I have been going to the same stylist for some time now, and she charges me $50 per application when I need a touchup. I had never applied my own relaxer before, and was hesitant to do so, but I was willing to give it a try. Never again will I pay money for something that I can do for myself. 20 applications at this price is a steal! If you are considering this product for personal use, please do yourself a favor and just buy it! Make sure to get the Shampoo and the 5-in-1 Conditioner. I'm set for at least 2 years...no kidding. I'm a stickler for saving a dollar, and ever since I made this purchase, I've been able to LOOK like I spend a lot of money on the upkeep of my hair, just from a minimal investment. Hope this helps :)