1.
What brand & strength (i.e. mild, super, regular) of relaxer are you using?
I am using Vitale Fast Action Relaxer with Aloe Super/Coarse Texture Lye Relaxer
2.
What is your hair type? 4a/b. (think Oprah's or Cece Winans' hair texture) . People on LHCF that I watch for inspiration and their specific hair texture are: Babygurl, Sylver2, JenniferMD, and Southerngirlz
3.
Are you happy with your current relaxer? If not, which brand are you considering switching to? I am very happy with Vitale. I started using it because of Southerngirlz. She had recommended the regular strength. I had tried that at first but my hair is very thick and coarse and simply
at it so I used the one for coarse hair and am very happy. I use all of the products now for relaxing: the Foundation Pre-treatment, the relaxer, and the Positive conditioner (which smooths the cuticle layers and protects the cortex and normalizes porosity). I may try the neutralizer shampoo soon. Currently, I am using Dudley's Neutralizer shampoo which I really do like (I got it from one of our meeting here in NC (I think from Keen). It was a huge bottle!) Afterwards, I deep condition (sometimes I use Vitale Super Intensive Treatment which has a nice, cool, tingly menthol feeling and smell) and before choosing my style I use Aphogee Balancing Moisture (to me it's sort of like Nexxus Humetress but for my hair it is better.) Aside from Vitale, I also favor Aphogee products. All except the shampoo.
4.
How long have you been using your current relaxer? I used it for my last two relaxers applications
5.
After your relaxer, are you bone straight, relaxed curl pattern, or texturized or some other texture? Well after the relaxer, the majority of my hair is straight. The last two to three inches looks textured though. I suspect it is either due to using no-lye relaxers for so long which has often underprocessed my hair. I flat iron them (ends) and they are fine. They are not damaged or split. No lye relaxers seemed to had really dried my hair out alot.
6.
How often do you relax? It is best for me to go no longer than 10 weeks. I go longer in protective styles like sew-ins or braids. It is something about going past 10 week mark for me. If I am in a real strong growth cycle, I may relax at 8-9 weeks. I'd say I am getting about an inch maybe a tad bit more a month. Again, it depends on the cycle. In the near future, I may be stretching longer by applying Aphogee Balancing Moisture to the demarcation line (where the new growth meets the relaxed hair) of my hair to discourage breakage.