Alter Ego Linange Shea Butter Relaxer and Full Line - Review and Questions

[Miamori]

Does bluebeez do lay-away? This ish is expensive!!!

You stoopid but yeah, that mask is a little pricey.

Broke as I am, I thought the same thing when I looked into buying it all on my own... Just doing this in my head, rounding it all off, it would be $74 dollars plus some more for shipping, give or take a bit right????

Ok well while I was trying to look up instructions in Spanish, I found this site, http://www.ibeautyny.com/goods_detail.asp?Index=4041 which sells everything together for a bit cheaper - $65. I haven't heard of them before, but they sell a lot of sets. I'll add them to the first post too.

I like that it comes all together. I will order from them, as long as I find that their customer service reports are ok. Shipping will probably be cheaper than BlueBeez, I know that.

Ok, well I am going to make this phone call now.

ETA: Shoot, they aren't answering and their lines close at 6. Now I really want to know, because if there's a shampoo I want to figure out how and where to get it before my next touch up. Maybe I'll go look at a tub tomorrow.

 

[onejamifan]

My oldest sister swears by this hair relaxer system and I'm actually thinking about trying it out for my next touch up. Thanks for putting all this info on here!

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

Are you certain? I speak Spanish fluently and read even better, and I asked my stylist to let me read the tub while she put the relaxer in, and I don't remember it saying anything at all about a shampoo. I also never saw anything even on the Alter Ego website (when they still had the Linange line posted, before they began working on the new site) that mentioned the line had any other shampoo besides the vitalizing.

Also, it isn't just BlueBeez, but not a single site that carries Linange carries the neutralizing shampoo for the line. If one exists, I find that odd, especially since I would presume it would be in high demand and could build a good profit.

I am going to make a phone call and see if BoNY (they are good with customers) can read me what the Spanish instructions say.

There's actually a new shampoo in the 2 gallon??? size but I'm not sure if that one is the neutralizing shampoo. I speak Boricua fluently. Here are the instructions:

English
3.smooth product in same area in which you started application, following the same directions as step 2.
4.When desired relaxation is achieved, rinse thoroughly with luke warm water. continue rinsing until relaxer is completely removed from hair
5.Apply Linange Neutralizing Condition for 2 min. without massaging into hair and rin out thoroughly.
6.Apply Linange Hair Mask
7.Style as desired

Espanol
*2.Aplicar el neutralizante acondicionador y dejarlo actuar por 2 min. sin tocar el cabello, "no masajear" retirar con abundante agua templada
3.Aplicar el neutralizante acondicionador de nuevo con masaje rotatorio y retirar con abundante agua templada.
4.Lavar con el Shampoo Linange para desentoxicar el cabello de los residuos del desrizado.
5.Aplicar Mascarilla Linange para desentoxicar e hidratar el cabello......

So actually, it's not explained in English that the Mask also helps neutralize and the neutralizing shampooing step is left out altogether. I do realize these are professional products and that not all instructions are delineated because they know how to use them in training but I think it's an important step that was skipped and can result in burns and hair damage for someone who does not speak Spanish. It is explained on the Neutralizing Conditioner to use the Shampoo but if someone were solely relying upon the instructions on the relaxer, which should exactly mirror those on the neutralizer, they might be in trouble. My package size/label is the 4lb size.

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

Are you certain? I speak Spanish fluently and read even better, and I asked my stylist to let me read the tub while she put the relaxer in, and I don't remember it saying anything at all about a shampoo. I also never saw anything even on the Alter Ego website (when they still had the Linange line posted, before they began working on the new site) that mentioned the line had any other shampoo besides the vitalizing.

Also, it isn't just BlueBeez, but not a single site that carries Linange carries the neutralizing shampoo for the line. If one exists, I find that odd, especially since I would presume it would be in high demand and could build a good profit.

I am going to make a phone call and see if BoNY (they are good with customers) can read me what the Spanish instructions say.

