Start with your hair, not the box
Relaxer boxes usually say Fine, Regular, Normal, Mild or Super. Those words describe the hair the formula was made for, not how straight the result will be. Picking a stronger relaxer than your hair needs is the most common reason for over-processing, so it pays to work through a few questions before you buy.
1. How does your hair behave when wet?
Fine strands feel thin between your fingers and process quickly. Medium or normal hair is the most common and sits in the middle. Coarse, wiry or resistant hair feels thick, springs back fast and usually needs a stronger formula to loosen at all. If you are unsure, assume you are one step milder than you think.
2. Full head or retouch?
A first-time relaxer is applied to the whole length. After that, you only process the new growth at the roots. Overlapping relaxer onto previously straightened hair is what causes breakage at the line of demarcation. Some products are made specifically for that root application.
3. How does your scalp react?
If your scalp stings, flakes or feels tender during processing, look for a formula described as being for sensitive scalps rather than simply dropping to a milder strength.
No-lye and lye: what the labels mean
No-lye kits are mixed from two parts, usually a creme and an activator, and are often described as gentler on the scalp. Lye-based cremes come ready to use and are more common in professional settings. Neither is automatically better. Whichever you choose, read and follow the instructions supplied with that specific product, including strand testing, timing and the neutralising step. Never mix instructions from one brand with the product of another.
Examples from our range
These are included to show how the categories differ, not as a ranking.
- Dark And Lovely Beautiful Beginnings Soft'N Straight No-Lye Relaxer Fine Hair — a no-lye kit described as specifically designed for fine hair, so it suits strands that process fast.
- Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil Built-In Protection No Lye Relaxer Normal — a no-lye option described as normal strength and suitable for normal hair types, the middle-ground starting point for most people.
- Dark And Lovely Moisture Plus No-Lye Relaxer Kit Super — described as a super formula for intense results, aimed at hair that resists milder strengths.
- Avlon Affirm Sensitive Relaxer Kit 9 Application — described as being for sensitive scalps and prone to irritation or dryness, and sold as a nine-application kit, which suits salon or regular home use.
- Organic Root Stimulator Olive Oil New Growth No-Lye Hair Relaxer — described as an extra strength formula for resilient new growth, so it is a retouch choice rather than a first relaxer.
- Curls & Naturals Texturiser Kit — described as loosening tight curl patterns while keeping the natural curl, for anyone who wants more manageability without going straight.
Before you buy
Decide on strength first, then formula type, then kit size. If your hair has been coloured, bleached or recently processed, get professional advice before relaxing. Aftercare matters too: follow the conditioning and neutralising guidance printed with your chosen relaxer, as these vary between brands.
You can see the full range on our relaxers collection page. Please check availability before travelling to a shop. If you order online for Click & Collect, wait for your ready-to-collect notification before setting off.
Ask us
CC Hair and Beauty has three shops: Chapeltown (LS7), Roundhay (LS8) and Leeds City Centre on New York Street. In store we offer colour matching, wig try on and product advice. You can also email info@cchairandbeauty.com or call 0113 249 5562.
