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

[CurlTalk]

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

Last relaxer was early August '09, so I'm 8 months post now.

I keep a very simple reggie: wash a few times a week as needed, condition, and style in no-heat styles. My retention is great now, and I'm progressing nicely.

 

[Avaya]

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

I haven't had a touch up since Sept. '09. My hair seems to be growing slllloooowwwwlllllyyyy. I plan on transitioning, no BC. It is going to take FOREVER for me to have the length that I have now as a relaxed head as a natural. I'm guessing that it will take about five years. Oy...

ETA: Didn't read OP's whole post:


What are you doing to make sure you don't have any breakage and even growth?
I don't really have any breakage. I think the KeraCare Masque that I use helps in this area. I am very inconsistent with my moisturizing regimen. When I do moisturize, I usually use Wave Nouveax (sp) and more recently Care Free Curls and then top that off with some coconut oil.

How are you wearing your hair?
Bun. All day. Every day.

Whats your progress like?
My hair STAYS tangled at the root. Oh my freakin' goodness! It is a nightmare! I have to gently finger detangle it which can sometimes take HOURS! I probably am underestimating my growth. The back is just so compacted. I really don't feel like straightening it to really determine my growth.

 

[jetbeauty09]

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

My last relaxer was 1/1/09 and I BC'D in Sept 09. My hair took off on the growth tip at first (I think it was b/c I wore protected styles under wigs 99% of the time) and then I started wearing my hair out more....Its still growing, just slower than I'd like.

What are you doing to make sure you dont have any breakage and even growth? I'm keeping my moisture & protein in check, I don't care if I become a PJ in the process, I want to find those products that work for me!

How are you wearing your hair? Sometimes wearing my hair in WNG, TO...you the normal natural staples.

Whats your progress like?
Its growing. I'm back to SL after BC'ing 6 months ago!!!

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

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

My last relaxer was October, 2009, and I plan to transition at least a year. I bun now, and I'm attempting to do more heatless styling and cowashing more frequently.I am also a BKTer.

 

[fluffylocks]

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.

Thankyou! When I look back, I was using a higher heat setting to get it straight, and washing less then I usually do to make sure I had to use heat less. I also didnt deepconditon that section good or enough, and i dont think I used any protien. SMH.

Im about to be really serious on vitamins, eating right, and excercising starting today actually, so your right about that, I hope it helps alot.

Think im about to get some cornrows for 2 weeks, think I can grab those short peices of hair, if not micros.

 

[fluffylocks]

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!!

Yaaaaaaaaay! My last relaxer was sometime in December (I think around the middle) So how long is your twa now stretched?

I BCed on 2.5.10.

When was your last chemical? And how long is your twa also stretched?



Both of you have some great progress. Im excited to see where we are in a year, im hoping sooo bad for SL.

What are you guys regimens and products? Do yall have any parts that are uneven lengths, or is all of your hair the same length?

 

[fivetimestwo]

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

My last relaxer/texlax was in June 09. I did a mini-chop about three weeks ago putting me right at APL, I have about 4 inches of natural hair (a little less than that in the front). I started by wearing buns, twist outs etc. but over the winter I kept my hair covered with half-wigs. I still will rock the half wigs from time to time but since it's gotten warmer I'm back to bunning.

As far as preventing breakage, I'll admit I was kind of bs'ing about it for about the 1st 6 months. Lately though, I have been co-washing only at least 2x a week since I workout. I also moisturize and seal after ever CW and then on the days in between I use olive oil cream on my ends only. About twice a month I use the Aphogee 2 min. reconstructor to hopefully prevent breakage at the demarcation line. I only straighten my hair if I plan to trim or do S&D. I am also getting much better at making sure my hair is covered at night.

I plan on transitioning until November which would put me at 18 months post, however if I am not satisfied with the length of my natural hair at that point, I'll transition longer. I was natural for four years before I decided to texlax and the one thing I regretted that time was not transitioning for long enough-I did the big chop at 3 months post.

 

[mz. new~new]

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

My last relaxer was December 4, 2009. I've been wearing half-wigs ever since. My regimen has been pretty inconsistent and my hair has definitely suffered. hoping to get back on track. I've BC'ed plenty times before so this time I'm in it for the long haul -- at least 2 years. (crossing fingers, lol)

 

[Computer Blue]

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

How is your progress?



What are you doing to make sure you dont have any breakage and even growth?
Coming up on 15 months post.The only time I had "breakage" was by my own hand month 3 by manipulation under shower stream- needless to say never did that again.

well my hair grows much faster in the back, so seeking even growth is futile for me- its not in the genes hence my going 2 yrs

gently and patiently detangle with a seamless comb and oil like grapeseed- helps me to avoid breakage, only the shed hairs slide out

wash/dc in braids, then rollerset those sections- only way my relaxed ends won't break off and dreadfully tangle- I think its better now, but I am not fixing what's broke- by doing this I avoid breakage

regular deep conditioning, protein and ceramide monthly, not letting my hair dry out


How are you wearing your hair? flatiron rollersetted ng only, experimenting with braids and curls, not perfected yet.

