Relaxed Hair Thread

[LushLox]

For detangling: Purology Color Fanatic saved my hair. I thought I was going to have to shave it off at one point.

View attachment 490137

I've heard so many good things about this leave in and I've had it in my basket for a long time. Finally bought it and yes it is lovely, the hydration is evident. I sprayed it on my hair and it just melted the dryness away especially in the roots.

I think this would be really helpful in a stretch.

 

[Theresamonet]

How is everyone detangling their hair?

Before, during, or after your wash routine? On wet, damp, or dry hair?

 

[HealthyHair2020]

How is everyone detangling their hair?

Before, during, or after your wash routine? On wet, damp, or dry hair?

Damp before my wash routine. Creates less tangles during the washing process as it gives me an easier time lightly detangling (again) during deep conditioning.

 

[LushLox]

How is everyone detangling their hair?

Before, during, or after your wash routine? On wet, damp, or dry hair?

Before washing I section off my dry hair then gently finger detangle my NG, I then comb the lengths with a wide tooth comb.
The force of my shower does a great job in a natural detangle.

After washing I'll wait a bit until my hair is damp rather than wet then detangle with a wide tooth comb.

I typically don't have much issues with tangling, unless I've done a long stretch and haven't maintained my hair as well as I should have been.

 

[LushLox]

I made MBL, but I trimmed back to BSL which looks nice and full now.

The journey to MBL continues lol

 

[Theresamonet]

Before washing I section off my dry hair then gently finger detangle my NG, I then comb the lengths with a wide tooth comb.
The force of my shower does a great job in a natural detangle.

After washing I'll wait a bit until my hair is damp rather than wet then detangle with a wide tooth comb.

I typically don't have much issues with tangling, unless I've done a long stretch and haven't maintained my hair as well as I should have been.

Thanks. I do get tangles because my hair is still really textured. And when I’m stretching my coils start twisting the relaxed hair around. I’ve been detangling on just towel dried hair, but I think I need to wait until it air dries a bit more. That may be where some of my breakage stems from.

 

[Theresamonet]

On Sunday I did a henna treatment with a 7 year old bag of Nupur.

It turned out well. I’m always initially alarmed at the stiff feeling of the hair after a henna treatment, but it softened up after DCing (Humecto). And it felt great after moisturizing the next day. Very smooth and shiny, and I believe that it has minimized some of the breakage I was experiencing.

I’ve been reading old Ayurveda threads for days. I’m inspired to try to incorporate as much into my regimen as possible.

This is my hair after the two inch trim and henna. My ends are even (u-shape) at the hemline, but I had taken out a bun and couldn’t get them to lay straight for this pic.

 

[sweetiep]

View attachment 490271
On Sunday I did a henna treatment with a 7 year old bag of Nupur.

It turned out well. I’m always initially alarmed at the stiff feeling of the hair after a henna treatment, but it softened up after DCing (Humecto). And it felt great after moisturizing the next day. Very smooth and shiny, and I believe that it has minimized some of the breakage I was experiencing.

I’ve been reading old Ayurveda threads for days. I’m inspired to try to incorporate as much into my regimen as possible.

This is my hair after the two inch trim and henna. My ends are even (u-shape) at the hemline, but I had taken out a bun and couldn’t get them to lay straight for this pic.

View attachment 490275

This is the henna I’ve been using. I love it!

 

[MzSwift]

@Theresamonet

Your hair looks fantastic! I'm so happy it turned out well for you! Also, girl, I don't even want to tell you how old some of my herbs and powders are.


I really love doing an ayurvedic treatment after trimming! It seems like my fresh ends readily soak in the goodness!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

@Theresamonet
Your Hair looks wonderful Sis.

And very Healthy too!

 

[IDareT'sHair]

Hey Ya'll

Moving on in my Relaxed-Research. Ya'll know I've been using: Joico K-Pak Reconstructor, Intense Hydrator and Moisture Treatment Recovery Balm consistently for several months now.

As part of my on-going Research - this month I have moved on to Nexxus Keraphix Reconstructor and Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing DC'er.

Back in the day, my Hair responded very well to Nexxus products.

Hopefully, I will get just as good of results (if not better) with Nexxus.

Still using Olaplex and Curlsmith (and sometimes Redken) to help support the Bonding game. Was looking at K18, but will also look at some of the cheaper brands if I decided to add to the bonding products in my stash.

 

[MzSwift]

Hey Ya'll

Moving on in my Relaxed-Research. Ya'll know I've been using: Joico K-Pak Reconstructor, Intense Hydrator and Moisture Treatment Recovery Balm consistently for several months now.

