Times are tough, and pennies are being pinched all over. For many of us, that means cutting back on life's little luxuries and learning to DIY. Body scrubs, manicures, and pedicures are one thing -- but what about at-home hair relaxers? There are three basic things you should consider.
1 -- Know your brand. Relaxers range from the expensive (Phytorelaxer retails at $60) to the super cheap. I've seen off brand relaxers retail for less than $5. In the age of the internet, there's no excuse for taking a gamble on a product you've never heard of before. This is your crowning glory we're talking about here. Look up the top relaxer brands online, check out message boards, know what you're buying before you hit the store. As seen in the previous post, picking up a bargain can leave you bald. Popular drugstore brands with mostly positive reviews include Dark and Lovely Moisture Seal, Affirm, Soft & Beautiful, Profectiv Anti-Damage No-Lye Relaxer, and Dr. Miracle Thermalceutical Intensive No-Lye relaxer.
2 -- Protect your scalp. When you go to the salon, they usually apply a base to your scalp. Old fashioned Vaseline does the trick, but there are other products you can use. Some people use castor oil, others use a relaxer that includes a base in the package. The ladies of Long Hair Care Forums swear by Profectiv Root Health, available at Sally's Beauty Supply.
3 -- Follow the instructions to the letter. So often we become used to doing treatments and assume we know what we're doing...well, being slapdash and cavalier with a relaxer helped me have a nice big chunk of badly damaged hair in the back of my head, back in my creamy crack college days. Don't rush your relaxer. Take your time, part your hair well, make sure you've got base on your scalp and your plastic gloves on. And after you relax, don't rush to apply color or heat or any additional treatment. Your hair will need time to recover. Use a gentle and nurturing shampoo and conditioner, and sleep with your hair wrapped with a silk scarf, or on a satin pillowcase. Love your hair and it will be good to you!
