CREAMY CRACK WARS! RELAXER REVIEW

So my last relaxer was a nightmare. It was in the first week of February and I used vitale which burnt the crap out if my scalp. It itched fiercely for weeks.

It was very depressing. 

So for the next relaxer, I waited for the 2nd week of April (Thursday 11th) and used Optimum Care Salon Collection in super.

 

 The results were phenomenal. I combed out my new growth, based the area around my head and applied the pre treatment lotion. I then worked the relaxer onto my hair, taking the time to correct problem spots. 

I took longer than suggested on the instructions but the results were great. My hair relaxed 95% of the way! The only problem spots I have are at my right temple and a little section where old texlaxed hair needs to be straightened.

For the entire week, my hair was straight but had thickness and body. I added oil once a day and occassionally applied moisture mix as well, wrapping it every night.

Today I put the rest of the relaxer pretreatment in my hair then washed. i also used the relaxer shampoo just as a way to ensure all relaxer was Out. Them I put keratin in my hair and left it for a while. The I followed up with se con. My hair was silky. It air dried over the next few hours. I then applied moisture mix and oil to seal, wrapped it up.

We'll see how it looks tomorrow.

SELF-RELAXER REVIEW

So, I finally relaxed my hair myself after years and I am semi-pleased with the results.

The Good:
Cheap - $7.50 for relaxer (Vitale Super strength)
Most of my hair is bone straight and feels great because the relaxer came with a chelating shampoo that truly clarified and removed relaxer from my hair. The parts that relaxed are healthy.

The Bad:
I used the shower cap method and thus didn't adequately relax certain parts of my hair that were obstructed by the shower cap. And I missed a couple other places which only texlaxed. Also, it too 5 hours to comb through my new growth!!!! (Of course, I was doing other things at the same time like watching movies, lol!).

Nevertheless, I have concluded that I will self-relax again, but not when I am more than 10 weeks post. Being only 10 weeks post will allow me to get through the hair quicker and easier.

After rinsing out, I used the neutralizing shampoo, then Silk elements con in the bottle. I then used the hairbrew I created with oregano, rosemary, thyme, mint, lavender, basil, sorrel. It immediately made my hair strong - clearly a protein brew. I then followed with 35 minutes of SE olive oil con and then rinsed. My hair felt alright but I applied Aphogee 2 min keratin con for less than 2 minutes and rinsed.

My hair felt perfect.

I felt like crying for all the breakage in the back that I have because my longest bits are APL!!! Anyway, I applied silk serum, moisture mix, pulled my hair into a small bun and passed out.

In the morning I let it out to lovely curls! I applied my oil mix to seal and then bunned again.

I'm going to apply my sulphur mix and pay speciall attention to the parts of my hair that texlaxed. Especially the right lower quadrant where I added more relaxer while damp (I know, I know) in an effort to straighten it out.

My next relaxer will be on or around my bday - 10 weeks!

Touch Up Review

So another touch up at Reflexion II but this time, Gloria did not do my hair *sob*

Instead, I had Antonia, who sighed and made what I assume to be a few comments in Spanish about the state of my 16-weeks post-relaxer hair. I must have worn her down with politeness and kindness, however, because by the time she was almost done, she was, well, on the verge of chummy. (Its amazing what being a black woman that does not present an attitude can do for you, especially when you see another black woman blow up at the salon, hehehe).

My hair did not relax as well as it does when Gloria does her thing, unfortunately. I was rather pissed that she didn't understand when I was instructing her to put protein conditioner in my hair. She simply asked me to hold on to my products because the deep conditioning they would give me "is free". I didn't feel the need to argue, especially as my youngest was there, comfortably watching cartoons and running around the salon.

Anyway, I will confirm whether Gloria has left the establishment and in the meantime, I will try a different salon. That sucks because Reflexion II has been my main place for over 2 years now and I do love me $15 off Tuesdays. But, I need a stylist/salon that will allow me to use my products. I don't care if their stuff is free. Blah!

My hair, as can be expected, looked like crap. It dried in approximately 25 minutes! Unbelievable! They got me in and out in just under 2 hours and I paid $50 for a touch up *yipee* Although they tried to screw me over, thinking they could charge me $20 for "estyling", when all the chick did was wrap that shit! The total was to be $60. I calmly asked for an explanation of my bill and in no time, it became $50. All sorts of shadiness.

