Ladies living in tropical climates and anyone else...

[divya]

Do you relax or are you natural?

That's the decision I have to make right now. I've been lightly relaxed since my early teens and only one person (my uncle) has done my relaxers. It gives me the option to go curly or straight.

But now in the tropical climate (the Caribbean), my hair doesn't stay straight long at all. So in a way, there is no point in relaxing. However, my wash and gos are easier when relaxed, and I'm so lazy with my hair that it suits me well.

But now, I'll actually have to pay to get my hair relaxed and find someone who can relax how i like, removing the relaxer before my hair gets too straight.

Please help me decide what to do please!

 

[halee_J]

Hey divya

I live in the Caribbean, and I'm relaxed. I do it because its easier for me to manage and I like my hair straight most of the time; in this heat and humidity it will take too much added heat to get and keep a straight style if I were natural. Is your hair curling more or is it just frizzy? Curls are mangagable but frizz may mean you should look for new products. Your products will act differently in a different environment. Maybe you just need to change your regimen.

Have you considered self relaxing? That's what I do. Saves me $$ and the emotional drama of worrying if the person will do my hair how I like.

 

[SimJam]

Hay Im in Jamaica and Im natural.

when I was relaxed I was bone straight before I found hair boards and then abt 80% texlaxed after (did my texlaxes myself, for the same reason Halee_J said), until I decided to go natural.

Ive nvr rlly had problems with humidity here but maybe u may need a moisture blocker/serum to help with the effects of humidity, and as suggested, maybe also a change in products/regimen.

 

[diadall]

I live in Florida and I am natural. I travel a lot as well to Curacao.

 

[renren]

Hey

I live in Trinidad and Im relaxed-texturised. This was the best option for me because of the versatility. When I was natural, my hair would revert so easily when I flatironed. I self-relax my hair about 2 times a year so I guess im a long term stretcher.

I flat ironed 2 weeks ago and my hair is still straight (except for the roots of course). I dont use heat often but I have decided to use it more regularly (probably once a month) because these ssks and split ends plague my hair.

You mentioned that your hair (sounds like its texturised) reverts easily when you flat iron... what is your flat ironing process?

I ask this because I have tweeked my somewhat and am happy with my results. I am not willing to pay the price for sabino lok & blok but I have found that technique, a good silicone based heat protectant and grease after flatironing does a pretty good job for me.

 

[Damaged but not out]

I'm from Barbados. I was relaxed and texturised, now im back to natural.

Humidity treats all equally bad. In my opinion the best bang for your buck is to be natural.But it really depends on the person and their particular situation.

For me relaxing was great, but I spent more time( and money) doing my hair when I was a relaxed head. Then with texturising, if you have to rely on other ppl to do it for you, the results begin to be uneven. It really depends on the person and their particular situation.

You seem to prefer your hair relaxed, so if you can't get the same quality you're used to, investigate self-relaxing techniques.

 

[NikStarrr]

I don't live in the tropics, but I visit the Bahamas fairly often (family reasons). One thing I have concluded is that if we ever move there, I would go back to be texturized/texlaxed. My natural hair is quite a hassle when I'm down there. Braidouts/twistouts turn into a big fuzzball within hours, and even my wash-n-go's don't behave the same. As much as I love my natural hair, if moved to the Caribbean--I'd go with a mild texlax.

 

[davisbr88]

What I found particularly funny is that I went on vacation to the Bahamas and was afraid I'd end up with a daily puff ball, but I don't think my curls have ever been as defined as they were then. I WNGed the whole time. Since it was warm, my hair dried quick and I wasn't walking around with a wet head or manipulating it (I have HIH disease) while wet, which we all know causes frizz. Maybe being there an extended period of time makes a difference. I was there for 6 days and my hair loved it (or at least, it looked like it did).

 

[SimJam]

Im thinking also that maybe the water (soft hard or in between) may be another issue which may affect how hair may act ?

