LOVIE!!!!
I've been accidentally stalking you all week. It just so happens that you are using a lot of the products the I'm researching. I'm really on the fence about my next relaxer and it's closing in on relaxer day. I will be 12 weeks post after this coming friday and I was contemplating which relaxer to use. I have been leaning heavily towards phyto because it's no-lye without the calcium (so it shouldn't cause calcium build up, right?). I also like that phytorelaxer has proteins in it to help rebuild the hair while breaking it down. I think that's how hair maintains that little bit of texture, which is what I want. But part of me wants to go back to lye relaxers at the salon. Here's my predicament.
1. If I relax with Phyto I would do it at home and let my mother apply it in stead of my stylist so that it would still be cost affordable. BUT my mother is more apt to overlap. I don't know if overlapping is an issue with Phyto because it does maintain the hair's integrity.
2. If I go to the salon I would use their Design Essentials relaxer which is also supposed to be not as damaging to the hair, and the stylist would be less apt to overlap. But lye burns, and I can't stand that.
I guess my mane (teehee) issue here is the overlapping, and knowing which one will give me texlaxed hair (I still want a little bit of wave). And secondly it would be the price. For $60 all you get is a box kit and more control over the neutralizing, washing, and styling process if you do it at home. If I went to the salon, for $60 I would get everything done for me tip included. You feel me here? Am I being to cheap?
I also have this theory that if you used Phytonectar prepoo oil on your hair before getting a salon lye relaxer that it could be somewhat like getting a phytorelaxer. It's got 12% concentration of egg yolk protein. That's a very high concentration if you ask me. I don't know how chemistry inclined you guys are (I love that nerdy stuff), but it stands to reason that it could help out at the salon.
I'm also torn my Phyto's great marketing. I really believe that Phyto is the best hair brand out there and I want to be a Phyto girl so badly. I love phytospecific products, but I know that relaxers are nothing to play with. Can you girls tell me if you've experienced dryness with your Phytorelaxers at all?
Hi there Lucious Locks. You're funny.
There is a lot you mentioned so I will try to address it line by line -
1. My recommendation would be to purchase the Phyto, and apply at home. Reason, I think you get more value from the product of Phyto, the flexibility of controlling the applciation process, and healthier hair in the long run. Cover the relaxed hair with a very thick mineral base conditioner so if your mom does overlap (and as she rinses off) you won't re-relax hair. I use Queene Helen Cholestorol to cover my already relaxed hair. Also you have the benefits of personalizing your application process, as the user above mentioned. Also, if you LIKE the texture, even better! Over time as you continue to self-relax/have your mom do it, you wouldn't have to worry about this overlapping if you underprocessed a bit. Actually I used to intentionally underprocess so that the next application I didn't have to be TOO concerned about overlapping. There is a thread here somewhere about applying relaxers intentionally that way, I'll check around for the link that explains.
2. Cost of Phyto vs. Value. No you're not being cheap, just considering whether it is basically worth the investment now, which is fine. Remember that when you buy this $60 relaxer, you are NOT purchasing it ever 8 weeks to re-touch. You will see if you continue to use it. So the cost actually averages out to almost the same cost. If you stretch 12-14 weeks each application, you are only buying 2 boxes a year. Each box contains 2 touch ups, so $30 a touch up is only $15 more than affirm. If you spend extra on conditioner, why not make the investment for the chemical alteration of your hair? Another thing, if your goal is length retention, there is no doubt in my mind that Phtyo-laxed hair in 10 years will be much stronger than any other relaxer that I have seen thus far, incl. Design Essentials.
3. Phytonectar. I have this product, I have been using it since December. I use to pre-poo when I want to add a bit of strength but not too much protein to my moisture DC routine w/ heat. I do not think this product will protect the effects of a chemical relaxer on your hair, but you could try it, plus conditioner. Myself, I would not do it. If you're going to spend $24 on the pre-poo, why not just consider the extra cost for a Phyto relaxer. Its like, no overlapping but possibly over relax your hair, vs. possibly overlap on hair that wouldnt relax straight if you slept in it. (Once I TRIED to get it bone straight with a Phyto I, didnt work for me
) Anyway, this is just my opinion based on my experience, and the experience of other converts who went from Affirm to Phyto. I know 2 of my friends have been walking right along side me with this journey. One is mid-back 4a/b length, the other is almost APL 3c curly. I am a keep cutting to shoulder 4a/b, trying to get rid of the hair that wasn't relaxed with Phyto cause it sucks.
Hey, any possibility you could call to see if any salons carry Phyto and what the cost is? Many have started doing it in the DMV area.
4. Dryness. The first time I changed to Phyto, I bought the box to my stylist, hoping for a discount for supplying my own product. NOPE. Still $125 for applation. Anyway, when she was done, she thought the "finish" seemed try, not as "smooth" as affirm. Well, next touch up, I was back - and the second application, she said, "hmm, much better, your hair seems healthier." After that, $400 application process, I decided to do it at home. Thats when I realized that because you are not "bone straight" your hair seems unusual, because you have never seen its natural loose curl before. I think this is what first time users think is dryness. Also, maybe because there is more texture, you need more moisture after 20+ years of relaxing with other types of relaxers.
Bottom line, my hair has never felt healthier. I don't experience dryness at all. I do find that because of my texture, I need more moisturizing products than ever before, and not nearly as much protecin protection as I did when I used Affirm. Now the only time I go to the salon is when I pay $40 for a 60 minute scalp massage. Its nice to be free.
)
Can you say harsh?)
