Showing posts with label protein treatment. Show all posts

Relaxer Update

Thursday, August 22, 2013

after detangling & pre-relaxer routine

I relaxed my hair two weeks ago today (August 8th) at 11 weeks post relaxer. Since I thought I was getting family pictures taken the next week I ended my stretch a little earlier than I could have. Once I knew it wasn't going to happen, I had already psyched myself up for fresh hair and didn't want to deal with my new growth anymore. So, I went for it! The previous wash day was pretty protein intensive, as usual, but I followed up with a deep conditioning session containing protein a few days prior to relaxing. I usually don't do the extra deep condition day, but I just felt like my hair needed a little more this time.

I made sure I detangled my hair very well before relaxing this time, in 4 sections. I am usually not as thorough as I should be with this step and I believe it totally slows me down during the application step. For some reason, I finger detangle during my prep and once I start apply the relaxer I get so upset with myself for forgetting to use a comb afterward. I guess because, normally, I only use a comb at the end of wash days. Anyway, I did my usual pre-relaxer routine: based my scalp with vaseline then layered the length of my hair with the triple threat of (1) conditioner (HE Honey I'm Strong), followed by (2) oil (grapeseed), topped with (3) vaseline. I really think that this step is great. It truly protects my previously relaxed hair from being processed again and/or losing any of the texture I am trying to keep.

I decided to add oil to my relaxer this time. I have done this one time before and I liked my results even though I wasn't the smartest about the way I went about it. I have tried several different methods of texlaxing since then and believe that combining this with the triple threat will produce the results I want. I measured out 1/4 cup of grapeseed oil and sat it to the side. I mixed the activator and relaxer creme completely. I then began to slowly pour some oil into the relaxer, mix until it was back to creamy and pour some more. I only ended up adding about an 1/8 of a cup into the mixture. I think I will add the whole quarter in next though. The first time I did this, my mistake was adding all the oil at once along with the activator. Yea...never do that. It made the mixture so runny it was hard to control during application. *sigh* you live and you learn, right? So, this time, I made sure I kept the consistency I need while mixing in the oil a little at a time.

My processing time was about 15 minutes. I just do not think I will ever get to a processing time of 10 minutes without doing the half and half method. I have no desire to even try the half and half method either. It seems like it will guarantee relaxer days go from a matter of hours to a full day event. Maybe not, but either way I just don't want to do all those steps twice. This is one of the main reasons I decided to combine the two methods of texlaxing: I want to achieve my desired texture while relaxing my whole head at once in around 15 minutes.

after t-shirt drying

I rinsed the relaxer out in the shower and followed with a protein treatment. In my last relaxer update post, I talked about hating how messy Aphogee's 2-step protein treatment is and not being too keen on the smell either. A fellow blogger (hey KLP!) suggested I try out Nexxus Emergencee and I have been hunting for that stuff ever since. To no avail. I have purchased two new protein conditioners, Umberto Beverly Hills Repair Treatment Masque & L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm, while attempting to find that one. I combined them in this step, covered with a plastic cap and left it on for about 5 minutes. Rinsed then neutralized (3 times). My hair felt uh-mazing!! Strong yet so soft and I hadn't even deep conditioned yet! I deep conditioned under a plastic cap with Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose and Silk Dreams Vanilla Silk Cream Moisture Dream for about 10 minutes, rinsed and did an ACV rinse. T-shirt dried for a little while, then I applied my leave-ins and let my hair air dry in a loose bun overnight.

That may seem like a lot because I want to be detailed enough so that any lady could repeat my process if they want. Also to explain why I do things the way I do. All in all this whole process only took a couple hours. I did it after work and was in bed in time to get enough sleep for the next work day! Relaxing your own hair doesn't have to be a full day event. :)

6 comments protein treatment, relaxer, relaxer tips, relaxer update, self relaxing, texlax

Relaxer Update

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

I relaxed my hair about a month ago, ending a 12 week stretch. I used Elasta QP's Ultra Hydration conditioning relaxer. I really like the way my hair feels after relaxing with this kit. It also under-processes my hair even if I leave it on for longer than the recommended processing time.