As part of my on-going Research - this month I have moved on to Nexxus Keraphix Reconstructor and Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing DC'er.

Back in the day, my Hair responded very well to Nexxus products.

Hopefully, I will get just as good of results (if not better) with Nexxus.

Still using Olaplex and Curlsmith (and sometimes Redken) to help support the Bonding game. Was looking at K18, but will also look at some of the cheaper brands if I decided to add to the bonding products in my stash.

I'm interested to hear your thoughts on the differences between the two brands/products.

 

[Theresamonet]

Hey Ya'll

Moving on in my Relaxed-Research. Ya'll know I've been using: Joico K-Pak Reconstructor, Intense Hydrator and Moisture Treatment Recovery Balm consistently for several months now.

As part of my on-going Research - this month I have moved on to Nexxus Keraphix Reconstructor and Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing DC'er.

Back in the day, my Hair responded very well to Nexxus products.

Hopefully, I will get just as good of results (if not better) with Nexxus.

Still using Olaplex and Curlsmith (and sometimes Redken) to help support the Bonding game. Was looking at K18, but will also look at some of the cheaper brands if I decided to add to the bonding products in my stash.

I was just eyeing Nexxus Humectress, and thinking about trying it again. My mom purchased it faithfully back in the day, and I recall it working well for us. Joico Moisture Recovery Balm is one of my staples, so I’m very interested in your comparison of these products.

I bought the large size of K18 and regret it. At best I just don’t feel it did anything positive for my hair ( after 4 consecutive treatments), at worst I think it was the catalyst for my hair breakage. I’ve considered revisiting this product, but I’m kinda nervous.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

I bought the large size of K18 and regret it. At best I just don’t feel it did anything positive for my hair ( after 4 consecutive treatments), at worst I think it was the catalyst for my hair breakage. I’ve considered revisiting this product, but I’m kinda nervous.

@Theresamonet
Scratches this off my list (for now).

I don't need any type of setback.

ETA: Agreed about Nexxus working well back in the day. Wonder how many formula changes they've had. They need to bring Emergencee and a few others back into the line.

 

[MzSwift]

OMGoodness, I forgot how great my hair feels when it's blow dried!
I used to wash, DC and blow dry to braid up for my PSs. I'm gonna start doing that again.
At the time, I was using Joico K-Pak Reconstructor + Intense Hydrator but I'm gonna try with the products I currently have or with an Ayurveda mix to see if I get the same results. My hair was happy w that process. I'm not gonna do it when I just rock uncovered cornrows tho.. maybe. lol

I relaxed yesterday after 16.5 weeks and dusted my ends. I'm definitely past APL. Interested to see where I'll land at the EOTY.
I'm planning to stretch until Nov/Dec and then relax for the EOTY reveal. Still gonna HYH the rest of the year. I oiled my hair and double oiled my ends with a strong Ayurveda oil mix and then plaited my hair afterwards. That's how it'll stay for 2 weeks until I cornrow it for our family trip. I don't want to worry about my hair for that trip.

 

[MzSwift]

I can't stop touching my hair, y'all!!


OK, so does anyone know ANYONE who has great hair doing a weekly wash, DC and blow out (no flat iron)??
Even if they go to a salon or Domincan place for it.
Asking for a friend.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

I can't stop touching my hair, y'all!!


OK, so does anyone know ANYONE who has great hair doing a weekly wash, DC and blow out (no flat iron)??
Even if they go to a salon or Domincan place for it.
Asking for a friend.

Me too girl, that's why I'm braiding it up

Dolce Dawn on YouTube does weekly wash blowdry and flatiron (which you didn't ask for, but thought I'd throw it out there).

 

[MzSwift]

Me too girl, that's why I'm braiding it up

Dolce Dawn on YouTube does weekly wash blowdry and flatiron (which you didn't ask for, but thought I'd throw it out there).

LOL!!

TYSM for the rec. OMG, I've never watched her videos off of mute. She is so Niecy Nash!

ETA: Wow, she rarely PSs it seems. And she relaxes every 8 weeks. Good for her!! Her hair looks great!

 

[MzSwift]

OK, my rational mind has taken over. lol. I do have goals I want to reach quickly and I have no idea what I'd do to my hair with it out loose.

