Relaxer Day October 2014

I went to the hairdresser to get my hair relaxed on 25.10.2014. I'm not certain how many weeks post I was, but I'm sure it's at least 16 weeks.

Now this wasn't the best experience as I did get some burns at the side of my head and at the back of my head.  (I think I'll revert back to self relaxing for next time). Thankfully they were only small and have healed well this past week. I've just been really gentle, avoiding scratching and making sure to oil my scalp.

Today I washed my hair with my favourite and go-to product 'Creme of Nature Moroccan Argan Oil' Shampoo and conditioner. Before I washed I put the ORS conditioner on my hair along with oil and added a heated cap. After washing, I wrapped my hair in a t-shirt to absorb the water and allowed it to air dry for the evening.

I've got some bantu knots in at the moment, 5 in total, one at the crown, two at the back and one on each side. Hoping for a great voluminous style for church. Let's hope it looks good tomorrow!

Biotin Trial

Holland and Barrett Biotin

Since I have hit a stumbling block with my hair for the past 18 months, in that I have not retained any length, I have decided to try a different approach.  Following my relaxer in February, I began to take biotin in early March.  I anticipate that this will help my hair to grow, to retain length, get healthier and to get back on track. I started taking the 300mg (4 tablets with my lunch) once a day every day until I finished the 100 tablet bottle. When I ran out, I bought the 1000mg tablet bottle and began taking that early April.  Below is a picture of my hair length airdried at the beginning of March 2014.  I'll give you an update of how it went once I have finished the bottle.  If anybody has any advice on other things I could add to regime, please let me know. Thanks.

Relaxer Update - February 2014

I know it's been a while, so I thought I'd provide an update, albeit a couple of months late! Oops.

I relaxed my hair on 23/02/2014, the first relaxer of the year.  To do this I used the ORS Relaxer.  I had purchased the Super one, and decided to add a conditioner to the relaxer to dilute it so it didn't process as fast.  I'm so glad I did this as it took me about 30 minutes to get through my whole head and to smooth.  I did time myself to make sure I didn't go over the time.  I was just too lazy to go through the long process of the half and half method, I just wanted it all done as quick as possible.  This is not normally a good thing, as when I rush, I often make mistakes, but thankfully, there were no mistakes this time.

After rinsing out the relaxer I towel dried and added the dye to my hair as normal.  I then put on the plastic cap for 20 minutes and processed with heat before I rinsed and air dried.  Here are a few pictures.

My hair sectioned prior to applying the relaxer

Hairstyle

Ponytail airdried

Relaxer Day - October 2013

If you follow my Instagram, you will notice that I was experimenting with different styles recently - the main reason is that my new growth was becoming a bit too much to handle for me.

So, Saturday 26/10/2013 was relaxer, this time I went to the hairdressers.  She used Affirm relaxer and got my hair super straight.  I gave her permission to cut of two inches, and she said she took off 1.5 and put a long layer in the middle (cos my hair is really thinning there).  asked her to trim off what I needed trimming and she took of about 1.5 inches.  So I think all of the length that I gained.  Sigh.  My friends are natural and suggesting I go natural too, but I want to reach my goal first.

Here's how it looks at the moment.

  

Intesne Red - Hair Dye

I got bored of my hair colour again, so on Saturday (12/10/2013), I decided to dye my hair again.  I started by washing my hair, then poured the dye into an applicator bottle, applied it to my hair methodically and then added a plastic cap and a heat wrap for about 30 minutes.  I then went into the shower and shampooed it again, conditioned and blow dried and flat ironed.  I'm happy with the results.  On previous occasions, I have only rinsed my hair and not shampooed, but I think that was a mistake as I always left a red patch wherever I'd laid my head.  That has not been a problem this time around.

Before Dye

After Dye

I love the vibrancy of the colour, it's only semi-permanent, but I'll enjoy it whilst it lasts.  Do you have any plans for your hair?

Flexi Rod Set (pic-heavy)

I went to a wedding at the weekend, and decided that I would flexi rod my hair for the occasion.  To start with I went to the hairdressers for a wash and blow dry, and then I moisturised my hair with ORS moisturiser and sealed with Organix Coconut Milk Anti Breakage Serum (I just love the smell), then I set to work with the flexi-rods.  I must have had about 30 in my head.

As expected, I had an uncomfortable night's sleep with those things in my head! I don't know why I put myself in this position, but I think it turned out quite nice.  Have a look for yourself.

Sadly, I was running late (as usual) and didn't take any pics of my hair once fully done, but I have an end of the night picture of my hair (appx 12 hours later). The problem is, that all of the curls have fallen, but hopefully, you can see the full effect of the style.  These pics were taken on my phone so the quality is not so great.  I just brushed all my hair to one side and used a large decorative clamp to secure it.  No gel or bobby pins were used.

