Jas123
The Star of a Story
Do you use a low volume developer with your semi-permanent colors (not the Bigen)?
Relaxed Hair Thread
- Thread starter sweetpeadst
- Start date
Jas123
The Star of a Story
They have the big bottle on clearance on the Sally's website ($6.99)I was so excited to finally be able to find some Neutrogena Triple Moisture at CVS today. Haven't found any in there in over a year!
Then tried to reorder some Rusk Smoother from Amazon and they are out. As in out out. It's available on a few unknown websites, but I'm over it. Time to find a new leave in. That stuff had old lady smell anyway.
sunnieb
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
My regular supplier on Amazon for more in stock, so I'm good for now.
I planned to go to Sally's to buy a relaxer kit anyway. Let me see if they still have it online.....
danysedai
Well-Known Member
I've been using Ion 10 volume developer with Ion demi permanent hair dye. I'm going to dye my hair today. It's been a month and I have a fingerwidth of gray showing.
KhandiB
Well-Known Member
Pic 1 is January , Pic 2 is Sunday, this is 17 weeks of growth.
Dont judge my ends , I need a trim, I wont do them myself anymore.
And I really need a new flat iron, my hair doesnt get as smooth as I like.
View media item 130513View media item 130577
Dont judge my ends , I need a trim, I wont do them myself anymore.
And I really need a new flat iron, my hair doesnt get as smooth as I like.
View media item 130513View media item 130577
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
Grow on, girl! That's great progress!
11228
Well-Known Member
Is that a roller set? It looks flat enough to me!
Girl if you think your ends are bad, wait till you see mine.
KhandiB
Well-Known Member
Thank you!
I am going through some shedding, actually have been for years, I am going to try a coffee or black tea rinse my next wash day.
I am going through some shedding, actually have been for years, I am going to try a coffee or black tea rinse my next wash day.
KhandiB
Well-Known Member
Aw naw girl, Rollersets don’t work in my hair. My hair loves direct heat, lol. In regards to the ends. Im only okay because I cut like 3 inches off in January.View media item 130511
KhandiB
Well-Known Member
Ooohhhh
@Jas123 thanks for the heads up on the clearance at Sally's! My order just came and that $6.99 price was too good to pass up! I got 3 bottles!
View attachment 459497
sunnieb
Well-Known Member
Good article:
Why The Natural To Relaxed Hair Transition Is So Prevalent Right Now
By Blake Newby
May 11, 2020
Ten years ago, I would have never imagined I'd be seeing so much natural hair on the red carpet and on social media — let alone laws that empower women who want to wear their hair in its natural state, no matter where they are. But slowly and surely, more people are publicly choosing to embark on a natural to relaxed hair transition, whether it be for the sake of ease for at-home styling, or preference of aesthetic.
According to a February 2020 study by Royal Oils by Head & Shoulders and Gold Series by Pantene, Black women are outwardly confident with their hair, with 80% today completely content with their selected style. That number is staggeringly higher than where it was when the shift from relaxed hair began. Women are not only forming a deeper appreciation for natural texture, but also a heightened desire for overall hair health.
However, for many women, the decision to cease relaxers was about more than hair. It's important to note that for years, women veered from relaxers due to health risks, particularly fears of increased breast cancer risk. Later, a 2008 study by Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention found that the allegations weren't backed with enough research. And yet again in 2019, another study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences that found there was no concrete correlation between cancer and the hair treatment. The study insisted that there are a slew of other factors affecting Black women, and much more research had to be done to validate the long unfounded claims. In it, Dale Sandler, Ph.D., chief of the NIEHS epidemiology branch, said that while people are exposed to a variety of things that could be linked to breast cancer, it's unlikely that any single factor explains a woman’s risk. However, he noted that while it is too early to firmly advise against isolated factors, avoiding relaxers is yet another step that women can take to avoid potential dangers.
