Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers since 09

[fluffylocks]

How is your progress?

I cut about 10 inches off, and left enough to get weaves
Everythings good, excpet I had a sew-in, and the upart was left out,
and for some reason, most of the hair that was left out in the u section of the sew-in, broke all the way to the natural hair

And now, 3 months, going on 4 at the end of april, that hair that was in the usection is shorter than the rest of the natural hair. Its about 1" stretched. Im worried about that because I dont know why it broke off and it looks like its growing slower. The rest of the hair especially the back is 2" right on schedule.

What are you doing to make sure you dont have any breakage and even growth?

How are you wearing your hair?

Whats your progress like?

 

[MzK]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was in late Feb./March '09. Flexi-rod sets were my PS until I got Kinky Twist in Sept. 09-Nov 09. Didn't know a THING about taking care of shed hairs, etc--had a matted MESS--had to cut my hair. Went back to the flexi-rod PS. :/

I too, have a small patch of hair (back, towards the nape) that doesn't seem like its growing--I don't know if the twists were the culprit, or just my own negligence.

So, my progress is.....OKAY. I've stocked up on products raved by the gurls here, so I feel a little confident that I'll get my hair back on track. So, when I remove these feed-in cornrows this weekend, I'll be ready to tackle my hair.

 

[Nouvelle]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My older sister hasn't had a relaxer since June 2009 and she'll be 10 months post relaxer tomorrow. She wants to transition until she reaches a length she's comfortable with, God willing. She's been wearing individual braids with extensions since August 2009 and to reduce breakage, she moisturizes her hair daily with a vegetable glycerin/water spritz and keeps her scalp clean. Her hair in the front are nose and chin length and neck length in the back. She's hoping to grow out the layers until they're all shoulder length or a little longer unstretched. She had about 3 inches of new growth in January, so she's waiting until June to see how much more she has.

 

[LovingMe87]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was Aug 09 and until Feb 10 i wore my hair straight, in rollersets, or buns. Ive transitioned longer before so I was used to dealing with the different textures. Then on Feb 11. 2010 (6 months post) I bc'ed because I just felt that it was time. But I immediately got kinky twists because I wasn't ready to rock my twa once I seen the finish product. I wore them for almost 8 wks and then on April 6th I wore my hair out for the first time. I can't not touch my hair for that long so I decided that I just needed to get the courage to rock my twa! I looked better than I thought I would and Ive gotten positive feedback, which was surprising! I have about 4 inches of hair which I would expect since my hair grows .5 inch per month.

Right now Ive been moisturizing and twisting my hair at night then wearing a twistout for the day. I plan on doing that everyday and washing/dcing/detangling once a week. I finger come every night, btw. Hopefully I'll continue to retain my length doing this consistently. I'd say my progress has been good and better than expected!

 

[melissa-bee]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was in august. And on wednesday i was exactly 8 months post my hair grows quite slow so i've got like 2 1/2 to 3 inches of hair. For the past 4 months i've just been washing my hair once every 2 weeks, conditioning, airdrying and flatironing and it's working well for me. I wanna go at least 24 months so i guess i have 16 months left.

 

[LoveCraze]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was in March 2009. Currently at 13 months post. I think I am really getting close to the point where I am ready to go to the next phase of my hair journey. Currently in Senegalese Twist. When I take them out, then I'll evaluate if I should go ahead and chop.

For your hair issue of breakage, you may want to look at your regimen. Did you have a good protein/moisture balance? Could excessive heat usage have caused breakage if you straightened it often? As far as the slow growth, maybe take more vitamin supplements, drink plenty of water and excercise. This is the first things to pops to mind. Good luck and HHJ!

ETA: When not in twists, I normally wear no heat styles such as bantu knotouts. You can see all this in my fotki.

 

[Rapunzel*]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

my last relaxer was June 2009 ill be ten months post tomorrow i plan to transition at least 13 months, but hopefully 24 months, my current length is in my siggy bsb

 

[JuiceMobsta]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My older sister hasn't had a relaxer since June 2009 and she'll be 10 months post relaxer tomorrow. She wants to transition until she reaches a length she's comfortable with, God willing. She's been wearing individual braids with extensions since August 2009 and to reduce breakage, she moisturizes her hair daily with a vegetable glycerin/water spritz and keeps her scalp clean. Her hair in the front are nose and chin length and neck length in the back. She's hoping to grow out the layers until they're all shoulder length or a little longer unstretched. She had about 3 inches of new growth in January, so she's waiting until June to see how much more she has.

Me and your sis are in the same boat My last relaxer was in june 2009 also, I'm just a few days ahead of her.

 

[mimi0410]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was August 2009. My hair is coming along really well. I dont have plans to BC--I wanna cut the texlaxed hair as I go. I had quite a bit cut last month. I work out alot and dont apply much heat. I cowash about 2 times a week, poo and deep condition w/heat or steam once a week. I strictly airdry. I currently just bun my hair and wear half wigs. I have a weave installation scheduled for the end of April. Hoping the weave will help continue growing out my texlax.

