Calling all Transitioners

[Taleah2009]

Is there anyone else out who is struggling with there transition or is ti just me? I am about ten months post relaxer, and I am having the hardest time with my hair. It seems like nothing is working. I have a little above shoulder length hair the the front and neck length hair the back. I cant seem to figure out what to do with this mess. I tried a twists out and bantu knots outs with success, but they only look good for two days max. I tried a roller set over the weekend. Two days max the style was cute. Even bunning is not working for me. I find little pieces of hair all over the ponytail holder, and the back of my hair never stays in the pony tail. I am feeling so dejected. I was never one of those girls who didnt keep her hair done. I was in the salon every two weeks. I was one of those people who thought that if my hair was a mess, my day is a mess. This experience is definitely teaching me that I am not my hair, and I have other qualities besides my hair that make me a beautiful person. I just needed to vent and to see if anyone else is struggling with the transition process.

 

[brownstallion]

Oh I truly understand how you feel. I have had BSL for years of and just cut my hair up to my shoulders for this transition. After not having my hair straight for the past 3 months I decided to flat iron my hair as I would if it was relaxed and I feel a whole lot better. I actually think it's better less breakage and my husband isn't complaining about my hair looking a mess. Every week I think about relaxing

 

[JLOVELY]

I am transitioning but I am not as far along as you; I'm only about 4 months post. I am also shoulder length and I cowash and wet bun at night then I tie it down; it looks perfect in the morning. Try using a hair clip instead of a ponytail holder; thats what I do because my hair breaks of whenever I use a ponytail holder. Again I am only 4 months post so this may not help you. Btw your post is making me nervous about the months to come in my transition. lol.
Good luck : )

 

[-PYT]

Aww keep it up ladies! I am definitely seeing the difference between the two textures and i totally agree with brownstallion about straightening our hair for a break. I flat-ironed this past weekend and felt really beautiful again just like after a fresh touch-up! I will definitely utilize heat during this long process.

 

[Ltown]

I am 53 weeks post and my twist/braidout were aweful in the earlier stages and still suck. I might get one for a day! I have been co washing 3 times a week, using ayurveda products, protein treating every other week, dc every week and moisturizing my hair twice a day. I had small breakage with the pony so I took the suggestion from the forum and switch place or pin up. I've snip my hair during the course of a year so I'm at cl/sl if that is length but it's enough to pony. Allandra and Blackbarbie have transition for 2+ years and they flat iron all the time so maybe you can visit the transtiion support thread too! You get through it!

 

[DDTexlaxed]

ME! I am almost 6 months post and I've decided to become a strait haired natural if I continue transitioning. My flat twists make me look so juvenile and braids are out of my reach. I am able to get my hair strait, but it is a whole LOT of work to maintain the style without the use of heat every day. I am still researching how to do this. I am giving myself a year before I do anything. This will be my last transition ever.

 

[joytimes10]

I have no advice but I empathize. I've mastered a braid out and it usually last 2-3 days then I cowash and start over. I discovered HE Totally Twisted conditioner and although it has some cones, my hair loves it so I'm not gonna fight. AO HSR is my staple DC and henna is keeping breakage at bay. I"m so sorry your frustrated. You may have to make your peace with your idea of what's a mess, and what's not. I've grown accustomed to the tousled look and if I want to look polished I just bun or do a southern tease. It's quite a journey and I can't imagine how frustrated I will be at ten months. Hang in there! All the transitioners are pulling for you

 

[Taleah2009]

Aaawww... thanks ladies for all the support! I am determined to figure this thang out!

 

[Taleah2009]

What kind of clip do you use? That may work better than ponytail holder, because they are just not my friend these days.

I am transitioning but I am not as far along as you; I'm only about 4 months post. I am also shoulder length and I cowash and wet bun at night then I tie it down; it looks perfect in the morning. Try using a hair clip instead of a ponytail holder; thats what I do because my hair breaks of whenever I use a ponytail holder. Again I am only 4 months post so this may not help you. Btw your post is making me nervous about the months to come in my transition. lol.
Good luck : )

 

[VinDieselsWifey]

i'm 17 months post relaxer and the best thing for me is keeping my hair braided in cornrows or box braids, flat ironing, or wet bunning. i do my braids myself. i was waist length but have been gradually cutting it off. this past May i cut it to the tops of my shoulders. i wanted to make it to 2 years before BCing, but i think i will BC in December for my bday. i'm tired of dealing with the 2 textures. this is my third time transitioning. hopefully it will be the last.

 

[DDTexlaxed]

I found an easier way to look like I want. I'm doing roller sets with small mesh rollers. I get nice strait results. I believe this will help me further along in my transition and will help me not to have heat damage. I will wrap to maintain my look.

 

[Bublin]

My first transition lasted all of 4 months and then i BC so had to sport a twa for what felt like forever. Unfortunately i didn't care for my natural hair very well so ended up relaxing after 18 months.