It could be that the Linange Shampoo is low in ph so is a neutralizing shampoo simply by that. But the instructions do say shampoo after the second application of the Neut. Condit. Oh, and if I didn't say before, they left out the 2nd application of the Neut. Condit. in English. Do you remember if she shampooed your hair at all? I don't have their shampoo so I use 2 appl. Neut. Condit. then another brand neutralizing shampoo for lye relaxers for extra protection. I find that very strange...translating oversight...a bad one.

 

[Miamori]

There's actually a new shampoo in the 2 gallon??? size but I'm not sure if that one is the neutralizing shampoo. I speak Boricua fluently. Here are the instructions:

English
3.smooth product in same area in which you started application, following the same directions as step 2.
4.When desired relaxation is achieved, rinse thoroughly with luke warm water. continue rinsing until relaxer is completely removed from hair
5.Apply Linange Neutralizing Condition for 2 min. without massaging into hair and rin out thoroughly.
6.Apply Linange Hair Mask
7.Style as desired

Espanol
*2.Aplicar el neutralizante acondicionador y dejarlo actuar por 2 min. sin tocar el cabello, "no masajear" retirar con abundante agua templada
3.Aplicar el neutralizante acondicionador de nuevo con masaje rotatorio y retirar con abundante agua templada.
4.Lavar con el Shampoo Linange para desentoxicar el cabello de los residuos del desrizado.
5.Aplicar Mascarilla Linange para desentoxicar e hidratar el cabello......

So actually, it's not explained in English that the Mask also helps neutralize and the neutralizing shampooing step is left out altogether. I do realize these are professional products and that not all instructions are delineated because they know how to use them in training but I think it's an important step that was skipped and can result in burns and hair damage for someone who does not speak Spanish. It is explained on the Neutralizing Conditioner to use the Shampoo but if someone were solely relying upon the instructions on the relaxer, which should exactly mirror those on the neutralizer, they might be in trouble.

Mmmmhmmm. I got mine done in A Dominican salon and my stylist there and I use Spanish to communicate. She actually doesn't speak much English, so I am sure she read the instructions in Spanish. She also had a small argument with the shop's owner because she wasn't putting a shampoo in and just the conditioner.

I had no burns or hair loss, so that may not work for all, but it worked for me.

I assumed you spoke Spanish, or you wouldn't have mentioned it.

What I do notice, though, is it just says shampoo Linange, and doesn't mention that it's neutralizante, which makes me think it's referring to the standard Linange shampoo, which is this: http://www.bluebeez.com/goods_detail.php?gid=1899&cid=32

I have yet to find that in a smaller size though. I know if I ask Beauty of New York about it they will look into it though. Generally, if I ask them about something they don't have, they stock it, which is nice.

I think it makes sense that this is most likely the shampoo though, because it's the only Linange shampoo there is, I believe (and it was the only one the Ater Ego website carried), and there is no conditioner to match it. The only Linange conditioner there is would be the neutralizing one.

What I was asking was whether you were certain because I was pretty sure there was no neutralizing shampoo, and these instructions don't specify that it's neutralizing. They just say that neutralizing is what it helps do, but that's not part of the shampoo's title, while it refers to the conditioner as "neautralizaznte acondicionador." That is why I was confused - because the line has no neutralizing shampoo, and I only knew of the "vitalizing shampoo," which at first I assumed you musn't be referring to, sicne you said it was a neutralizing shampoo.

So yeah, I think you were right when you were wondering whether the normal shampoo Bluebeez carries is the shampoo for this purpose.

Also just one last question - on the neutralizing conditioner bottle, does it say "neutralizante shampoo" or just some along the lines of "Shampoo Linange, (which helps neutralize...)" the way it explains it on the relaxer?

Thanks in advance for your help. This is good info.

 

[Miamori]

It could be that the Linange Shampoo is low in ph so is a neutralizing shampoo simply by that. But the instructions do say shampoo after the second application of the Neut. Condit. Oh, and if I didn't say before, they left out the 2nd application of the Neut. Condit. in English. Do you remember if she shampooed your hair at all? I don't have their shampoo so I use 2 appl. Neut. Condit. then another brand neutralizing shampoo for lye relaxers for extra protection. I find that very strange...translating oversight...a bad one.