Now, as a vast majority of Black women have fully transitioned, have learned their real texture, and have acclimated the curly life into their day-to-day, some are surprisingly going back to the relaxers. But it's not because of societal pressures and not because of fear of diseases. Unlike what the natural movement aimed to do away with, women aren't reverting back to the straightening system due to shame or a lack of self-confidence. It's based on preference and manageability.
"I loved my natural texture, but I stopped having the time to properly care for it," says Erin Stovall, a former curly girl and New York City-based beauty editor at Oprah Magazine. "My coils were thriving when I had an entire day to spend washing, deep conditioning, detangling, and twisting. But as soon as I started trying to get it all done in an hour, the breakage was real." Stovall then began experimenting with frequent silk presses in hopes of added manageability. However, it was to no avail. "Those became a problem because I wouldn’t be able to work out," she says. "Ruin a fresh press? No, ma’am! Plus, I constantly worried about rain or humidity."
Chinyere Ekwuocha, a student in Washington D.C. who's worn relaxed hair for almost three years, now feels the same. While she mostly wears her hair in protective styles, she found that even during her time off, her hair was proving too much to handle. "It was always a process. I'd want to let my real hair breathe and I felt like I couldn't do that... ever," she says. "So I went back to in-salon relaxers, and my hair is in incredible shape."
And instances like Stovall's and Ekwuocha's aren't rare. Kiyah Wright, celebrity hairstylist to Laverne Cox and Lala Anthony, knows best that women don't want to spend exorbitant amounts of time on their hair. "What women desire nowadays is less time," she says. "In days like these, time is something we're slave to. Time is everything, and it seems like everyone just has less time. Even I often wonder what's happening." And Derick Monroe, Dark and Lovely spokesperson who works with Tyra Banks, agrees. "The surge in relaxers could definitely be related to the idea that the natural hair requires similar levels of maintenance," he says. "Many women started converting to natural hair with the thought that it would be easier to maintain, when both require equal amounts of care. It’s more about which hair care journey fits your lifestyle."
Wright also notes regional differences as reasons women may prefer their hair straight. "In Los Angeles, you don't have to worry about humidity because it's so dry out here," she says. "You could wear your hair straight for like two weeks and maintain that silk. Much of a woman's decision for texture relies heavily on climate and it being easy to manage."
Stovall concurs, admitting that she would have loved to have kept her natural texture, but the busy pace of her life just didn't allow. "I loved it, but it was hard," she says. "I know a lot of women of color experience microaggressions and overt discrimination, but that wasn’t my experience, nor would I have cared what other people thought. I felt confident wearing my curls and protective styles like cornrows to the office." However, both Stovall and Wright are well aware that this isn't the case for everyone. "This is generational," Wright says of Black women's relationship with their hair. "It's important to get people to shift the mindset, and to get women to be comfortable with what they like, not what others deem acceptable."
But in all textures, the No. 1 priority is health, and Stovall believe she's achieved that with her relaxing routine. "When I relaxed before —from the age of 12 up until I was 18 — I used box relaxers and my mom did it at home," she says. "Now, I schedule regular salon visits every three months for my touch-ups."
Finding a stylist who is skilled at relaxers in the age of naturalism has also been an integral part of Stovall maintaining a healthy head of hair. "My stylist is super careful not to overlap sections, so my strands aren’t over-processed like they were before. Additionally, she rinses the chemicals out more quickly — to the point that my hair still has a little bit of texture to it when wet." The main difference she notes is that her hair still maintains movement and body. "In the past, I would leave the relaxer on for as long as possible, it was bone-straight and lifeless! I take the time to do deep conditioning treatments in between appointments and opt for air-drying over hot tools," she says. "In general, my hair is way healthier. When I experienced hair loss and breakage in the past, I blamed it all on the relaxers. I’m more knowledgeable now and I know that most of it was actually caused by improper application and a lack of hair care. My hair care routine is faster now, but I’m much more diligent about it."
