4A Transitioners... Tips and Suggestions

[loulou82]

I've been transitioning since May 2007 but I feel like I still have a lot to learn about this process. Can anyone share any suggestions for washing, styling, products, and finding that elusive protein/ moisture balance that will keep the breakage at bay. When I detangle, my hair goes, "Naw homie. Stop right there!"

My new growth is a coily, moisture-sucking, dense mass while my ends are bone straight and tend to tangle easily. The curl pattern and texture are pretty uniform throughout my hair but it's a jungle in there sometimes.

So when they battle... :gunner7:


It's the New Growth by knock out... :hardslap:


Any help would be WONDERFUL!

 

[Rapunzel*]

I've been transitioning since May 2007 but I feel like I still have a lot to learn about this process. Can anyone share any suggestions for washing, styling, products, and finding that elusive protein/ moisture balance that will keep the breakage at bay. When I detangle, my hair goes, "Naw homie. Stop right there!"

My new growth is a coily, moisture-sucking, dense mass while my ends are bone straight and tend to tangle easily. The curl pattern and texture are pretty uniform throughout my hair but it's a jungle in there sometimes.

So when they battle... :gunner7:


It's the New Growth by knock out... :hardslap:


Any help would be WONDERFUL!

i dont know my texture right now but ill bite

have you been doing frequent trims or your holding on to those relaxed ends sounds to me that your hair is getting fed up with you
its saying cut these damn ends off or we gone go at it, thats what my natural hair said to me after 5 monthserplexed

but in this time off stress over the transition maybe you should get some singles or corn rows. itll be really nice on you with a natural phony pony or a kinky twist pony tail they look nice

eta: i like the vo5 moister milk conditioners it has milk protein in it

 

[Platinum]

Hmm, I may have to check the family tree because my hair sounds like yours. I was thinking about starting a thread like this because I have the same questions. I don't have anything to add but I'll kep my eyes on this thread.

 

[loulou82]

Thanks for responding SM. I haven't had a trim since March 2007. (I know!) But I'm always dusting. I glide my fingers over my strands and snip the knots and tangles all the time.

I was trying to hold out on getting cornrows because I can't do them myself and my stylist charges $40. They never last long on me. I think I may have to opt for the kinky twists again. I just a good experience with them in February.

 

[loulou82]

Hmm, I may have to check the family tree because my hair sounds like yours. I was thinking about starting a thread like this because I have the same questions. I don't have anything to add but I'll kep my eyes on this thread.

Really! I'm love finding a hair twin. My relaxed ends are so darn picky but I'm sooooo close to APL that I want to enjoy that length for a few months before I start trimming.

 

[loulou82]

Bump Bump!

 

[CHEEKQUEEN]

Hey Lou,
I want to thank you again for your help in the beginning of my transition journey. I have found a new method that helps for me.

I have started to wash my hair while in 4 section braids. I place bobby pins midway up the braid. I rinse the shampoo out very good and apply my conditioner while still in the braids. I partially rinse the conditioner out after my DC. I take down one braid at a time. I applied S-curl (spray it on) to my NG and Infusium 23/mango butter to my ends. I applied/greased my scalp and up to the demarcation line with Mango butter. I detangle from tip to root while holding on to the hair gently. I braid the section up loosely when finished with each section. This is now a set detangle regimen for me. I then either air-dry partially then blow through each section a little on cool setting. You don't comb it just let the air blow through to completely dry.


This is the braids after I have washed them.


Here is my hair after I followed my regimen above.


You can also omit blowing through it with blow dryer just air dry completely like I did in this pic.


Then braid it up and add some WBC to ends and do a braid out


This method worked wonders for me and I hope it does the same for you. Good luck, Lou!

 

[*Luscious*Locked*Doc]

I'm a 4a and transitioning and here's what I did before putting my braids in may and this worked wonders. I never ever wash my hair loose - it's been 7+ months without relaxer and my natural texture rules the roost. I put hair in 4 sections and braid them just like the girl above but I don't use clips or anything they just stay. Using the applicator bottle I mixed baking soda and water and I use this in my roots to clarify my scalp and I leave it to sit for a few minutes. I follow by washing my hair with CON the green label diluted in a bucket of water (I use about a capful of CON). After this I rinse each section well with water to make sure all the shampoo and baking soda is gone.

