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By: Colleen Cheney, the VP of Merchandising at SC Direct (the retailer for the Especially Yours and Wig.com brands)

(above, is everything I used during my relaxer, the only things missing: 2 pairs of tight fitting latex gloves, 2 rat tail combs)

You don't understand how happy I am to actually be able to say that!!! :-) I'm free from stylists relaxing my hair. I no longer have to pay an arm and a leg to get a relaxer retouch (they charge me extra because of the length of my hair, plus extra because I stretch my relaxer and I use more relaxer cream than normal, plus HST taxes..LOL). Don't get me wrong, my stylist was great, however, I noticed that over time, he was getting lazy with my hair and not being gentle enough i.e. detangling. (Msg to stylist) Honestly, you cannot drag a comb through my hair, just because it's longer than before you think it can take the beating? Umm hello???!! my hair is wet and tangled (from the shampoo) plus you just relaxed it!!!! it's extremely weak at this point and I'm not into getting unnecessary breakage!! Ugh I'm not cool with that at all ladies. It takes only ONE mishap for one to suffer a setback and I'm not risking that.

I wasn't at peace so I decided to FINALLY take matters into my own hands and try self relaxing (after a lot of research). I recently relaxed it over the weekend with the help of my sister and everything was a success, the only downfall was me not applying Vaseline to my ears and forehead for protection, by the end, those areas were quite sore and tender. Other than that, I did not burn. I thoroughly detangled the night before with Mane N Tail detangler, the next day I based my scalp with Jamaican Black Castor Oil, applied Coconut oil and Vaseline to my previously relaxed hair for protection.

I parted my hair in 4 sections (2 in the front and 2 in the back) and my sister took care of the back portion while I focused on the front section. It was very easy since all the pressure wasn't placed on just one of us, it was split up evenly to work through my 12 weeks worth of new growth. We took about 20-25 mins to complete everything, I then neutralized approx.5 times (I do not play when it comes to relaxers) leaving it on for 10 mins on the last rinse.

I followed up with Porosity Control Conditioner for 5 mins and then Deep Conditioned with heat using Organic Root Stimulator Replenishing Conditioner for 30 mins mixed with the 3PO (3 Penetrating Oils). I then air dried and flat ironed. I will post the results later.

Overall, I'm happy with the results and I love the ORS Relaxing System. I plan on doing my own relaxers from now on. If anything, I'll probably go back to the salon for roller sets, but that's it.

♥ Sunshyne

Here are the "don'ts" that you can use as a guideline in your Healthy Hair Journey. Remember not everything on this list you have to agree with. I'll star the things that I don't necessarily believe in.

If you haven't checked already, take a peek at the Healthy Hair Do's - Checklist

By Nicole Elizabeth Smith - Author of Healthy Black Hair

1. Don't go on crash diets
2. Don't avoid hair trims
3. Don't squander hair growth by getting hair trims too frequently i.e more that 2 - 3 times a year
4. Don't use heat regularly
5. Don't comb your hair with a fine tooth comb
6. Don't use natural or boar bristle brushes *
   
7. Don't switch back and forth between relaxer brands
8. Don't use a lye perm after a no-lye perm *
   
9. Don't use permanent hair colour
10. Don't use pin on hair (only clip-on or drawstring)
    
11. Don't wait longer that 10 weeks to get a perm *
    
12. Don't use hair sprays or styling gels (only protein gel or pomade) *
    
13. Don't use rubber bands on your hair
14. Don't use weave glue
15. Don't use hair pins without coated ends
16. Don't hot curl wet hair or use hair spray when curling your hair
17. Don't scratch your dandruff
18. Don't blow dry your hair when it is wet (air dry first)
19. Don't get micro braids
20. Don't go two weeks without washing your hair, unless you have braids
21. Don't use commercial braid sprays *
    
22. Don't scratch excessively
23. Don't scratch your scalp with a pencil or bobby pins
24. Don't put weave glue directly on your scalp
25. Don't pick at scabs and scales
26. Don't get a perm on an unhealthy scalp
27. Don't put "Seabreeze" in your hair prior to a perm
28. Don't grease your scalp with petroleum based products

♥ Sunshyne

I saw this list posted by trinitrish on Hairlista.com this morning and I just had to post it here for you all to see. Hopefully it's beneficial to many (especially newbies). However, some points I don't agree with. I'll put a star beside the ones that I don't necessarily believe in. Let me know which ones "stick out" to you too.

By Nicole Elizabeth Smith - Author of Healthy Black Hair

1. Do eat a healthy diet
2. Do stimulate your scalp regularly
3. Do limit the use of heat on your hair
4. Do Use a wide tooth comb for styling
5. Do protect your hair from sun with sunscreen or wearing a hat
6. Do reduce stress whenever possible
7. Do use quality products
8. Do use Satin Pillow cases
9. Do treat scalp disorders
10. Do protect your hair at night
11. Do wear your hair up often
12. Do use the same brand of relaxer consistently
13. Do stick to the same type of relaxer (lye or no-lye)
14. Do get a hair trim 2 - 3 times a year
15. Do oil your ends and hairline daily *
    
16. Do exfoliate your scalp during shampoo *
    
17. Do supplement your diet with vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids
18. Do use cushioned paddle brushes to brush your hair *
    
19. Do use semi permanent (Level 1, deposit only) hair colour
20. Do get highlights instead of using permanent colour
21. Do get perms regularly, every 7 - 9 weeks *
    
22. Do deep condition (with heat) once or twice a week
23. Do rub medicated shampoos into the scalp and not just the hair
24. Do massage your scalp
25. Do wash your hair twice a week or every four days to keep your scalp clean
26. Do use drawstring ponytails or clip on hair
27. Do use hot oil treatments regularly to relieve dandruff
28. Do use Tea Tree oil on your scalp to relieve itching
29. Do get large braids or wear cornrows frequently
30. Do take a break at least once a year

♥ Sunshyne

I'm still in the midst of simplifying my hair regimen and products. My ultimate goal is to cut down on the amount of products I have in rotation. I think the easier and simpler the better! So far it's been great, but I have a few things to tweak, remove and re-evaluate. Ideally, I would love to have 1-2 products per category i.e. 2 protein conditioners, 1 moisturizing shampoo, 2 moisturizing deep conditioners etc.

Anyone else on that same tip? Are you looking to drop your product-junkie ways? What would you like to tweak in your regimen?



♥ Sunshyne