Relaxed Hair Update | July 2014


I relaxed my hair after 5 long months, which seemed to be crawling by until it finally got to relaxer day on Monday. In typical fashion I didn't really feel like relaxing my hair by this point but I went ahead as I've had some time off work and I knew I wouldn't have this much time on my hands again for a while. I feel like the relaxer process went well but I've lost the ability to apply and smooth the relaxer as fast as I used to. I guess leaving so much time between relaxers has left me a little rusty.

I did the half half method as usual using ORS Olive Oil Lye Relaxer in normal (my relaxer process is detailed here). I relaxed the back half first and then repeated the same process separately on the top half. I spent about 4-5 minutes applying the relaxer and left it on for 9 minutes on the back sections and for 12 minutes on the front sections in total. For the first time I coated my hair from root to tip in oil (I usually just put it on the previously relaxed parts). I also put vaseline on my ends, the line of demarcation and my edges as well as basing my scalp with it.


I really didn't want overprocessing (if you didn't already guess) and overall the results were near perfect. I have actual curls throughout my hair which I'm really excited about. You can see how textured it looks post-wash in the picture above. I used my Root2Tip Protein Balance Masque to restore protein levels and my hair is so soft and bouncy.

My transition to texlaxed (info here) has taken me so long to get right and I feel like I can finally visualise how my hair will look when it's fully texlaxed. I still have a very long way to go though and I've avoided taking accurate length check pictures in months to not discourage myself from transitioning. It's quite daunting basically starting over after spending years growing out my hair and I've (reluctantly) given up on the idea of maintaining mid-back length hair during my transition. My hair is about mid-back length now but I plan to cut off about an inch or so soon.

I also plan to document my transition more in the following months as I have no idea how long it's taken me to get to this point or realistically how far I've got to go.

What have you been doing to your hair recently?

Lesley x