Hope you like it x

Relaxer Day - August 2013

Relaxer No 3 this year. Next relaxer due 13/10/2013 (10 weeks post)

On Saturday 3rd August 2013 I relaxed my hair at 11 weeks post.  The week prior, I washed and blow dried my hair to make it easier to manage for the relaxer process, as my roots are something else!  I bought two boxes of relaxer, but ended up only using one (score!).  I purchased the ORS Extra Strength Box kit. This time I used the half and half method to apply the relaxer:

1. I de-tangled my hair and parted it from ear to ear, clipped the top part away and put a plastic cap over it, secured with duck bill clips so that I could protect that half, whilst I relaxed the back half.

2. I put the Hollywood Beauty castor oil round my edges and onto the length of my hair to help protect it from over-processing, mixed up the relaxer and applied it.

3. I separated the back section into two and applied the relaxer around the outline of that section first, then in rows starting from the base of my head.  I repeated this for the other half.  This time I timed myself well and I managed to do both halves of the back in 10 minutes.

4. I used the next 10 minutes to go through each section, row by row, smoothing with the back of the comb and with my fingers, to make sure that it processed well.

5. I then rinsed out  the back section trying not to get the top half wet, but because I was lazy and didn't want to get into the shower, this was not too successful.  I stood over the bath with the shower head in my hand and my head to an a

ngle trying to rinse only the back of my head.  Inevitably some of the top section got wet.  I washed out the relaxer then I shampooed once

6. I then added another dose of shampoo, lathered it up, clipped up my hair and covered it with a plastic cap, to let it sit whilst I relaxed the top half.

7. I repeated steps 3 and 4, but this process took a total of 23 minutes (3 minutes longer than it should have)

8. I jumped in the shower and shampooed twice, leaving it on for about 5 mins on one occasion.

9. I then towel dried and added the apple cider vinegar mix to my whole head, put on a plastic cap and covered my whole head with a heated cap for 20 mins,

10. I rinsed my hair, then applied the ORS conditioner, covered my hair with a plastic cap then a heated cap for 20 mins and rinsed it out (phew - final time in the shower)

11. I t-shirt dried my hair, added leave in conditioner, de-tangled and put my hair into a pony tail with a scarf to air dry.

12. At night I added ORS moisturiser, and Olive oil, and put my hair into 6 bantu knots.  This is the result.

As you may be able to tell, I still have a lot of texture in the crown of my head, but the edges and the back half are pretty straight.  I just know that I will never get bone straight hair from a relaxer, my hair is too resistant.  On previous occasions where I have self relaxed or if I have asked a friend to help, it has always taken 30-40 minutes I should not exceed the 20 mins recommended, and this may be the cause of my brittle ends!  I don't know.  Anyway, I realise now that I will just have to settle for a looser texture when I relax, as opposed to bone straight hair.  No biggie I guess.

Textured Strands Struggles
I am still struggling with my ends, they are still frizzy and get tangled easily, I had a good trim from the hairdresser in My, but that does not seem to have had much of an effect on the frizziness. I have cut also given it a trim myself, but it does not seem to help!  I may have to cut it all off and start again, but I am not willing to do that just yet.

I was supposed to be at BSL by this time, so I have not reached my goal, but I'm not giving up.

Raging Red and Wild Cherry

I have taken some pictures of my hair in natural sunlight to show the colour that my hair reaches when dyed with a semi-permanent dye.  I used a combination of Raging Red and Wild Cherry by Adore.  I always use this particular brand as it offers the colour that I want and produces a vibrant wearable colour.  I dyed my hair on relaxer day, then went to the hairdressers (for the first time since my hair journey began almost 3 years ago) one week later where my hair was blow dried and lightly flat ironed, and my hair trimmed and re-shaped.

Relaxer Day - May 2013

2 ORS relaxer kits and the contents

On Saturday 18th May, I relaxed my hair at 9 weeks post, well my sister did it for me (Thanks x).  I used two boxes of the Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil relaxer kit - one extra strength and one normal strength.  This kit comes with the Olive Oil built in protection relaxer base and activator, Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo, the Olive Oil Replenishing Pak, the Olive Oil Incredibly Rich Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion and the Olive Oil Wrap/Set Mousse, along with a pair of gloves and a stick to mix the relaxer base and activator.  See picture

This time I completely forgot to base my scalp and my edges (I know!).  My sister started in the middle with the extra strength relaxer as the middle of my hair is the most resistant.  Once that one was finished, she used about half of the normal strength relaxer on the remainder of my hair.  The application and smoothing process took about 45 minutes (I'm trying to do it quicker, but haven't figured it out yet!).  I didn't feel any burning.  She was really great at avoiding touching my scalp with the relaxer.  I then shampooed about 4 times with the Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo that comes with the kit and towel dried my hair.

