Relaxed Hair Thread

[sunnieb]

@MzSwift thanks for the gorgeous hair pics and adorable nephew pic!

You are doing what works for you and that's all that matters. Braids are a nice middle ground between hiding your hair and wearing it out. I can see the benefit of keeping your hair detangled and having low manipulation.

I researched different wigs and weaves a few months ago. Since my work travel is really going to pick up in 2023, I was looking for an alternative to bunning.

As it turns out, the hair I like was way too expensive and the upkeep was just like taking care of my real hair. Lol! So I decided to just stick with my hair routine and keep babying my ends.

 

[MzSwift]

@MzSwift thanks for the gorgeous hair pics and adorable nephew pic!

You are doing what works for you and that's all that matters. Braids are a nice middle ground between hiding your hair and wearing it out. I can see the benefit of keeping your hair detangled and having low manipulation.

I researched different wigs and weaves a few months ago. Since my work travel is really going to pick up in 2023, I was looking for an alternative to bunning.

As it turns out, the hair I like was way too expensive and the upkeep was just like taking care of my real hair. Lol! So I decided to just stick with my hair routine and keep babying my ends.

How about a phony pony? Then you can baggy the bun underneath.
Also, I find that curly wigs are easier bc they require less daily fussing. I also prefer mine short so that I am encouraged by the progress of my hair when I unleash it.

But you know that you are the Bun Master!! And it is working for you!

Lol! That's my son. She was calling him nephew bc she's my adopted hair sister.

 

[MzSwift]

So someone bumped a thread that has links to A LOT of older threads (which I love reading) and some of my comments in those threads reminded me that there are small things I forgot that I was doing. Like drinking morning tea and adding a tsp of EVCO to the tea. Also, I was dancing regularly, like 4 hours a week (aka working out).

Anyway, I was thinking about some of the older relaxed/texlaxed heads and NJoy came to mind bc I saw her first year progress in real time on both BHM and here. We were in the sulfur challenge together and I was trying to remember what she did to retain her length - damp bunning and wigging.
Her progress pics strip weren't showing in the thread anymore but I Googled and found them.



And this is the thread, if anyone is interested in reading:

NJoy's 1st Yr Progress in Pics

Hi Njoy. I am new to this site and have been learning alot from you guys. I have just learnt about how to look after my hair i.e mixing essential oils with carrier oils, co washing etc. But I am finding that my hair after a few days becomes very dry, where am I going wrong?

longhaircareforum.com

I always found her and PreMedicalRulz's progress to be so inspirational.


I can't find PreMedical's full strip but she quickly went on to WL and HL hair bc she left it alone under wigs.
They both used lots of moisture (water) and wigs or PS that hides the hair. Pretty much wetting the hair daily by either water rinsing, cowashing or cleansing. I think that's the trick.

Some ppl call that the LadyP Deep Moisture Method. But it's definitely a technique worth checking out.

I am adopting LadyPanialo's reggie.. Deep Moisture Method, Wig and ALL for 12 months!

Anybody wanna come with me? LadyP is the first person to inspire me so much that I immediately braided my hair into a zig zag up the back of my head and got real serious about wigging it for the next 12 months. I combed all through her recent thread TWA to Hip Length in 4 yrs and her TWA to...

longhaircareforum.com

 

[Plushottie]

Y’all trying to stir inspiration in my on this hair. I think I may do my first ayurvedic powder mix.

 

[sunnieb]

@MzSwift awww, what a cutie pie!

And you and I are doing the same thing! I'm reading some old posts and threads. The advice still holds true after all this time.

What I'm trying to do when I post articles is to copy/paste the entire article along with the link. So many websites are gone now. I miss all the blogs that I used to go to.

So glad my LHCF is still here. Yes, it's slowed down, but the info is still up.

ETA: I used to love the progress strips everybody had in their siggy's!

 

[sunnieb]

@Plushottie I know! I don't have the same hair intensity I did back when I first landed here, but you can't help but get inspired.

 

[naturalpride]

@MzSwift. Here is a pic of my new growth after deep conditioning today. I'm 11 weeks post this week and plan to relax next week at 12 weeks.

 

[MzSwift]

@MzSwift. Here is a pic of my new growth after deep conditioning today. I'm 11 weeks post this week and plan to relax next week at 12 weeks.

Thank you so much!

Wow, you've got a lot of new growth in just 11 weeks!! That's what mine looks like after about 5 or 6 months!

Have you been holding out us, over there hiding your booty length hair?

 

[naturalpride]

Thank you so much!

Wow, you've got a lot of new growth in just 11 weeks!! That's what mine looks like after about 5 or 6 months!