Once I got home, I sprayed a little moisture mix, keratin spray and then sealed with oil. I also applied my sulfur mix to my scalp. My hair IMMEDIATELY looked and felt better, acquiring some weight, density and texture! I know people like their hair thin and lifeless, but I do not. And, I do not mind my kink, as long as I can comb through it, so that bone straight hair thing is not for me! I have continued to moisturize with a little oil because on Wednesday, I went for a 6 mile run and also walked 1.32 miles. It was a good work out, but I sweated out my hair. Thank God, I am not into bone straight hair, or that would be torture. I simply applied moisture mix to the wet parts ran my fingers through my hair. Let it airdry and then applied silk serum and brushed. A little hair oil, and it was just fine.

I just put a little keratin and oil on the hair at the back as it is a little dry. I will apply moisture mix and seal with castor oil pomade tomorrow, to ensure that breakage does not occur. I spent 40 minutes dusting my ends today and will repeat after I wash my hair next week. My next trip to the hair salon should be in about 3-4 weeks, so I get a DC. They must apply keratin CON and SEO CON or else, I won't be having it! And there will be problems!

My new relaxer schedule is as follows:
August 21
December 4

Picture of (non) progress to follow soon. *sigh*

RELAXER REVIEW

After approximately 7 weeks, I got a touch up on Friday evening. It was a tad dramatic because when I asked for Affirm, I was told they didn't have it but some "Hawaii" relaxer would be fine for my hair.

Anyway, I was relaxed by Gloria who has done my hair before and is rather good. She took tremendous care to work the relaxer through the NG and oddly enough, I had absolutely NO BURNS. =)

Sadly, there was no deep conditioning as she was in a rush, the shop was closing. However, she put some hair drops conditioner in my hair instead. My hair didn't come out bone straight, but it was the best relaxer I have gotten at that place.

That being said, I have been suffering from thin hair and see through ends. I plan to step up my sulfur mix usage, and try to pre-poo with black castor oil (BCO) each night before a wash. I also will go to the salon EVERY 2 weeks for a deep condition and will dust once a month.

I KNOW I CAN DO IT.

BSL by summer 2012, here I come!!!!!

RELAXER UPDATE

I got a relaxer on Sunday the 11th. I was relaxed by 'Darika' ( I just don't know what her name was). Thankfully, my hair did not appear too lifeless afterward. I also made sure to add Chi Silk Infusion and seal the next day.

Unfortunately, I once again was underprocessed. The relaxer used was a shea relaxer which I think I used in the past to the same result. The hair has held up to quite a few running escapades. I want to do a henna rinse, but I'm not sure. Instead, I will go back to a tried and true regimen - KO Protein con for 15 minutes followed by Silk Elements con for 20 minutes. I think that should work. I'll do it on Friday after my run, probably.

I also have significant breakage in the back on the left. It's quite a shame really given that I haven't had a set back like this in over a year. *sigh*

RELAXER & CORRECTIVE

Got a relaxer ans was left underprocessed!!!!


Thank goodness I adequately combed out my NG so that wasn't an excuse. My hair relaxed in the middle but not around the edges all over my head.

Two weeks later, (Friday, September 17th), I went for a corrective. Thankfully, I only had to pay for a wash and set. The relaxer was better but still have unprocessed hair. I also had burns because I didn't plan on getting a corrective =( I have been using tea tree oil on my scalp and moisturizing my hair as much as possible. My hair has been curly and I actually love it. It's different and I simply do pin curls at night and my hair comes out looking great.

Since I will only be stretching for approximately 10 weeks, my plan is to use BT for 8 weeks at least 2-3 times a week. Then I will get a relaxer from Ines in Dominica by God's grace. If she is as good as she was the last time, my whole head will be processed. I will evaluate my length at that point and see how close I am to APL/BSL. I aspire to get to BSL by summer 2011 God willing. After my next relaxer, I will use JBCO (Jamaican black Castor Oil) as a growth aid. Hopefully it will help make my hair a little thicker.

Up next: some hair length pics.

RELAXER UPDATE & NEW SALON

So, after 9 weeks, it was time to get a relaxer and on June 5th, i got one. Being that my last relaxer at Sintia's was whack and that their management insinuated that I was lying about the underprocessing, I opted to go somewhere new. I went to Reflexion instead, located on MLK Blvd.