I have a bonnet dryer. My hair stretches and smooths with the heat so I don't necessarily need a blow dryer. I can incorporate more set styles using the bonnet heat vs just air drying. My hair just doesn't air dry as soft as when heat is used. Feels so lovely! *strokes hair*

Perhaps I'll go back to doing style "seasons." I wear it out in mostly set styles for a few months in the fall and then full PS all winter and spring, Minibraids/cornrows in the summer for those extra rinses and cleanses.

In that case, March/April and September relaxers make more sense than June and Dec. I can do a flat iron for EOTY instead of a relaxer, that way I can go into a long term PS right away.

 

[Theresamonet]

LOL!!

TYSM for the rec. OMG, I've never watched her videos off of mute. She is so Niecy Nash!

ETA: Wow, she rarely PSs it seems. And she relaxes every 8 weeks. Good for her!! Her hair looks great!

She also doesn’t use a neutralizing shampoo after rinsing her relaxer... I can’t take her advice seriously when she’s doing that. These things just work for HER.
________

For the last few years as a natural I blow dried weekly. That’s why I ultimately decided to relax— I wasn’t wearing my texture out anyway. I know relaxed hair is different, but I think with a good blow dryer like a Dyson or Revair, on a moderate heat setting, you could safely blow dry weekly.

 

[MzSwift]

She also doesn’t use a neutralizing shampoo after rinsing her relaxer... I can’t take her advice seriously when she’s doing that. These things just work for HER.
________

For the last few years as a natural I blow dried weekly. That’s why I ultimately decided to relax— I wasn’t wearing my texture out anyway. I know relaxed hair is different, but I think with a good blow dryer like a Dyson or Revair, on a moderate heat setting, you could safely blow dry weekly.

Right! I'm not playing around like that. I will continue to overkill the neutralizing step.

So I'm a Geriatric Millennial, , and I remember in high school in the 90s, the girls who had long relaxed hair went to the shop weekly or biweekly for a wash, DC and style (where heat was obviously used). They would wrap their hair as soon as they got home each day and rock their silk/satin scarf over it while at home. And by "long" I mean APL-BSL, which IS long outside of hair boards.

 

[MzSwift]

I love the KISS regi of this lady here:



Her hair is very pretty. I don't subscribe to particular products so I think she could've grown her hair the way she has with any oil bc her technique promotes healthy hair retention. Her technique of low manipulation, protecting her hair and ends from the elements, using protein and emollients on the hair and ends and keeping her scalp clean, contributes to really good hair retention even though she uses color.

Recently, when my hair grew long and healthy (my avi photo), I was using the same techniques. I was cleansing my hair maybe once every 7-10 days. I've been a "kept" woman for the past 7 years or so, so I'm home almost all of the time. I homeschool my special needs little one. I do keep a part time job but it's remote (phone only) and VERY part time (I'm only working one weekend this month) so I don't have to worry about how my hair looks. I'm also the handyperson around the house. I'm always building stuff, doing home improvement projects, etc so my hair is almost always covered under my satin skull cap + bandana. But there are times when I leave the house and I want to look pretty so to be able to wear my hair down and blowing in the wind every now and then would be great. Minibraids have worked as my go to style over the years but I'd like to feel my soft, loose hair a little more often too without damaging it. It's so hard to find the right balance. And loose hair would make it more difficult to access my scalp than the minibraids. Maybe when my minibraids are long again, this won't be an issue. This in-between stage is really putting a damper on my mojo

 

[Theresamonet]

Right! I'm not playing around like that. I will continue to overkill the neutralizing step.

So I'm a Geriatric Millennial, , and I remember in high school in the 90s, the girls who had long relaxed hair went to the shop weekly or biweekly for a wash, DC and style (where heat was obviously used). They would wrap their hair as soon as they got home each day and rock their silk/satin scarf over it while at home. And by "long" I mean APL-BSL, which IS long outside of hair boards.

Im a middle aged Millennial. In the early 2000’s, when I was in high school this was definitely still the norm. I was one of those girls with APL relaxed hair until I started experimenting with color. But back then, no one really air dried— if you were relaxed you most likely were getting your hair flat ironed at least bi-weekly. But those who were able to maintain their length were the girls who kept a simple consistent regimen, like you described. Weekly wash, DC, style, and likely a trim with each relaxer touch up (every 4-8 weeks lol).

Now, I do question if this regimen would be able to carry someone to the longer lengths, like waist to classic. I think the amount of trimming needed to maintain the condition may make that a struggle.

