Relaxed Hair Tings

Pain is not normal. It should not be a characteristic of how you style your hair. This is the biggest lesson I learned. When I was still trying to find a good hairdresser this was one of the red flags I looked for. Some would say to just bear with it for a while, beauty is painful... No, it does not have to be. If a stylist took me seriously when I said my scalp is tingling already and made efforts to wrap up and get me rinsed out they got points from me. Usually stylists who insisted I wait longer were also the ones who did not listen to requests like not using  a rat tail comb to smooth the relaxer or detangle. My hair needs a lot of patience a lot of the time. While it is thick and very coily and can handle extra strength relaxer, my scalp is not made of steel.  I have already accepted the fact that my hair will never be relaxed bone straight. When people see my hair air dried they ask if I am going to relax my hair! I just smile. Now I am doing it all myself. I am happy to be able ...

It's been 7 days. I am now 1 week post relaxer.  It feels so short and so long at the same time. My hair has been easy to manage and I am looking forward to another week.  I must say I am tempted to try all kinds of styles now that my hair is a little longer. However I want to try and stick it out this stretch doing just a low bun. This time it was easy to do since I straightened my hair for my trim. I wonder if it will be the same after wash day. Hoping it will be easier to keep it somewhat stretched. When it's stretched there is less tangles and less matting which is what we want. It's almost the weekend counting down!

Relaxing your hair is a choice you make. Personally having relaxed hair is more manageable and fits with my lifestyle.  I mentioned previously that as your hair grows out you  would have to retouch the new growth if you want to maintain the relaxed look. This step is also your choice. Some only get a retouch twice a year and that works for them.  I am still learning my hair and trying to find that sweet spot. You don't want to do it too often that your hair gets over processed. You also don't want to leave it too long that your hair is too hard to manage. Both lead to breakage.  While it is your choice when to retouch,  knowing your hair enough to tell that you've waited too long is important.  Knowing that you have enough new growth for the relaxer to be applied too is important.  There's no need to keep up with what other people are doing because everyone's hair is different. You can watch and learn from what they are doing and there's no need to jump on every...

As I am getting ready for relaxer and things are back to being more hectic. I decided to simplify my regimen for this next stretch as much as possible. So far I have noticed my scalp needs to be left alone and stretching longer than 8 weeks has resulted in a lot of shedding and some breakage. I am dialing things down quite a bit this stretch to try and find the sweet spot.  Without further rambling here it is: Daily  Moisturise every night before putting it up Wear hair in a bun/up do Fortnightly  Shampoo and condition  Airdry Moisturise  Wear in a bun/french twist/cornrows etc Monthly  Clarify  8weeks  Relax 16weeks Flat iron Trim/dust ends  How are things going for you? Is your regimen working well?

 As my hair grows longer I am excited to try new styles and build up my go to low manipulation and protective styles. This past weekend on wash day I decided to try braiding my hair into 2 braids. I like the simplicity of this style and you can move the part around so as not to stress the same area. No extensions were used. I have to say it was a bit more challenging than I thought it was going to be. I persisted and got a pretty good outcome for the first try. With more practice it will get better. I only used my moisturiser and sealed with coconut oil to keep things simple. I am currently just over six weeks post relaxer and that new growth isn't playing. Once I start wearing my hair out more this will definitely be one of my go to that will help give both me and my hair a rest. What are your go to styles?

  The below is what my regimen is currently looking like. I am still working on it as I learn what my hair likes and also trying to find products that I will stick to all the time. Daily - Put hair up in a scarf/bonnet when I go to sleep   Weekly - Shampoo and condition x1 - Moisturize and seal x2 - Oil scalp x2   Monthly - Clarify x 1 - Deep condition x2   Others: - Dust/trim as needed  - Wear protective/low manipulation styles 99% - Prepoo as needed   What is your current regimen and has been working for you?