What Are the Relaxers Used for Texlaxing?

A week or two ago, I had someone leave a comment asking me about relaxers used for texlaxing. So today I’m sharing a few different relaxers I’ve used to texlax my hair over the last few years. Each has their benefits and will achieve certain results. I have a texlaxing series that covers how I prep for texlaxing, how I mix and apply my texlax, my steps for the week after I texlax. I’m going to share with you my back story and below and I have my recommendations noted for each relaxer that you will find beneficial.

A little back story…In July of 2011, I was completely natural with Armpit Length (APL) hair and I decided that I could no longer handle my natural hair as I was growing it out. Honestly, the washing process was just becoming too much and I knew it would only get worse as my hair grew longer. My decision was to texlax my hair with the goal of leaving enough texture to still do natural looking wash n go’s. I wasn’t removing too much of my curl but simply making it more manageable.

I went out and purchased two children’s formula relaxers, Kid’s Organics Relaxer by Africa’s Best. A few year’s prior I went natural and returned to texlaxing. My stylist at the time recommended using a children’s relaxer or a relaxer for fine hair. I used the entire container of both relaxers. Yes, my hair is just that thick. LOL! I loved my hair after I was finished but over the next couple of weeks, I realized it still had more texture than I wanted. I waited about 10 weeks or so and I attempted a corrective texlax using the same brand of relaxer.

If you decide to use this brand and you are doing a virgin texlax, buy two containers and mix each one separately.

The next relaxer I tried was Botanicals by Soft and Beautiful. It’s a sensitive scalp relaxer and I never had an issue with burning. In the past, the results were great and it did not disappoint the next time around. My hair turned out perfect and it was gorgeous. The only issue is there is not much product in the container.

If you decide to try the Botanicals relaxer, be prepared to purchase two of these if you have thick hair. This is the only relaxer that I would trust texlaxing with and not mixing oil into the relaxer.

Like a fool, I decided to try another favorite from the past to see which relaxer would give the best results. Not to mention, the container had more than enough product for all this hair of mine. I decided to try Bantu relaxer with Shea Butter. The results were good but it burned the mess out of my scalp! I felt like I was going to have a head full of scabs and the ACV rinse portion of my process made me scream and tear up. No ma’am! I based my scalp prior to texlaxing and did not scratch the week before…I forgot just how strong Bantu is and why I stopped using it.

I would not recommend using Bantu unless your hair is extremely resistant to relaxing and you don’t have a sensitive scalp. Otherwise, run far away and leave this were you see it. Please don’t do it!

The same stylist mentioned above suggested trying Mizani Rhelaxer for Fine/Color Treated hair. I totally forgot that I had half of a tub left from a couple of years back.Don’t judge me but I tried to texlax when my hair was bleached blonde (…fail). I was a little hesitant to use the relaxer because I had it for so long. However, I decided to give it a go. I already had the Mizani neutralizer and I didn’t need anything else. Just mix and apply. The first time I used it, I didn’t leave it on long enough so I didn’t get the results I wanted. My hair was texlaxed but still had some curl to it. The second time worked perfectly. No burning…no nothing just great hair!

This is my go to relaxer used for texlaxing and I’ve continued to use it for years. I have my top three out of all of the relaxers mentioned in the post that I would say are must.  

Anyone that knows me knows I’m a product junkie. After the first time I used the Mizani, I decided I was going to stick with it and make it my permanent brand. Here comes the junkie in me…one of the ladies on a hair board was selling the Regular formula of the Butter Blends for $20 with shipping. I couldn’t resist! I figured I could just reduce the processing time and add more oil to make it work. It would be perfect…Wrong! The Regular no matter what is too strong for my hair. Most people can use Mizani without mixing it and still end up texlaxed. Not me! I realized I have to stick with the Fine/Color Treated formula or I will end up with scalp irritation and semi-straight hair.

I would recommend using the regular for most people. Unless you have fine or lightly textured hair, I would say go with the Butter Blends Regular…natural texture in the 4’s would work best with this relaxer. Hair in the 3’s that has looser curls, I would recommend the fine/color treated mentioned above.

I have been using the Mizani Rhelaxer since 2012 and I absolutely love it. For some reason the last texlax I decided to try the TCB relaxer I had left from my daughter’s texlax. I loved how her hair turned out when I used it, so I figure I would see how it worked for me. I knew on her hair the TCB left her with curls. Plus, I have tried this one in the past when I was using the whole TCB line. Yeah, way back in the day when I was my daughter’s age. LOL! I regret trying it again because it left my hair feeling rough…like the texture changed. I am going to assume TCB is right for her but it is just too strong for my hair. I hoped this is only temporary and I had to create a plan to reverse the roughness.  It took a bit but I got it worked out.

I would recommend using TCB on well moisturizer hair that has a natural texture in the 4’s. For my daughter, it too her hair what appeared to be a 3C curl pattern. She loved it and I mixed her’s the same way I mentioned in my application post.

On my list of relaxers and texturizers is (affiliate) Alter Ego’s Linange Texturizer. I love the results I’ve seen on hair boards. I want some of my curls back but still have my hair manageable. I’m going to try Kid’s Organic one more time and then give Alter Ego a try. It’s a tad bit pricier that all of the others on the list but the results I’ve seen make it seem worth it to try.

I have not been afraid to try new things. I would not advise anyone else to jump from relaxer to relaxer. I only tried different ones because I’ve used them in the past or a different strength of the same product. Everyone’s hair is different and what may work for me, may not work for you. More importantly, what may work for me may make your hair fall out. IJS Proceed with caution!

I’m sure other texlaxers have their favorite brands and I have heard of some using ORS relaxers, Optimum, Just for Me, and Motions. I cannot recommend those or give an opinion because I have not tried them but they are options.

Most of the relaxers above are typically found at major retailers or your local beauty supply store.

What brand of relaxer do you use?