3rd Relaxer in a Year (It's My Hair)

So the last time I talked about my hair was in December or January, I looked like this. My experience relaxer stretching for 6 months was not that bad so I decide to stretch it for 6 months again. Well, with all the rain pouring down in the DFW metroplex, I cut this 6 months stretch off by two weeks.

I also during the stretch I bought a new investment to go with the last investment I call Marshall Royce Williams. I call this one, Kelly Royce Williams.

She is so cute. This is my first wig. It has been a few years since I had worn tracks. I forgot what it was like to wear that much hair. She took some time to get used to but I love her. But of course like Marshall, Kelly is not to totally relied up on. I wore my hair out.

I think this my roller set was bomb for a showing of "Kinky Boots".

And my hair was "Aunt of a High School Graduate" fabulous on this day. That was such a hectic morning at my house. I was very proud of my hair and my niece.

My hair is growing.  In March, I was blow drying my hair and all of  sudden I realized, I couldn't see very well.

My bangs were passed my eyes. The last time I had check on my bangs since I parted them in January of last year was in November. They covers my brows some but passed my eyes. I was excited.

Okay so I am actually late doing this blog. I got a relaxer two weeks ago. I forgot to take pictures of my hair of my hair when it was freshly done.

Here it is once I got in and put on my "hair shirt" so I could put it up for the evening. Then all the rain and humidity in the area made it impossible to keep my style properly so I wrapped it. And I wrapped it just in time for my birthday event. So, this is what I looked like a week after my relaxer.

I haven't worn my hair wrapped in so long I looked weird to me. Cute but a little weird. I'll have to wear it like that more often.

Well, wash day was two days ago. I washed my hair with the Pantene Truly Relaxed Moisturizing Shampoo & Conditioner as always. I don't add the Clarifying Shampoo & Deep Conditioner to the routine until week 8. I'll have enough new growth to be concerned with, then.

Then, I put the styling aids in before I dry my hair. I usually air dry or sit under a hooded dryer until week 6 when the new growth makes an appearance. That also mean that the styling aids change after 6 weeks also. I don't use the L'oreal Intense Smoothing Serum before I dry. I use the Dark and Lovely 6 Week Anti-Reversion Cream Serum to keep my hair from shrinking some much after I blow dry my hair.

And here are the results after I air dry and comb it out with my trusty wide tooth comb that is older than me.

I then sectioned it off, two strand twist and roll each section at the end overnight.
Viola!!! Looks like the style I had when I got my relaxer.

My style for the next two weeks if we keep this wonderful dry weather. If not, I'll just wrap it,

In two weeks, one of my closest friends, Intellectual Diva (Smartest Diva, I know) is getting married. I'm a bridesmaid and I'll be returning to the land of buns & updos. I get addicted to not doing my hair. LoL

So pray my strength that I may continue to comb my hair and not slick it up and put it in a bun after this. As long as I have my spray oil & my edge control, I should be fine.

So that is my hair. Relaxed Hair, I Don't Care!!! I really don't care. I wear it my way and you should wear yours, your way. And We'll All Be Happy Again!!!


As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms

My Relaxer Stretch Journey (It's My Hair)

Sorry Team Natural I was not transitioning for the big chop. I was relaxer stretching. Team Natural & the Fashion Fair counter ladies can't stand me. They are always questioning how I am supposed to look like as a Black Woman. I really wish the Naturalistas & Johnson Publishing Company get their people in line.

So I have completed my 1st relaxer stretch. What is Relaxer Stretching?  This is when you extend the period between two relaxer sessions. You go longer than you normally would in between getting relaxers. Most people (including me) usually retouch their relaxers 6 weeks. Stretching relaxers can thicken your hair.  Hair tends to become thinner over time if you are overlapping relaxers on your hair.  Overlapping relaxers happens when you relax previously relaxed hair.  By stretching your relaxer, your new growth becomes more prominent and therefore easier to see when applying the relaxer.
For a year I kept tinkering with Relaxer stretching. I had my haircut into a bob last year. This me on my birthday.

As cute as I was, I wanted to do something new with my hair. So I decided let me give this "grow my hair thing a try again" I kept seeing talk about relaxer stretching. I even followed a Stylist/Blogger Stretching Series named Latoya Jones on YouTube at the beginning of the year. So I decided I would try this. I would get to week 8 and slap on some chemical. Well my last relaxer was in February.

Well around week 5, I was blow drying my hair and decided that I going to do the stretch for real this time. 

