2012 Relaxed Hair Buddy Thread

[KiWiStyle]

KiWiStyle,
Cute style! I'm saving this style for future use!

xu93texas,

Thanks. You will love it, I thought I was too cute, lol.

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[lovebug10]

Hi Fellow Relaxed Ladies!!

So I have found that rollersetting gives me the best results in terms of decreasing breakage and such. I don't lost much hair during manipulation & my hair & ends are more sleek. If I air dry, I find I lose a lot more hair when I detangle or style (yes I know its weird). Sometimes im too lazy or don't have time to rollerset so I have no choice but to wash and air dry. I usually use this time to "experiment" and see what works and what doesn't.

One thing I've been meaning to try is flat ironing my roots after a rollerset. I was thinking of purchasing this Amika Mini Flat iron for getting my roots. http://www.sephora.com/hot-pink-mini-ceramic-styler-P308607 However I have never purchased a flat iron before and I wanted to know if this one seemed like a good buy. The downside is that theres no temperature control (I think it heats up to 450 degrees ).

Do any of you have suggestions as to whether or not I would be damaging my hair by flat ironing? Also, what heat protectants are reccomended? And of course, if you suggest a better flat iron please let me know!

Hopefully using this allows me to stretch longer. So far I go about 3 months w/o relaxers but I'd like to do 4 or 5!

 

[Cattypus1]

Hi Fellow Relaxed Ladies!!

So I have found that rollersetting gives me the best results in terms of decreasing breakage and such. I don't lost much hair during manipulation & my hair & ends are more sleek. If I air dry, I find I lose a lot more hair when I detangle or style (yes I know its weird). Sometimes im too lazy or don't have time to rollerset so I have no choice but to wash and air dry. I usually use this time to "experiment" and see what works and what doesn't.

One thing I've been meaning to try is flat ironing my roots after a rollerset. I was thinking of purchasing this Amika Mini Flat iron for getting my roots. http://www.sephora.com/hot-pink-mini-ceramic-styler-P308607 However I have never purchased a flat iron before and I wanted to know if this one seemed like a good buy. The downside is that theres no temperature control (I think it heats up to 450 degrees ).

Do any of you have suggestions as to whether or not I would be damaging my hair by flat ironing? Also, what heat protectants are reccomended? And of course, if you suggest a better flat iron please let me know!

Hopefully using this allows me to stretch longer. So far I go about 3 months w/o relaxers but I'd like to do 4 or 5!

My two cents...never, never, never buy a flat iron without a specific temperature control. Not just High, Med and low either. You won't know if the temperature is calibrated exactly so 300 might be 300 or 290 but you will never know what High is. Healthy hair burns in the 400's. I'm really picky about what I use on my hair and have purchased several flat irons over the years...I just bought a Baby Bliss titanium at J.C. Penney. It was expensive but they said that they would buy it back no questions asked if I hated it. I love it!

 

[Raspberry]

I recently bought a Baby Bliss Titanium from J.C. Penney. It was expensive but they sold me on the fact that they would buy it back as long as its in good shape and in the original packaging-no questions asked. Look for something with solid ceramic or titanium plates. I like the titanium because it's not as likely to snag my hair and it heats evenly similarly to solid ceramic. I like to curl my hair with my flatiron so I wish I had gotten a 1" instead of 1 1/2" but it's a keeper.

Cattypus1 Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely research the Baby Babyliss line

@Cattypus1,

I recently bought the Babyliss Pro Titanium 1" and I LOVE it too. I want to buy the mini, it'll get my new growth only really well. That thing is hot the moment you turn it on!

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KiWiStyle I picked up the Babyliss mini at Marshall's on clearance a few months ago but I returned it because it doesn't have a temperature gauge, I got scared lol.. I also didn't know much about the brand at the time.

 

[Cattypus1]

Cattypus1 Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely research the Baby Babyliss line

KiWiStyle I picked up the Babyliss mini at Marshall's on clearance a few months ago but I returned it because it doesn't have a temperature gauge, I got scared lol.. I also didn't know much about the brand at the time.

