Usually I drive out to Portland for my regular relaxer touch ups and when the weather is not bad. But since the salon I go to has closed due to the crisis we are in, I have had to bunker down and set up shop to do my relaxer touch up at home.
In preparing to do the touch up at home I had to make sure I had all that I needed to do it properly. For starters, I purchased a new relaxer kit by Dark & Lovely and discovered that they had improved the brand, which was nice because they took out the Keratin tube, which I never used because it is too hard on my hair.
I like the new formula. It’s nice, too that they’ve made so that it can go for either one application or for two touch ups. I don’t recall Dark & Lovely ever having that before. I just recall always having to throw away any relaxer cream that was left over.
Having the right tools is essential. These are the some of the main essential tools I used for my hair. I just got the black wide tooth comb. I finally realized that I needed a better one than the comb I had been using. It’s better in a sense because it does not break off my hair after I have wrapped it up.
The rat tailed comb is one of my favorites especially for when I am doing my hair. The two things you do not see in this picture are the applicator brush I used to apply the cream to my hair and the protective oil I used to go around my hairline and ears, and on my scalp. Remember, it’s important not to apply the relaxer on your scalp.
The next time I have to do my relaxer touch up at home, I’ll post all of my essential tools that I use including my blow dryer.
Dark & Lovely really stepped up their game by improving the products. Giving it a more silkier feeling and healthier look, and I think the post cream that you put on your hair immediately after you rinse out the relaxer cream is to help restore it. I think that’s a really nice feature to have included.
This is one of the relaxer brands I have used for used, so you can say I have seen the products in the kit change over years, but think this one is the best and I’m glad they are stepping up their game to better protect women of color’s hair for those who like and prefer to do their relaxers at home, and for those who are doing it for the first time. Go Dark & Lovely!!!
Let’s talk about the relaxer kit. It is a six step process. There is the cream and cream activator, which you have to mix thoroughly to ensure all of the cream is mixed. It is important to empty both packets into the cream. That is step one and two. Step three is the Fiber Strength Post Treatment. You use this immediately after thoroughly rinsing out the relaxer cream. You leave the treatment on your hair for about 10 minutes then you rinse it out and wash and condition with steps four and five. I recommend washing your hair at least three times. The conditioner is left on your hair for five minutes then you rinse out thoroughly, towel dry and add step six which is the Recovery Shine Cream with Coconut Oil. You do not need to use a lot of this cream because it can weight your hair. Just a little can be good enough. Be careful adding other products if you use this cream otherwise your hair will be stringing, limp and heavy…and that’s not a good look 🙂
In closing, my main concern was how the left side of my hair was going to be growing throughout this whole journey and I can say it’s finally catching up, which is why it was trimmed the way it was so it would look one length. Once it gets to where it is supposed to be my hairstylist will even out my length, that is the ultimate goal.
So, I hope you like this post and it was helpful in some way. I’m glad to be posting back in Savvy Hair Studio 101 and hope that all my lovelies have been taking good care of your hair. Comment below if you would like to share your relaxed and/or natural hair experience, stories with relaxing professionally or at home, or if you just want to say hello. Remember that if you’re not already following my page, please do so and if you haven’t already clicked like, please remember to do so.
Any information I can share that will be helpful to someone, I most definitely will do so.
