2009 Best of the Best for Stretchers & Transitioners

Miss Monae...how do you flat iron your roots?? what size is your flatiron?

I section my hair as I would if flat ironing the entire head. Instead of passing the flat iron all through the hair, I only do it to the newgrowth. I only do this to smooth down my roots when in a rush. I don't leave the heat on the roots for long either. Not looking for it to be perfectly straight, just relaxed. I should add that I normally resort to this option when I have 2+ inches of newgrowth. HTH...

ETA: I use a 1/2 inch flat iron.
 
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Disclaimer ditto! :yep:

Hair Type? 4a I think
Stretcher or Transitioner? Stretcher
Best Shampoo? Moisturizing but heavily diluted with water
Best Conditioner? KeraCare for color-treated or humecto
Best Leave-In? Leave some conditioner in hair after detangling in shower
Best way to dry hair? Airdry using Scarf Method
Best way to deal with roots? Don't, just keep them moisturized & tie down nightly. I use Nexxus Humectin as a daily moisturizer on my dry roots/hair
Best Hair-Dryer? I always airdry
Best heat protectant? Chi Silk Infusium
Best Blow-Dryer? Don't use
Best Flat Iron? Maxiglide because it uses steam
Best Oil? EVCO and EVOO
Best comb(s)? Widest seamless comb you can find
Best brush(es)? Don't use
 
:bump: Good thread!

****I looked but I don't see another thread like this*****

There seems to be a lot of folks either stretching their relaxers or transitioning. I thought it would be nice if the people who stretched their relaxers or have transitioned this year to list the products & tools that helped them:grin:
Just copy and fill in your answers. I'm sure somebody will be very grateful that you did:drunk:

Hair Type? 3c/4a, fine and dense
Stretcher or Transitioner? Long-term transitioner 23 months post
Best Shampoo? Elucence MB and Nasabb Black Soap
Best Conditioner? KBB Hair Mask, Jessicurl WDT
Best Leave-In? KBB Hair Milk
Best way to dry hair? Air dry in twists or banded
Best way to deal with roots? Keep moisturized so they stay detangled
Best Hair-Dryer? Not using one
Best heat protectant? Jury is still out on this one, especially since I don't use heat very often
Best Blow-Dryer? T3 and Jilbere Ceramic 1900 Turbo
Best Flat Iron? T3 wet to dry and FHI Platform
Best Oil? JBCO, Vatika, Amla
Best comb(s)? Jilbere Wide Tooth, Tortoise detangler
Best brush(es)? Denman D3, D83, boar bristle
** y'all know my list is subject to change!


....did i miss one?
 
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Hair Type?
Um...I don't know...somewhere b/w a 3c and 4b :-)...If I have to try and type I would say the classic "3c/4a" answer...

Stretcher or Transitioner?
Transitioner

Best Shampoo?
Traycee's Bye Bye Shampoo (Castille soap, olive oil and water); CON; ORS Aloe Shampoo (only when doing Replenishing Pak); I don't shampoo often. I'm a co-wash girl...

Best Conditioner?
Any conditioner w/ EVOO, honey and sea salt
For co-washes...Moisture Milks Strawberries and Cream or Garnier Fructis Triple Nutrition w/ EVCO added to each.
For protein, ORS Replenishing Pak.

Best Leave-In?
Infusium 23 or Giovanni Direct

Best way to dry hair?
Depends on the resulting style...but early on I blow dried more. Now, I air dry. I blow dry partially dry hair if necessary. To set a wet-style on a time crunch...hooded dryer.

Best way to deal with roots? Make sure they are detangled and moisturized, but the rest is up to you...if you're going straight...make sure you blow-dry well. The tension is key.(I know some ppl don't like blow-dryers, but to each her own). If you are going curly, make sure you smoothed/detangled your roots when twisting, knotting or braiding. Don't just grab and go.

Best Hair-Dryer?
Not sure. I use ION dryers.

Best heat protectant?
Verdict is still out on that one.

Best Blow-Dryer?
I use an ION dryer

Best Flat Iron?
Dunno. I use a CHI. My hair stylist used a RUSK that made my hair get weave checked quite regularly...

