On to the details of relaxing, or texlaxing, whatever floats your boat. I used my fav Creme of Nature Straight From Eden Relaxer. If you've been following me long enough to know how I go about texlaxing my hair, you'll be shocked to hear I didn't add any oil to the relaxer this time. Why you ask? Because I completely forgot. I mean it didn't even cross my mind until I was starting to rinse it out. At which point I may or may not have freaked out a bit and contemplated shedding real tears at the thought of having bone straight hair again #Iwasntready
Prep -
{1} I thoroughly detangled my hair using my fingers followed by a wide tooth comb. Divided into four sections.
{2} Layered the length of my hair with my "triple threat" - safflower seed oil, Aubrey Organics GPB conditioner, and vaseline - to protect my previously relaxed hair.
{3} Parted my hair to base my scalp with vaseline. After applying vaseline to my scalp, I twisted the length of each section.
{4} Mixed the relaxer... this is the point when I usually add the oil to help slow down the relaxer process, but I forgot -_-
Relaxer Process -
{5} I always start applying the relaxer at the crown of my head since it is my most coarse area and work my way down each section, saving my nape and edges for last. I love this twisting method because I can move through my whole head in about 5-6 minutes. I use the rest of the time to make sure I didn't miss any areas. I do not smooth the relaxer in my hair. Total time: 13 minutes.
{6} Rinsed the relaxer out and soaked up the excess water with a towel. As you can see my hair was still very textured after I rinsed!
{7} Mid-step protein treatment with Umberto Beverly Hills Repair Treatment Masque and L'Oreal Damage Erasing Balm. I put on a plastic cap and sat under the dryer for about 15 mins.
{8} Neutralized with the Straight From Eden Hydrating shampoo. I lathered three times, allowing the third to sit for a few minutes just to be sure.
{9} Deep conditioned with CON Straight From Eden conditioning treatment and TRESemmé Naturals. Rinsed and did and ACV & aloe rinse.
Styling -
{10} Applied my leave-ins - Elasta QP H2, Shea Moisture Restorative conditioner, Straight From Eden Repairing Oil - and detangled my hair.
{11} Blew my hair dry on low heat.
{12} Went for my Caruso steam rollers. They always make my hair look like I put a lot more effort into than I actually did :)
I was pleasantly surprised that my hair didn't over-process, retaining just as much texture as I wanted, despite the fact that I forgot to add any oil. That, of course, makes me wonder how much of a difference adding oil really makes when under-processing my hair. Perhaps my triple threat of protection is enough for keeping the length of my hair from over-processing along with my new growth. But it also makes me love this Creme of Nature relaxer even more. I definitely don't have to worry about it being too strong for my hair. The back of my hair is pretty much fully texlaxed now. The shrinkage is ridiculous. Cheers to a successful relaxer day!
I'm happy to be back to linking up for the #WashDayExperience with SavingOurStrands and Just Grow Already! Be sure to go check out other wash day experiences!
