Transitioning without BC'ing Support Thread

[havilland]

@daviine

Hey! I have been trying sooo hard to keep up with everything! I get off at five, don't get home until 6:15, cook, put DS to bed at 7, clean up, and pass out at 9:30! Then I get to wake up all night and nurse him. With my DH in grad school and working full time as well, I'm lucky to get a chance to breathe, let alone care for my hair. This is a bad time for me to be transitioning, but I refuse to give up again.

i totally understand. having a new baby at home made me quit too the first time i tried. i went ten months and then said bump it and texlaxed....i won't quit this time though.

@JJamiah- I LOVE that puff.
I need to get one!

So, I have a list of 23 hair styles I want to do before I big chop. They each last between 1-8 weeks, so I have about 48 weeks of hair styles. I will not BC until I do each and every style on my list..so I may go further than 15 months.

This will keep me on track and excited about this transitioning journey.

the hairstyles list is a great idea to keep motivated! i just rock a ponytail or bun all the time. if i want variety, i buy new scrunchies for the pony LOL

 

[Highly Favored8]

I am 22 of 24 months post relaxer... Best decision ever made. All relaxed ends gone. Should be posting and updated picture soon within a month.

 

[newbeginnings2010]

daviine

That's the place! I'm on day 6 and although I do have to lightly moisturize about every 3 days, the softness never leaves.

 

[MsDee14]

How often is everyone trimming their ends?
I have only trimmed twice this year and am kind of keeping the same schedule as I was relaxed.

Thinking of doing a cut sometime next year so the shock of the BC won't be too much for me.

 

[daviine]

i talked myself off the ledge... or rather washed myself off the ledge... lol ... it's amazing what a supremely bad hair day can do to your resolve... but now everything feels great again with my hair so i'll leave it alone....for now....


on the sorta plus side, i found that not only does my hair currently not like the as i am coconut cowash, but it also is not feeling the taliah waajid products i bought... thank goodness for pantene relaxed and natural....

@SqrpioQutie So glad you changed your mind. Not that we would stop supporting you; I just like all us transitioners hanging out. I see we started transitioning around the same time. How long do you plan to transition for?

Yeah 2 yrs is a long time. It looks like u hv a good amt of length tho so maybe just another few months before u chop.

Sent from my iPhone using LHCF

@Brittster I hope so!!!! I don't know how others are able to transition for 2-3 years. I'm impatient!

I am 22 of 24 months post relaxer... Best decision ever made. All relaxed ends gone. Should be posting and updated picture soon within a month.

@Highly Favored8 I can't wait to see!

@daviine

That's the place! I'm on day 6 and although I do have to lightly moisturize about every 3 days, the softness never leaves.

@newbeginnings2010 What is the exact name because I looked online but they have more than one conditioner.

How often is everyone trimming their ends?
I have only trimmed twice this year and am kind of keeping the same schedule as I was relaxed.

Thinking of doing a cut sometime next year so the shock of the BC won't be too much for me.

@MsDee14 I haven't trimmed once because I'm scared to do it myself and end up BCing or something. And I just don't know where to go as far as salons go to get it done. I'm nervous that I'll get a stylist who doesn't know how to deal with transitioning hair. But I really need it, so maybe I'll ask my SO to do it, But he might BC me on purpose though. Hmmmm.....

 

[MsDee14]

daviine Hey, girl!!

When I trim, I just split my hair in 4 sections. Then split each section in 2 then cut off like 1/3'' of the ends. It's a lot easier than it seems.
I see Yters split their hair in half, put each half in a ponytail, move the ponytail holder down to where they want to cut and cut a little below it.

I don't trust anyone with my hair after my last relaxer mishap, so I'm a strict DIYer.

 

[newbeginnings2010]

I'm 10 months (lunar months) post and I've trimmed once, but it was a big trim because of breakage. I'm thinking my transition will only last until I can get my hair in a ponytail, then I'm BCing the rest.

 

[newbeginnings2010]

daviine
It's the Deep Moisture Masque.

 

[Leslie_C]

i talked myself off the ledge... or rather washed myself off the ledge... lol ... it's amazing what a supremely bad hair day can do to your resolve... but now everything feels great again with my hair so i'll leave it alone....for now....

on the sorta plus side, i found that not only does my hair currently not like the as i am coconut cowash, but it also is not feeling the taliah waajid products i bought... thank goodness for pantene relaxed and natural....

SqrpioQutie, so glad you talked yourself down! I have my moments, but Im not tempted to relax, Im tempted to BC LOL. But Im afraid Id hate it and have trouble styling the awkward length. One idea is bunning or doing an updo and leaving it alone the rest of the week.