Best Oil?
I prefer EVCO over them all or a Shea, EVCO, EVOO mix...

Best comb(s)?
Just a wide tooth comb for detangling.

Best brush(es)?
I love my Denman and soft boar bristle (use at your own discretion.)

I try to ALWAYS pre-poo...it helps with detangling and other issues...

It's hard to identify a "best" b/c you have to adapt to what style you are doing and what your hair needs at that time...and what you are willing to subject your hair to...Well, I hope that helps someone....

Side note: I'm on the look out for Ayurvedic reggies...that's my next move.
 
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Hair Type? idk..i'm guessing 3c (ng is a loose S)

Stretcher or Transitioner? I have no idea yet but I'm 11 weeks post

Best Shampoo? I've been using PM Awaphui

Best Conditioner? was using PM The Detangler...but it's not working anymore, Roux Porosity Control

Best Leave-In? AG Hair Food, Redken Anti-Snap

Best way to dry hair? Rollersetting

Best way to deal with roots? I've been blowdrying them

Best Hair-Dryer? I have a hooded dryer

Best heat protectant? GVP thermal protection spray

Best Blow-Dryer? super solano (ionic)

Best Flat Iron? i have yet to pick one

Best Oil? camellia, coconut, jbco

Best comb(s)? Widest seamless comb

Best brush(es)? goody boar bristle
 
The following products/styling tools work the best FOR ME.

Hair Type? unsure Relaxed
Stretcher or Transitioner? Stretcher (usually between 12-16 weeks)

Best Shampoo? elasta qp creme conditioning poo

Best Conditioner? still searching currently keracare humecto

Best Leave-In? ntm..salerm 21 pro v

Best way to dry hair? Airdry or with Magnetic Rollers

Best way to deal with roots? co wash OR Dom. Salon

Best Hair-Dryer? ikd i use a golden hot

Best heat protectant? still searching currently selerm leave in OR tresame,chi silk infusion

Best Blow-Dryer? IDK rarly use mine

Best Flat Iron? idk i use a LARGE curling iron RARELY

Best Oil? coconut, olive,jojoba,amla

Best comb(s)? Jilbere shower comb

Best brush(es)? Goodie Ouchless Paddle and Cushion brushes
 
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bumpity bump bump!

Hair Type?
4b

Stretcher or Transitioner?
Stretcher (24 weeks post relaxer today)

Best Shampoo?
Currently using Suave Daily Clarifying (diluted) but still on the look out for a good sulfate free 'poo

Best Conditioner?
VO5 Moisture Milk's Strawberries and Cream (my favorite, though I like most of the VO5 conditioners)
2nd Place: Suave Humectant

Best Leave-In?
Still on the lookout but currently using Healthy Sexy Hair Pumpkin Potion Leave-in which I like well enough.

Best way to dry hair?
To be honest, I like how my relaxed hair feels best when I blow-dry but my NG doesn't like it too much so I usually air-dry in twists or braids.

Best way to deal with roots?

Moisture, moisture, moisture! When my NG is moisturized, it behaves... it's just that simple.

Best Hair-Dryer?
I have a Conair dryer... I'm sure it's not the best but it's good enough for me!

Best heat protectant?
Still on the lookout for this as well...

Best Blow-Dryer?

I have a Conair Ceramic blow dryer that I like a lot.

Best Flat Iron?
I love my Jilbere de Paris Ceramic flat iron... I got it from Sally's a little more than a year ago. It has 30 heat settings so I can adjust the heat based on my hair's needs.

Best Oil?

EVOO... I also like Coconut Oil but since it's cold now it's too much of a pain to deal with...

Best comb(s)?
Any wide tooth comb works for me!

Best brush(es)?
I try SUPER hard not to use brushes because they cause too much stress with two textures.
 