 

[Damaged but not out]

^^^^ So true Barbados has fantastic mineral-y water. Great for your health, h-ell on your hair.

 

[divya]

Hey divya

I live in the Caribbean, and I'm relaxed. I do it because its easier for me to manage and I like my hair straight most of the time; in this heat and humidity it will take too much added heat to get and keep a straight style if I were natural. Is your hair curling more or is it just frizzy? Curls are mangagable but frizz may mean you should look for new products. Your products will act differently in a different environment. Maybe you just need to change your regimen.

Have you considered self relaxing? That's what I do. Saves me $$ and the emotional drama of worrying if the person will do my hair how I like.

My hair curls, which is how I wear my hair most of the time. But after some hours, it frizzes. I like my hair curly most of the time, but I like the option to have a straight-do every once in awhile.

Thanks for bringing up products. Now that you mention it, I actually like half of it is likely a product issue. After getting settled a bit, I tried a different/thicker conditioner and it worked better.

Guess I should have added that I'm around 5 months post. I'm afraid to relax on my own, especially because I'm texlaxing. But that's something to consider...

Hay Im in Jamaica and Im natural.

when I was relaxed I was bone straight before I found hair boards and then abt 80% texlaxed after (did my texlaxes myself, for the same reason Halee_J said), until I decided to go natural.

Ive nvr rlly had problems with humidity here but maybe u may need a moisture blocker/serum to help with the effects of humidity, and as suggested, maybe also a change in products/regimen.

Thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to look for a moisture blocker/serum. I'm texlaxed, maybe 30-50%. That probably has a lot to do with why the blow out didn't last long. I don't want to relax anymore though because my strands are too fine...

 

[divya]

Hey

I live in Trinidad and Im relaxed-texturised. This was the best option for me because of the versatility. When I was natural, my hair would revert so easily when I flatironed. I self-relax my hair about 2 times a year so I guess im a long term stretcher.

I flat ironed 2 weeks ago and my hair is still straight (except for the roots of course). I dont use heat often but I have decided to use it more regularly (probably once a month) because these ssks and split ends plague my hair.

You mentioned that your hair (sounds like its texturised) reverts easily when you flat iron... what is your flat ironing process?

I ask this because I have tweeked my somewhat and am happy with my results. I am not willing to pay the price for sabino lok & blok but I have found that technique, a good silicone based heat protectant and grease after flatironing does a pretty good job for me.

Yes, I'm relaxed-texturized or texlaxed, as some would say. Like you, I'm a long-term stretcher. That's part of why my hair reverted back curly more quickly, well the natural part of it. Interesting that you use grease after flatironing. That is something to try. Do you find your hair heavier due to the greasy or do you very lightly grease?

BTW, I don't do anything myself. Yes, it's sad. The Dominicans did my hair, including flat ironed. Not sure what process they have but could you share yours? What protectant do you use?

I'm from Barbados. I was relaxed and texturised, now im back to natural.

Humidity treats all equally bad. In my opinion the best bang for your buck is to be natural.But it really depends on the person and their particular situation.

For me relaxing was great, but I spent more time( and money) doing my hair when I was a relaxed head. Then with texturising, if you have to rely on other ppl to do it for you, the results begin to be uneven. It really depends on the person and their particular situation.

You seem to prefer your hair relaxed, so if you can't get the same quality you're used to, investigate self-relaxing techniques.

That's my biggest fear with relaxing, the uneven results. One of my friends says that her hairdresser will do it right. But I'm just nervous.

It's not so much that I have a preference. It's just that I want versatility and ease...

 

[divya]

I don't live in the tropics, but I visit the Bahamas fairly often (family reasons). One thing I have concluded is that if we ever move there, I would go back to be texturized/texlaxed. My natural hair is quite a hassle when I'm down there. Braidouts/twistouts turn into a big fuzzball within hours, and even my wash-n-go's don't behave the same. As much as I love my natural hair, if moved to the Caribbean--I'd go with a mild texlax.

