag head covering including tie straps attached at the front region and being tied around the head. The front region includes a flap which is shaped generally as an inverted V triangle. The straps extend laterally off the front such that upon pulling on or tying the tie straps, the head covering is tightened down on the head, and the V-shape of the flap draws the head covering down.

Abstract: A dorag head covering of one continuous piece of material including opposite tie straps extending sideways out from a front region for being tied around the head. Since the dorag is made of one continuous piece of material, its front region is smooth and seamless. With no seam in the front region of the dorag, no seam line impression forms in the hair after the dorag is removed. The rear region is formed of two flaps seamed together at neighboring edges to form a cap. The blank for forming the dorag is described and a method for forming the dorag from the blank is described.

Abstract: A head wrap or scarf assembled from two parts joined on a seam line. Each of the parts is a single layer thick with more slippery fibers on one side and less slippery fibers on the other side. The parts are joined with the more slippery side of one part and the rougher side of the other part facing toward each side of the scarf so that when the scarf is folded, one outward facing surface is slippery and the outward facing surface is rougher.

Abstract: A head covering bonnet with an opening for the head and an elastic spandex band below the opening for holding the bonnet to the head. The spandex band is of a width so as not to apply high localized pressure on the hair, and spandex is not rough or abrasive when stretched, unlike typical elastic material which becomes rough and possibly abrasive to hair when the elastic is stretched.

Abstract: A dorag head covering including tie straps attached at the front region and being tied around the head. The front region includes a flap which is shaped generally as an inverted V triangle. The straps extend laterally off the front such that upon pulling on or tying the tie straps, the head covering is tightened down on the head, and the V-shape of the flap draws the head covering down.

Abstract: A head wrap or scarf in a single layer having a first side that is more slippery against another surface and a second side that is rougher and less slippery than the first side. The single layer is formed of two fibers of two different materials with a greater proportion of a first slippery fabric toward the first side of the head wrap and a greater proportion of rougher fabric toward the second side of the head wrap.

Abstract: A hair relaxer comprised of an activator that includes guanidine hydrochloride in place of guanidine carbonate as the activator mixed in a calcium hydroxide based relaxer.

Abstract: A head wrap or scarf in a single layer having a first side that is more slippery against another surface and a second side that is rougher and less slippery than the first side. The single layer is formed of two fibers of two different materials with a greater proportion of a first slippery fabric toward the first side of the head wrap and a greater proportion of rougher fabric toward the second side of the head wrap.