No shampoo at all. Just the neutralizing shampoo 3x.

Lol don't worry, I can read it in Spanish just fine. I just wanted to have a look at the instructions. I agree with you that I think the LInange shampoo is just neutralizing in and of itself, but that's where I was thrown off. I thought hwiseman was saying there is a neutralizing shampoo by that name that should be used with the system. I am going to go edit my first few posts.

ETA: haha, you ARE hwiseman! Sorry, the codeine still has me groggy and everything. Well, next time, I have two steps to add when I do it. The shampoo AND the mask. Glad it didn't hurt my hair. Thank you SO MUCH for pointing this out!!

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

FAQs:​

These are questions I have been asked already in PMs. If I have not answered your questions already, feel free to ask more.​

Did you go w/ mizani?​

For those referencing this post, I went with Affirm and overall, I did not like it, though it did the job. If Alter Ego Linange were not part of my life I would have liked it more, but that is not the case. Even so, I think I would like Nairobi more. Nairobi is fairly moisturizing, but still straightens like Design Essentials and Silk Elements, IMO.​

I have used a Mizani relaxer in the past (March 2008), but I am not sure which, because I did not ask her to specify which. Based on the results (45 minutes yet still underprocessing and unsmoothed cuticle), my guesses would be no-lye, mild, or maybe one of the butter blends versions.​

Thanks for this info right back atcha! I have Mizani which I got for my daughter but she wants to stay natural and is growing hers out. I won't go get the Affirm now. Sounds like your hair is very similar to mine. I'll keep the Linange. This should be a sticky on the relaxer section because it's got such good reference info. Have you considered doing that since so many people come back from time to time asking which is a good comparison between them? Excellent post!!!!!

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

No shampoo at all. Just the neutralizing shampoo 3x.

Lol don't worry, I can read it in Spanish just fine. I just wanted to have a look at the instructions. I agree with you that I think the LInange shampoo is just neutralizing in and of itself, but that's where I was thrown off. I thought hwiseman was saying there is a neutralizing shampoo by that name that should be used with the system. I am going to go edit my first few posts.

ETA: haha, you ARE hwiseman! Sorry, the codeine still has me groggy and everything. Well, next time, I have two steps to add when I do it. The shampoo AND the mask. Glad it didn't hurt my hair. Thank you SO MUCH for pointing this out!!

I know we speak Spanish but what about somebody else buying that Linange online? Oof, lawd have mercy. I thought they had a neut. shampoo. So, their relaxer system is like Optimum I guess. That shampoo is ridiculously expensive!!!!

 

[GV-NA-GI-TLV-GE-I]

So yeah, I think you were right when you were wondering whether the normal shampoo Bluebeez carries is the shampoo for this purpose.

Also just one last question - on the neutralizing conditioner bottle, does it say "neutralizante shampoo" or just some along the lines of "Shampoo Linange, (which helps neutralize...)" the way it explains it on the relaxer?

Thanks in advance for your help. This is good info.

My bad, it's just shampoo Linange (por K no "champu" ? lol_). I think they should explain that on their site because when I got the relaxer and was ready to apply it, I thought I had missed getting a product and I knew they didn't show any neut. shampoo online. Do you know what the ph balance of it is? I'm actually feeling more confident about theproduct now and that my purchase was a good one.

 

[Miamori]

My bad, it's just shampoo Linange (por K no "champu" ? lol_). I think they should explain that on their site because when I got the relaxer and was ready to apply it, I thought I had missed getting a product and I knew they didn't show any neut. shampoo online. Do you know what the ph balance of it is? I'm actually feeling more confident about theproduct now and that my purchase was a good one.

I have no idea what it is. I've gotten into contacting companies and things lately, so maybe I will do that.

I never thought about making the comparison info more visible for people. Maybe if a lot of people find it useful in the future.

I could maybe add to that bit and compare the other relaxers I have tried too. I have tried a lot of relaxers.

