The Analysis
Our tress-under-duress candidate, Elly Boahene, had considerable breakage from roots to ends.Hairstylist Marvin Carrington deduced that she was subjecting her hair to inconsistent home relaxing as well as leaving in weaves too long.
Special Treatment
Carrington applied a mix of Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise Treatment for Damaged Hair and L’Oréal Nature’s Therapy Hot Oil Botanical Treatment. He covered her hair with a plastic cap and placed her under the dryer for 20 minutes. He rinsed the hair, adding a protein fix, Joico K-Pak Deep-Penetrating Reconstructor. He then gave her a layered shag to remove an optimal amount of damaged hair.
High Style
Before setting her hair, Carrington applied Aveda Phomollient Styling Foam, which protects it against heat. After removing the rollers, he massaged Farouk Systems BioSilk Silk Therapy throughout the hair for added moisture. He then wrapped the hair and sat Elly under the dryer for ten minutes. The outcome: a healthier crop of soft curls.
Beauty Breakdown
Elly was two months overdue for a touch-up, so Carrington chose one of his favorite mild and conditioning formulations, The Mizani Mild Relaxer System. The fragile hair along her temples and forehead was relaxed for a shorter time than the rest of her hair. Because Elly relaxes at home, says Carrington, it’s nearly impossible to avoid overlapping (that is, the touch-up chemical’s coming into contact with previously relaxed hair). The result is more fragile hair that can easily snap, even with everyday styling like combing and brushing. If you choose to relax on your own, work with a friend. She will be able to see where the relaxed hair meets the new growth, lessening the chance of overlapping.