The Design Essentials Hair care system

About Us

OUR BEGINNINGS

Cornell McBride, Sr., CEO and President of MRL, began his career in the health and beauty aids industry in 1973 when he and fellow classmate Therman McKenzie founded M&M Products Company. Their first revolutionary product Sta-Sof-Fro was the first softening product developed for African-American men’s hair, making it manageable and easy to comb. Due to its success, M&M Products Company was able to introduce other brands that became internationally known. By the mid-80s, M&M Products had revenues in excess of $40 million dollars and four national brands: Sta-Sof-Fro, Sof-N-Free, Moxie, and Curly Perm. In 1989 Cornell McBride and his partner sold M&M Products Company to Johnson Products.

OUR HISTORY

The Design Essentials hair care system was launched in 1990. Cornell McBride envisioned a program that combined direct distribution of premium, quality hair care solutions with the education and knowledge to effectively use them in the salon and at home. This premise inspired the collection which now includes the Therapeutics Rx, Wave by Design and Colaura brands. Our products are engineered to infuse hair with a natural balance of vitamins and protein that promote movement and manageability. We also offer educational literature and sponsor events aimed at improving knowledge of how our products can assist in designing a healthy hair care system just for you. Today, MRL offers more than 40 premium beautification products sold to our discerning international clientele through our e-commerce website and direct-to-hair salons network of independent, exclusive distributors in the United States, Caribbean and the United Kingdom.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

Design Essentials offers a strong commitment to improving the look and feel of your hair by providing healthy hair styling products that address and satisfy your specific hair needs. The Design Essentials hair care system We are your partner in style, and like a partner our products are designed to work with you to achieve styling success. We understand that there are a myriad of hair types by nature and that hair care is a very personal and emotional experience. Our brands provide you with effective, professional-quality products that you can depend on to cleanse, condition, nourish, revitalize and restore your hair to its natural beauty.

Honey Creme Moisture Retention Shampoo

Descriptions:

Cleanse and moisturize. At. The. Same. Time. Our Design Essentials® Honey Crème Moisture Retention Super Detangling Conditioning Shampoo is a moisture-preserving, quick-lather detangling shampoo. It cleanses and restores moisture, leaving hair extremely soft, manageable, and beautifully hydrated.

Benefits

• Quickly softens, detangles and smoothes hair cuticle
• Gentle, non-stripping formula can be used daily
• Sulfate-free

Key Ingredients

• HONEY CRÉME conditions, smooths the cuticle and increases manageability

How To Use

1. Apply a quarter-size amount of shampoo onto palm of hand and emulsify.
2. Apply to wet hair and lather.
3. Rinse thoroughly, and repeat as necessary.

*Our Honey Crème Moisture Retention Shampoo has a new look, but same great formula! Packaging may vary as we bring this fresh look to market. This transition does not affect the quality or functionality of the product.

Honey Curl Forming Custard – 12oz

Descriptions:

When the style you want is the style you get: Beautiful. Our Design Essentials® Natural Almond & Avocado Honey Curl Forming Custard defines, shapes, and elongates curly to tightly coiled textures. It’s formulated to provide lasting hold without sticky, flaky residue. So your hairstyles are highly-defined and frizz-free with a brilliant shine.

Benefits

• Provides intense curl definition with lasting hold and control
• Fights shrinkage by elongating your curl pattern
• Great for wash-and-go styling, finger coils, two-strand twist-sets, and bantu-knots
• Free from parabens, paraffin, petrolatum, and mineral oil

Key Ingredients

• ALMOND & AVOCADO provide intense moisture and hydration
• HONEY seals in moisture, reduces breakage and add shine
• CHAMOMILE soothes and protects hair strand during styling

How To Use 

Wash & Go

1. After shampooing and conditioning, section hair, apply Honey Curl Forming Custard to each section and comb through.
2. Allow curls to form and air dry or lightly diffuse to set curls.

Twist Sets

1. After shampooing and conditioning, section hair, apply Honey Curl Forming Custard on to each section.
2. Comb through and proceed to twist set (2-strand twist, flat twist, bantu knots) or flexi-rod set.
3. Sit under hooded dryer to 50% dry or air dry completely.

Disclaimer: Design Essentials uses natural ingredients in our Honey Curl Forming Custard. These natural ingredients may cause the actual product color to vary from the images shown. Please note that this does not effect the quality or functionality of the product.