Knowing I was soon to relax, I did a protein deep condition the wash day before my relaxer day. On relaxer day, I pre-pooed with Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong and grapeseed oil for about an hour. After, I based my scalp with vaseline and also coated the length of my [previously relaxed] hair with it.

shots of some of the texture left in my hair

Now that I am intentionally texlaxing/unprocessing my hair, my goal is to have a processing time of only 10-15 minutes max. I didn't make it this time. Came in right under 20 minutes. I also didn't add anything to the relaxer like I have the past two times. However, my hair still came out pretty darn textured and SO very thick. So I'm not upset at all. I'll move faster next time.

Once I rinsed out the relaxer, I applied my protein treatment, this time using a spray bottle. Although the spray bottle made it a little less messy and Aphogee works well, I am considering finding another hard protein treatment. The sticky mess plus the bad smell makes me roll my eyes when I use it, honestly. I saturated my hair, made sure it was evenly distributed and then used a blow dryer to harden it. I rinsed in the shower, neutralized (3 lathers) and used Aphogee's balancing moisturizer, leaving it on my hair for about 5 minutes.


Aphogee 2-step Protein Treatment (in spray bottle)

I used Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner along with Silk Dream Vanilla Silk Cream Moisture Dream conditioner to deep condition my hair. I mixed them in an empty jar and applied from root to tip. I put on a plastic cap and a scarf and left it on for about an hour and a half, spending half of that under my bonnet dryer. I rinsed with cool water followed by an apple cider vinegar rinse.

Since I am participating in this protective styling challenge with a goal of using no heat, I did not straighten my hair or do a length check. But I will be very soon! I applied my usual leave-ins (Aphogee Green Tea & Keratin Restructurizer and Elasta QP Silk H2), let my hair air dry and put it up in my go-to bun. I was pleased with my results!

air-drying

6 comments air-drying, protein treatment, relaxer, self relaxing, texlax, underprocessing hair

Relaaaxer Day

Sunday, December 09, 2012

This was the quickest relaxer day I've ever had! Thank God it was not to the detriment of my hair. I wanted to try to stretch a little longer, but with everything I have going on with the holidays this was the best opportunity. So I was about 10 weeks post, which is my minimum stretch period. I've probably been self-relaxing my hair for about 7 years now. Before that, it was done by my mom and/or my sister.

Any-who, this is my third time tex-laxing - purposely underprocessing my hair with a relaxer. The first time was an accident. So I've been experimenting with ways to achieve my perfect amount of textured hair. This time I added conditioner to the relaxer.

I divided my hair into four sections (two front, two back). In each section, I parted my hair horizontally and based my scalp with vaseline. I also put vaseline around my edges and ears.
To protect my previously relaxed hair, I use a conditioner, an oil and vaseline. I don't mind if I get any on my new growth. I used Herbal Essences Honey I'm Strong, followed by grapeseed oil and sealed with vaseline. This creates a pretty solid layer of protection to prevent over-processing from relaxer runoff during rinsing. This process also leaves my hair pre-parted for quick relaxer application.
I use Elasta QP Ultra Hydration No-Lye Relaxer. I think this relaxer underprocesses my hair period, but I like how my hair feels after using it. I start at the top of the back sections working my way down then move to the front sections. My mom helped today since I was in a time crunch. Whole application including smoothing took about 15 minutes.
After rinsing, I did a mid-step protein treatment. I use Aphogee's 2-step Protein Treatment. I truly hate how this stuff smells and I always end up making a mess with the whole application and blow drying it hard step, BUT it is a good hard protein treatment. My hair likes it so I keep using it.
I neutralized (3 lathers with the shampoo from the kit) and applied the balancing moisturizer for the 2 step protein. I left that on for about 5 minutes then rinsed.
I tried a new addition for deep conditioning - Creme of Nature Argan Oil Intensive Conditioning Treatment. Mixed with Elasta QP Soy-Oyl Ultra Hydration Deep Conditioner (my faithful base conditioner). Sat under my bonnet dryer for about 30 minutes.
Detangled and rinsed in the shower with cool water. Did a final rinse with apple cider vinegar and cooler water.

My hair felt quite soft, yet strong, and smelled really good when all was said and done. So I was pleased. Perhaps I will buy another packet of the CON Argan Oil Conditioner. I applied my leave ins (pictured above) and put my hair in a bun to air dry so I could quickly get ready to go to a holiday party. Nothing fancy, but it worked. :)