Relaxer Update

texlaxed hair
texture after relaxing
I relaxed my hair at 17 weeks post with about 2 inches of new growth. I think my hunt for a new relaxer is over. I used Creme of Nature's Straight From Eden relaxer this time and I loved my results. I really wanted to try this because it's plant-derived and doesn't have many of the harsh chemicals that give relaxers such a bad name. I want to use it again to make sure I get the same results before I officially declare it my new staple, but no exaggeration - I LOVED it! And I actually used everything that came in the box with it, which I never do. But I'd heard enough positive reviews of the rest of the products that I wanted to try them. (Plus for $10+ for the kit I better have used everything in it!) Here's how the process went:

{1} I divided my hair into 4 sections and detangled - using my fingers first then moving to a wide tooth comb.

{2} Applied my triple threat layered protection - Aubrey Organics GPB conditioner, grape seed oil, vaseline - to the length of my hair.

{3} In each section - parted hair ~1/4 inch to base scalp with vaseline, then twisted the hair to keep it separated (pre-parting for easy relaxer application).

In every single review for this relaxer that I watched, the women's hair got straighter than I like my hair to get. Even ladies who texlax. This made me nervous that it would process faster than I wanted. Originally, I wasn't planning on adding anything to the relaxer mix because I wanted to see how it worked on its own, but once I got nervous, I decided to add some oil.

{4} I added about 2 tablespoons of grape seed oil to the relaxer mix. I usually add about 1/4 cup so this amount is a lot less than normal. 

{5} My hair is the most coarse at my crown so I always start applying the relaxer there first and do my edges & nape last. It took 14 minutes to touch up my whole head start to finish. FYI: I DO NOT smooth the relaxer. Once I've touched up my whole head, I just go back to make sure I didn't miss any areas then hop in the shower to rinse. 

{6} Mid-step protein treatment: After thoroughly rinsing I applied Umberto Repair Treatment Masque & Aphogee 2 Min Reconstructor. I put on plastic cap and my bonnet dryer for 15 mins then rinsed.  

New growth before & after relaxing 

{7} Shampooed with Straight From Eden Neutralizing 3x. I always lather 3x, allowing the final lather to sit for a few minutes, to be safe. This shampoo smells so good! At this point, my hair felt strong, but not hard. 

{8} Towel wrapped my hair for about 20 minutes.

{9} Applied Straight From Eden & Tresemme Naturals conditioners. I had to add the Tressemme just in case the Eden conditioner didn't have enough of a moisturizing effect on my protein treated hair. I put on a plastic cap with heat for 30 minutes, then probably sat with it for another 30 at least before I went to rinse. 

{10} Rinsed with cool water followed by an ACV and Aloe Vera Juice rinse, which I did not rinse out. 

{11} Towel wrapped for 30 mins.

{12} Applied the Straight From Eden Repairing oil & It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In, and detangled in 4 sections.

{13} Blow dried and flat-ironed my hair. I only did one heat pass with the flat iron so I didn't get my hair bone straight. 

This relaxer day went very smoothly. The Straight From Eden line worked so well with my hair and it smells amazing. I am very pleased with the progress of my hair! Especially my nape. I will be doing a proper length check and trim soon. Though I can already admit my hair's in much better shape than I thought. I am not used to trying to maintain straight hair while working out; so, between Zumba and running, my hair definitely swelled. I ended up pulling it back into a banana clip ponytail, which I quickly fell in love with! I use banana clips a lot, but I hadn't tried this style yet. I think I will more often now :) 

14 comments:

  1. Your hair is Lovely.
    I also did a retouch yesterday with Profectiv Relaxer and it did my hair GOOD.

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    1. Thank you, Ugo! It's so nice when all the work of self-relaxing pays off with great results, right?!

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  2. You had a lot of growth. Beautiful!

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  3. Good results Melanie! I like the texture you ended up with.

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    1. Thanks Jas!! I think that texture is what sealed the deal of me loving this new relaxer!

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  4. Love the texlax texture and that banana clip mohawk! FIERCE!

    KLP | SavingOurStrands

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    1. Thank you and thank you, KLP!! I have so fallen in love with banana clips!

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  5. Beautiful texture! Banana clips are my current FAV!!

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  6. I have a question, when you cover your relaxed ends with conditioner before relaxing, does it make your hair wet? And do you relax with your ends wet? I did that before going to a salon and when I got there the salon lady blow dried my hair to dry it up before applying the relaxer..

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    1. Hey - I wouldn't describe my hair as being wet at all when I do the prep. I don't use enough conditioner to actually make it feel wet. If anything, it's kinda greasy/oily. So, my hair's not wet went I relax it.

      I totally hate when I do some prep before going to the salon and then the stylist totally ruins it like that. Hope that helps!

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    2. Thanks a mill.. I've got a relaxer scheduled next weekend so I'll follow the steps.. Not about to let these stylists make me lose my progress from my stretch or even worse, damage my follicles..

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  7. Hello Melanie. Thanks so much for the post. Your hair turned out beautifully. Question: Did you use type 'A' or type 'B' of the straight from Eden relaxer? I want to use this relaxer to texlax but I don't want to mess up and have my hair end up straighter than I would like it to be. My hair is 4a/b and this would be my 1st texlax after being 18 months natural. Looks like type 'A' is mild and 'B' is normal. And I am planning on adding oils to it as well. Thanks.

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