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Everything HAIR and some other beauty stuff.

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Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Relaxer Day!

Okay so I decided to just go ahead and relax today at 5.5 weeks! My hair was having a hard time with the two textures. Lots of ridiculous shedding and it was soo course.

I used my usual Soft and Beautiful (regular strength) I based my scalp the night before with creamy Vaseline and it helped so much! I only felt irritation in the spots where I couldn't resist scratching. LOL!

I used a cheapie conditioner to cover my previous relaxed hair to prevent over processing.

I started at 6:59 pm and I tried to apply the relaxer and smooth it in the allotted 20 minute time frame. I usually only like to leave the relaxer on 15 minutes but this time I went the full time.

I parted my hair in four sections (thanks Bajan for the reminder) and started by applying the relaxer in the back first. I covered all  4 sections in about 7 minutes. I went back over my whole head with relaxer in the spots I missed which took 5 minutes. At 7:12 pm I started the smoothing process. My hair seemed pretty straight already. It is here that I think I am over processing and rinse too early. I held on for the last 8 minutes and started with rinsing the front hairline. I have a fear of losing my hairline as well...but once I started rinsing it all looked smooth and straight. Yaaay!!

This recap was just as much for me as my readers...because I swear I forget how to relax my hair every time I do it. I am still kinda missing the shop for this step in my journey. This is my 4th time giving myself a relaxer with only 2 successes including this one LOL!

It grew but I don't know how thick it is with all this shedding. It looked right at or right above bra strap length BSL. I was like... really hair Really?  WOW! LOL! I don't know what happened but I got about 2 good inches of growth. I currently have about 16 inches of length. I need about 2.5- 3 inches to be at full (BSL). My sides don't grow as fast as the back of my hair, but am pleased with the overall turnout/progress of this relaxer. I can finally tell it has grown.

I am hoping to reach full BSL by July 4th including my 1 inch trim... I plan to wear my hair out for our family picnic. My family has not seen my hair not in a protective style since Feb of last year after my big chop.
CORRECTION: I wore my hair down for my birthday in March. Its been up ever since.

9 comments:

P.S. I love this... said...

Good job!! When I was relaxed, I used to hate when it didn't take as well or I rushed to rinse it out. I would be so irritated.

Kudos on the length! What do you think attributed the most to you retaining your length? Your uncle's 6n1? =)

keyalus said...

I cannot imagine relaxing my own hair! I am just too lazy.

I got relaxed yesterday and I'm 2 inches away from BSL according to my stylist. Part of me wants layers or something stylish but the other part of me wants to see how long I can take this thing!

We're getting close lady!

Veronica said...

i used to love relaxing my own hair...now that I'm realxer free, I miss it some times cause the hair is easier to deal with. Styling natural hair can take forever sometimes.

Gorgeous_Puddin said...

Shame on me for forgetting about this blog you can just imagine what my hair looks like. :(

@P.S. I think the 6 n 1 may have helped. I think keeping it moisturized is a winner. I actually being you right now. I don't have time to do my hair so I am ponyed up again...but I'm keeping it extra moisturized.

@keyalus
I was the same way for years. But I'm glad I'm in charge of my own hair now. All set backs can be attributed to me and only me.
Get it girl!! Your hair is so thick. Thick long and healthy YAS!!
Right now if I could just be long and healthy I'd be happy!

@Veronica
The great thing about natural hair to me is the freedom to color. No danger of over processing. I do enjoy the freedom of doing my own hair.

Jazzy said...

I haven't relaxed my own hair in years...mostly because the longer your hair is the more WORK that becomes. It seems you have it under control though.

5.5 weeks seems really close and could be why you're having shedding. Make sure you don't develop "weak spots".

Also are you getting regular trims?

Gorgeous_Puddin said...

@Jazzy
I only relaxed then because my last relaxer was under processed the last time. 5.5 was just right.

I am doing everything trims included. I had never relaxed my own hair before this journey. It's interesting but I'm determined to have healthy hair cared for solely by me. Umm you didn't follow all the rules it all my blogs.

@Veronica
I meant no danger of double processing.

Jazzy said...

I only see two blogs listed for you on blogger, but no worries.

Gorgeous_Puddin said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Gorgeous_Puddin said...

@Jazzy
Sorry bout that! All my other social networks are on the main page of GPP I forget that people come from blogger and Google reader and all that. :)