 

[JuiceMobsta]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

my last relaxer was June 2009 ill be ten months post tomorrow i plan to transition at least 13 months, but hopefully 24 months, my current length is in my siggy bsb

Hey Rapunzel! Youre a fellow transitioner...compare my siggy to yours I want to transition until my natural hair is atleast armpit length...but by then the relaxed hair might be broken off already

 

[Xaragua]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

my last relaxer was June 2009 ill be ten months post tomorrow i plan to transition at least 13 months, but hopefully 24 months, my current length is in my siggy bsb

me too, my last relaxer was june 13th 2009, i will be 10 months post very soon

 

[Nouvelle]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

Me and your sis are in the same boat My last relaxer was in june 2009 also, I'm just a few days ahead of her.

Cool!

 

[MiWay]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was July 2009. I don't have a solid regimen yet, but now that it's warming up, I wash once a month. In between washing, I co-wash at least twice a week and wear my hair in a bun or twistout. Sometimes I blowdry it and use Carusos, but I still haven't perfected that yet. On wash days, I blowdry and flatiron. I'm going to try curlformers next time I wash.

Honestly, I don't feel like I've made much length progress since I've been transitioning. It's probaby just hair anorexia, but I swear I've been APL for the last 9 months. I've been BSL, so I know I can get there, but it just doesn't seem like my hair is growing. HOWEVER, I have not had nearly as much breakage/shedding as I've had in the past. Not that I had a problem with it before, but now it's very rare. So I guess something is working. I can tell I'm in need of a serious trim, but I'm trying to hold out for as long as I can.

I'm still trying to figure out what products I like best. Right now, I'm finishing up my Aveda DR poo. I'm using Giovanni Smooth as Silk and AO Honeysuckle Rose conditioners, which my hair loves. I tried using Nacidit Aceite de Oliva last week for a DC and my hair felt awful, so I'll be throwing that out. I am going to try Pantene Nature Fusion Smooth Vitality next week. I also use ORS Olive Oil moisturizer and Hot Six oil or KeraCare essential oils.

Good luck to all of your on your journeys. I can't wait to be fully natural!

 

[JuiceMobsta]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

me too, my last relaxer was june 13th 2009, i will be 10 months post very soon

 

[tricie]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

Hello! I have been transitioning since April 2009, and am proud to say that by next week, I will be one year relaxer free!!!

I started off getting cornrows when I was 8-12 weeks post, and then I got micro braids from a highly recommended braider here in town (Lucy's Braids; she is wonderful!). I kept them in for a good while (probably a little too long, but I took them out slowly and carefully), and had them reinstalled at the end of January. I'll be taking them out this month. I use African Pride braid spray mixed with Infusium 23, (old school brown and white bottle) and Nu Gro Moisturizing growth spray every few days, and also use an MN/MTG/BT mix, and MT mixed with argan, coconut, jojoba and castor oils a few nights a week. I wash once a week with the Tridoshic shampoo bar from the Mystic Masala (made with Ayurvedic ingredients, http://themysticmasala.com/products_soaps.html), DC, and apply leave-ins, and let the braids air dry.

My hair has grown about 5 to 5 1/2 inches (which is about right), and appears to be healthy; I haven't used any heat on it except to dry under the dryer when in Curlformers when my hair is out of braids. Depending where on my head, that could be 4-5 inches unstretched or 5 inches stretched. The curl pattern in my crown and top of the head is much looser than the sides.

Now, I am transitioning without the BC, so I do have relaxed ends that I trim about an inch or so each time I take the braids out. I don't want any split ends to travel up the shaft and break my new growth.

I just try to take care of my hair when in braids and out. I use Curlformers and twistouts in between braiding, but I would like to have a lower manipulation style cuz the Curlformers only last like 3 days, and that's using gel to smooth it down.

I may get some kinky twists next or I may straighten it to see how long it is; more than likely, I'll just get the micros again. I haven't straightened since I started transitioning. My goal is to transition for 2 years, but we'll see how I feel!

Regarding the growth, there are sections in my head that seems as though they are growing slower than others; I'm not sure why that is, but as long as it's healthy, I think you'll be fine.

Well, I've rattled on long enough! I wish you the best in your transition!

HTH & HHG!

 

[SignatureBeauty]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My Last Texlaxed was Dec 31 2009, I BC in Feb 2010! so far so good! I shaved my hair down to less than an inch, all I had to do was brush it LOL!!

 

[mrsjohnson75]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

Add me to the June 2009 club that's when I last relaxed too!

 

[lolascurls]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

I last relaxed November 2009 but I decided to transition in January! Hoping to do so for at least 2 years!