I am now 4 months post and plan to transition for as long as possible. This time i have no choice but to cornrow (without extensions) for what i think will be a long time. I can't plait myself so i'll have to spend a bit of money visiting a salon but washing, combing and wet bunning myself just ripped my hair out. Half wigs made me itch as did using false hair for braiding. The money i will spend on my hair i think will be well worth it cus i really don't want that relaxer anymore.

 

[MummysGirl]

Team Member

We're both 10 months post

I have a few style options here: http://public.fotki.com/MummysGirl/transition-to-natural/hairdos-while-trans/

My main styles are in my siggy but sometimes I rock flat twists for a day or two (see avatar) before taking them out for twistouts... same for cornrows. I usually use a headband or scarf (as shown in siggy) to make my style look less boring.

As for braidouts/twistouts... every night, I spray my moisturising spritz generously before flat twisting/cornrowing and the result on day 2 is sometimes better than day 1 Sometimes I apply lustrasilk shea butter cholesterol (product I use on day 1 while flat twisting/cornrowing) after spraying with spritz.

 

[Taleah2009]

Thanks Ladies for the advice!

@MG! Hi Team Captain! I will try my twists again. I just cant get the drying time right. I did bantu knots last night on freshly co-washed hair, but they didnt dry by this morning, so my hair is all up in a banana clip, which are truly becoming my BFFs these days.

 

[KiSseS03]

Hey OP! I'm also 10 months post and feeling your pain. I have transitioned 3 times before this, but this transition has been the hardest due to my starting length. I have found that transitioning with short hair is much more difficult! I started with an inverted bob that was between neck and ear length this time, and I honestly don't recommend it. In previous transitions my hair has always been SL and APL or longer at the start.

In previous transitions I have rocked braid-outs and twist-outs with no problems, I loved the look, and my length gave me versatility. I was also able to get away with the quick and easy wet bun. With shorter hair braid and twist-outs did not work as well. I was able to get a bun a few months into my transition, but because the middle section of my hair was shorter due to my starting cut, it was very difficult to ensure that this section of hair stayed detangled in the bun= nightmare when it was time to wash again.

That said, I find that roller-sets give me beautiful results, and I just recently flat-ironed my hair and left it that way for a week, and my hair was in heaven. Other tips, I dust my ends as needed, to me it's very important to make sure that my ends are in good shape as this cuts down on tangling IMMENSELY! I don't take off a lot of hair when I dust, less than 1/4" but it makes a huge difference. Finally, when it gets to the point where I feel my hands reaching for those scissors I braid my hair up with twist or braid extensions for 6 weeks.

 

[Taleah2009]

Thanks! I did my first roller set on my hair in over five years! My hair loved it! It was soo bouncy, but my roots were like aaahh no ma'am..lol.. when i washed it last nite, it was breeze. very little tangles. so i think i have learned i need to detangle first, then wash. cause doing the reverse is a night mare. My new plan is to rollerset on weekends (although I will have to press my roots only) and during the week I will bun or something because I am starting to work out 4 days a week. IDK, i am still trying to figure this thang out. Thanks for the input!

Hey OP! I'm also 10 months post and feeling your pain. I have transitioned 3 times before this, but this transition has been the hardest due to my starting length. I have found that transitioning with short hair is much more difficult! I started with an inverted bob that was between neck and ear length this time, and I honestly don't recommend it. In previous transitions my hair has always been SL and APL or longer at the start.

In previous transitions I have rocked braid-outs and twist-outs with no problems, I loved the look, and my length gave me versatility. I was also able to get away with the quick and easy wet bun. With shorter hair braid and twist-outs did not work as well. I was able to get a bun a few months into my transition, but because the middle section of my hair was shorter due to my starting cut, it was very difficult to ensure that this section of hair stayed detangled in the bun= nightmare when it was time to wash again.

That said, I find that roller-sets give me beautiful results, and I just recently flat-ironed my hair and left it that way for a week, and my hair was in heaven. Other tips, I dust my ends as needed, to me it's very important to make sure that my ends are in good shape as this cuts down on tangling IMMENSELY! I don't take off a lot of hair when I dust, less than 1/4" but it makes a huge difference. Finally, when it gets to the point where I feel my hands reaching for those scissors I braid my hair up with twist or braid extensions for 6 weeks.

 

[Nubenap22]

What type of products are you using and whats your reggie?

 

[RockCreak]

Is there anyone else out who is struggling with there transition or is ti just me? I am about ten months post relaxer, and I am having the hardest time with my hair. It seems like nothing is working. I have a little above shoulder length hair the the front and neck length hair the back. I cant seem to figure out what to do with this mess. I tried a twists out and bantu knots outs with success, but they only look good for two days max. I tried a roller set over the weekend. Two days max the style was cute. Even bunning is not working for me. I find little pieces of hair all over the ponytail holder, and the back of my hair never stays in the pony tail. I am feeling so dejected. I was never one of those girls who didnt keep her hair done. I was in the salon every two weeks. I was one of those people who thought that if my hair was a mess, my day is a mess. This experience is definitely teaching me that I am not my hair, and I have other qualities besides my hair that make me a beautiful person. I just needed to vent and to see if anyone else is struggling with the transition process.

