Relaxer Touch-up at 11 weeks post

So yesterday I finally relaxed after an 11 week stretch.  I decided to end my stretch mainly because I just wanted to get my relaxer out of the way and I was ready to have some "straight-er" hair.  Relaxer day was pretty long of course, but I think it went well. It was a long day/night I'll just say.

I started out by detangling and sectioning my hair into four parts.  I then coated the length of my hair with  GVP Silk Remedy that I got from Sally's (it's supposed to compare with CHI Silk Infusion) and Roux Porosity Control to protect from relaxer runoff.  I planned to begin with the back half (doing the half and half relaxer method that I've used before).  I placed metal duckbill clips along the horizontal part between the front and back half to separate the front section of my hair.  I clipped the two front sections with butterfly clips and covered with a plastic clap.

Used metal clips to separate front half

Clips help to keep plastic cap in place

I finished prepping the back half by parting each section into one inch sections and twisting to keep them separated.  I based my scalp with Vaseline as I went along.  I relaxed the back half using my green sprush. For my relaxer I used the same on that I used the last time: ORS Lye Relaxer in Normal Strength. I had my timer set for 11 minutes but I went quite a bit over.  I immediately jumped in the shower and rinsed then applied Redken Extreme Strength Builder for my midstep protein treatment.  Neuatralized with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo 3 times and then I used my Elasta QP Neutralizing Shampoo to double check that all the relaxer was gone.  This particular shampoo turns pink when there are still traces of relaxer so it made me feel better to see the white lather.  I followed up next with French Perm Stabilizer Plus for extra precaution (low pH conditioner that also aids in stopping the relaxer process.  Man oh man does my hair feel smooth after using this stuff!

Next I relaxed the front half in the same manner, first making sure that my hair was not damp from working on the back half.  Since I am texlaxing, I was almost worried that I'd left the relaxer on too long.  The roots in the back half seemed to be straighter than I expected, but I'm hoping to see some reversion there after my next wash.

I deep conditioner using my ORS Curls Unleashed under my heating cap for several hours.  I fell asleep wearing the heat cap then I just took it off and went on to bed.  When I rinsed again my hair felt so soft and smooth.  After rinsing the DC I t-shirt dried for maybe 30 min and then applied Darcy Daily Leave In and Paul Mitchell Super Skinny Serum.  I allowed my hair to air dry with my silk scarf tied around my edges and then ended up pulling it into a bun.

Looks a little thicker and fuller than usual :-)

I think this relaxer day went well even though it was long.  I can't wait to do another almost 3 month stretch.  I figure I'll wait a little bit before going for another trim/dusting since I just had one last month.  Planning on a lot of PS-ing and no heat during this stretch next stretch.  Well until the next post folks! :)

How was your most recent relaxer touch-up?  Do you self relax and if so what's your method?

Thanks for reading,

   Andrea

Product Review - French Perm Stabilizer Plus

Product:  French Perm Stabilizer Plus

Price: $7.39 for 32 oz. bottle

Purchased at: Sally's Beauty Supply

Promises:

The all-purpose after rinse - Advanced formulat Stabilizer PLUS combines acid-balancing 'after-rinse' actin with improved conditioner power! *Approximate pH: 2.5 - The ideal after-relaxer lotion for achieving normal acid-balance *Gives hair a superior feel *Gives greater combing ease *Non-oily *Clings: Minimizes run off *Foaming action: A remarkably fine penetrating foam carries conditioner right into the cuticle. Completeness of coverage is easy to see.  Creates a superior foundation for roller setting or blow styling.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water) (Eau), Oleth-20, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trideceth-7 Carboxylic Acid, Polyquaternium-10, Olealkonium Chloride, Propylen Glycol, Parfum (Fragrance), Methylparaben, Propylparaben 

Directions:

Do not dilute.  After rinsing out neutralizing shampoo (or tints, toners, etc.) apply liberally to wet hair, work into hair, wait 1 minute and rinse.

My Thoughts:  I decided to try out the French Perm Stabilizer based on a suggestion and several great reviews from a LHCF thread (Long Hair Care Forum).  Although it's an "after chemical service" low pH conditioner,(pH of 2.5) some of the ladies were using it