I can't type worth a damn, and apparently can't read either...it really is Babyliss...LOL. It still works like a champ. I haven't seen the mini but I am going to search for the 1".

 

[Ms. Tiki]

Cattypus1 I agree with you. My gator flat iron is digital. I also have the maxi glides and please believe I contacted the company to have them tell me exactly what temp each number set to... I don't play those burn my hair off games. LOL

 

[divachyk]

Good t know

Now yall are making me curious about flat ironing. I always see people talk about flat ironing their roots but that intimidates me a bit, like I could burn myself if I wasn't careful.. maybe I"m over-thinking it?

Yes Raspberry...you're over thinking it. It's no different than normal flat ironing except you're flat ironing your roots only. I don't try to get right up on my scalp. I just flat iron the roots to knock out the kink. I'm not trying to burn myself or my scalp. Straight roots is not that important.

 

[sckri23]

Hi Fellow Relaxed Ladies!!

So I have found that rollersetting gives me the best results in terms of decreasing breakage and such. I don't lost much hair during manipulation & my hair & ends are more sleek. If I air dry, I find I lose a lot more hair when I detangle or style (yes I know its weird). Sometimes im too lazy or don't have time to rollerset so I have no choice but to wash and air dry. I usually use this time to "experiment" and see what works and what doesn't.

One thing I've been meaning to try is flat ironing my roots after a rollerset. I was thinking of purchasing this Amika Mini Flat iron for getting my roots. http://www.sephora.com/hot-pink-mini-ceramic-styler-P308607 However I have never purchased a flat iron before and I wanted to know if this one seemed like a good buy. The downside is that theres no temperature control (I think it heats up to 450 degrees ).

Do any of you have suggestions as to whether or not I would be damaging my hair by flat ironing? Also, what heat protectants are reccomended? And of course, if you suggest a better flat iron please let me know!

Hopefully using this allows me to stretch longer. So far I go about 3 months w/o relaxers but I'd like to do 4 or 5!

Ebay has $12.99 mini conair steam straighteners. I got one months ago it works excellent and im thinking I'm about to buy another one for vacations.

I use aussie/water mix for my ss the results are softer than just water.

 

[KiWiStyle]

Cattypus1 Thanks for the recommendation, I'll definitely research the Baby Babyliss line

KiWiStyle I picked up the Babyliss mini at Marshall's on clearance a few months ago but I returned it because it doesn't have a temperature gauge, I got scared lol.. I also didn't know much about the brand at the time.

@Radpberry,
Yeah, I have to have a temperature gauge to! I guess the 1" will have to work.

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[KiWiStyle]

I can't type worth a damn, and apparently can't read either...it really is Babyliss...LOL. It still works like a champ. I haven't seen the mini but I am going to search for the 1".

Cattypus1,
The 1" inch works fine, it's just that I couldn't get my NG straight enough for length purposes.

Also, why are the plates in most flat irons soo long when you're only flat ironing small sections at a time??

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[Stillsaddity]

I relaxed my hair this past thursday, is it too soon to do a hard protein treatment?

 

[xu93texas]

I relaxed my hair this past thursday, is it too soon to do a hard protein treatment?

Not at all. I usually do a protein treatment within 4-5 days of relaxing. I use a mild/medium protein like Joico K-Pak.

 

[DominicanBrazilian82]

Hi Fellow Relaxed Ladies!!

So I have found that rollersetting gives me the best results in terms of decreasing breakage and such. I don't lost much hair during manipulation & my hair & ends are more sleek. If I air dry, I find I lose a lot more hair when I detangle or style (yes I know its weird). Sometimes im too lazy or don't have time to rollerset so I have no choice but to wash and air dry. I usually use this time to "experiment" and see what works and what doesn't.

