Relaxed Hair Thread

You never know how many single strand knots you have until you straighten your hair. I flat iron my hair to get an idea of where I am at on my journey and realized the ends of my hair was rough and tangly even while its straight, I thought I had major split ends. Nope! It was all knots. I had to cut about 1/2-1 inch. I am now a couple of inches away from APL
that is one thing I dont miss since relaxing - those pesky SSKs! My search and destroy time is cut in half now
 
Plan to relax this Monday. I'm just going to use up the Rhelaxer. I think my issue is I haven't used a quality protein treatment in more than a year. I started incorporating Aphogee back into my regimen. Matter a fact I'm planning to use the whole line of aphogee because my hair is so damaged and weak. Only thing that won't be aphogee is the DC and neutralizing poo.
 
Sharing a few things that have been working splendidly :drunk:.....due to advice from LHCF and my Mom.

- I keep things simple now. I stopped buying many and various products :)...had turned into a product junkie :blush2:. The good news is that I can now stretch anywhere from 6 to 14 weeks with no issues.

- I returned to Nexxus products. In the 90s I was a devoted Nexxus product user. Somewhere along the way I stopped; not sure why. Sunnieb had a lot to do with my return to Nexxus….Thanks Sunnieb!! I use Therappe shampoo and Humectress conditioner and my hair feels great. I don't rinse out all of the conditioner and my hair is strong and moisturized. I can now finger comb and detangle almost exclusively.

- Weekly I use a clay mask, charcoal shampoo, Cantu root rinse, or ayurvedic powders to clarify before Therappe shampoo.

- I moisturize and seal almost daily. I have high porosity hair and it breaks if I don't. My scalp gets very dry in the crown area so I oil it a few days per week. This is a practice that I stopped doing over 30 years ago but oiling my scalp, in the crown area, is working well for me.

- My hair starts to dread if I don't detangle/finger comb every day...not every other day...every day. I use this as an opportunity to spray my Xcel 21 Hair Growth Revitalizer, which is working.

I've spent the last two years regrowing my hair and making it stronger. My density is back too. I hope to take a picture soon. I don't style my hair often because I'm in 'protective mode.' I wear a bun to work and sometimes a fake pony braid. It's so nice to like my hair again :). Thanks LHCF Ladies!
 
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Relaxed on Monday and it wasn't pleasant. I didn't have much time to relax but I didn't want to delay and deal with two textures. The relaxer burned more than usual. But what annoyed me is that my sink faucet pressure is low and the hose doesn't properly extend so I had difficulty rinsing the relaxer out. And I didn't have time to detangled before relaxing so I finger detangled and quickly used a wide tooth comb. But after neutralizing my hair my hair was super tangled up. I did my protein treatment then applied a moisture DC. But then I got really sick suddenly. Chills, nausea, pounding headache. Oddly enough the same thing happened the last time I washed my hair. Any who I was in too much pain to wash out the DC so I'm sleeping in it. Will detangling in the morning.
 
Cowashed with Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures last night after my workout. It's a keeper. My hair this morning is soft and my daily bun is laid. :)

I'm really seeing the error of my ways last year that lead to my huge setback. My hair is high maintenance. It thrives on frequent cowashing. I read my notes from 2009 - 2012 and I was a cowashing Queen. I'll post in here as I try the new cheapy conditioners for my cowashes.

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Cowashed with Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Conditioner with Coconut Water and Vanilla Milk (these conditioner names are crazy long! :drunk:)

Another keeper! I also like that my hair has a light scent of coconut this morning and is soft and fluffy.

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I'm also remembering that I used to alternate my cowash conditioners to keep my protein/ moisture balance - y'all remember LHCF back in the day was allll about the balance! :)

So with that in mind, I look for conditioners that are moisturizing (look for words like hydrating, quenching, softening) or protein (look for words like fortifying, strengthening, repairing) and alternate so I'm not getting too much of either side.
 
Cowashed with Garnier Whole Blends Honey Treasures last night after my workout. It's a keeper. My hair this morning is soft and my daily bun is laid. :)

I'm really seeing the error of my ways last year that lead to my huge setback. My hair is high maintenance. It thrives on frequent cowashing. I read my notes from 2009 - 2012 and I was a cowashing Queen. I'll post in here as I try the new cheapy conditioners for my cowashes.

