It’s almost relaxer day! 

1. Do a Prepoo!

Doing a pre-shampoo treatment is an excellent way to soften and detangle your new growth. Let's face it, your new growth is coily, kinky and a completely different texture from your relaxed ends. Going straight into your shampoo routine can cause the two textures to fight with each other causing severe tangles and knots!

Prepooing with a conditioner, oil or both will help marry these two textures so that they are not fighting with each other. Doing a prepoo treatment will help melt away tangles in your new growth giving your hair much more slip and smoothness during the shampooing process.

Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Pre-Shampoo Treatment and African Pride Moisture Miracle Aloe & Coconut Water Pre-Shampoo Conditioner has been a huge hit in delivering softness and manageability to the hair before shampooing. It's best to leave these on for 15-30 minutes before shampooing. Your wash day will be much more enjoyable!

2. Don't Skip Deep Conditioning!

This is a M U S T during this time as it will provide your coils and kinks with the hydration and strength it needs to become more manageable, soft and resist breakage. With weeks worth of new growth, it's always best to chose a moisture rich conditioner that is thick in consistency. Using a heat source i.e. hooded dryer, heating cap or steamer would be beneficial as well. The heat will help raise your cuticles allowing the deep conditioner to penetrate further into the strands. Deep conditioning on a weekly or biweekly basis, will replenish lost moisture, improve elasticity and fortify your strands to help combat breakage. It's also important to rotate your moisture and protein conditioners. This will help keep your line of demarcation strong decreasing breakage at this weak point. 

Quick tip: Apply your deep conditioner directly to your new growth first, as if you were doing  relaxer re-touch. Ensuring that the new growth is fully saturated in conditioner increases detangling abilities and the chances of it remaining soft and smooth post wash day. 

If you're having a really hard time getting moisture into the hair and taming your new growth, try deep conditioning overnight, with a protein-free deep conditioner. This is not mandatory but it will certainly help to keep your new growth conditioned.

3. Keep it moist!

Moisturizing is so essential especially now that you're new growth is in full effect. Perhaps, you may need to moisturize a little more frequently than you normally would, because of the difference in textures. During my relaxer stretches, I love to use Scurl No Drip Curl Activator in my roots on an 'as needed basis'. This spray moisturizer is very rich and delivers the right amount of moisture to prevent dryness. I spray my roots daily or every other day to ensure it remains soft and moist.

4. Keep it detangled!

So vital!! I've experienced matted new growth as a result of not keeping it thoroughly detangled each wash day - not fun! In my detangling process, I would use both by wide tooth comb and my fingers to get through my knots and tangles. If my hair is super tangled, I bring out my Keracare Detangling Conditioning Mist. This stuff is bomb! It melts away knots and tangles and smooths the cuticles while moisturizing and conditioning the hair. This is a leave-in product (protein-free) so it's best to use it after wash day. I mist my hair with it and then let it sit for 1-2 minutes before I start to detangle.

I, then, use my fingers to prevent any unnecessary breakage. It's important to be gentle and slow during this process. By using my fingers, I would feel through the knots and slowly remove them.

Next, I run my wide tooth comb through my hair, from my ends up.  I would do this only on wash day to avoid over-manipulation. You can go a step further and use a Denman brush or detangling brush that's suitable for wet and dry hair.

5. Leave it alone!

This is probably the best thing you can do after you've washed, conditioned, moisturized, and detangled your hair. Don't touch it again until the next wash day. Leaving your hair in a simple style i.e. cornrows, French braids, low bun, wigs etc. is ideal as these styles will lock in moisture and keep your hands out of your hair. Less manipulation = less tangles = less breakage. Also, try keeping your new growth stretched as this will prevent matting due to shrinkage i.e. air drying in a low ponytail, use the Scarf Method, try the banding method etc.

Hang in there girl, I hope this helps!

Let me know what tips and tricks are helping you during this time!