One thing I've been meaning to try is flat ironing my roots after a rollerset. I was thinking of purchasing this Amika Mini Flat iron for getting my roots. http://www.sephora.com/hot-pink-mini-ceramic-styler-P308607 However I have never purchased a flat iron before and I wanted to know if this one seemed like a good buy. The downside is that theres no temperature control (I think it heats up to 450 degrees ).

Do any of you have suggestions as to whether or not I would be damaging my hair by flat ironing? Also, what heat protectants are reccomended? And of course, if you suggest a better flat iron please let me know!

Hopefully using this allows me to stretch longer. So far I go about 3 months w/o relaxers but I'd like to do 4 or 5!

Try blowing your roots. Similar to a Dominican style root blow-out. Particularly a dryer with a concentrated nozzle. I use the SilverBird by... Um... Not sure who it's by... If I had to guess I'd say Conair... But the nozzle opening is very small... A flat iron may not give you a totally straight appearance. It may still have a "poof". But to each-it's-own... Good luck

 

[DominicanBrazilian82]

Not at all. I usually do a protein treatment within 4-5 days of relaxing. I use a mild/medium protein like Joico K-Pak.

I wonder the same thing . Especially since my hair was damaged from protein overload by way of a few Keratin treatments...

 

[Evolving78]

Try blowing your roots. Similar to a Dominican style root blow-out. Particularly a dryer with a concentrated nozzle. I use the SilverBird by... Um... Not sure who it's by... If I had to guess I'd say Conair... But the nozzle opening is very small... A flat iron may not give you a totally straight appearance. It may still have a "poof". But to each-it's-own... Good luck

but that might be a lot of manipulation and heat to get the roots straight. plus the roller set if rolled under instead of over should help with smoothing and flattening the hair strands. if you roll over, you get more volume.

also she wouldn't have a need to use a brush. while her hair is damp, which could cause breakage.

 

[Cattypus1]

but that might be a lot of manipulation and heat to get the roots straight. plus the roller set if rolled under instead of over should help with smoothing and flattening the hair strands. if you roll over, you get more volume.

also she wouldn't have a need to use a brush. while her hair is damp, which could cause breakage.

I don't know about the Bra... blowout but I never use a brush anymore to blow-dry my hair. I only use my hands. You don't really need high heat either. You'll be surprised how straight you can get your hair without the snag of a brush. The drying will take a little longer with a lower heat setting but if you allow your hair to air dry a bit before you start the process you will be rewarded.

 

[KiWiStyle]

xu93texas, Raspberry, baddison
12 weeks post today!! How are you ladies doing? I've finally gotten my shedding completely under control but i'm not sure if it was adding the Biotin back into my regimen or adding liquid garlic in my hair and vitamin regimen. Which ever one it was, i'm glad it worked!

 

[afroette]

My puffiness has gotten under control now that I have been adding more moisture to my hair. I wonder if I had a little bit of protein overload. I don't want to let my protein DCs go though because I LOVE the new strength to my hair. Maybe I will DC twice a week with moisture.

 

[Loving]

KhandiB how are you doing? My hair has been in a bun all week. I find it helps to keep my hair tangle free. I am surprised at how well my hair is behaving almost 8 weeks post.

My hairdresser tried to pressure me to either T/U or put in some big braids for the last 2 weeks of my stretch...I told her hell no. She is a good styist, just a bit T/U happy!

 

[Raspberry]

12 weeks post today!! How are you ladies doing? I've finally gotten my shedding completely under control but i'm not sure if it was adding the Biotin back into my regimen or adding liquid garlic in my hair and vitamin regimen. Which ever one it was, i'm glad it worked!

@xu93texas, @baddison , KiWiStyle

I'm getting a TU in an hour. I am sooooo ready for the creamy crack, yall don't even knowww

What I learned this stretch:

1. I gotta fully detangle, preferably before and after a wash. Shed hair is a killer after week 8 if it's allowed to stick around too long. The Tangle Tamer is a surprising win, I will use it post week 4 in the future .