Have you been holding out us, over there hiding your booty length hair?

Thank you ma'am I'm a little pass bsl right now but I'm going to cut about 2-3 inches next week for some movement and liveliness to my hair. I'm kind of bord and need a pick me up. Your hair retains length very well even with your growth rate and retention is what matters most!

 

[MzSwift]

Thank you ma'am I'm a little pass bsl right now but I'm going to cut about 2-3 inches next week for some movement and liveliness to my hair. I'm kind of bord and need a pick me up. Your hair retains length very well even with your growth rate and retention is what matters most!

OMG,yes, that post-trim swang can be addictive if we're not careful! And those periods of boredom will get us into some hair trouble.

I know you mostly lurk, so I'mma stop engaging so that you can go back to lurkdom. Please share hair pix anytime though!
(not that you need my permission to do either of those, lol)
I dunno about other ppl but seeing pix really helps to keep me hair-focused, that's why I'm joining more challenges in 2023.

 

[MzSwift]

 

[MzSwift]

I don't sub to a lot of ppl on YT but this young lady here has me binge watching her videos. She also wears her hair is small braids like I do. She's like me, we stretch for MONTHS. She does 8 month stretches. I've always gotten my best results from 5-8 mth stretches too. I think she's even done a year stretch. I think we used to have a very popular member here who also did year stretches and she had long WL/HL hair too.




Watching her, I'm hopeful that I can get my hair to where I want it in the next few years. I want my Sade ponytail, dangit!! * sprays herbal tea spray on these extensions *

 

[naturalpride]

OMG,yes, that post-trim swang can be addictive if we're not careful! And those periods of boredom will get us into some hair trouble.

I know you mostly lurk, so I'mma stop engaging so that you can go back to lurkdom. Please share hair pix anytime though!
(not that you need my permission to do either of those, lol)
I dunno about other ppl but seeing pix really helps to keep me hair-focused, that's why I'm joining more challenges in 2023.

I'm making an effort to post more, lol

 

[demlew]

@MzSwift
Thank you for the YT! I'll go down the same rabbit hole today. I gave a thumbs-up to the post bc I wanted to heart it bc of the video, but then 'Soul-Glo ' made me chuckle. Today marks 16 weeks since my last perm. Ten weeks is usually my max, but I've been in a state of depression apathy for the past 3 weeks. I'm starting to feel better, so now I'm wondering how long I can stretch. BUT my hair knots on itself easily to where I can lose almost 10 strands on one knot. I don't want to do a protective style bc I have way too many products to use LOL Sad.

 

[Plushottie]

@demlew

 

[LushLox]

Thought I would post some progress/end of year pics. I retained all of my growth plus the hair has thickened a good deal. I’m very pleased, it’s been a good year.

First pic April 2022, second November 2022.

ETA: I added another one of my fave pics.

 

[Plushottie]

Thought I would post some progress/end of year pics. I retained all of my growth plus the hair has thickened a good deal. I’m very pleased, it’s been a good year.

First pic April 2022, second November 2022.

Your hair and super model facial structure we see one of Gods fav’s

 

[MzSwift]

@demlew

16 weeks is already an awesome stretch!! That's already something to be proud of! Only do what you feel you can handle when it comes to stretching. No need to add extra stressors.

Most of the long-haired relaxed heads say they only do 16-20 week stretches. Anyone I've seen who does long stretches MUST do a protective style at some point in order to not lose strands and to keep stress off of the demarcation line. It's the only way I can stretch for 5-8 months. If you decide to try to keep stretching, there are a few protective styles you can do involving your own hair so that you can still use up your products

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Okayyyy, hear me out: I have no idea when my last relaxer was, but I'm thinking maybe July? But that doesn't seem right. I don't even know how long my hair is, or if I've retained any length. I was wearing a wig for some time, then I washed it (I think), and put some crochet braids in. I think I lost my mojo. For the last 5-6(emotionally draining)months I have been in the twilight zone. Honestly I might keep dragging alone until Spring.

 

[MzSwift]

Okayyyy, hear me out: I have no idea when my last relaxer was, but I'm thinking maybe July? But that doesn't seem right. I don't even know how long my hair is, or if I've retained any length. I was wearing a wig for some time, then I washed it (I think), and put some crochet braids in. I think I lost my mojo. For the last 5-6(emotionally draining)months I have been in the twilight zone. Honestly I might keep dragging alone until Spring.

You can do it!
That's literally how I stretch. I go from one protective style to another, wash and DC in between. Before I know it, I've passed another hair milestone. Not dealing with my hair everyday makes stretching so much easier

 

[MzSwift]

@LushLox !!