So here I am at Week 6.

Usually I would be getting a relaxer. But Ms. Jones said it is safe to get a relaxer once you get have 2 inches of new growth. That usually takes 16 weeks (10 weeks passed  the usual retouch time) Now go look at a ruler. 2 inches!!! I barely had 3 centimeters. But I stuck in there. 

What did I use?

A Clarifying Shampoo (2x's)

A Moisturizing Shampoo (1x)

Conditioner (used Deep Conditioner once a month)

A 6 week Reversion Smoothing Serum (I like that brand. I tested another brand for another company (Can't tell the brand yet, still "testing". I hate it) (I take one week off and start again after every cycle)

Blow Dryer

Flat Iron 

Edge Control Stick

Two Satin Scarves (I like to flat iron my hair once a week. Hair does Not need that much heat. Plus I am lazy and like to sleep until the last minute. Satin scarves keep my hair in place and pretty straight)

Here is Week 7 (First week of the "stretch").

I got it pretty straight. It was cute. I felt like I can do this. This won't be so bad.

Week 9 was funny. I was going to my cousin's wedding. And I had sweated a lot in Line Dance Aerobics that week. I had been wearing my hair down and I didn't have time to wash my hair. So I put it up in a chignon and parted out some bangs to "hide" the new growth in the front. 

I was cute had on a "new to me" strapless dress. I debuted my "lollipop lips". You couldn't tell me nothing at my foundation church that night. 

Week 12 was where the work really kicked in. I was almost a month away. I washed my hair and  I couldn't find my any fake hair. So I had to wear my hair down. I had my niece & nephew's godfather's funeral to attend. Problem was I could stop sweating because the fan in my bedroom stop blowing the night before. I looked okay that day but by time for me to wash my hair. My hair was so big.

Yes, that hair is screaming wash me. Oh and yes, I got a new fan for my room. Sweat is the enemy of a relaxer stretch. Trust me!!! I don't sweat often but when I do...it pours from my body. I need an ice water I.V. just talking about it. LoL

Last week of the stretch. So I decide to take these pics of my last week before my relaxer. The first picture is where my new growth stops indicated by my finger (Yeah, I finger parted it. So it looks funny). The next two pictures is my hair wash, blow dried & flat ironed with a little bump. Don't be fool by the clean look. It's thick in there. I'm looking at the back. Once my stylist relaxes and trims my hair properly, my hair will probably not be as long as I envisioned it but it will be thicker and healthier. That's what is important. 

 

Well I ended up roller setting my hair. It has rain a few days this week so the weather is humid. I went to a outdoor event at the Fair Park so this hairstyle is perfect. 

 

I was at my one of best friend's we will call T.T., birthday event, the day after the out the outdoor event. My "little" brother, BJ said He now knew what I would look like with a natural and he approved. (He has Team Natural tendencies so yeah he gets side eye a lot). On the way to the venue I was concerned because my edges weren't  matching the curls in my eyes. But in this photo taken by my BFF, Love, my hair looked fine. Yeah My hair was ruling me for a moment. 

During the stretch I only wore my hair in 3 styles, a bumped wrap, updo, pulled back braided bun (bun is unraveling, need a new one), and a roller set. 

My tresses will be in the hands of my long time stylist, Adrienne. I've been with her 20 years, this year. I trust her. So what ever hairstyle she envisions will be my hairstyle. 

So are you ready for the reveal. Introducing Adrienne's "Betty Boop". But first look at me under the dryer. 

 
I don't like being under dryer. It's boring. I can't hear and if someone is talking to me I feel like I am screaming. Okay I'm stalling. Here is the style result of my first relaxer stretch.

 

I just pin curl it a night and as the curls fall I will wrap it. Do you like it? I do!!!

Will I do a relaxer stretch again? Yes!!! Unless it is an emergency, I'll go 16 weeks between relaxer touch ups from now on. My hair feels great and full. Got a little more length to the hair. I like the results.

I told you guys I followed the Relaxer Stretch tips from a Hair vlogger who is also Hairstylist. Her name is Latoya Jones. Her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkjr8TmEu7Hv_GvfWkpVYbw
Her Blog is http://www.latoyajonesblog.com/
She gives great tips and her Vlog is very helpful. Go Check her out.

Any other questions, leave them in the comments below or Email OUTSPOKEN DIVA at
c.out.spoken.diva@gmail.com

As Always, Talking to You in Adult Terms