2. I've been pulling my hair too tight when I set it at night in twists/knots/buns, thus causing unnecessary breakage. I had a "duh" lightbulb moment about this about a week ago . Gentle manipulation is key.

12 weeks still seems to be my maximum stretch point but maybe improving my techniques in the ways stated above will help me stretch longer next time.. who knows.

 

[baddison]

@xu93texas, @Raspberry, @baddison
12 weeks post today!! How are you ladies doing? I've finally gotten my shedding completely under control but i'm not sure if it was adding the Biotin back into my regimen or adding liquid garlic in my hair and vitamin regimen. Which ever one it was, i'm glad it worked!

KiWiStyle: sitting here chugging along... Got my monthly henna treatment this weekend. So that sorta helps with the stretching for me, too. Did a co-wash on July 4th, cause it was soooo hot in New Jersey. I'm falling in love with some new natural products too. Just discovered the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibuscus Hair Milk....mmmmmmm...now THAT's some good stuff to have around when your stretching for 17/18 weeks at a time. It smells great, and it goes straight to work on detangling that bushy NG of mine. Its definitely a keeper.

Glad you got your shedding under control Kiwi. Oddly enough, I don't shed excessively when I'm stretching. Maybe its because I hardly ever touch my hair or my NG except when absolutely necessary....like for weekly washes and such. Even then, I do absolutly every single thing in sections.

 

[afroette]

can one of yall show me your hair style at 12+ weeks post? i swear I look scary at about 8 weeks. i don't know how yall do it.

 

[baddison]

@xu93texas, @baddison , @KiWiStyle

I'm getting a TU in an hour. I am sooooo ready for the creamy crack, yall don't even knowww

What I learned this stretch:

1. I gotta fully detangle, preferably before and after a wash. Shed hair is a killer after week 8 if it's allowed to stick around too long. The Tangle Tamer is a surprising win, I will use it post week 4 in the future .

2. I've been pulling my hair too tight when I set it at night in twists/knots/buns, thus causing unnecessary breakage. I had a "duh" lightbulb moment about this about a week ago . Gentle manipulation is key.

12 weeks still seems to be my maximum stretch point but maybe improving my techniques in the ways stated above will help me stretch longer next time.. who knows.

Raspberry: CONGRATULATIONS on your successful stretch!!! You must be absolutely THRILLED to be getting your T/Up today. Be sure to come back and show us pictures so we can all be encouraged to go forward. Whenever I question myself about WHY I stretch, I ususally look at my touchup pictures, and seeing thicker hair usually answers my questions.

Looking forward to seeing your results.!!

 

[sunnieb]

afroette

Half-up/half-down is my style of choice later in my stretch. I was 13 weeks post here:

I slept in 2 pigtail braids to get a semi-braidout look.

 

[KiWiStyle]

@xu93texas, @baddison , KiWiStyle

I'm getting a TU in an hour. I am sooooo ready for the creamy crack, yall don't even knowww

What I learned this stretch:

1. I gotta fully detangle, preferably before and after a wash. Shed hair is a killer after week 8 if it's allowed to stick around too long. The Tangle Tamer is a surprising win, I will use it post week 4 in the future .

2. I've been pulling my hair too tight when I set it at night in twists/knots/buns, thus causing unnecessary breakage. I had a "duh" lightbulb moment about this about a week ago . Gentle manipulation is key.

12 weeks still seems to be my maximum stretch point but maybe improving my techniques in the ways stated above will help me stretch longer next time.. who knows.

Raspberry,
Man do need my creamy crack too, lol!! I'm self-employed so I don't have to have my hair down or "professional". So stretching without all the extra manipulation is helping me stay on task. Let us know what your relaxer results look like.

When I first started stretching, I added one week at a time and I've gotten better over time because i've become very well acquainted with my hair. I plan to add 2 weeks each time; from 14 to 16 weeks pos, I think 16 weeks post is my max.

