Olaplex | Rebuild the damage caused by your chemical treatment

I've received emails from a few readers inquiring about a (somewhat)new product on the market by the name Olaplex. What's amazing about this product is that it's a one ingredient formula that works to reconnect the hair's disulfide bonds.  That's right, it works on the structure of the hair, basically repairing damage, bringing it to a healthy state once again.  

Olaplex

Apparently, the Olaplex protects the hair during/after chemical processes, preventing the damage one would normally experience when the bonds are broken.  The result?  Hair feels, smooth, silky and is pretty much free of damage + breakage.   Olaplex is a professional product gaining it's popularity in salons.  Blondes everywhere are raving about how silky and perfect their hair looks and feels thanks for Olaplex.

As you know, bleaching the hair and relaxing produces similar results (with regards to dryness, breakage, split ends) so Olaplex is very promising for those of us who want to mitigate the damage from chemical treatments.  The good news is that Olaplex can also be used post relaxer or as a stand alone treatment to address damaged hair.

The entire system consists of three steps.  Bottle No. 1 is the Bond Multiplier, which is typically mixed in the chemical product to lighten hair.  In the back of my mind, I'm wondering if the bond multiplier can be mixed in with a chemical relaxer.  Curiosity got the best of me so I did a little more digging and found this conversation on their Facebook page.

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  Anita Johnson How do you use it with relaxer, lightener and color combinations? Yes I push the envelope 

  Like · Reply · July 20, 2014 at 2:35am
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  Olaplex Ok if you are one to push the envelope then do it carefully and wisely. We love the envelope pushed but experiment first and know the product Olaplex well. You can mix 15% bond multiplier with 85% water in applicator bottle. After you neutralize rents and saturate hair with Olaplex mixture leave on 7.5 minutes if you have the time saturate hair again and will leave on another 7.5 minutes. Rinse, shampoo, condition you do not need to wait the 48 hours before you shampoo.

Interestingly enough, when I contacted Olaplex directly to inquire as to whether I can include the bond multiplier into my relaxer, the response I received was to try it out and let them know my experience.  (I just might take them up on that challenge).

  Bottle No. 2 is the Bond Perfector which is applied post treatment.  According to their website, as a stand alone treatment, you'd use Bottle No. 1 (Bond Multiplier), then add a generous amount of Bottle #2, leave in for 10 minutes (or more), then rinse, shampoo, condition.

The good folks at Olaplex also have Bottle No 3. (Hair Perfector) which helps maintain health of the hair post treatment.  Since our hair's bonds are constantly being compromised due to manipulation, heat styling, etc, this product helps to "maintain the strength, structure, integrity and softness of the hair until the next service at the salon."

It took me a while to get hip to this amazing product but I'm not putting it off any longer.  After doing a little searching, I was able to locate Olaplex for sale on Ebay.  I picked up a package containing all three treatments which I should be receiving within the next week or so.  Review coming soon.

The one time when protein overload may be a good thing

For the past week or so, I got a little lazy with my moisturizing routine.  In an effort to save time, I skipped a few steps. Instead of applying liquid, then moisturizer then oil, I only did two steps.  First I misted my hair with Evian Facial Mist spray then finished up with coconut oil.  This routine was pretty much repeated daily since I traveled all week.

While all of this was happening, I wasn't thinking about the eventual outcome of using coconut oil every day.  As you might recall, coconut oil is said to have the power to provide the hair strand with protein.  Each day my hair was essentially absorbing protein. By the time the week was over, my hair was feeling stiff and didn't absorb moisture as well.

On Sunday I decided to touch up my roots (p.s. my last touch up was about 3 months ago. Normally I like to wait 4 months but I experienced quite a bit of growth from taking bamboo tea regularly during the late summer months) .  At the start of the relaxer process, I put a little coconut oil on my hair to help protect the hair from the relaxer run-off.  It wasn't until half way through the relaxer process that it dawned on me that the stiffness I was experiencing was probably a result of all that layering of coconut oil.  But here's the thing.  By the time I rinsed the relaxer out, I realized just how great my hair felt.  The stiffness went away but my hair still felt strong and resilient.

Then I thought, perhaps the additional protein within my strands added another layer of protection during the chemical process.  Typically, after a touch up, I go through this rebuilding phase where I pamper my hair with protein rich products to put strength back into my hair.  This time was different.  I should mention that I still did the responsible thing by adding a little pure protein + silk amino acids to my relaxer mix.  Everything worked together to create a wonderful symphony of strength.  Heck, I didn't need to break out my Tiger Reconstructor spray. 