XO

Hey loves,

I recently relaxed my hair and I wanted to share several details regarding my relaxer day routine as I've received many questions as to what steps I take, products I use etc. I ended my relaxer stretch at 11 weeks post relaxer. I relaxed with ORS Olive Oil Relaxer in normal strength. I typically leave my relaxers on for 20-23 minutes but I always set my timer to 25 minutes. This is my 1st relaxer since I got my hair cut (a couple months back) and I feel as though my hair has grown quite a bit. Also, I did a small trim just for maintenance purposes.

In the video below, I go into detail as to how I prevent relaxer run-off and over processed ends, why I love using protein on relaxer day and the bond rebuilding products I use to strengthen my relaxed hair.

Enjoy!!

After stretching my relaxer for a total of 14 weeks, your girl is happily relaxed and loving it! Yes, you read that right - 14 weeks! I normally don't stretch this long, but I did for two(2) reasons:

REASON #1: I was participating in the Castor Oil Challenge from October 14, 2018 - January 14, 2019; therefore, I wanted to maximize on all of my growth achieved during the challenge and relax once the challenge was over.

REASON #2: I had a pretty bad cold towards the end of January 2019 and relaxing my hair was on the back burner. I had a fever, cough, runny & stuffy nose, aches etc.  I had zero energy for anything, much less my hair.

As soon as I got over my cold and finally able to breathe, I ran to the beauty supply store, stocked up on a few relaxer day items (gloves, hair grease, neutralizing shampoo etc.) and relaxed!! As always, I used the ORS Olive Oil relaxer in Normal Strength - Lye version.


First things first, the #HairliciousCastorOilChallenge really gave my hair life! No seriously. After applying JBCO for 3 months straight, my new growth was so incredibly thick, healthy and well nourished. My scalp was happy and so was my hair. I kind of miss playing with my new growth and feeling my roots throughout the day *sigh*.


Participating in the Ultimate Level (applying Castor oil to your scalp 2-3x/week and using 1 tsp in my deep conditioners) made me and my hair fall in love with Jamaican Black Castor Oil all over again. I feel a difference in the texture, fullness, length and health of my hair, especially after my postpartum shedding. The Castor Oil Challenge was a success and JBCO will continue to be a part of my hair regimen (wash day only), moving forward.

A trim was definitely in order! My ends are blunt girl!!!! My stylist did something a little different from the norm. I didn't ask for a "blunt trim" but whatever....it is what it is. As long as the dead old ends are gone I'm okay with that LOL. But as for my personal preference, I'd much rather a U-shape.  Overall, I'm very happy with how my ends look and feel.


Now, on to the new product I used on relaxer day....Olaplex No.3!! Yes, that's right.  What better time to use a bond rebuilder than on relaxer day when the disulfide bonds are broken down to create new straighter bonds!! Ha!

Luckily, I was able to get one (1) more application from the 1st bottle I purchased - making that a total of 3 uses from the bottle. I saved a tad bit just so I could use it on relaxer day to wrap up my full review of the Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector. Boy, was my hair in for a treat!

So, I relaxed like normal (application and smoothing 20-23 mins), then I neutralized. Right after neutralizing, I towel dried my wet hair for a bit and then I applied Olaplex No. 3 all throughout my hair, in sections, focusing more so on my roots (since it was just relaxed). I applied my plastic shower cap and left it on my strands for about 10-15 mins (no heat).

As I was rinsing out my hair, I immediately noticed a difference. Typically after a relaxer, your cuticles still remain raised/open due to the high pH of the relaxer. This will make your hair feel a little rough, tangly and slightly dry. It's not until the deep conditioning phase that you notice the pH level of your hair goes down and you'll notice smoother hair as a result. Right after using Olaplex No.3, my cuticles were left smooth, flat, strong and any tangles; that I did have, quickly melted away with little manipulation. I literally had an "ah ha!" moment in the shower LOL. After rinsing out Olaplex No. 3, I proceeded with my sulfate free shampoo and deep conditioned as normal.

