Relaxed Hair Thread

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
It’s getting baaad, y’all. Lazy hair is back. Lol.
So a week after I relaxed I put in my mini braid twists. I’m even too lazy to braid all the way to the ends, I just twist. Lol. And even that is too much to keep up with so I installed Lazy Girl crochets using my mini braids as a base! I may regret this when I take it down but gosh it feels good to not worry about my hair suffering from being ignored. It’s just too much going on.

BTW, I looove the Lazy Girl Method. Started at 11, finished at 12:30. And that’s with me being a novice and stopping to take pictures. I’m probably gonna be in crochets all year with some rests in between.

I don’t like the style yet but I plan to keep working at the curls until I do. I think it’ll look better once I separate the curls.

View media item 130197
ETA:

I’ve separated the curls a little. It’s still just okay looking but at least my hair is protected.
View media item 130201View media item 130199
 
Last edited:

michelle81

Well-Known Member
You guys don't wrap your hair at night? Am I stuck in the 90's?? Lol

I haven't in probably a decade. I think I stopped because I read somewhere on here years ago about it causing too much tension or something. I got out of the habit and now I'm just too lazy to do it. I protective style in a bun usually these days so the wrapping isn't as beneficial to me anymore.
 

LushLox

Well-Known Member
I haven't in probably a decade. I think I stopped because I read somewhere on here years ago about it causing too much tension or something. I got out of the habit and now I'm just too lazy to do it. I protective style in a bun usually these days so the wrapping isn't as beneficial to me anymore.

I stopped because of the possible weakening of the hairline at the temples. Yes you can change the direction and I did, but it's a lot of combing and manipulation which was more of an issue for me.
 

LushLox

Well-Known Member
I washed my hair today for the first time in like two weeks, I had such a shedload of shedding and my scalp just felt like I had such a gross layer of dirt on it along with the itchies.

I can't be having even a two week gap between washes, my hair and scalp simply does not like it. I must be around 10 weeks post now and it's where the hard work starts so no slipping and complacency.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
@MzSwift do you find the crochet lazy girl styles better for your hair than say, throwing on a lace front wig?

I actually do feel better about the crochet styles vs the wigs for a few reasons. My hair tangles badly when I cornrow it but that's because I'm not good at it. My hair loves plaits though. With the lazy girl, I can put 5-10 plaits all over my head and then cover with the weaving cap and I'm good. And the crochet style does a better job of hiding lumps than my wigs.

I like that my scalp can get air better in a crochet style than in a wig. I also find that I'm more likely to leave my hair alone in a crochet style because it's more permanent than my wigs. I actually just pin my wigs on instead of sewing them on so I'm more likely to remove them more often due to the bobby pins annoying the heck out of me.

Also, for some reason, if my wig looks too "wiggy" I feel more self conscious about it vs a crochet style that looks wiggy. Maybe because crochets are "braids" so it's sort of acceptable for an unnatural looking crochet in my mind. Hope that makes a little sense. Lol
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
So I was just coming on to post that I took down my mini braids and that crochet style and cornrowed my hair. I want to do a new crochet style to last AT LEAST 4 weeks. I've never left in large plaits for 4 weeks, usually just 3. I'm hoping to get 4-6 weeks out of this new style.

I did install a new style yesterday but the hair ended up short as well and it's very itchy. It's coming out tonight and I'm planning to do my interpretation of Boho locs instead. They will be long so that I have more options for putting the hair up and out of the way. I hope it turns out OK. HYH 2019 - I'm hoping to unveil long, pretty relaxed hair at the EOTY.

SMH at myself.
So to recap:

I took out this-
View media item 130199
Installed this-
View media item 130205View media item 130207View media item 130203

Which I'm taking out as soon as I finish typing. Lol. To install my variation of this-

 

Sosoothing

Well-Known Member
I actually do feel better about the crochet styles vs the wigs for a few reasons. My hair tangles badly when I cornrow it but that's because I'm not good at it. My hair loves plaits though. With the lazy girl, I can put 5-10 plaits all over my head and then cover with the weaving cap and I'm good. And the crochet style does a better job of hiding lumps than my wigs.

I like that my scalp can get air better in a crochet style than in a wig. I also find that I'm more likely to leave my hair alone in a crochet style because it's more permanent than my wigs. I actually just pin my wigs on instead of sewing them on so I'm more likely to remove them more often due to the bobby pins annoying the heck out of me.

