Just For Moms

The Mom Formula
Hi Moms!

Toni is a Senior Development Scientist who has developed several Just For Me!™ products. She is also the mother of a beautiful nine-year-old girl. Keep reading to get a snapshot of her life…she's got some great insights!

-Roz

What is your job description? What products have you been integral in developing?
I am a personal care research scientist (chemist). My job is to develop unique personal care items for the specific needs of the ethnic market. I work in a laboratory complete with white coats, ugly safety glasses and yes, pocket protectors. The customer sees the end product after the formulas have been made in manufacturing, the artwork for the packaging has been completed, and the product is ready for use. My job, however, is to bring the product from an idea in someone's head, to a physical formula that has to be tested for stability, micro efficacy, skin sensitivity, fragrance perception, and finally product performance. I am the person no one ever sees but products would not exist without. I have developed at some point in my career every type of hair care product used by the ethnic community, from shampoos and conditioners, to hair color and relaxers. It is exciting and rewarding to see the end product on the shelves…and even more exciting when the products sell well enough that they can’t stay on the shelves!

How has your expertise in hair products helped you when caring for your own daughter’s hair?
Because I am a chemist, and know what raw materials to use to get the right effects from products, I know a little more about what to use and when to use it. That is key to getting your child’s hair to behave the way you want it to.
My biggest tip: You can’t get all the best hair benefits you want from one type of product. You need different types of products for different styles. Some styles require more moisture to get them to look great, some styles need more hold to get the look you want, and some require more oil, or heavy grease even, to help achieve the look you desire. It is important to have several products at your dispense when you are a versatile mom with a whimsical child.

What challenges do you face when caring for your daughter’s hair? What products do you use to help with manageability?
My daughter’s hair is what some would call "spongy". It is the kind of hair that is hard to work with in the presence of any level of humidity. Her hair will look really good for 30 minutes and then look like it hasn’t been combed in a week if I’m not careful!
Some people think coarse, kinky hair is the hardest to work with, but in my experience, it can be some of the silkiest, smoothest and most beautiful hair – once it has been tamed with the right mix of hair care products. The challenge with my daughter’s hair is to keep it soft and supple with high oil and humectant hairdressings while simultaneously protecting it from humidity with firm-hold styling products. This can be very tricky because softness and hold are on opposite sides of the spectrum. The more hold, the harder the hair. The softer the hair, the less the hold. Because of my 20+ years of experience formulating all kinds of products, I achieved the right balance of products rather quickly to make my child's hair feel soft and silky yet hold the style and fight humidity.

How has the grooming ritual helped to build a solid mother-daughter relationship?
One of the things I do for my daughter is constantly look for different hairstyles for her hair. Some she picks, and some I find and try out. But we spend a lot of time together styling and adding little trinkets while watching a movie or going over her homework. It is our "together" time. Maybe that is why she likes getting her hair shampooed so much, or maybe it is the satisfaction of seeing the final hairdo, but my daughter and I have come to really cherish the time we spend together while doing her hair.
As moms, we focus on providing the necessities in life, like paying the mortgage and keeping the lights on. I’ve found, however, that my daughter grows in her self-worth and confidence through the time we spend together and the attention I give her. The simplest act, like doing her hair or sitting down and chatting, shows her that I think she’s special enough to share my limited time with her. I encourage all moms to find something they can do with their children that is unique and special to their relationship.