I will definitely pay close attention to my protein levels prior to relaxing in the future.  One thing I'll do differently next time will be to provide as much protein lovin' to my roots as to the rest of my length.  After all, that's the hair closest to the line of fire. A day or so has passed and everything is just peachy keen.  Now that my hair feels pretty balanced, I'll go back to my regularly scheduled moisturizing routine.  At least now I have a strategy for when next wash day comes around.

First Impressions | Linange Shea Butter Relaxer Review

Not too long ago I mentioned that, for the first time in years, I would be trying out a new relaxer.  More specifically, Linange Shea Butter relaxer.  The reviews alone were enough to interest me, but when I received even more confirmation in the form of a wonderful comment about how amazing the relaxer is, I was sold.

It was difficult, at first to decide between their texturizer and relaxer so I decided to try the stronger formula this time and, if I so desired, I'd experiment with the texturizer next touch up.   The lye formula comes with nothing other than the jar contianing the relaxer.  No activator needed to mix in like with my Affirm Fibergaurd.

With sprush in hand, I prepared myself for the experience.  Normally, I would mix a little Pure Protein into my relaxer but, for the sake of this review, I decided to add no bells and whistles.  Minutes prior to relaxing I applied excessive amounts of coconut oil to the length of my hair allowing it to soak in a little before touch up process.

 I separated my hair in small sections and began to apply the thick cream.  The consistency was heavy enough that it didn't move when applied.  That's a good thing.  My only thoughts were about how I demonstrated no discipline with regards to scratching itches in the days leading up to the relaxer application.  I silently hoped that Linange would spare my scalp from intense burning and subsequent scabs.

Linange didn't have that "relaxer chemical" scent and when I applied it throughout, it barely affected my new growth.  Another thing I noticed was how little scalp irritation I was experiencing.  After it was applied throughout, I began to smooth with my gloved hands.  Again, very little irritation.  Since it appeared that my hair wasn't over-processed, I allowed the relaxer to do its thing for a few more minutes before washing out.  The best way to describe what I love about Linange is that allowed my hair to retain its structural strength.  I felt like it respected my hair. I know this sounds weird but typically, after a touch up, I can tell that my hair was been "weakened" by chemicals and I immediately begin the process of reintroducing protein to my regimen to try to reverse some of that damage.  This wasn't the case with Linange, It did its job without wreacking havoc to my hair. I can only imagine the long term benefits of this.

With Linange, my hair doesn't feel damaged AT ALL.  It processed my hair enough to loosen my texture without making it weak  and fragile.  I almost felt like I didn't need a protein step after rinsing the relaxer but I did it anyway.  Oh, and I left the experience with ZERO damage to my scalp. No scabbing....nothing (even though I didn't deserve it).  I would say the experience was pretty flawless with one exception.  Everything was perfect with my newly relaxed hair but, I felt like my previously relaxed hair dried out a little from the impact of the relaxer run off as I rinsed in the shower.

The good news is that dryness was combatted with the help of Kerastase Nutrithermique and Kanechom Shea Butter.  Throughout the week, I kept the hair nice and moist using Evian Facial Spray, Aveda Damage Remedy moisturizer and Gleau Argan oil blend.  Next time I touch up, I'll come armed by applying Avlon's preservo serum to the length or perhaps I'll experiment with using their nuetralizing conditioner on my previously relaxed strands.

Lastly, the one jar was enough to do my entire head and leave a little for next time.  I will still need to purchase a second jar when I do this again in 3-4 months.  Overall, I'm a believer in Linange. It has now become the official relaxer of Relaxed Hair Health Blog until further notice.  For those of you interested, I would say that if you aren't looking for the "bone straight" look, consider trying Linange out and seeing if your hair likes it. Most of the people who tried it (including myself) are very happy with the results.

The reason why I am switching relaxers.

I'd like to showcase a comment left on my recent post about adding Linange neutralizing conditioner (and possibly the relaxer) on my wish list.  Well,  I'd like to thank to the anonymous reader who shared this amazing feedback:

I switched stylists a year ago and my new stylist uses Lineage. It wasn't until this switch that I realized what my hair is supposed to feel like. I was previously relaxed with Mizani ButterBlends and thought that everyone has to accept a certain amount of dryness, etc. It wasn't until I went to the new stylist and could feel the difference between my newly relaxed hair with Lineage & the old hair, that I realized Mizani was giving me high porosity hair. Lineage is great, my hair holds moisture 10x better, likes waaaayyy more products (before my hair only liked 1 conditioner) and doesn't need protein every week. You should definitely check out their products.