Rollers and Set Mousse in spray bottle

I  was going to do the mid protein step, but thought that would prolong the process too much. By this time it was about 11pm.  I asked my sister to apply a semi permanent dye to my hair - Adore Wild Cherry and Raging Red using an applicator brush.I had a full bottle of the wild cherry and a little of the Raging red left over, so I poured it all into a bowl for ease of application.  My sister applied it to my hair using the the relaxer method.  This is a really messy process and I really do recommend having help.  If you can't get that then i would suggest wearing old clothes and covering your floor to protect it from inevitable spillages.  Once the dye was applied, I covered my hair with a plastic cap and stayed under a heated cap for 15 minutes.  I then shampooed twice and added the ORS conditioner.  Again I let that sit on my hair under a plastic cap and a heated cap for 15 minutes.

Raging Red and Wild Cherry

Finally I rinsed and roller set my hair using the ORS wrap set mousse from a spray bottle.  The application took about 1 hour and I sat under the hooded dryer for about 1hr 20 minutes.  Once my hair was dry I applied the ORS moisturiser and sealed with Olive Oil, wrapped my hair and went to bed.  It was a super duper long night, but I love the final product.  I love the results that roller setting gives my hair, it feels soft and smooth and has body and volume.  Love it!!

I went to the hair dressers a week later for the first time in my hair journey and for the first time in about 4 years.  It felt so great to have my hair done professionally, and I think I will be doing it more often. She did a fabulous job on my hair and was super quick.  So I have a few pictures of my hair to so you can see what the colour looked like before and after.  On the left is a pic of my hair wet, after I relaxed it, and on the right is the way the hairdresser did it.

Relaxer Day - Dec 2012

A video demonstrating my failure relaxer day - only a failure due to the amount of knots that I encountered.  Other than that it wasn't too bad!

Wash Day | Pre Relaxer

I am planning to relax my hair next week, and I wanted to get it prepared for this process.  Yesterday was wash-day. I approached it reluctantly as I was dreading the detangling that loomed once the water had penetrated all of my hair strands.  But to combat that, I thought I would wash my hair in braids.  I usually wash my hair in one direction, all going back, but the thought of the knots and tangles that would result put me off entirely.  The braids worked a treat, although it was not a bump free road, there were a lot less bumps!  I'll share the pictures with you below.

I started off with hair that looked a bit like this, as this is how I had been wearing my hair all week.

Then I put my hair into plaits.  I think I ended up with 7-8 in total. I secured the ends with mini black elastic bands.  I only wrapped it around 3 times to minimise damage when I removed it at the end of the wash.

  

I washed with diluted ORS Clarifying shampoo and used the ApHogee Keratin 2 min reconstructuriszer.  The final rinse was a cold one to close up my cuticles and promote the look of healthy (non frizzy) hair.  Post wash, my hair looked a little worse for wear!

  

I then threw on a micro-fiber turban to dry off excess water, and left that on for about 30 minutes before I began to blow dry.

I detangled section,by section, added my leave in conditioner and heat protectant and blow dried.  In the picture on the left, you can see my hair half blow dried and half still awaiting it's destiny!  In the picture on the right, you can get a better idea of the amount of new-growth that I have going on in my head.  When I see this, I wish I had the guts and the confidence to shave it all off and go natural, but not for now.  I've got to reach my goal.

  

I wouldn't normally blow dry, but I did for two reasons.  I was going out and didn't have enough time to let my hair air dry, secondly, as I am going to relax this week, I will need to be able to comb through my roots so that the application process is as quick and smooth running as possible.  So this is how it looked once it was all done.  Sorry for the poor lighting, but it was dusk and the natural light was fading.

I am going to keep my hair in a bun for the rest of the week and get my dearest mother to relax my hair at the weekend.  She used to relax my hair when I first got a relaxer at age 14, I hope she remembers what to do?!?  She did say she would research LOL.

Till next time

Blessings

Naddy x

The Aftermath...updated

I just thought I'd share a picture of how my hair looks now that I have taken out the braids.

Before                                      After

  

I'm gonna wash it, and then flat iron it.  I will come back with a photo.

I'm back...

So this is how it looked once I washed it (yes I had to deal with that tangled mess!)

First Part blow dried 

Fully blow dried (glad that's over, but still to flat iron)

All Done!

 It took me all day long...I will never leave 16 weeks between a relaxer again.  It is just too much tangles and knots to deal with.

Blessings
Naddy x