 

[MzSwift]

Im a middle aged Millennial. In the early 2000’s, when I was in high school this was definitely still the norm. I was one of those girls with APL relaxed hair until I started experimenting with color. But back then, no one really air dried— if you were relaxed you most likely were getting your hair flat ironed at least bi-weekly. But those who were able to maintain their length were the girls who kept a simple consistent regimen, like you described. Weekly wash, DC, style, and likely a trim with each relaxer touch up (every 4-8 weeks lol).

Now, I do question if this regimen would be able to carry someone to the longer lengths, like waist to classic. I think the amount of trimming needed to maintain the condition may make that a struggle.

That's what I was thinking too, whether it would get to long lengths. And that's how I ran across the lady in the video I posted, that's her regi! She keeps her hair wrapped while at home and for her job. She wears a net bonnet over her wrapped hair and oils her hair every other day. She also trims twice a year, I believe, and dusts in between! She said stretching her washes out biweekly and leaving her hair alone is what helped her to retain to the long length.

 

[LushLox]

LOL!!

TYSM for the rec. OMG, I've never watched her videos off of mute. She is so Niecy Nash!

ETA: Wow, she rarely PSs it seems. And she relaxes every 8 weeks. Good for her!! Her hair looks great!

Yes and she uses a fair bit of heat too, but her hair is thick and can clearly deal with it. She trims very regularly though to keep up those blunt ends.

Her hair is fabulous yes.

 

[LushLox]

She also doesn’t use a neutralizing shampoo after rinsing her relaxer... I can’t take her advice seriously when she’s doing that. These things just work for HER.
________

For the last few years as a natural I blow dried weekly. That’s why I ultimately decided to relax— I wasn’t wearing my texture out anyway. I know relaxed hair is different, but I think with a good blow dryer like a Dyson or Revair, on a moderate heat setting, you could safely blow dry weekly.

Yes and her idea of protective styling differs to mine. She did a protective style video where her hair was curled and up off the shoulder but her ends were exposed. Someone called her out on it but she swore up and down that it was protective.

My issue with this is people will see her hair, see her methods she uses and copy them.

Like you say it works for her. Her hair can clearly withstand a lot, I could not lol

 

[sunnieb]

Hey y'all! I think that's why I was more drawn to hair boards and blogs rather than just watching youtubers when I wanted to learn about black haircare. I wanted to see what a lot of black women were doing to grow their hair to long lengths. Just because one person can not neutralize, use heat regularly, and not protective style, doesn't mean that's the end all guide to haircare.

After reading a ton of haircare information in the last 15 years, I found the basics are true: wash/dc regularly, wear true protective styles, moisturize daily, trim on schedule, etc. There's lots in between the lines, but the basics don't change. Too many women are still looking for that "magic bullet" they can use to wake up with healthy WL hair after a few days.

We know it takes time, patience, and consistency to retain long lengths of hair.

 

[sunnieb]

I relaxed last night and wanted to post a few things I learned.

My hair is in great condition! When I was pre-parting, I could feel the softness and was so happy. The flip side is that the last two inches or so were rougher than the rest. No breakage or split ends, just not as soft as the rest of my length. That tells me that I need to go back to moisturizing in smaller sections. Even though I bun daily, my ends need to be specially cared for. I can't rush and just run moisturizer through the ends without parting.

I won't stretch longer than 16 weeks if I can help it. I was almost 17 weeks and ended up with a few underprocessed areas. I didn't want to process longer than my normal time, so I'm ok with it. But trying to work with that much newgrowth was a no-no for getting it all straight in the amount of time I let the relaxer work.

Next time, I need to get ALL of my relaxer supplies together the week prior to relaxing. Stretching this long caused me to lose track of my clips and my favorite cape. Still didn't find them! I took it for granted that I had everything and need to stop that. Luckily, I had everything else.

I will trim at 8 weeks post and take another good look at my ends at that time. We know that taking care of our ends is a major key to length retention and I'm not waiting for my ends to start breaking/splitting before I do something about them.

That's all for now! I'm happy with the length I've retained this go 'round and am excited to see how much I retain when I relax again in November.

 

[sunnieb]

I take a lot of pictures the week after relaxing. It helps me see the condition of my hair and if I'm taking proper care of it. I'm looking for breakage, split ends or anything unusual.

I think I'm doing pretty good especially now that I'm back to moisturizing in sections. I do still need to get some Castor oil and EVCO to seal my ends. Why did I stop sealing????

 

[MzSwift]

You are doing a fantastic job with your hair, @sunnieb . I expect nothing less than fabulous hair as a result of your care and dedication!! And I can't wait to see more results!