I am 22 of 24 months post relaxer... Best decision ever made. All relaxed ends gone. Should be posting and updated picture soon within a month.

Highly Favored8 congrats, so Are you all natural now??? WE WANT PICS!

How often is everyone trimming their ends?
I have only trimmed twice this year and am kind of keeping the same schedule as I was relaxed.

Thinking of doing a cut sometime next year so the shock of the BC won't be too much for me.

MsDee14 I had some damage and thinning so did like 2 mini chops within 2 weeks when I started transitioning in May which equaled out to a major chop lol. I cut to neck length from CBL and now the bottom layer is back too CBL, but I dont ever wear my hair straight so you cant tell. Im curious as to what it would look like straightened right now, but Im too lazy to flat iron plus I fear heat damage. I might blow dry on low one day soon to check my progress. I did a light dusting a couple of weeks ago. Ill probably trim 1/4 to 1/2 inch every few months.

@daviine Hey, girl!!

When I trim, I just split my hair in 4 sections. Then split each section in 2 then cut off like 1/3'' of the ends. It's a lot easier than it seems.
I see Yters split their hair in half, put each half in a ponytail, move the ponytail holder down to where they want to cut and cut a little below it.

I don't trust anyone with my hair after my last relaxer mishap, so I'm a strict DIYer.

daviine your hair looks very soft and thick, dont know what you are talking about as far as thing 1 and 2 lol. ITA with MsDee14, I would definitely trim yourself and not trust a stylist to do it. My grandma keeps offering to take me to the hair school her treat to get my hair done (I think it must be her way of saying she doesnt like my hair LOL) but there is no way I would do that bc Im sure they wouldnt know how to handle the two textures and Im also sure they would think the relaxed ends needed to be cut off. Not gonna happen!

 

[Leslie_C]

I have an idea, lets post our go to styles!
Mine is so easy, you guys need to get on board!
If you put your hair in a high puff and fan your hair around the base in a circle(like a mushroom), then divide it into about 3 sections and in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction (just make sure they all go in the same directions) wrap the ends around the base and pin them. I like good hair day pins bc they are soft plastic...I feel like over time bobby pins will shred your ends. I use about 2 or 3 good hairday pins and sometimes a bobby pin or two in places that might be sticking out. It gives me a big bun and the illusion of long hair and my hair isnt long at all!

The best part is it takes 5 minutes and can be done on your hair no matter what it looked like when you got up. I usually add a scarf or flower to accessorize. Who can beat a quick, sleek style and its even protective to boot!

If my directions dont make sense Ill make a picture tutorial. When I wake up at 5 am to go to work, I can always do this style. When you need to run to the store, when your attempted style fails, when you make last minute plans, default style right here!

 

[MsDee14]

Leslie_C Great idea! I love your bun!

 

[Highly Favored8]

Leslie_C yes, I am natural now and did it would BC I transitioned for maybe about 16 months before I cut off all my relaxed ends.
daviine here is some pictures.
In the picture number three in the first picture in number 1 in the blue it was relaxed before I chopped it all off. The next two pictures are the month this month..

 

[Ashawn Arraine]

I am 15 months and would continue to transition however blending the two textures is becoming annoying. My relaxed hair seems to no longer hold a curl when I do a braid and curl and it kinda (or at least in my opinion) becomes obvious that there are two textures there. It's like they are too straight! So I will be doing be big chop probably this evening and will update with pictures either Saturday or Sunday.

 

[Dayjoy]

I'm at 37 weeks, 2 days. I have been cowashing and bunning all summer with the exception of one time when I blow dried and Bantu knotted my hair. I just made an appointment for September 5, which will be 39 weeks (3/4 of a year, or 9 months ) post. I can't wait to see my stylist and get flat ironed and trimmed! I want to see how much my hair has grown since May.

 

[SqrpioQutie]

@SqrpioQutie So glad you changed your mind. Not that we would stop supporting you; I just like all us transitioners hanging out. I see we started transitioning around the same time. How long do you plan to transition for?

i don't really have a timeframe in mind to stay the course ... ultimately, i want my hair to be at least APL unstretched, so i have a feeling i have years to go before i reach my goal.... i'm thinking a total of two years should get me to the point where i can see the light at the end of the tunnel.... i need to work up the nerve to get a trim too...

