Texlax/Relaxer Touch-up Preparation WashDay

I took down my Crochet Havana Twists after keeping it in for 3 weeks. I took the twists out in a way that would make them re-usable. I simply did this by "un-looping" each twist. After removing the all the twists, I unravelled the cornrows but I ensured my fingers and palms were well oiled. This made finger - detangling easy and also reduced breakage as the oil would provide some slip.

Before detangling 

Pre-wash detangling: I divided my hair into about 8 sections and sprayed a generous amount of Mane n Tail Detangler on a section. I then detangled with my finger and followed with a wide-toothed comb. I repeated this for all the sections. I tried to be as thorough as possible in removing shed hair strands. They are usually the cause of post-wash knots and tangles. During washing, they curl around the strands that are still intact and form a knot or tangle.

Pre-poo: I mixed some HairvolutionbyBee Whipped Shea Butter with about 2 tablespoons of honey and coated my hair with the mixture. I wrapped my hair in clingfilm and went to bed.

Pre-poo ready

Washing: I washed the following morning with ORS Creamy Aloe Shampoo using warm water. I lathered twice, squeezed out excess water and wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt.

Protein treatment: As usual, to prepare my hair for the impending chemical  treatment ( relaxer ), I used Aphogee Two Step Protein Treatment. I made sections, sprayed the protein treatment and twisted each section off. To keep the twisted hair off my back and cloth, I pinned all them up with one large bobby pin. I applied heat with my Babyliss hand dryer till my hair felt hard and crunchy to touch. I DID NOT manipulate my hair in this state. I poured warm water on my hair it felt soft and then I removed the bobby pin. I unravelled the twists and rinsed thoroughly with warm water.

Deep conditioning: To restore the needed moisture after the protein treatment, I mixed Aphogee Balancing Conditioner + Aussie 3 Minutes Miracle Deep Conditioner + 2 tablespoons Grapeseed oil + 1 tablespoon Vegetable Glycerin. I wrapped my hair in clingfilm and left it on while I did my daily workout. I rinsed my hair with cool water  and tshirt-dried for 30 minutes.

Post-wash care : Working in sections as usual, I sprayed Aphogee Pro Vitamin leave-in conditioner and sealed with Fantasia IC Hair Polisher Carrot Growth Serum. I detangled with a wide-toothed comb first and then blow-dried with cool air using the comb attachment. I worked through the stubborn knots and tangles with my finger carefully.

Styling: I applied some Cantu Shea Butter Natural Hair Creamy Lotion to my hair focusing on the ends, and put my hair into a low bun. The bun kept my hair safely tucked away till texlax/relaxer day.


How do you prepare your hair for relaxer or  chemical applications?

xx,
Bee 

Crochet box braids take-down + Relaxer prep wash day

I had the crochet box braids on for 25 days, 4 days longer than I planned but I was so busy that I just didn't have the time. Immediately I started taking the braids down I became apprehensive of the wash day. Geez the tangles were crazy! my new growth were matted all over especially in the middle. This matting always happens whenever I keep a protective style in for 3 weeks or more especially deep into my relaxer stretch. By the way I washed my hair once while the crochet box braids were in. Anyway I faced my fear head-on, not like I had a choice. LOL. I thoroughly and gently detangled with Mane n Tail detangler (which I haven't had to use in a while).

This last wash day was my relaxer prep washday and here's is how it went down:

• Prepooed with ORS replenishing conditioner because of the amazing slip it has. The prepooing session lasted for about an hour.
• I then Shampooed in the sections  (about 6 sections) I had created before prepooing. I used ORS creamy aloe shampoo, lathered once and then Creme of nature moisture and shine sulphate-free shampoo to restore some moisture while still cleaning the hair.
• I wrapped my hair in a cotton tshirt to absorb excess water. 
• I then sprayed aphogee two step protein treatment onto each section and then rolled each section into bantu knots.
• I then dried the hair as per the instructions using my blow dryer on medium heat. ( i was careful not to agitate while drying and when it was dry)
• I went back to into the shower, saturated my hair till it was soft and then rinsed out the protein treatment.
• I decided to use aussie 3 minutes miracle deep conditioner instead of the aphogee balancing moisturiser. I left it in for about 7 minutes and rinsed out with cool water.
• I tshirt-dried for 30 mins 
• I oiled my scalp with my oil mix using my root only applicator bottle, applied megagrowth profectiv daily leave-in strengthener and sealed with fantasia ic hair polisher carrot growth serum.
• I blow-dried with cool air using tension method in sections and i detangled each section. 

Despite the care and thorough pre-wash detangling and washing in sections, I still had so many knots in my hair. Post wash detangling took me about 3 hours...sigh. My hair could be so naughty when I'm deep into a relaxer stretch.

     Texture shot after deep conditioning

I'm currently 17 weeks post and I'm planning to do my relaxer touch-up on Friday, 4/12/15. Yippee! can't wait. So I just threw my hair into a simple bun.

How do manage your hair deep into your relaxer stretch? I salute transitioning ladies.