Protective Style Maintenance Pack

Descriptions:

Design EssentialsProtective Style Maintenance Pack contains a few of our favorites that will keep your coils healthy and strong from install to take down. Don’t just take our word for it, try it for yourself and feel the

Benefits

• Removes Build-Up Without Stripping the Hair
• Promotes Fuller, Thicker, Stronger, Longer Hair
• Extreme Moisture Maintenance for Relaxed & Natural Dry, Damaged Hair
• Quickly Softens, Detangles, and Smoothes the Hair Cuticle
• Perfect Combination Before/After Braids & Extensions
• Highly Recommended for Loc Maintenance by Professional Locticians

How To Use 

Step 1 (Cleanse & Clarify): Wet hair then shampoo with Oat Protein & Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo. Lather into hair focusing on the scalp. Rinse thoroughly. Repeat as necessary.

Step 2 (Cleanse): Apply Honey Creme Moisture Retention Shampoo in hands, rub together, then apply to hair (a little goes a long way). Massage into scalp while finger detangling to allow suds to nourish each strand from root to tip. Rinse thoroughly.

Step 3 (Condition): Towel blot hair and divide into manageable sections. Apply Rosemary & Mint Stimulating Super Moisturizing Conditioner from root-to-ends. Comb through each section with a wide tooth comb for even distribution. Let stand for 5 minutes (recommended not to exceed 15 min. with or without heat). Rinse thoroughly to complete your “Protective Style Wash Day Routine”.

Milk & Honey 6N1 Reconstructive Conditioner – Pro

Descriptions:

Design Essentials® Milk & Honey 6N1 Reconstructive Conditioner enhanced with HydraStrength Vitamin & Protein Complex. Should be used following a chemical service such as a relaxer, permanent wave or body wave, or on damaged hair to help with hair restoration and maximum manageability.

Benefits

• Strengthens the hair strand by filling in broken hair fibers, prevents and protects against breakage
• Moisturizes, softens, detangles, and evens porosity
• Seals the cuticles and restores hair to normal pH level
• Locks in moisture to refortify the hair and magnify shine
• Creates resilient hair with voluminous body

Key Ingredients

• MILK PROTEIN strengthens hair shaft
• HONEY provides deep moisture and sheen
• HYDRASTRENGTH VITAMIN & PROTEIN COMPLEX is a proprietary blend of protein and botanical ingredients designed to nourish, moisturize and strengthen the structure of the hair

How To Use

1. Shampoo hair and towel blot.
2. Massage onto hair and scalp.
3. Comb through (with a wide-tooth comb) to the ends.
4. Process with or without heat. Normal/After a relaxer: 10 minutes, Dull/Dry/Brittle: 20 minutes
5. Rinse and style.

Honey & Shea Edge Tamer

Descriptions:

Need those edges laid? Here is your cheat code. Our Design Essentials® Natural Honey & Shea Edge Tamer is a unique, non-greasy formula infused with moisturizing honey and shea butter. These ingredients work to protect and securely lay down the hairline and tame those unruly flyaways. This go-to always provides a fabulous shine without build-up and residue. So you get a firm hold that lasts all day. 

Benefits

• No flaking or buildup
• Delivers intense nourishment
• Specially designed for curly to coily hair textures
• Free from parabens, paraffin and mineral oil

Key Ingredients

• ALMOND & AVOCADO provides intense moisture and hydration
• HONEY seals in moisture, reduces breakage and adds shine
• SHEA moisturizes and restores hair health from the inside out

How To Use

1. Apply a fingertip amount to the hairline.
2. Smooth with a brush or small-tooth comb for a lasting, blended finish.
3. For best smoothing results, use a satin scarf for 20 minutes or overnight to finish the look.

Honey Creme Moisture Retention Shampoo- 8oz

Descriptions:

Cleanse and moisturize. At. The. Same. Time. Our Design Essentials® Honey Crème Moisture Retention Super Detangling Conditioning Shampoo is a moisture-preserving, quick-lather detangling shampoo. It cleanses and restores moisture, leaving hair extremely soft, manageable, and beautifully hydrated.

Benefits

• Quickly softens, detangles and smoothes hair cuticle
• Gentle, non-stripping formula can be used daily
• Sulfate-free

Key Ingredients

HONEY CRÉME conditions, smooths the cuticle and increases manageability

How To Use

1. Apply a quarter-size amount of shampoo onto palm of hand and emulsify.
2. Apply to wet hair and lather.
3. Rinse thoroughly, and repeat as necessary.

