I didn’t catch the part about this being a protein treatment at all! I thought this was a treatment to soften new growth. That’s totally on me! My hair twisting into mini dreads makes sense since it does that if I leave henna in too long. Henna is my usual ‘protein’ treatment. Thank you troubleshooting this for me! I was trying to soften my NG bc it’s been 8 months since my last relaxer when I usually relax at 3-4 mths. But I’m getting my hair done on Friday!!OK, I've been sleeping on this and the Robitussin is wearing off.
I dunno if you asked me bc you were looking for a protein tx or more moisture but the recipe I gave you is my protein tx. I mentioned before that there are times when I add moisturizing condish to the mix for scent. Sometimes I'm a bit heavyhanded with that. When I first started doing the mixture back in 2015, I actually just used a moisturizing condish like Aussie Moist 3 min or regular Aussie Moist as my base bc I've always had a healthy fear of protein overload. But the mixture expands and gets really messy after adding baking soda so I wanted to use a thicker base. I started using cholesterol as my DC base for all of my mixes. The mix worked well for me both ways so I just stuck w cholesterol and didn't think anything of it until your update.
So your update got me thinking, I wonder if you would benefit more from YOUR mix having a more moisturizing DC base, with the amino acids (lite protein) and then only a few tsp of baking soda (NOT TBSPs) start with like two tsp. The purpose of the baking soda in the mix is to raise the pH enough to open your cuticle to allow the nutrients of whatever you've mixed to penetrate into the hair shaft (since the cuticles are open). In this case, it would be the amino acids and whatever moisturizing DC you've chosen. And it sounds like your hair doesn't need much baking soda in order to lift your cuticles.
I know warm/hot water is supposed to lift our cuticles and cold water is supposed to close them on their own but I wonder if sometimes it's not enough for the purpose of the conditioners we're trying to use. Which is why we use heat to open the cuticles and bake in the nutrients. I still say following up or ending with a cold water rinse on the hair can be beneficial to help ensure that the cuticles are properly closed before moving on.
A lot of what you explained (sticky, velcro like hair that mats/locks up) sounded like hair acts when cuticles are left open. It's very similar to how the hair acts with too much protein but the brittleness isn't present right away.
Now, I'm only suggesting this in case you're still up for trying out things to find something - since you already have the ingredients. lol
@ItsMeLilLuckyDoes anyone use Design Essentials Honey Shield Relaxer? It's seemingly a ghost everywhere, even here.
I was considering changing from Hawaiian Silky because my edges never look relaxed, even when I'm freshly relaxed. I just happen to come across this online.
Well I don't know if you want to take a chance on Ammyzon, but I saw it on there.Design Essentials relaxers are the one thing I miss about going to the salon. DE never let me down and relaxed perfectly each time.
I was able to find it online for a while, but stylists have the license to buy. Never heard of the Honey Shield version, but would love to try it.
That left me under processed, but my new growth is feisty and likes to coil up.Design Essentials relaxers are the one thing I miss about going to the salon. DE never let me down and relaxed perfectly each time.
I was able to find it online for a while, but stylists have the license to buy. Never heard of the Honey Shield version, but would love to try it.
Mine to! She likes to tussle. Sometimes I don't feel like it, that's why I stretch for so long.That left me under processed, but my new growth is feisty and likes to coil up.
Design Essentials relaxers are the one thing I miss about going to the salon. DE never let me down and relaxed perfectly each time.
I was able to find it online for a while, but stylists have the license to buy. Never heard of the Honey Shield version, but would love to try it.
@MzSwift How you doing Cuz?
Design Essentials relaxers are the one thing I miss about going to the salon. DE never let me down and relaxed perfectly each time.
I was able to find it online for a while, but stylists have the license to buy. Never heard of the Honey Shield version, but would love to try it.
Welp...opens Odele site lol I pretty much follow you bc you've introduced me to good products. Neutrogena leave-in (I still have 4 bottles), Rusk Smoother, I ordered Redken bc I've missed it, and now this one lol Seems like we're both suckers for a good leave-in!Here's the proof I needed that Odele is a keeper:
View attachment 498542
This is my hair this morning before moisturizing and bunning. When I airdry, my ends poof up (see my previous post). This is expected. I'm always trying to keep my ends most and smooth. Before bed, I put more Carrot Oil and a big dose of Odele on my ends and combed through with a fine- toothed comb. Only the last 2 inches! Not talking about all my hair. I'd break the comb!I sleep in a loose bun.
I love my ends looking like this without any oil added. Redken is still the bawse, but Odele is a good daily user.![]()
Welp...opens Odele site lol I pretty much follow you bc you've introduced me to good products. Neutrogena leave-in (I still have 4 bottles), Rusk Smoother, I ordered Redken bc I've missed it, and now this one lol Seems like we're both suckers for a good leave-in!
ETA: Do you recommend other products from the line?