OMG... I hear ya... I'm only 4months post, but the difference in the 2 textures is really getting to me.... I recently just incorporated a mixture of shea butter and evco.... I apply after cowash.... slick back in a ponytail, braid then end... bun and tie it down in a silk scarf... I must say that I think this may work for a while until I'm bored with it. BTW I love how my ng feels.

 

[TyHill21]

Hey OP! I'm also 10 months post and feeling your pain. I have transitioned 3 times before this, but this transition has been the hardest due to my starting length. I have found that transitioning with short hair is much more difficult! I started with an inverted bob that was between neck and ear length this time, and I honestly don't recommend it. In previous transitions my hair has always been SL and APL or longer at the start.

In previous transitions I have rocked braid-outs and twist-outs with no problems, I loved the look, and my length gave me versatility. I was also able to get away with the quick and easy wet bun. With shorter hair braid and twist-outs did not work as well. I was able to get a bun a few months into my transition, but because the middle section of my hair was shorter due to my starting cut, it was very difficult to ensure that this section of hair stayed detangled in the bun= nightmare when it was time to wash again.

That said, I find that roller-sets give me beautiful results, and I just recently flat-ironed my hair and left it that way for a week, and my hair was in heaven. Other tips, I dust my ends as needed, to me it's very important to make sure that my ends are in good shape as this cuts down on tangling IMMENSELY! I don't take off a lot of hair when I dust, less than 1/4" but it makes a huge difference. Finally, when it gets to the point where I feel my hands reaching for those scissors I braid my hair up with twist or braid extensions for 6 weeks.

My problem is my length too-I did twistout but I am only comfortable wearing them on the weekends My goal is to wear buns and other protective styles that I just cant really do at this time. However I have been experimenting on the weekends with that also

I think I am going to get some rollers for a rollerset this weekend maybe this can work with a headband and some nice earrings

 

[chiprecious]

I have no advice but I empathize. I discovered HE Totally Twisted conditioner and although it has some cones, my hair loves it so I'm not gonna fight.

I'm about 2 weeks from 10 months. This has been a hard journey and it has made me also realize I am not my hair. That HE Totally Twisted is the ABSOLUTE BEST for detangling. It's like the comb just glides through this 4b tightness! Me and DH fight weekly about my hair so the transition hasn't been that easy, but it's made me stronger mentally. Keep it up girl, soon, you'll be cutting and this two texture nonsense will be over!!

 

[Taleah2009]

Thank you! Good luck with your transition as well. I have the HE HH. I will have to try the Totally Twisted.

I'm about 2 weeks from 10 months. This has been a hard journey and it has made me also realize I am not my hair. That HE Totally Twisted is the ABSOLUTE BEST for detangling. It's like the comb just glides through this 4b tightness! Me and DH fight weekly about my hair so the transition hasn't been that easy, but it's made me stronger mentally. Keep it up girl, soon, you'll be cutting and this two texture nonsense will be over!!

 

[Taleah2009]

Now, I wash once a week with CON in the orange bottle (I think). I recently started to pre-poo with Suave Humectant, EVOO, and honey. And I am going to start alternating between ORS mayo and Pantene Breakage defense as my deep conditioners with heat. Maybe I need a harder protein to miminize the breakage? IDK. I moisturize and seal with either Shea Moisture Shea leave-in or Cantu Shea butter. I am thinking about trying the 100% African Shea butter next. I may also be have poursity issues. I am trying to just tackle one issue at time. But I LOVE my NG. its these permed ends that are getting on my damn nerves!

What type of products are you using and whats your reggie?

 

[MoniintheMiddle]

Girl I feel you! I am 10 months (tomorrow) and I did a mini chop last night. I just couldn't stand looking at those relaxed ends but then i had to flatiron the back to ensure that I left myself some length.

I went from shoulder length to neck length and started to say forget it and just cut the rest off but I decided to sleep on it. So today I cowash and gave myself an updo which I will be sporting forever as I transitioned. I will say this shrinkage is so startling. I never realized a tight fro could be flat ironed and be shoulder length...

hang in there...you are not alone

 

[Eisani]

I'm 23 months post and trust, it hasn't always been smooth sailing. You'll go through periods of frustration, style ruts, and even feel overwhelmed sometimes but it does get better! If you've already figured out what products work for you, stick with them! Stay open to different styling options, especially ones that will last 3-7 days. Have you considered straw sets or using small flexirods? What products are you using for your twist outs and bantu knots? Sorry if you've answered that question already, I only skimmed the thread. When rollersetting, are you opposed to using a flat iron to smooth your roots?