Luckily, brands are creating products that bridge the gap — for natural girls, those venturing back into relaxers, and everyone in between. Take the Head & Shoulders Royal Oils collection, for instance. "One of the things with being a stylist is I'm not big on a lot of grease," says Wright, who's a P&G Beauty ambassador. "I do not like my hair stiff. What I love about it is I can use the Royal Oils products basically on all textures of hair and I don't get that heavy product feeling. One of my favorites is the Moisture Milk. Moisturization does not equate to oiliness, and this product leaves the hair weightless yet still hydrated."
And while at-home relaxers certainly shouldn't be an option for all, as the potent treatment requires a certain skill. Luckily, however, at-home relaxers have come a long way from that of decades ago. "I suggest home relaxing to responsible consumers!" Monroe says. "That means someone that will take their time to read the instructions, condition their hair for maintenance and keep track of trims to minimize split ends. As a professional, my main concerns are the health of the hair and having proper practices is vital considering relaxed hair can at times be dry and brittle."
So whether you're still embracing your 'fro, or strongly considering straightening it, I think everyone can agree on this: The most important thing is optimal hair health, and the confidence to wear your hair however you see fit.
Studies referenced:
Hair At Work Study (2020, February). https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005783/en/New-Study-Royal-Oils-Gold-Series-Confirms
Permanent hair dye and straighteners may increase breast cancer risk. (2019). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/new...straighteners-may-increase-breast-cancer-risk
Rosenberg, L., Boggs, D. A., Adams-Campbell, L. L., & Palmer, J. R. (2008, May). Hair Relaxers Not Associated with Breast Cancer Risk: Evidence from the Black Women's Health Study. https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/16/5/1035.figures-only
Why The Natural To Relaxed Hair Transition Is So Prevalent Right Now
By Blake Newby
May 11, 2020
Ten years ago, I would have never imagined I'd be seeing so much natural hair on the red carpet and on social media — let alone laws that empower women who want to wear their hair in its natural state, no matter where they are. But slowly and surely, more people are publicly choosing to embark on a natural to relaxed hair transition, whether it be for the sake of ease for at-home styling, or preference of aesthetic.
According to a February 2020 study by Royal Oils by Head & Shoulders and Gold Series by Pantene, Black women are outwardly confident with their hair, with 80% today completely content with their selected style. That number is staggeringly higher than where it was when the shift from relaxed hair began. Women are not only forming a deeper appreciation for natural texture, but also a heightened desire for overall hair health.
However, for many women, the decision to cease relaxers was about more than hair. It's important to note that for years, women veered from relaxers due to health risks, particularly fears of increased breast cancer risk. Later, a 2008 study by Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers and Prevention found that the allegations weren't backed with enough research. And yet again in 2019, another study conducted by researchers at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences that found there was no concrete correlation between cancer and the hair treatment. The study insisted that there are a slew of other factors affecting Black women, and much more research had to be done to validate the long unfounded claims. In it, Dale Sandler, Ph.D., chief of the NIEHS epidemiology branch, said that while people are exposed to a variety of things that could be linked to breast cancer, it's unlikely that any single factor explains a woman’s risk. However, he noted that while it is too early to firmly advise against isolated factors, avoiding relaxers is yet another step that women can take to avoid potential dangers.
Now, as a vast majority of Black women have fully transitioned, have learned their real texture, and have acclimated the curly life into their day-to-day, some are surprisingly going back to the relaxers. But it's not because of societal pressures and not because of fear of diseases. Unlike what the natural movement aimed to do away with, women aren't reverting back to the straightening system due to shame or a lack of self-confidence. It's based on preference and manageability.
"I loved my natural texture, but I stopped having the time to properly care for it," says Erin Stovall, a former curly girl and New York City-based beauty editor at Oprah Magazine. "My coils were thriving when I had an entire day to spend washing, deep conditioning, detangling, and twisting. But as soon as I started trying to get it all done in an hour, the breakage was real." Stovall then began experimenting with frequent silk presses in hopes of added manageability. However, it was to no avail. "Those became a problem because I wouldn’t be able to work out," she says. "Ruin a fresh press? No, ma’am! Plus, I constantly worried about rain or humidity."