My freshly relaxed hair behaved so well and remained smooth, strong yet soft even after flat ironing. I would definitely use Olaplex No. 3 again on relaxer day to build back up the broken disulfide bonds that were broken down during the relaxing process! Olaplex on relaxer day was definitely a treat that I'm anxious to experience again.

So to wrap things up, I'm happy with my relaxer! My hair has definitely bounced back from my postpartum shedding and thinning. I feel as though the Castor Oil Challenge improved the overall health of my hair and I'm super excited that Olaplex was a hit during my relaxer process. Next time around I'm only stretching my relaxer to 12 weeks maximum - nothing more! :)

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#TEXTURETUESDAY B r a i d o u t ➰➿ on 11 weeks post relaxed hair. ▫️ Braidouts are my favorite💕 low manipulation hair style because it gives me a break from the “everyday bun”, it lasts 3-4 days, it blends in with my new growth when I’m stretching my relaxer, and I can wear my hair down without the use of direct heat👏🏾🙋🏾‍♀️ ▫️ #braidout #curlyhair #wavyhair #hair #relaxedhair #relaxedhairjourney #healthyhairjourney #relaxedhaircommunity #lowmanipulationstyle #protectivestyle #hairstyles #newgrowth #naturalhair

A post shared by Sunshyne☀️ (@hairlicious) on Oct 16, 2018 at 8:03am PDT

Hey guys! I'm back with another video detailing my mid-week wash day routine which is strictly moisture based! Doing protein and moisture treatments on a weekly basis have really helped to keep my relaxed hair strong and healthy. 

I complete this process typically on Thursdays (once a week, every week). I always apply my moisture treatments on dry hair (for better absorption) with heat, co-wash and then add my leave-in conditioner. I always do the scarf method - while air drying - until completely dry. Then I moisturize and seal. That's it!! 

From time-to-time I like to substitute my conditioners and try other things but the routine always remains the same!

Items/Products Mentioned:

Step 1: Add 3 Penetrating Oils (Coconut oil, Avocado Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil) to Creme of Nature Moisture Extreme Conditioner

Step 2: Go Under Steamer for 30 minutes

Step 3: Co-wash with Herbal Essences Hello Hydration

Step 4: Creme of Nature Argan Buttermilk Hair Milk Leave-in Conditioner and Sweet Almond Oil

Step 5: Scarf Method with Satin Scarf

Oh, and don't forget to SUBSCRIBE if you haven't already :)

xoxo

As always, thanks for watching! 

 On this wash day, I deep conditioned on dry hair overnight (the BEST EVER!!!) with:

• Keracare Humecto Creme Conditioner
• Aussie Moist Smooth
• 2 tsps of Tropic Isle Jamaican Black Castor Oil
• 1 tsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 tsp of Coconut Oil

How was your wash day experience? What did you use?

This highly requested video is now live on my channel!! Yay!!  Watch Now↓
I've been rockin' braid-outs all Summer and I'm just in love. Braid-outs are so much fun, heat free and I get super duper hold and definition when I use the Straight from Eden Collection by Creme of Nature. Not to mention, the light fresh scent lingers in your hair for daysss - which I love! In case you missed it, check out my full written review: Creme of Nature: Straight From Eden Collection Product Review


 Hope you enjoy!
Thanks for watching!

I'm currently 8 weeks post relaxer. I'll be stretching until mid June 2014, so a total of 3 months. I just finished blow drying and flat ironing my hair. I rarely use heat, but this Dark and Lovely Anti-Reversion line is wonderful! The 8 hour smooth control technology holds up to it's promises!!!

Also, I recently trimmed my ends to start the Hairlista Inc. Coconut Oil Challenge with a fresh start. Unfortunately, my hair is shedding a lot, so I'm hoping the Coconut Oil Challenge will help eliminate that. I'll keep you posted :)