"Cluless and Colorful"

by India Morrison
(Roanoke, Virginia)

About two years ago I decided to try coloring my hair at home (1st mistake)! I had a friend who was in beauty school who assured me it wasn't hard and so I listened (2nd mistake)! I went to the local Sally's beauty supply store and picked some clairol semi- permanent color. As I was admiring the color swatch I chose against my hair in the mirror, I noticed that my roots were really wavy. I needed a relaxer! Now, I may be far from an expert or cosmetologist, but I know coloring and relaxing together can't be good so I realize I'm going to have to choose between a realxer and color.

Just as I was choosing the relaxer the sales associate notices me and reads my mind saying "That color you chose can be used the same day as a relaxer." With raised eyebrows she gives me a few instructions, assures me she is licensed and whisks me away with the color, an olive oil relaxer, and deep conditioner (3rd mistake)!

To make a "long" story "short" I performed the relaxer and color and every thing was fine except that looked like orphan Annie! The color was such a bright orange I couldn't stand it. I tried putting oil in it to make it appear darker and that only made things worse. The next day I made my 4th and dumbest mistake by going to Wal-greens, buying Dark & Lovely PERMANENT color in Golden Bronze and attempting to "fix" the bright orange mop I had.

Upon rinsing that color my hair was falling out in the sink and in balls in the comb! I was crying but I knew I had to rinse all the dye out. I had inch- long hair in about 5 places throughout my scalp.I had to cut my hair short and am just regaining a little of my length. After that I haven't been to a salon or trusted anyone with my hair.

I researched day and night and found products and a regimen that has worked for me, and I am proud to say Carol's Daughter rescued my hair! I had to learn the hard way that natural products are best for African- American hair, and since I am mixed but choose to relax my hair, I had to go through many trials to come up with my ritual. Advice I would give any women who simply want their hair back or want to maintain their healthy hair can be summed up in a few tips: 1) STAY AWAY from any shampoos with LAURETH SULFATE in them!!! PLEASE!!! These are most shampoos in the stores but the chemical is deadly drying on African- American & textured hair! READ THE INGREDIENTS! 2)Trim ends regularly &deep condition with protein 3)Use Carol's Daughter hair products. They are natural and are like plant food to the scalp.