Chinyere Ekwuocha, a student in Washington D.C. who's worn relaxed hair for almost three years, now feels the same. While she mostly wears her hair in protective styles, she found that even during her time off, her hair was proving too much to handle. "It was always a process. I'd want to let my real hair breathe and I felt like I couldn't do that... ever," she says. "So I went back to in-salon relaxers, and my hair is in incredible shape."
And instances like Stovall's and Ekwuocha's aren't rare. Kiyah Wright, celebrity hairstylist to Laverne Cox and Lala Anthony, knows best that women don't want to spend exorbitant amounts of time on their hair. "What women desire nowadays is less time," she says. "In days like these, time is something we're slave to. Time is everything, and it seems like everyone just has less time. Even I often wonder what's happening." And Derick Monroe, Dark and Lovely spokesperson who works with Tyra Banks, agrees. "The surge in relaxers could definitely be related to the idea that the natural hair requires similar levels of maintenance," he says. "Many women started converting to natural hair with the thought that it would be easier to maintain, when both require equal amounts of care. It’s more about which hair care journey fits your lifestyle."
Wright also notes regional differences as reasons women may prefer their hair straight. "In Los Angeles, you don't have to worry about humidity because it's so dry out here," she says. "You could wear your hair straight for like two weeks and maintain that silk. Much of a woman's decision for texture relies heavily on climate and it being easy to manage."
Stovall concurs, admitting that she would have loved to have kept her natural texture, but the busy pace of her life just didn't allow. "I loved it, but it was hard," she says. "I know a lot of women of color experience microaggressions and overt discrimination, but that wasn’t my experience, nor would I have cared what other people thought. I felt confident wearing my curls and protective styles like cornrows to the office." However, both Stovall and Wright are well aware that this isn't the case for everyone. "This is generational," Wright says of Black women's relationship with their hair. "It's important to get people to shift the mindset, and to get women to be comfortable with what they like, not what others deem acceptable."
But in all textures, the No. 1 priority is health, and Stovall believe she's achieved that with her relaxing routine. "When I relaxed before —from the age of 12 up until I was 18 — I used box relaxers and my mom did it at home," she says. "Now, I schedule regular salon visits every three months for my touch-ups."
Finding a stylist who is skilled at relaxers in the age of naturalism has also been an integral part of Stovall maintaining a healthy head of hair. "My stylist is super careful not to overlap sections, so my strands aren’t over-processed like they were before. Additionally, she rinses the chemicals out more quickly — to the point that my hair still has a little bit of texture to it when wet." The main difference she notes is that her hair still maintains movement and body. "In the past, I would leave the relaxer on for as long as possible, it was bone-straight and lifeless! I take the time to do deep conditioning treatments in between appointments and opt for air-drying over hot tools," she says. "In general, my hair is way healthier. When I experienced hair loss and breakage in the past, I blamed it all on the relaxers. I’m more knowledgeable now and I know that most of it was actually caused by improper application and a lack of hair care. My hair care routine is faster now, but I’m much more diligent about it."
Luckily, brands are creating products that bridge the gap — for natural girls, those venturing back into relaxers, and everyone in between. Take the Head & Shoulders Royal Oils collection, for instance. "One of the things with being a stylist is I'm not big on a lot of grease," says Wright, who's a P&G Beauty ambassador. "I do not like my hair stiff. What I love about it is I can use the Royal Oils products basically on all textures of hair and I don't get that heavy product feeling. One of my favorites is the Moisture Milk. Moisturization does not equate to oiliness, and this product leaves the hair weightless yet still hydrated."
And while at-home relaxers certainly shouldn't be an option for all, as the potent treatment requires a certain skill. Luckily, however, at-home relaxers have come a long way from that of decades ago. "I suggest home relaxing to responsible consumers!" Monroe says. "That means someone that will take their time to read the instructions, condition their hair for maintenance and keep track of trims to minimize split ends. As a professional, my main concerns are the health of the hair and having proper practices is vital considering relaxed hair can at times be dry and brittle."