Hair Type? 4a/b Very Fine hair
Stretcher or Transitioner? Stretcher currently 6 mts into an april relax date
Best Shampoo? don't have a best but using AOHSR and whole foods brand lavendar
Best Conditioner? still looking but using AOHSR, lekair cholesterol, ors
Best Leave-In? still looking but using Elucence
Best way to dry hair? I am wearing a homemade half wig now, have been for 2 months now and will continue until stretch is over. After I wash and detangle hair I braid the back up in cornrows and rollerset the leaveout. This has been working fine for me.
Best way to deal with roots? Moisturize them daily or twice daily depending on what your hair needs and try to leave them alone(don't manipulate)
Best Hair-Dryer? I use a gold n' hot, wouldn't call it "best" but it works for me
Best heat protectant?verdict is still out but i use Chi
Best Blow-Dryer?don't use one, own one but...
Best Flat Iron?i have a sedu, love it but I don't use it on my hair, just my bangs when they need them since they are "out"
Best Oil?I use all of them....all good in their own ways
Best comb(s)? any comb
Best brush(es)? use bristle if I'm wearing a pony

I def say if you are stretching or tran'ing for that matter that protective style are def key to not having to deal with your hair. I am loving my half wig right now...
 
Hair Type? 4a/b
Stretcher or Transitioner? stretcher
Best Shampoo? CON (moist poo) Nixion (clarify poo)
Best Conditioner? WEN
Best Leave-In? WEN or Paul Mitchell The Conditioner
Best way to dry hair? Flat twist or bantu knots
Best way to deal with roots? I dont really "deal" with them I do flat twist so everything to blend
Best Hair-Dryer? Pibbs
Best heat protectant? FHI Hot Sauce or CHI Iron Guard
Best Blow-Dryer? FHI
Best Flat Iron? FHI Plat Form (I only used it 3x in 2009)
Best Oil? Coconut Oil or Moroccon Oil
Best comb(s)? my fingers
Best brush(es)? Denman (I only used after taking braids out)
 
Hair Type? 4a/b babyfine but dense...
Stretcher or Transitioner? currently 6 months post into an indefinite stretch
Best Shampoo? Ors Creamy Aloe
Best Conditioner? Aohsr x GPB x Redken Rich Defender x Abba Color Protect
Best Leave-In? Wave Nouveau, Aohsr, EQP Mango Butter, Abba pure gentle, etc.....
Best way to dry hair? Airdry
Best way to deal with roots? Tight & untouched
Best Hair-Dryer? Currently in the market for one
Best heat protectant?
Best Blow-Dryer?
Best Flat Iron? I got the gold n hot ceramic.... cant wait till i relax
Best Oil? Emu, Wheat germ, Castor oil, cupuacu butter, eucalyptus oil
Best comb(s)? none
Best brush(es)? none
Best Method? Individual Braids Bunned and tucked away under a wig:yep:
 
Hair Type? 4b/a (currently 21 weeks post going for 30 weeks)

Stretcher or Transitioner? Stretcher

Best Shampoo? Breakthru

Best Conditioner? AO HSR, Silicon Mix, Lekair Cholesterol, Aussie Deep 3 min Miracle

Best Leave-In? HE LTR, Darcy's Botanicals Transitioning Creme

Best way to dry hair? Air dry in Braids or Roller sets

Best way to deal with roots? Roller Sets, Flexirod sets

Best Hair-Dryer? PIBBS 514!

Best heat protectant? Smooth 'n Shine: Silk 'n Sleek Straighten Polisher

Best Blow-Dryer? N/A

Best Flat Iron? FHI Platform (but I don't use it :nono:)

Best Oil? Africa's Best Herbal Oil :love:

Best comb(s)? Wide Tooth

Best brush(es)? I don't really use it but I guess...boar bristles
 
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Thanks OP, I appreciate this thread.

Hair Type? 4a fine
Stretcher or Transitioner? stretcher, but flirting with the idea of transitioning
Best Shampoo? hardly ever use it, but Nexus Theratin
Best Conditioner? Redken Butter Treat or suave humecto
Best Leave-In? Lacio Lacio or Aphogee Provitamin
Best way to dry hair? I ponytail rollerset with Pibbs after 8 wks, airdy before
Best way to deal with roots? I blow dry mine sometimes, or use scarf method
Best Hair-Dryer? I have the Pibbs 514; love it!
Best heat protectant? I like the Fantasia one
Best Blow-Dryer? Revlon ionic Ceramic 1875 ( so quiet)
Best Flat Iron? Sedu
Best Oil? Coconut
Best comb(s)? Jibere Shower comb
Best brush(es)?Denman (forgot the number of mine)
 
Great thread!

