ARE you "Considering" going NATURAL?

[DarkHair]

I'm considering it. Being that I'm texlaxed is helping. I'm already 9 weeks post relaxer and am having a heck of a time. I just put coconut and olive oil on my roots and put a steamy towel on. I do wash with moisturizing poo and con. I've been PSing. I hope to BC in Dec, I hope.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

thanx OP for this tread!!

i've tossed around the idea of going natural for a few years now and have offically started to transition....i'm super excited!! i've been doing a ton of google & youtube searching and almost feel overwhelmed with the information that's out there. my question besides LHCF, where is a great starting point for a newbie? any great blogs or fotki's i should stalk?

i can compile a list.... i know of many....BUT ARE U MORE INTERESTED IN THOSE IN SIMILAR STAGES AS YOU? (SAME TIME POINT/ STARTING TO TRANSITION)
I mostly know of those who've crossed over already....i'm not really into typing as much as most (simply b/c of the slight towards some)
But during your transition period "i feel" a transition buddy with your similar hair texture will be MOST beneficial

(stuff that works for my sister...laughs at my hair)

 

[TonicaG]

I guess I'm the odd ball in this thread. No, I'm not considering at this time. I'm addicted to the "hair crack".

I do wish all those on the "natural" side and those considering the best, but at this time, it's simply not for me.

 

[NikkiQ]

I got one for you guys!!!

I recently decided to transition after all the motivating threads I read on LHCF and I'm only 2 months in(with a LONG way to go). I just wanted to ask around which point in the HHJ did you find the 2 different textures the hardest to deal with and what did you do to make it easier to handle? Right now I'm doing pretty good. Decent NG and its not too hard to slick down with a little juice, but I know that won't last long.

 

[Bun Mistress]

I really want to transition but I know I don't want to BC. My hair grows pretty slowly due to iron deficiency so it would be a 2+ year transition easily.

I don't do wigs or weaves at all and I'm wondering how I will style my hair aside from my daily bun? Even the bun is questionable because I work in a professional environment and I can't seem to slick my sides down anymore. I'm not trying to show up for meetings looking a mess because I can't handle the two textures.

I work in a profession environment and I think buns are fine. If you see my siggy that was my hair durring year one. I had to retiwst everynight for consistency. Don't worry about the edges. I would scarf at night but big hair happens

nikko: this hardest point for me was at about 6 months to about 10. That is when nothing worked during the detangling sessions and I had to change up what I was doing.

theHairLab: Um I'm still transitioning. You hurt my feels!! Ha!

 

[mzsophisticated26]

Yes I have for a few mths and now my dermatologist has made that decision for me, I was diagnosed with centrifugal alopecia in May and he told me to stop relaxing. I just don't want to big chop.

What is the best way to prevent breakage from textures?

I am texlaxed and never had issues with transitioning from relaxed but at that time I had a tapered hair cut so I did not have to deal with it too long

 

[sylver2]

NOPE!!! .

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

NOPE!!! .

12 mnth stretch u already did

 

[jennboo]

After being brutally honest with myself per jennboo's comments in another thread, I plan to continue my plan to transition to natural (I was considering texlaxing). I'm at 8 months post now.

Question: 1. How can I style the edges of my hair? 2. What is a good product to make the curls "pop"? activator gel?

Thanks

Dagnabbit!!! Another beautiful head of natural hair that i'm gonna have to compete with! LOL.

Some ladies use creams or butters and water to slick edges down and then tie a scarf around the head to blend in with the straight hair. Or you could wear highly textured styles that mask the "transitional' period...like tight braid-outs, straw sets.

What is your hair type? When you get out of the shower do you have uniform curls/coils/ringlets? If so, I'm sure a gel or other pomade can help the pattern stay put while it dries. If you've got hair more like mine, you may want to let go of the 'curl popping' idea though.

 

[I Am So Blessed]

i cant wait untill i have just 3 inches of new growth!!!, and then 6inches of new growth!! and so on!!! its going to be a masssssiveeee twist out!!! all heads will turn and all heads will weave check. and dont let me put on my Big a$$ door knocker earrings with it, YOU CANT TELL ME NUFFIN!

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

Yes I have for a few mths and now my dermatologist has made that decision for me, I was diagnosed with centrifugal alopecia in May and he told me to stop relaxing. I just don't want to big chop.

What is the best way to prevent breakage from textures?

I am texlaxed and never had issues with transitioning from relaxed but at that time I had a tapered hair cut so I did not have to deal with it too long

hey mzsophisticated
what symptoms were you exhibiting before diagnosed?