I really don't pre-poo anymore because I simply don't need it. If I do I use Phyto Pollioliene O/N or I do a mix of cheapy conditioners, coconut oil and Apohogee 5 minute reconstructor. I might to that mix following my shampoo as well which is more likely. I deep condition with whatever version of cholesterol I have lying around. I mix that with castor oil, coconut oil, peppermint and rosemary EO, and SAA's. I DC under heat for 45 minutes. If I felt my hair was breaking I would have done a protein treatment with Joico Intensive Reconstuctor and then followed with the DC. I take out each braided section one at a time with the conditioner still in and using my Jilbere comb I detangle from tip to root and then I rinse out the conditioner. I apply my leave in - phyto 9 and a spray one and then I seal with a little vatika. I braid the section back up and I repeat this all over my head.

I let it air dry and then I flat twist my hair with homemade shea butter mixture. I wore a wig but that would make a great braid out as well. I moisturize with a water glycerine mix and that's it! HTH! It took me forever to perfect this regimen and I get minimal breakage this way as well.

 

[loulou82]

Thank you so much ladies.

I stopped washing my hair loose a looong time ago but I can't stop my ends from unravelling. I tried barrettes but they get tangled in my hair . So next time I'll try the bobby pins. I'll also try mixing the Aphogee 2 Min Reconstructor with my usual conditioner. I used to make that a separate step. I see that the less steps I have the less manipulation too.

I really need to step my braiding game up. Your braid out is beautiful CQ! I bought rollers and a net to try out roller setting after my wash.

My shrinkage in a beast right in the center of my hair so it has to be stretched out in order to do anything with it.

Luscious and Cheek... How often do you two wash your hair?

 

[*Luscious*Locked*Doc]

Oh girl my braids unravel all the time! I just braid em right back up when I'm washing. Somehow I've just gotten the hang of it...before my braids I was washing 1x a week and a co-wash 1x a week. When I did the co-wash i didn't even bother to take my flat twists out just left them in and washed and rinsed out very little of the conditioner. I only do a separate protein step if I really think the line of demarcation is breaking otherwise I work the 5min reconstructor in as either a pre-poo or between the shampoo and DC. I tried really not to manipulate my hair when it was out for one because I don't have the time to constantly work with it and two because extra manipulation leads to breakage....

 

[CHEEKQUEEN]

I now only wash once a week. Usually I do it on Sat. or Sunday morning depending on the days plans.

 

[brownsugarflyygirl]

Three things that helped my transition:

1) Two strand twists with straws set on the relaxed ends

2) Kids Organic Shea Butter Moisturizing Detangling Lotion

3) Denman Brush

Thats how I got through my transition. Hope it goes well!!

 

[cinnamin316]

When i wash my hair in braids they unravel also. When i wash my hairin the sink i part my hair down the middle and clip each side up with a claw. When washing in the shower i part in 4 sections (If i'm not being lazy lol) Personally washing in the sink is easier for me. As you probably do already, i take down one side at a time andwash or condition, then i clip it back up and turn to the other side. The key to not get tangles is to turn your head to the side when washing. I then put more conditioner in it pull it back in to a bun and apply a little ic gel on my edges. I dont have the best technique but it seems to be working for me.

btw- i only bun. Braid outs always look horrid on me. So i cant really give you information on styles.

 

[Chromia]

I haven't had a trim since March 2007. (I know!) But I'm always dusting. I glide my fingers over my strands and snip the knots and tangles all the time.

Same here. I haven't had a trim since Feb. '07 but I dust, clipping splits or single-strand knots.

ETA: To answer your questions in your original post, it helps to detangle my NG when I pre-poo with Tresemme Anti-Breakage conditioner. I wash with CON, towel dry, and DC with ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner. Then rinse that out and apply my leave-in (currently using Nexxus Headdress, will not be repurchasing though) and Fantasia IC Styling Gel and twist my hair. I use my Denman brush to smooth my hair and distribute the gel evenly before I twist my hair. Then I tie my scarf on and let it air dry or I may sit under my dryer for a little while if I have somewhere to go.