Hair Type? 3 a/b/c. I think. Some areas maybe 2, others possibly 4a? Prob 3 though.
Stretcher or Transitioner? transitioner. was texlaxing and my technique was awful so I have damaged areas. Stopped texlaxing some areas over a year ago b/c I realized they were growing out of my head straight. Anywhere from about 6 months to 2 years post on my head.
Best Shampoo? Genuine African Formula Super Moisturizing Shampoo
Best Conditioner? Still looking. Shescentit Avocado is the best so far.
Best Leave-In? Now discontinued- Giovanni Direct Leave in
Best way to dry hair? Add leave in, don't comb, airdry in braids
Best way to deal with roots? Braidouts, twistouts. My textures blend well so not having major problems here. Avoiding putting protein in certain areas, using more moisture in certain areas.
Best Hair-Dryer? I don't heat style
Best heat protectant? ditto
Best Blow-Dryer? ditto
Best Flat Iron? ditto
Best Oil? EVCO
Best comb(s)? still looking
Best brush(es)? don't have one, want to try denman
 
Hair Type?
4something
Stretcher or Transitioner?
Stretcher
Best Shampoo?
Roux porosity control, any clarifing shampoo, and Aussie Moist shampoo
Best Conditioner?
Motions Moisture Plus, Motions CPR, and Aussie Moist
Best Leave-In?
S-curl
Best way to dry hair?
Air dry, I just used a blow dryer this weekend(have not used it in years)
Best way to deal with roots?
I don't really deal with my roots only when I wash, condition, moisturize, or when I style. But I only do this like once or twice a week.
Best Hair-Dryer?
I don't have a clue. I just use my conair table top when I deep condition with heat.
Best heat protectant?
I don't flat iron my hair
Best Blow-Dryer?
I don't really use one. I have one that I have had for years and I don't even know the brand.
Best Flat Iron?
I don't flat iron
Best Oil?
Castor oil and olive oil
Best comb(s)?
I use the shower comb that I bought from Sallys and I use a rattail comb to part my hair when I do my buns or updos.
Best brush(es)?
Denman brush(I use this to detangle)
I don't brush my hair anymore.


The one tip I have is to always apply your deep conditioners and moisturizers like you do a relaxer. You do not miss any hair when you apply them this way and this helps with breakage. Also I stretch from 6-9 months.
 
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Hair Type? 4a/b
Stretcher or Transitioner? Transitioner
Best Shampoo? Organix Coconut Milk
Best Conditioner? Organix Coconut Milk
Best Deep Conditioner? ORS replenishing pak
Best Moisturizer/Leave-in? Shea butter and Scurl
Best way to dry hair? Air dried in plaits
Best way to deal with roots? Keep them moisturized
Best Oil? hot six oil or evoo
Best comb(s)? any wide tooth comb
Best brush(es)? n/a

My transition is so easy because I work with my texture by wearing curly styles 98% of the time. I rarely straighten my hair.
 
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this has worked for me, don't know if it will help y'all.
i stretch for nine months at a time.

Hair Type? i call it 4a/b but that could be a lie. i've got the straight-from-ghana, seriously kinky, laughs defiantly at all attempts at categorizing it type of hair.
Stretcher or Transitioner? stretcher
Best Shampoo? elasta qp creme conditioning
Best Conditioner? neutrogena triple moisture daily deep conditioner
Best Leave-In? neutrogena triple moisture silk touch
Best way to dry hair? air dry in cornrows
Best way to deal with roots? after conditioning, i finger separate my strands, then comb through with a wide toothed comb, gradually using smaller-toothed combs until i've managed to get rid of all the tangles
Best Hair-Dryer? i like airdrying.
Best heat protectant? i only use heat a couple of times a year so i usually end up using whatever's handy.
Best Blow-Dryer? don't use one.
Best Flat Iron? gc ceramic
Best Oil? jojoba/almond
Best comb(s)? jilbere shower comb
Best brush(es)? my hair laughs at brushes
 