 

[KhandiB]

Loving - Im doing okay - I have been bunning for the past couple of weeks, and its in a high bun right now with a donut. I was going to flat iron yesterday,but got lazy!

Im not itching to relax right now, and Im surprised!!

KhandiB how are you doing? My hair has been in a bun all week. I find it helps to keep my hair tangle free. I am surprised at how well my hair is behaving almost 8 weeks post.

My hairdresser tried to pressure me to either T/U or put in some big braids for the last 2 weeks of my stretch...I told her hell no. She is a good styist, just a bit T/U happy!

 

[KiWiStyle]

KiWiStyle: sitting here chugging along... Got my monthly henna treatment this weekend. So that sorta helps with the stretching for me, too. Did a co-wash on July 4th, cause it was soooo hot in New Jersey. I'm falling in love with some new natural products too. Just discovered the Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibuscus Hair Milk....mmmmmmm...now THAT's some good stuff to have around when your stretching for 17/18 weeks at a time. It smells great, and it goes straight to work on detangling that bushy NG of mine. Its definitely a keeper.

Glad you got your shedding under control Kiwi. Oddly enough, I don't shed excessively when I'm stretching. Maybe its because I hardly ever touch my hair or my NG except when absolutely necessary....like for weekly washes and such. Even then, I do absolutly every single thing in sections.

baddison,
I'm going to have to grab some of that Shea Moisture Cocount & Hibuscus Hair Milk! I add Qhemet Biologics Amla & Olive Heavy Cream to my MN mix, it's been very beneficial to keeping my NG nice and moist. 1 or 2 applications a week is all I need.

I typically don't shed either but for some odd reason, I started shedding like crazy a few weeks ago. If I remember correctly, it started before I started applying MN so i'm guessing it was due to me removing Biotin from my vitamin regimen. Like you, I do everything in sections as well. It wasn't breaking at all, just shedding.

I have two more weeks of applying MN to my scalp and then take 4 weeks off; 2 before and 2 after relaxing. I'm going to increase my vitamin intake during the break to stave off shedding from MN withdrawal.

 

[Cattypus1]

xu93texas, Raspberry, baddison
12 weeks post today!! How are you ladies doing? I've finally gotten my shedding completely under control but i'm not sure if it was adding the Biotin back into my regimen or adding liquid garlic in my hair and vitamin regimen. Which ever one it was, i'm glad it worked!

Congratulations on getting your shedding under control. I am 13 weeks post as of yesterday--my first and longest stretch ever! I'm trying to get to July 31st which will be 17 weeks for me. I've had a few weak moments when I've straightened the length of my hair but have been unable to deal with the kinky gray strands at my temples. I don't really care about the color it's the fact that gray hair does not know how to act. Any illusions I might have had about going natural have been completely erased...I'm addicted to CC and as long as I have hair and they keep making it, I will not be natural! I think I'm going to have to finish my stretch with twist outs. How are you styling through your stretch?

 

[KiWiStyle]

Congratulations on getting your shedding under control. I am 13 weeks post as of yesterday--my first and longest stretch ever! I'm trying to get to July 31st which will be 17 weeks for me. I've had a few weak moments when I've straightened the length of my hair but have been unable to deal with the kinky gray strands at my temples. I don't really care about the color it's the fact that gray hair does not know how to act. Any illusions I might have had about going natural have been completely erased...I'm addicted to CC and as long as I have hair and they keep making it, I will not be natural! I think I'm going to have to finish my stretch with twist outs. How are you styling through your stretch?

Thanks Cattypus1,
Congratulations on your longest stretch to date, its a great feeling! Also never say never;-). I know I will consider transitioning within the next five years. As for the gray hair; I just let it do it's thang, lol. I no longer care what people think of me because their idea of beautiful hair is over processed damaged hair.

This picture is my go-to protective style; early and deep in my stretch. I usually take it down mid-week to moisturize and seal then braid again.



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[Cattypus1]

KiWiStyle
Your braid is beautiful! Do you flat iron before you braid?