So whether you're still embracing your 'fro, or strongly considering straightening it, I think everyone can agree on this: The most important thing is optimal hair health, and the confidence to wear your hair however you see fit.
Studies referenced:
Hair At Work Study (2020, February). https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005783/en/New-Study-Royal-Oils-Gold-Series-Confirms
Permanent hair dye and straighteners may increase breast cancer risk. (2019). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/new...straighteners-may-increase-breast-cancer-risk
Rosenberg, L., Boggs, D. A., Adams-Campbell, L. L., & Palmer, J. R. (2008, May). Hair Relaxers Not Associated with Breast Cancer Risk: Evidence from the Black Women's Health Study. https://cebp.aacrjournals.org/content/16/5/1035.figures-only
Royalq
Well-Known Member
Relaxed yesterday. Best relaxer touch up I’ve ever done. I added olaplex to my relaxer and some how it made my relaxer not burn?? And I was itching eve mn the day of. I was totally anticipating getting burned and rushing to wash out. The burning is the worst part. But nope. I even went over time with the application cause I’m so slow and though for sure I would burn but I never did. The real test is when I apply the neutralizer cause that reveals burns spots I didn’t know I had. Still nothing. I’m sooooo happy. Olaplex is a keeper
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
Yay!! And thank you for posting that info about Olaplex!
11228
Well-Known Member
I have been curious about olaplex. Which did you use? Is it like a protein treatment?
Royalq
Well-Known Member
I used olaplex no.1&2. It’s a bond rebuilder not protein. I added olaplex no.1 to my relaxer then after neutralizing did the whole stand alone treatment with 1&2. I still did my Aphogee protein treatment. They are two different things
Royalq
Well-Known Member
my hair feels very strong and fuller. Way more accepting of moisture and it is retaining moisture better. I moisturize and seal normally but it’s usually dry by the next day. But this time my ends and hair still felt moist and strong.
GraceandJoy
Butterfly
Hello Ladies, I, too, am an Olaplex user. I have fine hair w/medium to low density. As with @Royalq, my hair feels strong and is fuller. I have tried many different types of shampoos and conditioners....many. I will use Olaplex for sure until December 2020 and maybe for as long as they manufacture the product. I really like this combination. My hair doesn't tangle much anymore and it looks and feels like my "hair of old"....hair from my 20s & 30s. My hair looks & feels healthy . I didn't think this was possible, as I have gone through a lot with my hair. Since January, I simplified my hair care routine in the following ways:
1. I pre-poo with Olaplex #3
2. I shampoo with Olaplex #4
3. Condition with Olaplex #5
4. I air-dry until damp and then apply Olaplex #6 and add #7 for shine.
5. Between washes, I moisturize almost every day; I'm high porosity. I use a leave-in hair mist, a shea butter mix w/safflower oil, and seal it all with blue magic hair grease (new addition).
My new routine was gleaned/learned from information and techniques from this forum
. Thank you!
1. I pre-poo with Olaplex #3
2. I shampoo with Olaplex #4
3. Condition with Olaplex #5
4. I air-dry until damp and then apply Olaplex #6 and add #7 for shine.
5. Between washes, I moisturize almost every day; I'm high porosity. I use a leave-in hair mist, a shea butter mix w/safflower oil, and seal it all with blue magic hair grease (new addition).
My new routine was gleaned/learned from information and techniques from this forum
. Thank you!
Last edited:
Royalq
Well-Known Member
I also plan to use this as long as i could. My hair is very strong, its a different strength from when i use aphogee. Aphogee is more of a stiff strength. Olaplex is a more reinforced pliable healthy strength. I dont have no.3 so maybe ill use no.2 monthly or do the stand alone treatment monthly.Hello Ladies, I, too, am an Olaplex user. I have fine hair w/medium to low density. As with @Royalq, my hair feels strong and is fuller. I have tried many different types of shampoos and conditioners....many. I will use Olaplex for sure until December 2020 and maybe for as long as they manufacture the product. I really like this combination. My hair doesn't tangle much anymore and it looks and feels like my "hair of old"....hair from my 20s & 30s. My hair looks & feels healthy . I didn't think this was possible, as I have gone through a lot with my hair. Since January, I simplified my hair care routine in the following ways:
1. I pre-poo with Olaplex #3
2. I shampoo with Olaplex #4
3. Condition with Olaplex #5
4. I air-dry until damp and then apply Olaplex #6 and add #7 for shine.
5. Between washes, I moisturize almost every day; I'm high porosity. I use a leave-in hair mist, a shea butter mix w/safflower oil, and seal it all with blue magic hair grease (new addition).
My new routine was gleaned/learned from information and techniques from this forum
sunnieb
Well-Known Member
Posted this in my Fotki and copying here:
This is how moisturized my hair is at bedtime. I didn't even cowash tonight! That's all product. First to last - ORS Carrot Oil, Neutrogena Triple Moisture, and Castor oil.
I don't skimp on product and I massage and comb in each one. When I wash, I do it early enough so I can airdry then moisturize/ seal like this. My hair loves it and is not crispy anymore.
This is how moisturized my hair is at bedtime. I didn't even cowash tonight! That's all product. First to last - ORS Carrot Oil, Neutrogena Triple Moisture, and Castor oil.
I don't skimp on product and I massage and comb in each one. When I wash, I do it early enough so I can airdry then moisturize/ seal like this. My hair loves it and is not crispy anymore.
I found out that the neutralizer one uses may cause the hair to have relaxer smell until the next wash day. I bought the ORS Olive Oil professional neutralizer based on the recommendation from here and I used it after my relaxer. I was confused about why my hair smelled like relaxer after it was dry and for several days until I washed it. I washed it the same way I usually do when I use Hawaiian Silky or Isoplus Neutralizer. The only difference was the product. So, I'm going back to my trusted Hawaiian Silky and Isoplus Neutralizer. The Isoplus Neutralizer is mad cheap too ($2 for 8oz bottle). I regret buying the big bottle of the ORS Olive Oil Neutralizer, I don't know what to do with it now. I may use it still but finish with Hawaiian Silky or Isoplus Neutralizer.
My advice for those of you dealing with smelly hair after relaxer is to try a different neutralizer.
My advice for those of you dealing with smelly hair after relaxer is to try a different neutralizer.
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
Yes! For me Motions Neutralizer is the one I have to use. I tried Isoplus for a couple of years and couldn't get rid of the relaxer smell even though I rinse thoroughly and neutralize more than 3 times during my process AND do an ACV rinse.
But I found that to be safe, I do a baking soda/condish/amino acid tx as my post relaxer DC. The baking soda knocks the smell right out.
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
I've been out renovating my yard for the past few weeks, still not finished, but I decided to cowash my hair loose today. Felt so good to get a nice scrub on my scalp. Then I just slathered in a cone condish and let it airdry. I purposely haven't separated the clumps in my hair that formed after my last relaxer in April so it's still clumped. And I have tons of shrinkage! But it's nice to have simple hair without my mini braids. I hope I don't regret this. If so, oh well.. LOL
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View media item 130589
naturalpride
Well-Known Member
Are you doing a low Manipulation wash and go until your next relaxer?
MzSwift
Well-Known Member
I've been thinking about it because rebraiding my hair at night and unbraiding it in the morning is way too much manipulation. When my hair was short, I did WNGs almost everyday, summer and winter. Lol. I haven't tried it since I've grown my hair out but I'm tempted. Braids, ponytails, buns all seem to give me tension headaches for some reason now. Not sure why.
But my little one was pulling my hair a lot when it was out the other day so I've had to tuck it away again. It soothes him to do that repetitive motion with his hands but it kills my strands. Lol
simplyconfident
Well-Known Member
Your hair appears texlaxed. If so can you give details to your relaxer day and products used? I’m transitioning my daughter to Tex laxed. So far so good. I’ve only done two relaxers. The second one I feel I smoothed too much. I use Mizani butter blend mild.
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