Friday, March 5, 2010

To Crack or Not to Crack


I'm trying to decide if I should go back to the creamy crack or just keep the chemical out of my head. June will be two years without the crack and while my hair is healthy, no breakage etc. When I had the creamy crack my hair was healthy and no breakage AND I color my hair. I've never had a problem with a relaxer. My hair didn't break off and it wasn't dry etc. The only reason I didn't get a relaxer was back in September of 08 I got my first weave so my hair was all braided up. So when I took the weave out everyone said you should just leave your hair with no relaxer.

As of right now I'm leaning towards getting a relaxer in two weeks. I go to the gym almost everyday. Even though I tie my hair down. I still have to flat iron my edges and sometimes roots. If not I will look like a damn Chia Pet! If I didn't go to the gym as often as I do then I can maybe see not putting the cream in my head but since I'm not one to wear twist outs and shyt I just don't think it's working out for the kid. Even back when I did get relaxers I only got 2 per year. Hell, I didn't get my first relaxer until I was 19. I guess if I had a bad experience then I would view them differently. Like I said I have permanent highlights and would relax my hair and absolutely no damage.

So, do y'all relax your hair? Tell me your hair stories!

10 comments:

Mizrepresent said...

Hey girl, well, i am really trying to go natural now. I saw my hair thinning out and i didn't like it at all. I too got my first perm at around 19, but it just doesn't seem as healthy as it used to be, so i am gonna do this thing for at least a year to see where it goes. Right now all i do is where my hair in a high bun, slick it down with gel and pomade and i'm on the go. With exercising, there is just no way i can wear it straight right now, but i will probably blow dry and straighten it on occassion. You know it's up to you. If your hair is healthy and can sustain the chemicals then do whats right for you.

Me said...

Sounds like you already have your mind made up. I agree with Mizrepresent that if you can sustain the chemicals, you should go for it. I've been natural most of my life and got my last perm like 5 years ago. I've always liked how I looked with a perm but just felt I looked (and felt) better with natural hair. It's funny that you say that you're considering getting a perm because you go to the gym so much. That is one of the reasons that I decided to go back to being natural...it gave me more freedom to not worry about sweating out my perm or getting my hair wet in the pool, shower or sauna. It's really all about what makes you the most comfortable.

me said...

I stopped relaxing in 2003, but in 2006 I started doing mini relaxers to loosen my curls, but I haven't done that since early 2009. I've decided to stay away, but I don't think anything is wrong with the crack if it's not damaging your hair. It's all in how you take care of your hair despite what you put in it. I used to dye alot and that was just as damaging for me as a relaxer is for others.

Whatever you do...just share some pics, lol.

Aretha

ShellyShell said...

@ Miz. I wear it in a bun sometimes too! But it's the edges that look like a damn chia pet! I can't take it!

@Arnetta Yeah you're right. I've pretty much decided to go back to the crack! LOL! I'm going to use Phytospecific which is plant based and I use all the product anyway but never the relaxer. I never worried about sweating out my perm. My hair is long and thick as hell but the edges...lawd! I always wear my hair blown out if not then with curls but I'm just too lazy to do twist etc! I wish I liked to do them. But I figure that's why cosmotologist went to school...lol!

@Aretha. yeah the crack is definitely not damaging to my hair. I have a rinse on my entire head then permanent highlights and no damage. I'm crazy with the conditioning. I'll post some pics this week of me with just a press and curl and a dominican blow out!

Not so Anonymous said...

oooh, I got a blowout this past weekend!

dejanae said...

looks like the creamy crack has won this round.lol
If u like it, i love it

(not so secretly hoping u wont do it)

chele said...

I've never had problems with relaxers either. I don't have the patience to go natural and as long as my hair stays healthy I have no reason NOT to use a relaxer.

E.M.H. said...

I don't relax my hair. I vote for keeping it natural but you gotta do what you think is best and easier for you. :-)

Tiffany S. Jones said...

I did do my hair story. I won't type it, but you can watch it. :)

ShellyShell said...

@Chele I see you're with me.

@EMH I feel you but I just don't know.

@Smarty fool I watched your video. Umm after having a jheri curl and a relaxer before 12 I might feel the same way. But this no perm shyt is A LOT of work. I don't like to be all up in my head like that. If I liked to do twist outs and shyt then maybe but I hate doing my own hair. My hair is thick and past my shoulders and that's with a cut. I'm going to the salon tomorrow to get my color so even if I do decide to go back to the crack. I can't do it for two more weeks. Maybe next week I'll try twist outs! If I don't like I'll be driving my azz to the dominicans for a fresh blow out for $13!