Honey Nectar Time Release Regular Relaxer

Descriptions:

Design Essentials® Honey Nectar Time Release Regular Relaxer is a sodium hydroxide relaxer, enhanced with HydraStrength Vitamin & Protein Complex, allows more time for application while conditioning, strengthening and straightening all hair textures. Low, Normal or High Porosity. 2.0% Sodium Hydroxide.

Benefits

• Sodium Hydroxide is released in increments, allowing more time for application while conditioning
• Conditioning buffers reduce irritation 
• Improves hair manageability and leaves hair smooth, silky, lustrous, and healthy 

Key Ingredients

HONEY NECTAR moisturizes, adds shine, and improves overall hair health

Usage Instructions

1. Separate the hair into four sections.
2. Apply Restore Vitamin Treatment to previously chemically treated hair, comb through for even distribution and DO NOT RINSE.
3. Apply Calm Soothing Scalp Protection to the scalp using ¼-inch sections, parting throughout the head.
4. Wearing protective gloves, apply relaxer 1/8-inch from scalp, on new growth.
5. Repeat process until entire head is covered.
6. After application, begin smoothing area where first applied, working in same direction as initial application.

Timing by Texture

Fine                  14 minutes

Medium            16 minutes

Thick/Coarse     20 minutes

NOTE: No relaxer application should exceed 20 minutes total processing time.

Warning: You must follow directions carefully to avoid skin and scalp burns, hair loss, and eye injury. Do not use if scalp is irritated or injured. If product gets into eyes, rinse out immediately and consult a physician. For external use only. If swallowed, consult a physician. Keep hair away from open flame or any source of ignition. Keep out of reach of children.

1 – STRAIGHT

1A-C – Straight hair has very little to virtually no waves at all. This texture can range from fine to coarse strands, and this hair gets oily easily, lacks volume and does not hold curls well. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

Blow Dry

Use Agave & Lavender Weightless Thermal Protectant Serum for daily on-the-go thermal styling. This serum protects strands without weight for increased volume and flyaway control.

Hold

The Formations Finishing Spritz is a customer favorite for adding hold while thermal styling or taming stray hairs for a sleek pony. A light spray goes a long way.

Volume

The Platinum Volume Collection volumizing shampoo is a gentle conditioning shampoo for fine hair that boosts volume without any added weight.

Moisture

A good conditioner that adds body without adding weight like the Platinum Volume Collection Extra Body Conditioner, helps to soften normal to coarse textures and prevents dryness.

2C – WAVY WITH CURLS

2C hair is made up of a mixture of both waves and curls – the best of both worlds! The texture of 2C hair is typically thick and coarse. This gorgeous hair type is unfortunately prone to dryness and frizzing. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

3A – CURLY WITH LOOPS

3A hair is made up of well-defined and springy curls that have a loopy, “S” shaped pattern. Their circumference is the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. 3A ringlets have a fine to medium texture. This curl type benefits from lots of body and movement, but is prone to frizzing and dryness. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

3B – CURLY WITH SPIRALS

3B hair is made up of well-defined, spiral curls that range from bouncy ringlets to tight corkscrews. Their circumference is the size of a large marker. 3B curls have a fine to medium texture. This curl type benefits from lots of body and movement but is prone to frizzing and dryness. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

3C – CURLY WITH COILS

3C hair is made up of well-defined, tight corkscrews or coils with lots of strands densely packed together. Their circumference is the size of a pencil or straw. 3C curls have a fine to medium texture. This curl type is prone to dryness, tangles, and lack of curl definition. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

4A – COILED WITH SPRING

4A hair is made up of tightly coiled curls with a spiral pattern. Their circumference is the size of a coffee stirrer. 4A curls have a fine to coarse texture. This curl type is prone to dryness, breakage, tangles, and lack of curl definition. It’s also highly dense with minimal elasticity. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations

4B – TIGHTLY COILED

4B hair is made up of very tightly coiled curls that have the circumference of a watch spring. Their texture can range from fine all the way to coarse. This curl type is prone to dryness, breakage, tangles, shrinkage, and lack of curl definition. It’s also highly dense and wiry. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

4C – TIGHTLY COILED WITH ZIG ZAG

4C hair is made up of tightly coiled curls that bend into sharp angles like a “Z” shape. Their texture can range from fine all the way to coarse. This curl type is prone to dryness, breakage, tangles, and lack of curl definition. It’s also highly dense and wiry. Take the quiz to identify your texture and get recommendations.

Trusted by Thousands of Stylists Worldwide since 1990

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With over 30 years of mastering the science of hair care promise to continue offering education needed to effectively use our solutions in the salon

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