Design Essentials has now improved its entire relaxer line. They have added "Hydrastrength Vitamins and Protein Complex." Even the Pre-protect solution for the previously relaxed ends has the hydrastrength complex built into it. This is great news regarding the maintaining of the integrity of relaxed hair. However, I have better news!
Look at the old and new packaging of their regular strength relaxers pictured below. Notice the "olives" logo on the one on the right? They look like cherries from a distance, but guess what? Design Essentials has added Shea Butter and Olive Oil to this new regular formula. Okay, why am I sooooo excited? Well, remember I was soooo in love with the True Indulgence relaxer? The True Indulgence relaxer is infused with shea butter. Remember it did not irritate, and the hair turned out shiny and smooth? Well, the good news is that I used this new and improved Design Essentials regular relaxer on a borderline sensitive scalp client, and she did not get irritated from it. The old formula definitely caused irritation for those who were sensitive scalp. So I am excited about this new regular strength option! I have grown other clients that were not sensitive scalp out to mid back length using the old Design Essentials regular relaxer. So I know that it is a good relaxer line.
You are probably wondering if I like it better than the True Indulgence relaxer. The answer is that I am not sure yet. I liked the shine on the Design Essentials relaxer just after the shampoo. However, the True Indulgence shine was just as beautiful or better. So why consider this new and improved Design Essentials regular strength? I want to have a backup option.
Unfortunately, I have absolutely no regular strength True Indulgence relaxer in stock. Why? The distributor delivered one regular strength container, but the product consistency was different. Also, the batch code made me think that it was older product than the one that I originally purchased at the hair show. So I asked her to exchange it out. The next container that she delivered had the same "old" batch code, but the "shea butter" had risen to the top. So the product consistency of this second container was even worse than the one I was returning to her. She said that all I had to do was stir it up. "This happens in the summer sometimes." I told this distributor that I am not comfortable stirring up a new container of relaxer trying to get shea butter redistributed for my already sensitive scalp clients. Time is not on my hands in the middle of a relaxer service. I need product that has not been overheated, mishandled, etc. So she did not have any more fresh regular strength relaxer in stock to sell me. Of course, I was happy that I did not have any clients in immediate need of regular strength, but it made me realize that I may not be able to get my hands on the True Indulgence relaxer in a timely manner. Now, that is a problem. So I am going to need a backup. I believe that this Design Essentials shea butter regular relaxer is going to be my backup plan.
Of course, I will be using this new Design Essentials regular strength on my hair at my next relaxer time to see if it irritates me. I am soooo sensitive scalp. If it does not irritate me, then I know that my sensitive scalp clients will survive it as well.
Congratulations Design Essentials! You are back on the map for me!
It's official! Design Essentials regular relaxer with shea butter and olive oil does NOT irritate the scalp, and it straightens. Maybe some of the manufacturers are reading my blog???? Beauty is getting better and easier! Thank God! Sensitive Scalp followers - you now have choices. My first choice is still True Indulgence relaxer system. This Design Essentials relaxer system is my second choice. Six months ago, there were no choices for straightness without irritation. The beauty industry is moving in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteGlad I found your blog as I am having a hair dilemna! I am in need of a new relaxer ( I self relax). I was using and loving Alter Ego Linange Relaxer but the last time I ordered it off Amazon, what I received was the consistency of a texturizer, not the lye relaxer that I ordered. Not sure if the formulation changed since I ordered it last year or what, the packaging had changed. I have to order it online because they don't sell it in the BSS's in my area so I have not ordered again because I am not sure what I will receive. It was the only relaxer that straightened my roots... So my question is, I need to order something..and was looking at the Design Essentials Regular strength relaxer you discuss in this post. Would you still recommend this relaxer? I have fine, low porosity hair that does not easily straighten. I bought Vitale Life and Body Regular last month and that was a joke, it barely texturized my hair, I was severely underprocessed. Box perms do not work for me, regular or super so I have been using Lye perms for the past several years. I read another one of your posts where you discuss relaxers that soften the hair vs those that actually permanently straighten your roots, I am looking for a permanently straight product. If not DE Regular, what Lye relaxer would you recommend that will get my roots straight with no under processed sections? I don't mind ordering online since nothing good seems to be sold at the BSS near me (Chicago). I am going to email you too, hopefully you have time to answer this..Thanks!!
I recommend Vitale Pro High Comfort Regular relaxer, Affirm Normal relaxer, and Fiberguard Affirm Resistant relaxer. If you are going to perform a corrective relaxer application, then I highly suggest the Fiberguard Affirm line. Resistant equals super strength. The Fiberguard component is for compromised hair. These are professional relaxers that should only be sold to professionals. As far as your Alterego relaxer, you should call the hotline and check the batch number on the relaxer tub. With the decline in relaxer service requests, you may have received an expired batch of relaxer. Expired relaxers are becoming more and more common. I hope this helps!
DeleteHappy Sunday and thanks for responding! Ok one more question-Now I have heard from tons of people online that Affirm is a strong relaxer and that overtime it weakened people's hair and thinned it out, that is why I stayed away from it all of these years. Have you not found that to be the case? My hair is fine in density...And just to be sure you do not recommend Design Essential Regular in my case? Thanks again, Tasha
ReplyDeleteHi Tasha: I stopped offering Design Essentials relaxers a couple of years ago. I saw consistent issues with this new Design Essentials formulation. However, Affirm relaxers reformulated a few years back for the better. So as of 2014, you have my recommendations. This original article was written in 2011. You can search through my blog for other relaxer updates. I hope this helps!
DeleteHey there. I'm a fellow stylist currently using Vitale pro line as my relaxer choice for my clients. Recently was visited by a DE rep...would you care to share what issues you had with the new formula? I do like some of their products and was considering trying the relaxer as well.. any info would help thanks
ReplyDeleteHi IMME! Just like with many new things, you love them the first time and then you start seeing changes in the health of the hair that you just do not like. Honestly, Design Essentials may have improved their relaxers and neutralizing system by now. It is inevitable that manufacturers seem to tweek their formulas. My best advice to myself over the years is to stick with what works. If it is not broke do not try to fix it. Representatives are required to be nice to sell their goods. Let something go wrong, then it's your fault! That's with a lot of the companies out there. I am probably not of much help to you in regards to your originial question because it has been years since I have used the Design Essentials relaxer. I love Vitale Pro, and I am not adding anything new until something breaks. That's just me. Best Wishes and thanks for your support!
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