 

[Violets-are-blue]

Thank you sooo much for the review o.0 This, SE, and ORS are now on my list for next year first relaxing experience. But after that sparkling review, I'm definitely considering this. I'll keep an eye out for any other reviews too. Thanks again ^^

 

[luckiestdestiny]

I got a little lost. Even though I've been natural, I've been lurking on this page, as I'm considering relaxing in the next year...or not...or yes..or...you get the point. Anyways I am interested in this but I was a little lost. Do you use the shampoo or not? I want to make sure my hairstylist knows the right way to do it, if I go the extra route. I realize the mask should be applied to, but in what order and also what about the shampoo as I don't speak spanish?

 

[luckiestdestiny]

From what I understand there is no neutral shampoo, only neutralizing conditioner. So you relaxer, use the conditioner and then the mask. Where does the shampoo come in? Bump? Curiousity.

 

[danysedai]

Thank you OP for this review, I love the Alter Ego and Alfaparf line and I've been seriously torn bwt this and the Affirm. Off to convince my husband... I live in Canada and will have to order online, or wait until a friend goes to NY and brings me some.

Great review

 

[gymfreak336]

I think I am going to give this a go. I will buy it for myself for christmas and use it for my new years touchup.

 

[jasmin]

I found the neutralizing shampoo through Amazon.com (bluebeez).

http://www.amazon.com/LINANGE-Linan...ef=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1224374244&sr=1-7

 

[ycj]

More power to you.

Stretching for 6 months is a huge accomplishment. I did it once (not thinking about it as stretching), and it is NOT happening again. It helped my hair tremendously though. I did it right before I started really taking care of my hair in May. Even though the woman I went to for my touch up cut off ALL my precious progress, I think it really helped jumpstart my journey, and it got my hair on a much healthier track in a relatively (compared to how long I'd been treating it like crap) short period.

I still stretch though, just not as long.

And thank you SO MUCH for the prayers. It really helped and I felt so much better just knowing someone was praying for me.

I've also made a vast improvement in just the 24 hours.



Hehe, I am not looking, but I am pretty sure you're looking at the mask or the texturizer or large relaxer or something. The conditioner comes in a typical bottle. It's available in a larger size and a smaller size, but both are in bottles.

Thank you for the good wishes. I feel drowsy from the mono and medicine, but other than that I feel pretty good now! I can fit real food down my throat now so I can eat something substantial and my appetite is back. That is what I'm happiest about. Fooooooooooood.

I also saw you mentioned you were having health issues in your progress thread, so I hope you're feeling better now too!!!



Yeah, I figured it would help a lot of people out, because I couldn't find anything either when I looked for more info. I think part of it is that the Linange products are really new.

If you do decide to switch though, I don't think you could make a better choice. And I've had many a relaxer in my hair, mostly the really popular ones.

Miamori, please whatever you do don't stop the antibiotic until it is completely gone, I know you are feeling better but that does'nt mean the infection is. Knowing that both of your parents are in the medical field is in your favor as well. I too will be praying for your quick recovery! I know first hand what it's like to have an infection and having to take antibiotics to get rid of it. You will be fully recovered soon sweetie! Bless your heart!!!!!!

 

[morehairplease]

I think I am going to give this a go. I will buy it for myself for christmas and use it for my new years touchup.

Gym, I want to do this too. Do you mind me asking how you will store your relaxer until you use it?

tia,
tishee

 

[Miamori]

I got a little lost. Even though I've been natural, I've been lurking on this page, as I'm considering relaxing in the next year...or not...or yes..or...you get the point. Anyways I am interested in this but I was a little lost. Do you use the shampoo or not? I want to make sure my hairstylist knows the right way to do it, if I go the extra route. I realize the mask should be applied to, but in what order and also what about the shampoo as I don't speak spanish?

Sorry, I was away from LHCF for the day. I would have gotten lost too. Hwiseman and I were trying to figure out what was up because 1) the directions in English and Spanish do not match and 2) the Linange line carried a "Vitalizing shampoo" but not a "neutralizing shampoo."