 

[Sounique]

Thanks so much for this thread!

Okay I'm hoping that I don't get snapped up for this but...

My youngest daughter has 4c hair and I just don't know how to properly care for it. It's evident by the simple fact that my other daughter's all have mbl hair and her hair has been stuck at sl since she was 2 (She's 4 now). Which is a clue to me, that I'm not caring for her hair the right way.

I know many don't believe in type 4c hair, but her hair is just a huge poof. When I wash her hair the water sits on top first, before it penetrates through. I can literally brush off the water that sits on top of her hair. Even when wet, it doesn't curl up.

Her hair is extremely dry all the time, no matter what I use. It's okay when I first comb it, but by the end of the day it's a dry thirsty mess.

I've used curl activator, moisturizing conditioners, gels, shea butter, creams and nothing has worked to alleviate the dryness.

Any suggestions ladies?

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

you've probably already been on the children's thread
but i would say you need to look at your products for proteins ingredients, cones, etc that cause dryness, brittleness if one is cone & protein sensitive. The other thing is clarify!
I lean towards gently clarifying with every was b/c i notice my products have tons of cones that BLOCK MOISTURE....CAUSE BUILD
Clarifying (not stripping) allows the moistuizing products.....and quite frankly water to reach your strands.
apple cider vinegar + water rinses should be safe enough on her at this age
start prepooing....deep condition over night....even baggying her whole head if she will allow you to (i know my niece won't)

Thanks so much for this thread!

Okay I'm hoping that I don't get snapped up for this but...

My youngest daughter has 4c hair and I just don't know how to properly care for it. It's evident by the simple fact that my other daughter's all have mbl hair and her hair has been stuck at sl since she was 2 (She's 4 now). Which is a clue to me, that I'm not caring for her hair the right way.

I know many don't believe in type 4c hair, but her hair is just a huge poof. When I wash her hair the water sits on top first, before it penetrates through. I can literally brush off the water that sits on top of her hair. Even when wet, it doesn't curl up.

Her hair is extremely dry all the time, no matter what I use. It's okay when I first comb it, but by the end of the day it's a dry thirsty mess.

I've used curl activator, moisturizing conditioners, gels, shea butter, creams and nothing has worked to alleviate the dryness.

Any suggestions ladies?

 

[Sounique]

you've probably already been on the children's thread
but i would say you need to look at your products for proteins ingredients, cones, etc that cause dryness, brittleness if one is cone & protein sensitive. The other thing is clarify!
I lean towards gently clarifying with every was b/c i notice my products have tons of cones that BLOCK MOISTURE....CAUSE BUILD
Clarifying (not stripping) allows the moistuizing products.....and quite frankly water to reach your strands.
apple cider vinegar + water rinses should be safe enough on her at this age
start prepooing....deep condition over night....even baggying her whole head if she will allow you to (i know my niece won't)

Actually I haven't been on the children's thread in a minute, but yes
Thanks for the tips, i will try to clarify her hair and no she is definitely not having the baggying!

 

[loveable37]

My 5 months strenGTH (i COULDNT TAKE IT NO MORE)..... HERE I COME mild..... ELASTIC QP RELAXER. my husband complainin about NAPES /WAVES/AND PONYTAIL ALONG WITH BRAIDS SORRY.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I would like to. I don't want to do a BC. I'd rather do a long transition, even if it's years. I'm bsb now. What do I need to do?

 

[Sounique]

Sorry about original post, I'm all up in the wrong thread...oops

 

[simplyconfident]

i can compile a list.... i know of many....BUT ARE U MORE INTERESTED IN THOSE IN SIMILAR STAGES AS YOU? (SAME TIME POINT/ STARTING TO TRANSITION)
I mostly know of those who've crossed over already....i'm not really into typing as much as most (simply b/c of the slight towards some)
But during your transition period "i feel" a transition buddy with your similar hair texture will be MOST beneficial

(stuff that works for my sister...laughs at my hair)

great point. Looks lke I'll be soliciting for a hair buddy. I'm also interested in seeing fotiki anf YouTube videos of other naturals who are further along in their jouney for inspiration.

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

Actually I haven't been on the children's thread in a minute, but yes
Thanks for the tips, i will try to clarify her hair and no she is definitely not having the baggying!

don't sleep on baggying that ponytail

she won't even notice...if her roots are as dry as the remainder of her hair...you'll have to work on it as well.... baggy during the day? if not juice it down...but baggy that ponytail and hide with a head band (or simply where all day in the house until her moisture balance in in check)

 

[lolascurls]

This is a good thread!
I decided to transition in January and I'm now 7 months post! (Last texlax Nov)
The texlax in my hair does help, definitely because it's so close to the natural texture!

