First Flexi Rod Set

Last weekend, I finally got to try out my first flexi rod set. I've never stretched a relaxer this long, and I was really getting tired of wearing braidouts every day. It was time for something new. I used about 20 rods to achieve this look. Here are some pics of the results.





Maintaining it during the week was extremely simple. Before bed, I would toss my hair upside down, and put on my satin bonnet. In the morning, I would apply some NTM Silk Touch Leave-in and a tiny bit of coconut oil. Towards the end of the week, I was applying a bit more oil than I did towards the beginning of the week since I knew it would soon be time to wash it anyway.

Close to 16 weeks...

I'm currently 15 weeks and 4 days post-relaxer, and it has been going really well! I had a gala to go to for work on Friday, for which I flat ironed my hair. I was disappointed in myself because I was extremely pressed for time, and had to wash, dry, flat iron my hair AND get dressed within about 2.5 hours. I was basically forced to blowdry it. I have a really old blowdryer that is NOT ionic, so it really pained me to use it. I used some CHI Silk Infusion and Dove Heat Protectant to minimize the damage. In the days after the gala, I "searched and destroyed" my split ends.

I can see some noticeable growth in my hair since my last post. It seems that I've officially reached BSL. My goal was MBL, but I think I might increase that to waist length. I am not a huge fan of WL for myself while STRAIGHT, but I'd like to have a curly-ish roller set that will be about MBL.

I've been mostly wearing my hair in braidouts to help me through this stretch. I follow my usual wash day routine, perhaps with a few more protein treatments than when I have less new growth. I've become lazy and just do them in the shower. I've also been somewhat lazy with my moisturizing deep conditioning, but have been co-washing more than usual. I'm finishing up some Hello Hydration I've had lingering around, and I bought some Aussie Moist yesterday from Walmart. Tonight I used some Aphogee ProVitamin Leave-In after my wash and moisturizing deep conditioning session. My hair is currently airdrying with some coconut oil. I'll wait until bedtime to braid it in 4 plaits.

9.5 weeks post and testing my FHI Platform

I'm back much sooner than expected with the results of my first flat iron job using my new FHI Platform.

I airdried from about 11am until 8pm, with NTM Leave-in and a bit of coconut oil in my hair. I combed it once or twice while it was drying. Once dry, I applied some Hollywood Beauty Sulfur to my scalp, to prevent any itchiness, because I may not be cowashing soon since I'll want to preserve the straight hair as long as possible.



I divided my hair into four sections, and applied a bit of NTM and Chi Silk Infusion to each. I used a rat-tail comb to take out each small piece I was going to flat iron. I only passed over each piece once with the flat iron, to minimize any damage done during the process.



Trimmed by bangs.

I won't be flat ironing at this far post-relaxer again. Having to comb each section through causes too much breakage. Except for when I flat iron, I do not comb my hair while it's dry. I don't even run my fingers through my hair when dry.

And here's the finished product.

Hairdresser's Appointment

So my relaxer appointment is set for tomorrow. Before my last relaxer, I had decided that I'd attempt to stretch as long as possible. I lasted 14 weeks. It's now been 12 weeks and it feels like I was just at the salon yesterday! Anyway, the only reason I ended my stretch is because I have a wedding reception to go to next Saturday and I need to look fresh.

My hair is also in desperate need of a trim. I HATE getting my hair trimmed, but I have to admit that my ends are looking extremely "scraggly". I hate the feeling of cutting away the same amount of growth during this stretch, but I guess I prefer to have a fully healthy head of hair.