Plus: Introducing the Textured Curl Rating System!
Here's how it works. Each month, I'll feature my top picks of the month and give the product or tool a curly rating with one of the Textured Curl Rating Symbols (one through five "Curly Coils"). And then, you can rate the product and other products you like in the same category, according to the system. If you have a testimony -- good or bad, that reflects your experience with the products, go right ahead and rate the product. Then, let us know your experience in a brief description.
The Top Product on the hit list today is Phyto Specific Beauty Relaxer.
A guaranteed non-chemical product, Phtyo Relaxer is a revolutionary multi-purpose product that can relax, straighten, soften and texturize even the most resistant hair textures. This all botanical, organic formula is made with active egg and soy extract ingredients and mushroom crystals. It protects your tresses from dehydration and scalp irritation. And I mean, absolutely no irritation or odor!! This is one of the best relaxing systems on the market to date. I've been working with the Phyto Beauty Relaxer for over 8 years and in the past two years exclusively. All my clients have transferred over. While very expensive, it is worth every dollar! This relaxing process leaves the hair healthier, shinier and fuller without a doubt!
I give Phyto Beauty Relaxer a rating of
5 out of 5 Curly Coils:Vanessa Williams, Oprah and designer Rachel Roy, have all used the Phyto Specific Beauty Relaxer.
Coming in second, with four curls is Design Essentials Low Lye Relaxer. While this relaxer still consists of sodium hydroxide, it has a very low percentage of sodium hydroxide, and contains shea butter to protect against dryness and dehydration.
Design Essentials Low Lye Relaxer gets 4 out of 5 Curly Coils and an:
And fairly new on the market, coming in third with three curls is Mizani Butter Blend Relaxer. The Butter Blend by Mizani is an advanced micro-emulsion relaxer system which uses a three-phase process to ensure optimum moisture for healthy hair. Butter Blend offers a pre-treatment scalp base protection, a normalizing conditioner and an after-conditioning mist with shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey.
Mizani sodium based relaxer receives 3 out of 5 Curly Coils and a:
Comments: (53)
Add a comment
By: tfp on 5/19/2008 10:47AM
Its a hoax. If you like the relaxer then use it, but one look at the warning label should give you a hint at how NATURAL and CHEMICAL FREE it is. Also, it uses guanidine hydroxide in its Inductor (Relaxer Activator). That is the chemical that can kill kids if swallowed. It is the same chemical used in all no lye relaxers. Like I said, if you like the relaxer more than others, use it, but dont get fooled by all the NATURAL talk as this is just another no lye relaxer.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Michele on 7/31/2008 9:10AM
Thank you thank you thank you!!
I started researching relaxers again after using so called "Dr Miracle" relaxer! It tore my hair up!! I was left with brittle, lifeless hair:(
I was reading up on Phtyo Relaxer but couldn't find any feedback from Black Americans! Thank you once again! Although it is extremely expensive; my hair is worth it!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: tano on 8/06/2008 8:24PM
Well damn kim no wonder your hair is dry. Mixing lye and no-lye, relaxing every month, using oil instead of water based moisturizers, you should be bald. Learn proper hair care techniques and stop blaming the products.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Anon on 11/11/2008 5:25AM
THIS IS A TOTALLY MISLEADING ARTICLE - PLEASE CORRECT!!!!!!!!! CHECK PHYTOSPECIFIC RELAXER IMGREDIENTS AND YOU WILL FINA GUANIDINE WHICH IS A CHEMICAL. SHAME ON YOU!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Anon on 11/11/2008 5:25AM
THIS IS A TOTALLY MISLEADING ARTICLE - PLEASE CORRECT!!!!!!!!! CHECK PHYTOSPECIFIC RELAXER IMGREDIENTS AND YOU WILL FINA GUANIDINE WHICH IS A CHEMICAL. SHAME ON YOU!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Preshus on 3/11/2009 4:17PM
I would like to solicit some feedback about Phyto versus Mizani products. About 8 months ago, I had a professional use Mizani relaxer in my hair. After the process, I was disappointed in the outcome. One week later, I washed with Phyto products (blow drying shampoo, and relaxing balm) and I absolutely loved the outcome. My hair was so soft, silky and healthy looking. Over the next 3 months or so, I got more complements on my hair than I had ever received. My hair looked so healthy and shiny. When it was time for a touchup, I thought I would try the Phyto relaxer instead. I did it myself, and the results were good. But somehow my hair didn't look as good as it did when I had just gotten the Mizani relaxer, but used Phyto styling products. It's time for another touchup and I'm wondering if I should try Mizani again and use Phyto products to style, or if I should stick with the Phyto relaxer. I'm really in a quandry about this, but I don't want my hair to break off either. I've read where many people swear by Mizani and wouldn't use anything else. I've also read of many who after using Phyto products rate it better than anything they've tried, including Mizani. Could I get some REAL feedback? Signed, A sister in need of hair advice.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: rainy on 8/06/2009 9:23PM
does it work
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Sherry on 1/03/2010 3:59PM
As a hairstylist I can guarantee that any permanent hair relaxer will have one of three ingredients to re-arrange the disulfide bonds in the hair from a curly to a straight pattern. The least alkaline is ammonium thioglycolate (as in perm solutions) , the next will be traditional 'no-lye' products which use guanidine hydroxide (probably the active ingredient in this product) and the original lye relaxers which contain sodium hydroxide.
The difference is probably in the buffers and the other products in the line such as a better conditioner with a low ph to close the cuticle and help create shine.
I'd have to see the product ingredient list to confirm this observation.
Sherry
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: BeautyBotanic on 3/07/2010 11:59PM
Yet another article about a so call "natural relaxer" product to fool the ones that are not well informed and educated. If your product may be better than other relaxers than great but don't call it 'natural relaxer' when it isn't. Anything that instantly and permanently change the chemical bonds in your hair instead of gradually over time and is reversible isn't natural but has hash chemicals at a high concentration. Ladies please get informed http://botanicalspirits.com/page18.php
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Simone on 5/04/2010 11:30AM
I see some people need to get off of their extremely high horses. Some of us wear relaxers because it's convenient in our busy lives...not necessarily because we hate ourselves. I love my self and my background in every way imaginable, and having straight or curly hair has nothing to do with that. It's just hair! There are African cultures who use natural ingredients to soften their hair and grow it long. It's ignorance that automatically associate African Americans with only fros and braids. As women, we should be able to wear our hair in any shape or form or length that we like.
Reply to this Comment | Report This