User post: Tips for Relaxing Your Hair at Home
We all know the recession is hitting us pretty hard and that does not exclude us ladies who are used to hitting up the salon to get our relaxers and touch ups every 4 to 6 weeks. Nowadays, those trips to get our "hair did" can add up so if have been considering going the DIY route, here are some tips to get you through!
Before I get into the tips, let me just give a little hair info about myself. I have been relaxing my own hair at home for about 3 to 4 years now. I had a bad experience at a salon and just decided that if I wanted it done right, I would at least try to do myself!
So, without further a-due, here we go!
Read! - please, please, please, read all the instructions that come with the relaxer kit you purchased.
Get Greased Up! - make sure that scalp is protected by greasing it first ( I like Bergamont or Blue Magic). This will help protect it through the harsh relaxing process. It will also give you practice parting your hair and finding your scalp even when you can't see it.
Four! - part your hair in fours and apply the relaxing cream section by section. I also suggest smoothing once you have applied relaxer in that section, just in case you don't have time to go back and smooth your hair out later.
Rinse! Rinse! Rinse! - when its time to get that relaxer out, rinse really, really well! I usually rinse for about 4 to 5 minutes. The more I get out initially, the less shampooing I have to do later.
Check your hands! - while shampooing, (especially if you're using a color indicating neutralizing shampoo) I check out the suds on my hands to see if they are still white. If it's not, rinse, lather, and try again!
Relax with a friend! - If you are not that confident to go at this alone, recruit a friend or a family member to be your extra set of eyes and/or hands if need be!
If there are any other DIY relaxer ladies out there with more tips, please share!
Be beautiful ladies!
Photos courtesy of www.sallybeauty.com