 

[MzK]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last relaxer was in March 2009. Currently at 13 months post. I think I am really getting close to the point where I am ready to go to the next phase of my hair journey. Currently in Senegalese Twist. When I take them out, then I'll evaluate if I should go ahead and chop.

For your hair issue of breakage, you may want to look at your regimen. Did you have a good protein/moisture balance? Could excessive heat usage have caused breakage if you straightened it often? As far as the slow growth, maybe take more vitamin supplements, drink plenty of water and excercise. This is the first things to pops to mind. Good luck and HHJ!

ETA: When not in twists, I normally wear no heat styles such as bantu knotouts. You can see all this in my fotki.

I must be a few days later than you b/c we're in the same month, yet I'm only a few days away from being 13 months.

 

[Arian]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

ME!

6 months in.....been wearing perm rod sets and they are lovely! cut a significant amount of relaxed hair off--from SL to NL. I want to go 18 months...

 

[curali]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last perm was April 24, 2009 so I'm just about to celebrate 1 year of transitioning.

I am blessed to be a stay-at-home wife so I don't have to wear my hair out until weekends(a phony pony, a baseball cap and I'm good.)

It's coming along, slowly, but my biggest concern is the top portion; very slow growth.

I air dry exclusively, DC weekly under the dryer, keep it in plaits and baggy 2-4 x week.

Have been Mt'g since September '09, Hennaing, and will now start the "juice."

Any suggestions to speed up growth? I also work out 4-5 week and am a vegetarian.

 

[curali]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

StephElise, Tricie, SignatureBeauty,

It's so nice to see some Texas Ladies on this journey with me

 

[blue_flower]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

My last texturizer was in July 2009.

I was MBL but in January I cut 4 inches off because my hair was uneven. I straightened my hair last week and I'm almost BSL. This time my hair is roughly the same length- not different lengths.

I exercise, so I do co-washes a lot. Probably 2-3 times a week.

I'm growing my hair out so I'll be transitioning for a long time. I just want to make it back to MBL and then keep trimming my hair every couple months.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

I had my last relaxer in May '09 and I plan to transition for at least another year. I won't BC until my natural hair reaches apl/bsl. I have about 7" of new growth. I have only trimmed about 1" thus far. I'll probably cut 1" every 6 months or so.

I DC 2x/wk and co wash once or twice in between. Basically, every other day. I straighten every 2 weeks or so and wear it straight for 4 or 5 days before going back to buns/updos.

I haven't had any breakage, but I BKT'd my relaxed ends and they are strong and healthy. I want my ends to look good during my transition so that I can have the versatility of wearing different hairstyles.

 

[onejamifan]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

Last relaxer May '09. I'm a week from being 11 months into my transition!!!Planning my first semi-big chop for July. I'll be cutting at least 8 inches on the 14 month mark. Plan on trimming every 3 months after that. My goal is to be fully natural by the 2 year mark. I never thought I'd make it this far, but I'm glad I have

 

[Lucie]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

I BCed on 2.5.10.

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

i got my last relaxer in feb 09, and planned to be a long-term transitioner, but ended up bc'ing in feb '10 out of frustration and impatience. everything has been going good so far. i'm really not having to deal with any breakage, protein, or moisture issues at the moment.

i haven't really seen any progress with my hair growth either, not that i'm looking. i do expect to be apl by feb '11, but other than that, i'm really not checking. the progress i am concerned about is styling. i am working on getting better at that and experimenting with my hair.

lately i have been rocking twists, twistouts, bantu knot outs, wash'n'gos, puffs, and straightened hair.

♥

 

[JuiceMobsta]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

Add me to the June 2009 club that's when I last relaxed too!

Wow thats alot of us. Welcome!

 

[LadyRaider]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

I'm in the April 09 club! I last relaxed on April 25th. (And boy do I wish I had that decision back!)

Here is my year's progress picture!
(I think I will make it my siggy!)

1. I'm experimenting a lot with natural styles this spring, but most of the time they don't work out and I've been wearing a bun. Last week I discovered that my hair looks nice if I wash/co-wash in the morning and then braid my wet hair up in two french braids. So I think I'm going to wear that style the rest of the spring. (After this week... this week I went to the salon and had my hair flatironed.) I try to enjoy my hair as much as I want, but the enjoying of it is not as fun as seeing how much it is grown!

 

[Rapunzel*]

Re: Who has been transitioning or bigchopped for the new year? (No more relaxers sinc

me too, my last relaxer was june 13th 2009, i will be 10 months post very soon

wow we are transitioning twins our last relaxer was june 09

Hey Rapunzel! Youre a fellow transitioner...compare my siggy to yours I want to transition until my natural hair is atleast armpit length...but by then the relaxed hair might be broken off already

yes thats what i plan on doing as well. ive been protective styling via sew in and been wearing buns. try castor oil on ends, it works wonders

us 3 relaxed within 4 days of each other lol