Also, for some reason, if my wig looks too "wiggy" I feel more self conscious about it vs a crochet style that looks wiggy. Maybe because crochets are "braids" so it's sort of acceptable for an unnatural looking crochet in my mind. Hope that makes a little sense. Lol

Thanks for explaining sis. I'm new to wig wearing (lace fronts) and have never had any kind of crochet style done. Just want all the information I can get as I experiment more. And so far your hair practices seem to suit my hair too :).
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
OMG, y'all. My scalp was on fire from just one day of that poofy hair! It's crazy because when I didn't cut it, the hair didn't bother my scalp.

These goddess locs, however, are wonderful!! I've had the hair for a year now but I never installed it because I was worried that it would be too heavy. They are so lightweight! So if you're a fine haired relaxed lady like me, these are definitely a good crochet choice. They won't pull on your strands and the hair is very soft. I hope they last a month or more! I'm off to order some more. I will probably be in these all year! Lol

View media item 130215View media item 130213View media item 130211
 

abioni

Well-Known Member
Ladies, not sure I have asked this but what are you using to cover your grey hair? Especially if your hair is fine.

I have experienced breakage because of dying my hair. I don't know what dye is safe to use.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
Ladies, not sure I have asked this but what are you using to cover your grey hair? Especially if your hair is fine.

I have experienced breakage because of dying my hair. I don't know what dye is safe to use.

Oh no!

I've heard of relaxed ladies successfully using ayurveda powders to cover grays. That's what I plan to do when the time comes. But I know that sometimes,the grey hair can be stubborn. Some ladies use just Henna and are fine with the rust/orange color the grays get. Others use henna and indigo either together or in sequence. Some powders are supposed to naturally deter or treat graying like Brahmi, Bhringaraj and Amla.

Other ladies I've seen post that they use a semi/demi permanent hair color instead of a permanent color.

Either way, I hope you find a solution soon bc breakage is heartbreaking :(
 

Wenbev

Well-Known Member
Ladies, not sure I have asked this but what are you using to cover your grey hair? Especially if your hair is fine.

I have experienced breakage because of dying my hair. I don't know what dye is safe to use.
I had breakage from coloring too much and I also have fine hair, even tho they greys are a completely diff animal.
I’ve had greys since my 20s due to stress. I started out with henna and then went to coloring too often which led to breakage.
Now I have a new stylist whom is a awesome colorist and we have attacked my greys with strategically placed highlights.
My colorist does it in such a way that it still looks good when it’s growing out. I have grey singles at at the top of my head and the ln a huge clump like morticia Addams :) in the front. That section becomes my side bang when it’s growing out.
You can also use those washout sticks that look like lipstick if you have greys primarily in the front as a quick fix
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
Taking a break from doing my hair to say, ladies, these new hot air brushes are the bomb! The best $30 I have spent this year. I got one like this.



I feel like this is a relaxed lady's best friend. The silicone bristles are so soft and flexible that I barely feel any snags. They have a little give like a paddle brush. I blow dry my hair before braiding it up for my PS. I'll keep using this as my primary blow dryer. My regular blow dryer w/the hard comb attachment will be used whenever I plan to flat iron as I think it gets my hair straighter.
 

Wenbev

Well-Known Member
Relaxed over the weekend even though I had planned to get box braids over the holiday weekend. Will revisit the idea in a bit.
Relaxed with ORS nolye, neutralized, ACV rinsed, French perm and DCd. I didn’t miss the protein before neutralizing but can’t do without the ACV rinse. I have been using a lot of protein in prepoo treatments and DCs so maybe that’s why my hair still felt strong.

Ive also sorted the reason for my nape breakage - I’ve been sleeping on my back and I get night sweats. I recently started sleeping on my side and have noticed thinning there now.
Now to figure out a solution...
 

sunnieb

Well-Known Member
Out of interest when you guys retouch your hair how soon do you do a first wash and DC post relax? Do you have a particular system/process or do you just go by how your hair feels!

Usually a week. I do so much prepping and conditioning with the relaxer process that I count that as my weekly dc.

I'll cowash the next day though since I sweat from working out.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
Relaxed over the weekend even though I had planned to get box braids over the holiday weekend. Will revisit the idea in a bit.
Relaxed with ORS nolye, neutralized, ACV rinsed, French perm and DCd. I didn’t miss the protein before neutralizing but can’t do without the ACV rinse. I have been using a lot of protein in prepoo treatments and DCs so maybe that’s why my hair still felt strong.

Ive also sorted the reason for my nape breakage - I’ve been sleeping on my back and I get night sweats. I recently started sleeping on my side and have noticed thinning there now.
Now to figure out a solution...

Do you think one of those neck pillows will work? My thinking is that it will support your neck and head and keep away the “sleep friction” since your head won’t be rubbing/laying on the pillow whether you sleep on your back or your side.