We then figured out that the correct order of operations is NOT per the English instructions, but the Spanish instructions. The cliffnotes:

1. Relax
2. Rinse thoroughly
3. Linange Neutralizing Conditioner
4. Linange Vitalizing shampoo
5. Mask

The Spanish instructions mention that the conditioner, shampoo, and mask all help with the conditioning, cleansing, residue-removing and neutralizing process.

Our hypothesis (because the Spanish instructions refer to the shampoo as simply "Shampoo Linange," which is odd for a few reasons but we won't go there) is that the Vitalizing shampoo has a low pH and is pH balancing, but we don't know the pH, so it's just a guess and we aren't sure.

Because the system is new, Alter Ego hasn't made the Linange shampoo in personal sizes (meaning affordable sizes) yet. There is an Alter Ego (as opposed to Linange) vitalizing shampoo, but we don't know the pH... so there's no saying whether it would be a suitable replacement.

When I got the relaxer, I only used the neutralizing conditioner, and a different deep conditioner in place of the mask. I didn't use any kind of shampoo.

When hwiseman did hers, I believe she relaxed, used the Linange conditioner, and then just used a neutralizing shampoo from a different line.

The next time I relax, I plan on doing what hwiseman did, but I am not sure which shampoo I will go with.

Sooooooooo, that was just kind of to explain what we had been trying to figure out. I would recommend following the original steps (in Spanish), which include a neutralizing shampoo following the relaxer.

Depending on the salon, they might carry the Linange vitalizing shampoo, in which case that is the one I would ask for. Really though, I think whichever neutralizing shampoo they carry would be fine. When I look for one later on I will try to find one that seems moisturizing and up to par with the Linange and whatever additional nice traits I'd want it to have, but when it comes down to it, as long as it is neutralizing, I don't think you should really sweat it.

I hope this answers your questions.

From what I understand there is no neutral shampoo, only neutralizing conditioner. So you relaxer, use the conditioner and then the mask. Where does the shampoo come in? Bump? Curiousity.

I just wrote this under your last post, but this should make it easier for anyone else with this question to spot. The shampoo step would come in between the conditioner and the mask. The Linange Vitalizing shampoo is the shampoo the system refers to, but any good neutralizing shampoo would do the job, really.

Thank you OP for this review, I love the Alter Ego and Alfaparf line and I've been seriously torn bwt this and the Affirm. Off to convince my husband... I live in Canada and will have to order online, or wait until a friend goes to NY and brings me some.

Great review

Well, just to let you know, I was relaxed with the Affirm a little over two weeks ago in a high end salon in Boston. I will be posting a review and maybe progress shots tomorrow. The relaxer did its job (straightened) but I did not like it. Too harsh. Too much burning. My hair felt stripped after, and my roots look thinner than the rest of my hair! Not slightly thinner the way the have sometimes following a relaxer, but upsettingly so! Also, I have increased shedding, especially from my baby hair region, which pisses me off because that is all growing out and thickening up so nicely, and more breakage. To be fair though, I can only ascribe the thin, lackluster roots and burning definitively to the Affirm, because I did get sick (which could have caused the shedding... but that would be VERY unusual for me, but it could happen), and the breakage could be from protein increase because I did get a demi perm put in.

Whichever decision you make, I hope the relaxer does you well though. But as someone who has used both lines for her last two relaxers - the Affirm just couldn't hold a candle to it.

I know those costs to Canada can be CRAZY though!!! If I were you, I know I would probably be an Affirm lady for the moment, or at least on a longgggggg stretch while I saved.

I found the neutralizing shampoo through Amazon.com (bluebeez).

http://www.amazon.com/LINANGE-Linan...ef=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1224374244&sr=1-7

I think that's the neutralizing conditioner, not the shampoo. They don't have a small shampoo yet, unfortunately.

Miamori, please whatever you do don't stop the antibiotic until it is completely gone, I know you are feeling better but that does'nt mean the infection is. Knowing that both of your parents are in the medical field is in your favor as well. I too will be praying for your quick recovery! I know first hand what it's like to have an infection and having to take antibiotics to get rid of it. You will be fully recovered soon sweetie! Bless your heart!!!!!!