 

[SmilingElephant]

I am!!

I'm just scared because i like my edges to look good and lay down...i'm worried a little bit about tangles and knots.

I want to do a looooong stretch bc you couldn't pay me enough to do a BC....i just LOVE the feeling of my ng.

I also would like to know how to get my hair to look silky straight in a safe way....i see some heads on here...like empressri that have beautiful natural hair and then they straighten it and you could almost swear they relaxed it.
But i would like to know how to do this while transitioning.

 

[nikolite]

I would like to. I don't want to do a BC. I'd rather do a long transition, even if it's years. I'm bsb now. What do I need to do?

Lots of people transition. I did so for 6 months before the BC. Wearing braids and cornrows might help speed the time up, and of course, lots of braid-outs, twist-outs, or roller-sets w/ flexi-rods. After a year, you might be ready to snip the relaxed ends off.

 

[southerncitygirl]

off topic (as usually) .... i see use Organix, do you know why Rustic Beauty decided to stop? she mentioned she would explain later due to the ingredients but i never saw a follow up?????

I used to use Organix..its def not natural. i suggest trying out mill creek, giovanni, or ao. if natural ingredients aren't too big of a deal and you want something detangling to get the old cream of nature formula from texasbeautysupply.com .

 

[gvin89]

I'm very much considering becoming natural. My relaxed hair is right at the arm pit, but my nape is damaged. Last relaxer was March 2010 and I'm now in braids. I do not want to BC right now because I actually like the length of my hair. I'm a little p-noid of how I would look with a TWA. I don't know if I can be a long-term transitioner though...how long do you guys think it would take? I believe I saw someone say 2+ years. I need help developing a better regimen for the 2 textures...time is not on my side.

 

[mzsophisticated26]

hey mzsophisticated
what symptoms were you exhibiting before diagnosed?

I started to notice thinning only in the central area of my head. the crown, temple areas and edges. I had issues with temples and edges but those were from bond in weaves and too tight braids years ago. I noticed that even after I stopped getting those types of styles I never had alot of progress in those area and it started to get even thinner. When I part my hair on either side the part was really wide and not defined. He told me that Central Centrifugal Alopecia is the only kind that does not have a treatment plan because it comes from previous styling practices and my hair follicles are now scarred. He wanted me to stop applying any chemicals to those areas. I have a mild case but he said it can progress if I dont change my styling practices

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I'm no longer considering it. I'm now just doing it!!!

 

[SILKY22]

Im so happy this thread was started
Ok so im 14 weeks post and im loving my new growth. Question #1 about how much new growth do you need to tell how your hair texture will be fully natural..if its possible. Question #2 could someone suggest some products for me to start using for my new growth because my edges look a hot garbage mess..ive just been using clear gel, cantu shea butter, 100% shea butter and aloevera gel...i need help.. thanks in advance

 

[tHENATuRALhAiRpRoJEcT]

I'm no longer considering it. I'm now just doing it!!!

congrats sis!!!!!

 

[Soliel185]

I transitioned for 17 and a half months before BCing last July.

There are tons of pictures and a huge product list in my fotki as well.

For the ladies that are considering -- please know that a transition is more than just not relaxing your hair anymore. Your mentality about your YOUR texture, the styles you wear, the products you use, and the techniques you try will have to change if you're going to make it through. It doesn't have to happen overnight, but it is definitely a part of the process and if you can make that change your transition will be a breeze.

 

[SimpleKomplexity]

I've been thinking about it. I'm considering it. ThePerfectScore made me drink the koolaid after I made her drink the koolaid and join the Nail Fanatic cult....so.... I dunno.

I'm scared of my hair. I like looking neat and nice everyday. It's far from how I used to look in high school, and I like to look professional. I'm not that good with styling so I'm afraid I will look a mess with my natural hair, and plus I've worked so long on my relaxed hair. It will take prolly a year for my hair to get long enough for me to feel comfortable cutting it off and wearing natural hair.

I honestly just don't think I can do it. It seems like it takes a lot of time to style. My head appears to be 3c/4a with more 4a lol sooo I'm afraid to be perfectly honest. I'm keeping my hair in braids until I figure things out.

Yall think I can do it? What are some staple products for trasitioners? What's the normal time to stretch before a BC (cuz I dun wanna twa)?