Whats your progress like?
Well, my hairdresser told me 2 weeks ago to keep doing what I am doing. I only needed .25 inch trim in 6 months, which was surprising to me. The idea is to gradually replace relaxed hair with ng, so I want a certain amount trimmed to increase the ng/relaxed ends ratio. I have gotten more trimmed off (a 2 inch trim in month 3) than I needed twice, but my hair stays in long layered mbl range, but not wl. In the back my longest layer of ng comes to the base of my neck, sides below my ears an bangs to my eyebrows all lightly stretched. I am happy. I want the bulk of my hair below my shoulders and this will be the case at 2 years

..............

 

[2inspireU]

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

What are you doing to make sure you don't have any breakage and even growth?

I don't know about even growth. My hair grows naturally in a v-shape. However, as far as preventing breakage. I make sure I moisturize and use protein as needed. I am keeping my hair braided, and when not braided I am in twists or a bun.

How are you wearing your hair?

Mainly protective styles. However, I will flat iron my hair at the end of May.

Whats your progress like?

I have no clue since I have not flat iron to check my growth. However, judging by the new growth alone, I believe I am doing great.

 

[LadyRaider]

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

I'm in Texas too!

 

[jayjaycurlz]

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

My last touch-up was August 22, 2009. I'm transitioning to naturlal w/o a BC.

 

[Lucie]

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

Yaaaaaaaaay! My last relaxer was sometime in December (I think around the middle) So how long is your twa now stretched?
When was your last chemical? And how long is your twa also stretched?
Both of you have some great progress. Im excited to see where we are in a year, im hoping sooo bad for SL.
What are you guys regimens and products? Do yall have any parts that are uneven lengths, or is all of your hair the same length?

My TWA is different on the sides than the middle. The middle is about 1/2'' longer than the sides. I think the middle of my hair just grows longer than the rest. Overall I would say my hair is almost 2'' long.

My last relaxer was November 13, 2009.

I should be doing something more regimented with my hair but I don't. Laziness has kicked in high gear, LOL! I prepoo with castor oil about every 2-3 weeks when I remember. I CO-wash almost every time I shower and add some Suave conditioner as a leave in. THAT'S IT! The last time I BCed I did the same thing.

 

[lovenharmony]

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

I've been transitioning since May 09, so I'm almost 1 year relaxer free! I've trimed only a little bit off the ends, and my edges are not the business right now (won't stay smooth even with Aloe Vera gel). I wear silk headbands over my edges and am now using Lustrasilk Right On curl activator to moisturise my hair. My relaxed ends look scraggly and I've been tempted to cut, but I want to wait till all my natural hair can be placed in a ponytail before I do.

 

[andromeda]

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

I started transitioning April of 2009. I thought I might transition to Sl or even APL but because of my contemptuous relationship with my relaxed ends I decided to big chop last week. I actually went through a whole process of laying out and analyzing my reasons to BC and I'm very happy I did it.

styles:
During my transition, I started out wearing bantu knot twist outs and flat twist outs. Out of laziness (didn't feel like setting my hair in a style every 3 days) and concern, I started doing more protective styles. Last summer I started wearing curly half wigs and then started wearing a full wig in the winter. I straightened my hair 3x since last April.

Since I BCd, I wore my hair in a puff for the first two days, then in twists for the rest of the week. Today I have my hair in flat twists with bantu knotted-ends to prep for a twistout. I'm hoping it turns out well.

regimen:
I plan on continuing with my low-manipulation wigging regimen. Cornrow hair under wig. Keep cornrows in for 2-4 weeks. Moisturize daily or 2x day with glycerin/water/rosewater mix. Seal with castor oil, coconut oil, or olive oil. DC and cowash weekly. Cleanse scalp as needed. Shampoo at least 1x/month. Still trying to find a regimen that's "just right".

progress:
I had a major setback in late August due to knots. I had a minor setback the month before last from cornrows that put too much stress on the front part of my hair (which wasn't sufficiently moisturized).

I have between 6-7 inches but I had to cut more straight ends off this morning (not even sure if they were relaxed or just not reverting) so it's a bit shorter in some places.

 

[solewoman]

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

I havent had a perm since like 07. but i have wearing braids ever since i gave micros up for 2010. I was getting a press every two weeks but then i saw the light on this board. now my hair is in twists w/ my own hair and im contemplating kinky twists or senaglese...but ladies here are advising me else-wise

 

[Amerie123]

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

I'm in the June '09 club as well. that was my last relaxer and tomorrow (the 16th) will make 10 months. I cant believe it.. I'm excited!!!