Trying to Decide...Press or Relax

[Aquamarine]

I'm currently texturized (about 2 inches all over ). I have 4a with kinky 4b around the front and sides. I can't really do much with my hair right now, so I'm taking time to contemplate what I'd like later on.

Pondering....What would be the 'best' of two evils....pressing or relaxing. ....

• If I go back to being natural, Pressing/flat ironing reverts (as it should, if too much heat isn't used). The 'pro' would be a seemingly thicker head of hair with no need to retouch. The negative thing about my natural hair is that it gets so big and hard to detangle sometimes. I manage, but it takes a ton of time to prep my natural hair with twists. Honestly, I'm not feeling an afro right now. Maybe later, but I'm looking for something new, that's low maint.

• If I relax, it seems that I could just wash, apply product/oil and do a light blowdry and make a bun or wear it down wild and free ( I like the soft and free look , ala Chaka and Diana Ross with a flower or some chopsticks or something).....but the drawback would be that people will look at me and wonder when i'm gonna get my hair fixed lol. Yeah, I still kinda care what other's think sometime . I myself have been seeing so many women lately with really messed up relaxers. They obviously don't know about the LHCF lol. That's one of the reasons that I went natural back then. But on the OTHER hand, I wear a dark rinse to cover a few grays and if I'm relaxed, not only will the color fade as it's supposed to, but then I'm competing with the kinks that need retouching lol.

So ladies....what do you think? Is it better/easier to do a light relaxer or a light press on natural? I know that I gave information that wasn't on topic, but I do tend to ramble on sometimes.

ps. I guess it comes down to what's more important to me....healthy hair? great style or styling ease. Decisions, decisions . My boyfriend just told me to part it on the side and slick it down with something and call it a day! Men!

 

[Aquamarine]

Just an update....


I went ahead and relaxed my hair with a Cream of Nature lye (mild strength) mixed with some olive oil after seeing that the texturizer wasn't quite working out. Texturizer was ok, but I still had an afro....only it wouldn't hold twists very well (duh). I'm satisfied now because it's not bone straight, but it's very soft and smooth....unlike the boxed no-lye that I experimented with a while ago.

 

[chocolate01]

Congrats on your decision. I'm glad you had a good experience and liked the outcome.

 

[balisi]

I'm glad you found what works for you.

 

[Peachtree]

Ok, I was gonna offer my 2 cents, but it doesn't matter now.... glad u've made a decision that's best for u!

 

[Aquamarine]

Thanks so much ladies!