Seriously I haven't heard any negative feedback about Linange.  Anon's feedback has pretty much sealed the deal for me.  I am officially trying out a new relaxer next touchup.  The last time I veered from Affirm was with Phytospecific relaxer.  Long story short, it didn't work out well for me.  I'm hoping this will be a much better experience and I look forward to it.

 

Wishlisted | Linange Neutralizing Conditioner + Texturizer

As I stood in front of my hair product stash, last weekend, I thought for a moment about what I could do to bring some life back into my hair.  There, in the back, was a large yellow and purple bottle of Motions Neutralizing shampoo. Normally, that Motions bottle only saw the light of day after relaxer touch ups. But, from time to time, I like to leverage it's low pH levels in an attempt to create a smoother, more healthy cuticle layer.

As I stood in the shower, washing my hair, a thought came into my mind. "I wonder if there's such a thing as a neutralizing conditioner?" Can you imagine the awesomeness that could happen if my conditioner could bring pH balance to my hair and scalp every wash day?  Moments later, I was in front of the computer, hair still damp, as I scoured the web to see if neutralizing conditioners exist.

My search led me to a product called Linange Neutralizing Conditioner. Many of the reviewers were relaxed and used this product post processing. Most raved about how great it worked to neutralize, leaving the hair feeling strong and healthy.  I was sold. Not only would this come in handy after a touch up but the benefits of having a product that could "prevent calcium deposits & smooths cuticles" after relaxers could be of great value during the weekly wash as well. Especially if you have hard water or are prone to frizzy hair.

You know how Amazon likes to recommend other products it thinks you might like?  On the list of other recommendations was a Shea Butter lye relaxer from the same brand.  Again, great reviews!  Everyone went on and on about this being the best relaxer ever.  Most of the ladies described it as extremely gentle on the scalp and hair.  Sounds like a great options for those who texlax. It's actually referred to as a texturizer, not a relaxer. My curiosity peaked. Could using a texturizer to relax vs. a mild relaxer, be the next evolution in healthier chemically processed hair?

 I checked out a review video for the texturizer. The woman read off the list of ingredients and Sodium Hydroxide fell way low on the list. It was actually listed after shea butter.  I've used Affirm Fiberguard or eons and this is the first time I'm tempted to switch up. For sure, I'm getting the conditioner. And I'm about 80% sure that I'll be getting this relaxer. Anyone tried this?

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

works well

By 1104 on April 6, 2014

Verified Purchase

I stopped shampooing years ago, long before the introduction of WEN to the masses. In the black community, we refer to it as co-washing. That is when you use conditioner to cream out the dirt in your hair. I heard this tip when I was a kid, from a non-black cosmetologist giving advice to a non-black client, who had fragile hair and complained about shampoo stripping it.

The only time I have shampooed in the last several years, was when washing out a relaxer. You have to neutralize and no one gave me an answer about using acidifying conditioners as an alternative to shampoo.

Well, here it is, about 5 years later, you CAN neutralize with a conditioner, rather than a neutralizing shampoo. I used this WITHOUT follow-up with my usual neutralizing shampoo and am VERY happy with the results.

If you are not comfortable with that, you can still use a neutralizing shampoo, but you won't have to keep lathering up 3 or 4 times to try and get all the relaxer out.

The price is ridiculous but the product is good; I recommend and will likely be using this with Nairobi relaxer, since that is technically meant for professional sale so they don't offer a neutralizer with the kits.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Love this conditioner after my perm!

By MsGTgirl06 on May 31, 2013

Verified Purchase

I've never used this particular product after a perm but I love it and will keep using it from now on! A+

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

Love the whole line

By Kisha Maxwell on February 25, 2013

Verified Purchase

My 1st time using this relaxer system & was skeptical because I've never heard or used a neutralizing conditioner before. I must say I am very pleased with my hair it is very soft & full of body.

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Best Neutralizer!

By Moniphia Granston on November 23, 2012

Verified Purchase

This conditions and makes my hair smooth after a relaxer. I don't think I would revert to using a traditional neutralizer shampoo again!

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