Yes ma'am! I've been sticking with my dosage schedule - every 8 hrs (well close to it, but I've been doing my 2 pills 3x daily ) and nope, I'm not stopping. Shoot, if this mess doesn't go faster they might need to extend me to 10 days. My throat still looks toooooo... I don't want to gross anyone out, so I will just say "not right," and I can still feel all these lumps and things when I swallow. Plus I can tell it's still very swollen, because everything keeps getting stuck down there still. So nope, I know the drill!! Take every last bit.

 

[PuffyBrown]

Thanks for posting this.
It sounds very promising. I will try it once my supply of my current relaxer has depleted itself.

Ladies, if anyone tries it please come back with your reviews. We could add to the products review thread?

 

[asummertyme]

O snap, i just brought this as my last relaxer, i really liked it alot...just wanted to add, that i brought mines from Jersey Gardens mall for those of u girls in jerz, there is a hair supply store and thats the only brand of relaxer that they sell too..

 

[morehairplease]

O snap, i just brought this as my last relaxer, i really liked it alot...

OT: your little one is such a doll!

 

[tnorenberg]

Thanks for this post. I definitely want to try this line. Right now I am using the SE Mild for more of a texturizer. Has anyone had good results they can report of for the Alter Ego Texturizer?

 

[Kurlee]

bumping!!!

 

[danysedai]

I know those costs to Canada can be CRAZY though!!! If I were you, I know I would probably be an Affirm lady for the moment, or at least on a longgggggg stretch while I saved.

Thanks, but I was on that website you provided and it says that orders from Canada have to be more than $130 to get free shipping, at those prices it won't be a problem to add up to $130, so it's now off to convince husband that I really need to pay that amounterplexed

 

[BrittanyH26]

I hope you feel better!!

Thanks for the very detailed review. I am searching for a relaxer to try at the beginning of the new year. This might be the one! Thanks!

 

[jasmin]

Oh thanks Miamori. That sure is the neutralizing conditioner.

 

[shellyb]

I tried using this relaxer to texturize my hair today. It didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. It burned really, really bad. I did wash my hair two days prior, so that could have been the problem. But, I could not leave it in for over five minutes...my head was on fire! And I only got to do one section. It was a mess! I still have to do the rest of my head, but I think I am going to stick with old faithful, Silk Elements. When I texturize with Silk Elements it's like putting conditioner on my head - no burns, nothing. Did anyone else experience the burning?

 

[morehairplease]

I tried using this relaxer to texturize my hair today. It didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. It burned really, really bad. I did wash my hair two days prior, so that could have been the problem. But, I could not leave it in for over five minutes...my head was on fire! And I only got to do one section. It was a mess! I still have to do the rest of my head, but I think I am going to stick with old faithful, Silk Elements. When I texturize with Silk Elements it's like putting conditioner on my head - no burns, nothing. Did anyone else experience the burning?

I hate to hear this. I am so sorry it didn't work out for you. I am going to try the SE lye-regular for my corrective b/c a sally's is up the street from my home. I am trying to stick to a budget and limit my online shopping as much as possible to have money for the holidays and all. Let me know how the SE works for you.

 

[tnorenberg]

I tried using this relaxer to texturize my hair today. It didn't turn out as good as I had hoped. It burned really, really bad. I did wash my hair two days prior, so that could have been the problem. But, I could not leave it in for over five minutes...my head was on fire! And I only got to do one section. It was a mess! I still have to do the rest of my head, but I think I am going to stick with old faithful, Silk Elements. When I texturize with Silk Elements it's like putting conditioner on my head - no burns, nothing. Did anyone else experience the burning?

Sorry you got burned. Hope it wasn't too bad. I have seen beautiful results from this relaxer system. I'm hoping to try the texturizer though. Definately a no no to wash just days before a relaxer without basing really, really well. Even w/ SE Mild I have never burned, but If I know I am going to relax I will put off my co washes for the week prior.