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Sadly the conditioner I tried from this line made my hair shed horribly. I used the one in the dark brown bottle coconut something or other.
 
Sadly the conditioner I tried from this line made my hair shed horribly. I used the one in the dark brown bottle coconut something or other.

You definitely have to use what your hair will let you use. I remember when Aussie Moist was all the rage around here. I used it once and it knotted my hair up! I lost a ball of hair trying to detangle. :nono:

I think I have that conditioner you're talking about. I'll post about it when I use it.
 
I’ve been thinking of relaxing sooner than November but all of this rain has been a deterrent. Also, we got a new puppy two weeks ago so I’m back to waking up every 2 hours to take him out to potty. This no maintenance hair has really been a lifesaver. OK, yeah, Imma go ahead and wait. Lol. With a teething, High Needs baby, I don’t have time to do anything with my hair.

Maybe I can still relax and just keep it in a ponytail or bun..
 
Hi Sunnieb, :wave:

let me tell you, I have Soooooooo much Whole Blends, I tend to get them for free couponing, lol!!

This is some good stuff. The avacado, honey and coconut water ones are my favorite.

Cowashed with Garnier Whole Blends Hydrating Conditioner with Coconut Water and Vanilla Milk (these conditioner names are crazy long! :drunk:)

Another keeper! I also like that my hair has a light scent of coconut this morning and is soft and fluffy.

View attachment 435619

I'm also remembering that I used to alternate my cowash conditioners to keep my protein/ moisture balance - y'all remember LHCF back in the day was allll about the balance! :)

So with that in mind, I look for conditioners that are moisturizing (look for words like hydrating, quenching, softening) or protein (look for words like fortifying, strengthening, repairing) and alternate so I'm not getting too much of either side.
 
Yes! This rain has been terrible. I cant remember the last time I relaxed. I think it was in April.

But I've come to a realization, and one I guess I have always tried to fight. My hair LOVES heat. I cant airdry, wetset my hair. It literally revolts, lol.

I think I got so frustrated with my hair because, the porosity is depressing, my hair wont hold lets say, a braidout, my edges are thinning. I also realize, this is the same thing I go through whenever I want to act like I'm gonna go natural, LOL!

I blow dried and flat ironed my hair the other day and I haven't felt this good about my hair in months, lol.

I've kinda switched up products and they also seem to be working. I am thought going to try the crocheting and maybe get braids soon. and I definitely need my ends clipped.

Ill post a picture later, after I find a place to link my picture from :)



I’ve been thinking of relaxing sooner than November but all of this rain has been a deterrent. Also, we got a new puppy two weeks ago so I’m back to waking up every 2 hours to take him out to potty. This no maintenance hair has really been a lifesaver. OK, yeah, Imma go ahead and wait. Lol. With a teething, High Needs baby, I don’t have time to do anything with my hair.

Maybe I can still relax and just keep it in a ponytail or bun..
 
I’ve been thinking of relaxing sooner than November but all of this rain has been a deterrent. Also, we got a new puppy two weeks ago so I’m back to waking up every 2 hours to take him out to potty. This no maintenance hair has really been a lifesaver. OK, yeah, Imma go ahead and wait. Lol. With a teething, High Needs baby, I don’t have time to do anything with my hair.

Maybe I can still relax and just keep it in a ponytail or bun..

You have mentioned several times how your LO is high needs and now you got a puppy? That needs potty training? :drunk:
I believe the CIA is looking for recruits with your skills.
I feel like I'm barely holding it together and mine isn't even teething.
 
Yes! This rain has been terrible. I cant remember the last time I relaxed. I think it was in April.

But I've come to a realization, and one I guess I have always tried to fight. My hair LOVES heat. I cant airdry, wetset my hair. It literally revolts, lol.

I think I got so frustrated with my hair because, the porosity is depressing, my hair wont hold lets say, a braidout, my edges are thinning. I also realize, this is the same thing I go through whenever I want to act like I'm gonna go natural, LOL!

