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^ That was me raving. I love it!!
I use Influance and it's not at all a Dudley knockoff. It's probably the best relaxer I have ever used, and I have used a lot. I have used too many: (Lye) Affirm, Design Essentials, Hawaiian Silky, Elucence, Dudley's and almost all the no-lye products - Just For Me, Dark and Lovely, African Pride, Optimum, Revlon, TCB, blah bah blah. -
....and hands down, Influance is the best I have ever used. I have a very sensitive scalp and had a hard time getting the hair straight, which would lead to breakage or frequent relaxers (every 4 weeks like clockwork!)
What I like about Influance Shea Butter Relaxer:
- It gets my hair straight with no burning. I base with Palmer's cocoa butter like a madwoman! (Caveat: I did burn this time, but that is because I did the relaxer the DAY after I washed my hair.
I refused to wait because it had been 24+ weeks since a relaxer and I got sick of looking like Africa Bambata. I did not have a cute natural look going on at all...I was trying for it and failing like CRAZY!!! DH was dying laughing at me!!
- Once it is straight, it's more like a press than a relaxer. I can washand go with short hair and still look really nice. Curly.
- Tremendous bounce and shine.
- My hair now holds protein well and thus holds onto moisture even better.
- Relaxing does not thin it out.
- No major line of demarcation when it's time for a relaxer. In fact, I had trouble discerning my relaxer from my new growth. I know that sounds crazy, but it's the truth. The only time I could tell was when detangling after washing. NG was soft. Relaxed needed detangling like usual. When dry, there are no ratty looking ends that are thinner than the rest if the hair. In fact, my NG comes in as thick as the rest of the hair shaft, which is something I have never been able to boast previously.
- The relaxer comes with an entire system - including the all-important post relaxer protein and moisture infuser, nuetralizer, super moisturizing conditioner, etc. There are additional products that have nothing to do with the relaxer, but I have not bought them yet since we are still overseas.
I probably gave TMI, but the people who make it are really hand's on...much like Victor over at Sabino. They are protective of the product and won't sell it to anyone except a licensed beautician. I had to go through great lengths to get it here because I don't have a British beautician...but I begged and pleaded for a couple of days when my hair was still falling out last year. I could have purchased through my own beautician back home but it would have taken soooo long for her to order, get it, and then send to me. I cannot believe it is better than Elucence, but it was for me....and Elucence is an exceptional product as well.
I have nothing but good things to say about this relaxer and wosh that it was more readily available - especially to women here who self relax and are good at it. I can imagine that, like any other relaxer, it could be a hot mess in the hands of someone who is not being careful, working in sections, basing, etc.
Personally, I don't think you will go wrong with Elucence or Influance. Both have loys of shea butter and leave a lot of shine...but that post relaxer Infuser has sealed the deal for me as far as Influance is concerned. I paid around $84 for the whole system and have had it since Feb 2008. It doesn't look like I will run out before the end of this year.Hubby likes how that breaks down financially
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PM me if you want full contact information or more info from me.
I hope this is helpful to you!
Blessings to us all,
Christi
Thank you for such a lengthy and detailed response. I did find your post (through google) where you raved about this product. I am getting my touch up today (17 weeks) and this is the relaxer my stylist will be using.
One question though--from your post it seems like the relaxer doesn't get the hair bone straight. I prefer bone-straightness! Can I get that with Influance?
Again, thanks for your post. Someone on LHCF always knows somethin' about somethin' if it's hair related.![]()
Hi Ms Dexter...I don't know if I missed it our not but is this a lye relaxer....
You base your hair with Palmer's cocoa butter??!!
Hmmmmmmm...Great idea! Thanks lady!!!
A stylist in the area I used to live in raves about this particular relaxer and its products. She said a lot of her sensitive scalp clients prefer this lye relaxer over the Design Essentials no lye she had previously used. She also stated that they guy who formulated this relaxer was a chemist with Dudley or something along those lines.
I do...either that or Palmer's Shea butter. I think the cocoa butter works better, though. The best I have ever used is raw shea butter to base. I just don't have any since I ran out over here...
I hope it works well for you!!!
cj
You base your hair with Palmer's cocoa butter??!!
Hmmmmmmm...Great idea! Thanks lady!!!
This sounds like a great relaxer! I've been contemplating switching to Lye, I normally use ORS No Lye. However, a few stylists have told me that my hair is really dry and usually it's because of something that's in the no lye relaxer. I also have sensitive scalp. I haven't used a lye relaxer in about 8 or 9 years, but I do remember my hair was nice when I did have it. But, I was always almost in tears when I would be getting a touch up with Lye. I may give it a whirl1 Where can I find this relaxer?
See this something that i have been contemplating for a while,however,i thought that if i used the raw shea butter that i have to base with,it would leave me underprocessed,since i use i shea butter relaxer anyway...stupid,i know!LOL!
But I am definitely doing this next go round,without a doubt!!I need to look for some shea oil too.
Thanks again hun!
I sent you a PM with the owner's and the administrator's contact information. They can tell you where there is a hairdresser who does it. Also...you can often purchase for yourself through the hairdresser. They're funny about making sure people know how to properly apply it so there is no hair loss. Also...they advocate stretching. I hope you enjoy. I love it...as I a sure you can tell.
I love your picture...beautiful...
cj
I sent you a PM with the owner's and the administrator's contact information. They can tell you where there is a hairdresser who does it. Also...you can often purchase for yourself through the hairdresser. They're funny about making sure people know how to properly apply it so there is no hair loss. Also...they advocate stretching. I hope you enjoy. I love it...as I a sure you can tell.
I love your picture...beautiful...
cj
can you send me the contact information, as well? this sounds like such a great relaxer.
tia
You're welcome. *thinking really hard* I didn't come out underprocessed at all, but I did notice that my hair was SUPER soft when I was finished. I do hope it works for you. My absolute best relaxer was with raw shea butter and Palmers Cocoa butter came in a close second.
Remember, though...I have a very sensitive scalp and am not used to straight hair since I was never able to get it straight previously. What is bone straight to me might not be bone straight to you...though it should be.
I hope this makes sense. I just don't want you to come hunt me down me if your hair is straight but not stick straight to your own liking.If you have a process that is working wonderfully for you, stick with it. The butters just helped me to leave it in 2-3 minutes longer when I was only lasting for a total of maybe 7-8 minutes previously. I never go the fully time - even now.
You HAVE to let me know how your next relaxer turns out...should be real silky and gorgeous if you can go the full allotted time...
POST PICS!!!
HTH
Blessings,
cj
LOL @ Hunting you down!!Why i would never!!
I too have sensitive scalp.This is why I am sticking to my relaxer that i used last,because i washed my hair the day before i relaxed,and my hair did not burn at all
I was super excited about that!!!
I have been severely underprocessed before,and i just did a corrective a couple weeks later,so no biggy if that happens again.
This sounds ingenious though!I can't see anything negative coming form it,and the worst that can happen is that i'm still nappy
I can live with that!Thanks so much for responding!!!
Thanks for sharing Divine! Do you mind me asking if this relaxer can be purchased anywhere that you know of?
tia,
tishee