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

The Hair Debate

I told you all that there three social debates I honestly think are stupid. Skin tones in the black
race has already been discussed. One day I'll discuss Working/Stay-at-Home moms but today let me discuss Relaxed/Natural hair.

I wear a relaxer. I've had a relaxer since I was 5. I don't want to wear my hair any other way. That's my choice. My sister wears her hair in natural locks. She can't imagine wearing a relaxer ever again. That's her choice.
Who made the Good Hair choice?
If you said My sister of if you said me, you are wrong, in my opinion. We both made Good Hair choices.

I HATE the term Good Hair. If you have hair on your head that is not falling out of your head, it is Good Hair.
The hair debate makes me outraged. Straight hair is not better than Wavy hair. Wavy hair is not more comb-able than Natural Coiled hair. Natural Coiled hair is not healthier than Straight hair. We need to get that through our skulls to our brain. The fact must get lost in the hair.

Hair choice is a matter of opinion. Opinions are not right or wrong. So how someone wears their hair is not right or wrong.

Boy massa did a number on us again. Lincoln may have emancipated us but our brains are still enslaved when it comes to hair choices. Well I'm off the plantation. My relaxed bob is cute just like my sister's locks. Afros are cute. Bald heads are cute. Weaves & ringlets are cute just like close cut haircuts. I think all hair is Good Hair. That's Great!

Always Talking to You in Adult Terms