Hair Type? 4a/b

Stretcher or Transitioner? Transitioner (will be 15 months post 3/7/10)

Best Shampoo? CON (green bottle)

Best Conditioner? Aussie Moist Conditioner (co-wash), EQP DRP 11 w/ ORS Replenishing pack (deep conditioning)

Best Leave-In? Aussie Moist Conditioner and water

Best way to dry hair? 10-12 braids

Best way to deal with roots? Stretch them with braids or band them with ponytail holders. Sometimes blow dry.

Best Hair-Dryer? Need to purchase one

Best heat protectant? Fantasia (pink bottle)

Best Blow-Dryer? Turbo Twin (Haven't really used it. Mostly airdry)

Best Flat Iron? FHI Platform 1"

Best Oil? Coconut, JBCO

Best comb(s)? Jilbere Shower comb

Best brush(es)? don't use them
 
Okay, so I typed all this and it disappeared.

I am currently 36 weeks into my transition.

Hair Type? Still not sure. I thought I was 4b’ish, but I think I might be 3b/c in the front and 4b in the back.
Stretcher or Transitioner?
Transitioner
Best Shampoo?
I’m trying to wean myself off using shampoo more than once a month. Right now I use Aveda DR. I wanna try Giovanni.
Best Conditioner? I love Giovanni, but I also like AO
Best Leave-In?
Don’t use them. I have Giovanni Direct, in case I need it.
Best way to dry hair?
Air dry 75-80% and then blowdry.
Best way to deal with roots?
Don’t fight them! It’s easier for me to manipulate my roots when they are wet, but I have to be very gentle to avoid breakage near the demarcation line. Since I wear my hair straight most of the time, I blowdry.
Best Hair-Dryer?
Gold n Hot
Best heat protectant?
I use Aphogee Green Tea and Keratin Restructurizer on my hair before I blowdry/flatiron.
Best Blow-Dryer?
Con Air Pro Silver Bird
Best Flat Iron?
Sally’s Generic Chi
Best Oil?
Don’t use too often, but I like coconut oil and Keracare Essential Oils.
Best comb(s)?
Jilbere shower comb.
Best brush(es)?
Goody ouchless (when I wear my hair straight) or boar bristle (to help smooth my edges)

I am still trying to figure out what works for my "natural" hair, which is why I keep it straight most of the time. I will get more adventurous with styles this summer. I have a few more things I'd like to try, but looking at some of your lists have me adding stuff to mine! Just when I thought PJ'ism was gone for good...
 
Bumping.

This is such a good thread. I might try continuing on with my stretch after reading this. I picked up on some good tips and realized a few things I was doing wrong.
 
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Hair Type? 4a/3c
Stretcher or Transitioner?Transitioner
Best Shampoo? ORS Creamy Aloe (it doesn't strip and tangle my hair)
Best Conditioner? HE Hydration, Suave Coconut & Suave Humectant, Lekair Carrot Cholesterol & Lekair Olive Oil Cholesterol ( very rich and thick for DCing)
Best Leave-In? Infusium 23 ( I saw growth with this product but be careful of the protein)
Best way to dry hair? Section and braid in sections with a little oil smoothed on each braid, my hair dries straighter and moisturized)
Best way to deal with roots? Fingercomb when wet, keep moisture in the roots, do not sleep on them wet or you will wake up in a matted mess that's so hard to detangle)
Best Hair-Dryer? N/A
Best heat protectant? I use a water based one because the thick, conditioner based ones were causing my hair to stick to the flatiron
Best Blow-Dryer? N/A
Best Flat Iron? Ceramic plating should do
Best Oil? Coconut, Vatika ( my hair didn't become greasy), Lisa's Elixer ( tingles the scalp, Africa's Best ( smells lovely)
Best comb(s)? Ouidad, rake comb
Best brush(es)? The softest one you can find
 
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