I feel like it's so rare that I get to see your hair!! And it's soooo gorgeous!

Whatever you're doing is working for you, rollersetting queen!

 

[abioni]

@MzSwift, where did you buy your length check shirt?

 

[MzSwift]

@MzSwift, where did you buy your length check shirt?

Amazon! It was about $18.

I just checked to try to get the link but it's not up anymore. But there are tons listed on Amazon when I do another search. HTH!

 

[secretdiamond]

Thought I would post some progress/end of year pics. I retained all of my growth plus the hair has thickened a good deal. I’m very pleased, it’s been a good year.

First pic April 2022, second November 2022.

Absolutely gorgeous!! Your pics are always like hair porn!
I agree with @MzSwift, seeing these pics keeps folks like me motivated. Especially when going through setbacks, like now.

Amazon! It was about $18.

I just checked to try to get the link but it's not up anymore. But there are tons listed on Amazon when I do another search. HTH!

At the rate my hair has gone this year, I'm gonna need someone to make length check turtlenecks

 

[LushLox]

Your hair and super model facial structure we see one of Gods fav’s

@LushLox !!

I feel like it's so rare that I get to see your hair!! And it's soooo gorgeous!

Whatever you're doing is working for you, rollersetting queen!

Absolutely gorgeous!! Your pics are always like hair porn!
I agree with @MzSwift, seeing these pics keeps folks like me motivated. Especially when going through setbacks, like now.



At the rate my hair has gone this year, I'm gonna need someone to make length check turtlenecks

You're all very kind, thank you.

I hope that 2023 brings all my relaxed ladies everything that you're wishing for!

 

[demlew]

@demlew

16 weeks is already an awesome stretch!! That's already something to be proud of! Only do what you feel you can handle when it comes to stretching. No need to add extra stressors.

Most of the long-haired relaxed heads say they only do 16-20 week stretches. Anyone I've seen who does long stretches MUST do a protective style at some point in order to not lose strands and to keep stress off of the demarcation line. It's the only way I can stretch for 5-8 months. If you decide to try to keep stretching, there are a few protective styles you can do involving your own hair so that you can still use up your products

Thank you for the really good advice. I just decided to relax in January That wasn’t a thought when I went to sleep, but yeah…I’ll relax in January as a clean slate to mark my 2023 progress!

I need to decide which relaxer I’m going to use because ORS lye ain’t it anymore. I’m sticking with lye, but idk which one is best for resistant hair.

 

[MzSwift]

Thank you for the really good advice. I just decided to relax in January That wasn’t a thought when I went to sleep, but yeah…I’ll relax in January as a clean slate to mark my 2023 progress!

I need to decide which relaxer I’m going to use because ORS lye ain’t it anymore. I’m sticking with lye, but idk which one is best for resistant hair.

I tell ya hhwhat - this Affirm Fiberguard mild lye is some strong stuff! Compared to my Motions mild lye, it knocked the mess out of my kinks and coils. I've also tried Vitale IDEAL mild lye and it was similar to the Affirm Fiberguard.

 

[demlew]

I tell ya hhwhat - this Affirm Fiberguard mild lye is some strong stuff! Compared to my Motions mild lye, it knocked the mess out of my kinks and coils. I've also tried Vitale IDEAL mild lye and it was similar to the Affirm Fiberguard.

Whoa! MILD is strong?! Interesting and good to know.

But I can’t recall if you ultimately liked it or not? I know everyone’s opinion/hair is different. I’m prepared to buy a whole new kit of relaxer, neutralizing shampoo, conditioner, scalp protectant. Sigh. I’m still mad about ORS.

 

[ItsMeLilLucky]

Whoa! MILD is strong?! Interesting and good to know.

But I can’t recall if you ultimately liked it or not? I know everyone’s opinion/hair is different. I’m prepared to buy a whole new kit of relaxer, neutralizing shampoo, conditioner, scalp protectant. Sigh. I’m still mad about ORS.

Have you tried Hawaiian Silky?

 

[MzSwift]

Whoa! MILD is strong?! Interesting and good to know.

But I can’t recall if you ultimately liked it or not? I know everyone’s opinion/hair is different. I’m prepared to buy a whole new kit of relaxer, neutralizing shampoo, conditioner, scalp protectant. Sigh. I’m still mad about ORS.

Definitely depends on your strands. I have fine, cottony strands, mostly 4b (no real curl pattern, some zig zags, some "s" and some "5" patterns) looks like a poof or a cloud if I left it undisturbed, medium density.