I blow dried and flat ironed my hair the other day and I haven't felt this good about my hair in months, lol.

I've kinda switched up products and they also seem to be working. I am thought going to try the crocheting and maybe get braids soon. and I definitely need my ends clipped.

Ill post a picture later, after I find a place to link my picture from :)

Same here - I last relaxed in April. And I’ve also been seriously trying to figure out how to incorporate more heat into my regi. You’re inspiring me, lady! Can’t wait to see your pictures.
 
You have mentioned several times how your LO is high needs and now you got a puppy? That needs potty training? :drunk:
I believe the CIA is looking for recruits with your skills.
I feel like I'm barely holding it together and mine isn't even teething.

:lachen:Sis, let me tell you... lol. I’m such a zombie!
NEVER intended to get a puppy though, OMG. And he’s gonna get really big, really fast (English Mastiff). He’s been trying to chew on my crochet hair so I’m worried about having yet another threat to my locks! SMH.

How are you doing over there? Have you been rocking wigs? Still KISSing?
 
Was stumbling around CVS and completely forgot about the Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Mask from SM.
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I’ve only used this product once which was a sample packet and that was towards the beginning of this year. I completely forgot how awesome this product is. I love Shea Butter, but I’ve always have a difficult time getting passed how solid and thick it is. I like this treatment because it’s practically whipped already and it’s light, and a small amount covers all of my hair.

Makes my hair really really soft and fortified as well. And helps calm my scalp irritation too. I went and bought the actual tub. I’ll be using this as a DC, leave in, and moisturizer. Since this is pretty much the only product I have right now lol
 
:lachen:Sis, let me tell you... lol. I’m such a zombie!
NEVER intended to get a puppy though, OMG. And he’s gonna get really big, really fast (English Mastiff). He’s been trying to chew on my crochet hair so I’m worried about having yet another threat to my locks! SMH.

How are you doing over there? Have you been rocking wigs? Still KISSing?

The puppy sounds adorable! I like mastiffs. But now you have another baby Lol.

Things are better here. Baby is older and her temperament evened out. She is calm and entertains herself as long as she is fed. That gives me time to quickly wash my hair sometimes and get a few things done.

I have been wearing the mini braids with no extensions. They last for 4 to 5 weeks. I love them. I just did a protein treatment yesterday while wearing them. I'm going to take them down tomorrow for a friend's wedding, then retouch next week. After that, back to mini braids.
 
@PlanetCybertron thanks for the review!

I've been eyeing that conditioner for a while. I have a 25% CVS coupon burning a hole in my pocket, so I might grab some tomorrow.

I use Shea Butter Mix daily. Have you checked out the Shea butter thread? I whip my oils (castor oil, vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil) with the butter and it comes out light and fluffy enough for daily use.

Matter of fact, I buy my Shea butter from CVS! :)
 
Cowashed with Garnier Fructis Moisture Lock last night. My hair was soft, but not as soft as I'd think with a moisturizing conditioner.

Turns out I was fooled into thinking this was a moisturizing conditioner, but right there on the front it says 'fortifying'. Gotta pay more attention before I have protein overload.

**having trouble with pic so may have to grab Google image**

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I’ve been doing some thinking.
My length retention has been slowing down a lot from massive tangles. On the other hand regular detangling eats up my length as well, since my ends don’t like to be touched pretty much at all. I’m stalling around 33-34 inches. I measured 34 inches the last relaxer session, but I’ve been noticing breakage on the very ends of the longest hairs, and upon re-measuring it’s barely at 33 again.

I don’t think it’s anything wrong with my products or my moisture/protein balance, more so just keeping my hair detangled.

I’ve been thinking that the only protective style that’s a guarantee low stress, time saving, low manipulation style are Bantu knots. I love them. And I can do them decently. I love my box braids and twists, but my hair just can’t handle them. Which I’ve come to accept.

So I’m thinking I’ll have wash days as needed, detangle as much as I can in the shower, in sections. Completely leave my hair alone to air dry half way, section in 4-6 Bantu knots, and keep them in for as long as I can. Having my hair separated seems to be the most biggest Challange for me at this length. By Christmas hopefully I’ll have this sorted out.
 
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