I'm 21 weeks post relaxer this week, I'll more than likely be relaxing this weekend.. I will be using Mizani relaxer, hopefully i won't underprocess my hair, that tends to happen when I have a lot of newgrowth.

GL to you! :)

Out of interest when you guys retouch your hair how soon do you do a first wash and DC post relax? Do you have a particular system/process or do you just go by how your hair feels!

If I’ve gone through all of the trouble of blow drying and flat ironing after my relaxer, then I usually try to allow that to last about 2 weeks. Otherwise, I prefer to wash and condish again or cowash as soon as possible bc I hate the lingering chemical smell after a fresh relaxer.
 
Last edited:

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
speaking of post-relaxer chemical smell, ladies I really need to know what tips you have to get rid of it. I feel like it lingers in my hair for weeks.

It’s one of the reasons I don’t relax more often. Also, I’ve stopped heat straightening my hair after a relaxer (except for length check) bc I feel like I’m baking that smell into my strands. I’m 9 weeks post and I still smelled the chemical after I blow dried my hair last night!

Not sure what I’m doing wrong when I relax, I neutralize 3 times, leaving it in at least 10 minutes each time AND I do a vinegar rinse with the last nuetralizer to ensure that I don’t have a lot relaxer residue. Then I do a protein tx followed by a moisturizing DC.

I’m so busy focusing on the health of my hair during a relaxer that I don’t like to throw in extra products but if you guys tell me that adding fruit juice or candy to the relaxer will help, I’m desperate enough to try it. Lol
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
Finished with my crochet goddess locs. The longest part of this process is cornrowing my hair. But now that it's just going straight back, I may just wash and DC in the braids and rebraid them one at a time for the next set. That may cut down on time.

Also trying to play w color outside of 1B/33. I usually stick w red tones but this blond is OK. Especially for the summer.

View media item 130227
View media item 130225
 

Sosoothing

Well-Known Member
speaking of post-relaxer chemical smell, ladies I really need to know what tips you have to get rid of it. I feel like it lingers in my hair for weeks.

It’s one of the reasons I don’t relax more often. Also, I’ve stopped heat straightening my hair after a relaxer (except for length check) bc I feel like I’m baking that smell into my strands. I’m 9 weeks post and I still smelled the chemical after I blow dried my hair last night!

Not sure what I’m doing wrong when I relax, I neutralize 3 times, leaving it in at least 10 minutes each time AND I do a vinegar rinse with the last nuetralizer to ensure that I don’t have a lot relaxer residue. Then I do a protein tx followed by a moisturizing DC.

I’m so busy focusing on the health of my hair during a relaxer that I don’t like to throw in extra products but if you guys tell me that adding fruit juice or candy to the relaxer will help, I’m desperate enough to try it. Lol

I have no idea. I think I'm so used to the smell I don't notice how long it lasts.
Have you considered a hair perfume to try and mask it?
I would have thought vinegar would be enough but I guess not.

I haven't used a hair perfume before but it might help. I'm considering trying a hair perfume only because I like smelling nice all over.
 

MzSwift

Well-Known Member
@MzSwift
Nice! What color is that?

It's 30 and a 1B/30 mix.

I'm considering trying a hair perfume only because I like smelling nice all over.

Exactly! I put effort into my body smelling right. I'd hate to walk past people smelling like a mix of fragrance and chemical process. No, I've never tried a hair perfume- my leave in condish usually helps with the smell. But now that I'm long term PSing, I may need to look into something.
 

PlanetCybertron

Well-Known Member
Out of interest when you guys retouch your hair how soon do you do a first wash and DC post relax? Do you have a particular system/process or do you just go by how your hair feels!

Sometimes I’ll wash the very next morning/day. Depends on how well I can remove the relaxer deposits.

Sodium based relaxers (lye ones), give me such a hard time when it comes to neutralizing. I often find myself at a cross roads because I wish to do a protein treatment as soon as possible, but hardly anything will penetrate if too much relaxer deposit is still present. I relaxed about 5-6 days ago (corrective relaxer), and I made the dumb decision to try a motions relaxer that was sodium based, instead of my tried and true ORS no lye kit, and hardly anything took to my hair. I washed the next day and the neutralizing shampoo did a decent job of getting rid of any remaining deposits, but my hair was SO unhappy. Unbelievably dry and resistant to my typical products that work for me.

If I use ORS no lye, the potassium base is by far waaaaayyy easier to remove from my hair, so I usually won’t have the need to wash for another 3-4 days. By then a wash is needed just because my scalp likes to be clean frequently. Otherwise I can wait for however long I want.
 
Top