My hair is naturally something similar to yours, so it will be a challenge then. A few years ago, I don't remember my hair being like this in the Caribbean. In Trinidad, it's fine and the curls stay. Here in St. Thomas, not so much. Maybe my hair needs to adjust...

What I found particularly funny is that I went on vacation to the Bahamas and was afraid I'd end up with a daily puff ball, but I don't think my curls have ever been as defined as they were then. I WNGed the whole time. Since it was warm, my hair dried quick and I wasn't walking around with a wet head or manipulating it (I have HIH disease) while wet, which we all know causes frizz. Maybe being there an extended period of time makes a difference. I was there for 6 days and my hair loved it (or at least, it looked like it did).

Maybe your hair type loves the weather. If so, that's great! I don't know what is going on with mine right now at all.

 

[Katherina]

When I used to live in a tropical place, twists were my BFF because of the humidity. I like twists though; if I wanted straight hair all the time I would've gotten a relaxer because my straight (natural) hair became poofy as soon as I went outside.

 

[EllePixie]

My hair seems to love humid climates as long as I stay away from glycerin and use good moisturizers because your hair can dry out quickly if you're in the hot sun.

When I was relaxed my hair ALWAYS frizzed out in humidity, so I would definitely not want to relax my hair in a tropical climate.

 

[divya]

When I used to live in a tropical place, twists were my BFF because of the humidity. I like twists though; if I wanted straight hair all the time I would've gotten a relaxer because my straight (natural) hair became poofy as soon as I went outside.

Hmmmm...maybe if I end up going natural, I will do twists.

My hair seems to love humid climates as long as I stay away from glycerin and use good moisturizers because your hair can dry out quickly if you're in the hot sun.

When I was relaxed my hair ALWAYS frizzed out in humidity, so I would definitely not want to relax my hair in a tropical climate.

When I straightened, the natural part of my hair curled back up quicker. The relaxed hair frizzed too but not as much and not as fast.

 

[renren]

Yes, I'm relaxed-texturized or texlaxed, as some would say. Like you, I'm a long-term stretcher. That's part of why my hair reverted back curly more quickly, well the natural part of it. Interesting that you use grease after flatironing. That is something to try. Do you find your hair heavier due to the greasy or do you very lightly grease?

BTW, I don't do anything myself. Yes, it's sad. The Dominicans did my hair, including flat ironed. Not sure what process they have but could you share yours? What protectant do you use?

I use grease to form a barrier over my hair so that the moisture cant get in that easily. I know most ppl. say that its bad becuz it stops moisture from getting into your hair but this is a positive when I flat iron.

My process:

-Shampoo

-Clarify

-Deep Condition with moisturing conditioner -NTM triple moisture mask mixed with ceramide oils

-After I rinse I separate into 8 sections. I spray with a good leave in- IC fantasia with aloe or V05 detangling spray and detangle. After I detangle I put in my heat protectant- IC heat protectant serum or ORS heat protectant serum, brush through to coat hair evenly and roll into a bantu-knot. Let hair dry about 80% in knots.

-Take down a bantu knot and blow dry. I pull down on the end of the hair and run my blowdryer with comb attachedment from the root down the lenght and cool shot when I reach the end. when its dry, I roll it back up in bantu knot and proceed with the other sections.

-Take down bantu knot, add more serum, flat iron thin sections on 400F using comb chase method. When Im done with the section I apply some grease throughout. And proceed to the other sections.

-When I am done flat ironing the entire head, I wrap my hair and tie down with a silk scarf.

Hope I was clear enough... it is a pretty long process. Honestly my hair does feel a bit heavy from the grease but I dont use any product in it for about 2 days and the grease kinda wears off i guess. One the 3rd day I apply serum or more grease throughout the hair.

HTH