 

[SqrpioQutie]

SqrpioQutie, so glad you talked yourself down! I have my moments, but Im not tempted to relax, Im tempted to BC LOL. But Im afraid Id hate it and have trouble styling the awkward length. One idea is bunning or doing an updo and leaving it alone the rest of the week.

i bun just about every day and that generally keeps me sane.... my problem came in yesterday when i decided to do a sort of a wash n go with those friggin products... i can see right now that my hair is not a fan of many styling products... i was doing twists on my straightened hair and that was really cute EXCEPT for the stick straight ends coming out from the voluminous cloudlike waves i had going on.... i thought i might be able to replicate that on wet hair but um i screwed it up with the products... and the cowash product....

 

[OhTall1]

I'm rotating between braidouts and curl former sets about every three days:

Day 1: Wear hair out
Day 2: Half up do
Day 3: Bun or ponytail

 

[JJamiah]

Diviine thanks so much

 

[SqrpioQutie]

i just did my first self-trim... i don't think i cut more than between 1/4 to 1/2 an inch from each section, so i'm happy with the outcome...

 

[havilland]

I am 15 months and would continue to transition however blending the two textures is becoming annoying. My relaxed hair seems to no longer hold a curl when I do a braid and curl and it kinda (or at least in my opinion) becomes obvious that there are two textures there. It's like they are too straight! So I will be doing be big chop probably this evening and will update with pictures either Saturday or Sunday.

a tip i saw on you tube.

a suggestion if you haven't already cut...you may want to cut the back first. keep the front longer, so you can do a ponytail if need be.

 

[daviine]

You guys cut on wet or dry hair? After a wash?

 

[Leslie_C]

You guys cut on wet or dry hair? After a wash?

daviine definitely cut dry hair (wet will be shrunken) and I usually do it after a wash so hair is as smooth as its gonna be for the week. I think I read somewhere never to cut ethnic hair wet lol.

 

[MsDee14]

You guys cut on wet or dry hair? After a wash?

Always on dry hair. That way I can see the true state of my ends.

 

[SqrpioQutie]

You guys cut on wet or dry hair? After a wash?

i cut on dry today... i contemplated wet but i thought that might end up too messy/unpredictable....

 

[The Princess]

I'm at 37 weeks, 2 days. I have been cowashing and bunning all summer with the exception of one time when I blow dried and Bantu knotted my hair. I just made an appointment for September 5, which will be 39 weeks (3/4 of a year, or 9 months ) post. I can't wait to see my stylist and get flat ironed and trimmed! I want to see how much my hair has grown since May.

I just realized I cowashed everyday this week, except for today. It seems like its becomming second nature now.

 

[Leslie_C]

I just realized I cowashed everyday this week, except for today. It seems like its becomming second nature now.

The Princess and other frequent cowashers...do you detangle every time you cowash? I love frequent washing/cowashing, but recently cut down to once a week since I didnt want to comb my hair that often since the two textures are fragile. Thoughts?

 

[The Princess]

The Princess and other frequent cowashers...do you detangle every time you cowash? I love frequent washing/cowashing, but recently cut down to once a week since I didnt want to comb my hair that often since the two textures are fragile. Thoughts?

No. I only detangle on my DC days. So once a week. When I cowash I take a wide tooth comb and make sure I don't have any tangles and go from there. Tonight I detangle cause I'm working on my twisting skills. My hair was tangles so I just loaded my hair with conditioner and went to work. I didn't shed alot at all.

Tomorrow I won't detangle since I did it unofficially tonight.

Also detangling it's starting to become a drag. So once a week is it. For now anyway.

 

[daviine]

@The Princess and other frequent cowashers...do you detangle every time you cowash? I love frequent washing/cowashing, but recently cut down to once a week since I didnt want to comb my hair that often since the two textures are fragile. Thoughts?

Leslie_C

The past two to three weeks, I was mostly finger combing/detangling. It wasn't really on purpose. It just happened. I continued it after I noticed, just because. Just tp be safe though, I combed my hair when I washed my hair this week. Just in case there was an area that was frequently being overlooked.

It seems as though I'm losing less hair but that could be because a little was coming out each day. Not sure but thought I'd share that anyway.

 

[SqrpioQutie]

The Princess and other frequent cowashers...do you detangle every time you cowash? I love frequent washing/cowashing, but recently cut down to once a week since I didnt want to comb my hair that often since the two textures are fragile. Thoughts?

I use the Denman in the shower every time I cowash.

 

[Napp]

i was so tempted to cut today. my hair matted up again. i dont know what im doing wrong.i think i will be keeping my hair 100% straight from now on. i need to wash at least once a week though so i will flat iron every week until my hair falls out and then bc my hair matts up every time i wash it. its driving me crazy. im having 2 hour detangling sessions