Nice spot, clean, friendly staff. Lila (sp?) gave me a touch up and could not believe I was barely 2 months post. I used Alter Ego and experienced some burning, but the Lila was very careful and worked hard to not only keep me comfortable, but get my hair straight. The burning was obviously a result of the major scratching I engaged in just the days before.

I got blown out by Rosie/Rosa and she was very careful to not burn my scalp which is a skill no Dominican has exhibited before while doing my hair. Still, my scalp has been itching and I wonder if it is the relaxer or something else. I got a trim and spent a total of $60 because there was a $15 off sale on all procedures. It took the same amount of time as it would have at Sintia's and quite frankly, I don't think I will go back to Sintia's anytime soon, especially since it wasn't like a hair factory at Reflexion.

Currently, I need approximately 1-2 inches to get to APL (AGAIN!) Frustrating as it is, I just have to stay focused. I plan on stretching for 13 weeks until September 4th. I will then try to stretch another 13 weeks with a relaxer on the 4th of December.

HORRIBLE RELAXER RESULTS

I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY TOUCH UP RESULTS!!!

The back of my head did not texlax, talk less of relax. I am experiencing breakage and after spending $65 plus $10 in tips, I am far from pleased. I am going to call the salon today and ask for a refund or at least half off on my next relaxer. Will see how that goes.

ANOTHER RELAXER

After 13 weeks, I finally got a touch up yesterday. I used Mizani butter blends and got a heated deep con for 20 minutes, which was nice. As usual, I didn't get a blow out but came home and put some castor oil on my scalp.

My hair looks thin as usual and I am not pleased. Additionally, in some spots, the relaxer did not 'take'. My nape on the right is disgusting and will require a lot of work to build that spot up again. I will give myself a trim and dusting very soon.

This morning, I sprayed my moisture mix in my hair just to add some moisture. Tomorrow, I will likely spray my Keratin mix and follow with the silk infusion. I will keep products to a minimum however and come Friday, my BT usage begins again. I also plan to go get a deep con in 2 weeks and try to that every 2 weeks between now and when I get a relaxer in 8 weeks right before my trip to Nigeria.

My relaxer was done by Margarita, who i would use again
Wash and set was done by Elise, again such a wonderful person

RELAXER DAY IN DOMINICA

Once again, I got a relaxer in DA and I am super pleased. I went to Caprice's and spent $103 (less than $50 US). Optimum relaxer was used. My hair is super straight and I am very pleased with the results. After the relaxer, I deep conditioned and then my hair was wrapped and I was placed under the dryer. My hair unfortunately did not dry properly so it was blowdryed. I opted for cocoa butter in my hair and no curling irons. Even Inez the stylist was pleasantly surprised and sked me more about cocoa butter. My hair felt soft and light and as it was blow dried with a round brush, like the Dominincans, it was bouncy and nice.

Unfortunately, as usual, I did not like how thin my hair feels after a relaxer but, I can't wait to take a picture to keep track of any length I might have gained. Will definitely come back to this hair salon.

OPERATION CREAMY CRACK WAS SUCCESSFUL

Not only did I get a touchup, but I also got my ends cut. In some places I lost an inch and in others I lost 3 inches. Sad, yes, but my ends look great. I am still generally around collar bone or shoulder length and can't wait for some more growth.

Once I got home, I applied COpomade to my scalp and applied Castor oil to my ends. It made my hair feel heavy and healthy.

Unfortunately, my roots at the back on the left did not relax but texlaxed and my scalp started burning almost immediately. I once again used Mizani Butter Blends which did wonders on my hair.

Glennis styled my hair but it seems that a stylist called Emily (with a piercing in her cheek) is super popular and I might try her next time.

I hope to go to Sintia's once every 2-3 weeks until about 8 weeks. at which points I will probably hide my hair under a wig.

I will relax my hair in Dominica.

I will also apply castor oil at least 3 times a night and Boundless Tresses at least 1-2 times a week. God help me!

GOT A RELAXER

Got a relaxer at Sintia's and used the Butter Blends from Mizani relaxer. It worked pretty well. There was a little bit of burning but I did not end up with burns on my scalp.

I opted to not get the cellophane color treatment and saved $30! The lady who blew me out opted to not trim my ends, but they are looking a little see-through so I have to work on them.

My hair is growing out thankfully. After a 13 week stretch it looks like I just might get to APL by the end of the year. I will try to use my Boundless tresses for at least 8 weeks and then allow 3-4 weeks without before a relaxer.

Hope it works.