Considering Transitioning But Never Been Natural

[TrendySocialite]

I feel like I literally have been relaxed my whole life. I was relaxed at a young age by a hairstylist and have been relaxed ever since.

I truly have no idea what my texture would be like and I'm nervous, but there must be something that keeps drawing me to this.

I stretch for 12 weeks now, but that's no real indication of what a totally natural head would be like.

I texlaxed last time (by accident, I added SAA to my relaxer) so I'm not really bone straight even now.

As anyone gone natural after being relaxed for many years? As anyone gone natural without knowing what their natural texture would be?

I didn't want to make this too long, but feel free to ask any questions...

 

[Dommo]

I have...I went natural about 1 1/2 years ago without knowing what my texture was. I fell in love with my texture once I was months into my transition so i big chopped way too early...I decided to relax again because my hair was too short for me after the BC, but now I'm transitioning again, but long-term...I don't plan on bc'ing for at least 2 yrs...

 

[Skiggle]

BUMP.. Bump..

 

[TrendySocialite]

I have...I went natural about 1 1/2 years ago without knowing what my texture was. I fell in love with my texture once I was months into my transition so i big chopped way too early...I decided to relax again because my hair was too short for me after the BC, but now I'm transitioning again, but long-term...I don't plan on bc'ing for at least 2 yrs...

I guess that's the part I'm interested in is how to wear my hair during the transition. I'm used to hair that lays down....LOL

 

[pmichael52172]

My hair is just about the exact same length as yours is in the first block of your siggy and I'm almost 5 months into my transition. Fake hair is not my thing AT ALL and I'm too short to make a ponytail.

I get my hair washed every two weeks. My stylist air dries 80% then blow dries the rest, then presses my roots ONLY, then flat irons the relaxed strands. I don't use any heat until I go back to her.

Right now, I'm finding curly styles to be my saving grace (with little concoctions to lay down my edges when needed). If I need quick curls, I use the Caruso Steam rollers and if I want curls the next day, I pin curl with bobby pins overnight. I'm enjoying my transition and my hair is thriving REALLY well. (AND I still look cute!)

I didn't go and buy up natural hair products... yet... because most of my hair is still relaxed, so while I experiement with products on the cheaper end, I'm still using up my relaxed hair products with great results. I get trimmed/dusted when needed (only once so far) and won't be big chopping.

 

[half.cadence]

I stopped relaxing in Dec.07 and I had been getting my hair relaxed since the age of..6 or 7? So I'd been relaxing for 10/11 yrs. I had no idea what my hair would look like. But thats what made me want to transition in the first place. The not knowing..

I was anxious to see what my hair would look like fully natural, weirded out because I've never seen or remembered my natural hair, and excited to see the new me. I love my natural hair and Im sure you will too..

good luck..with whatever you decide..

eta: depending on how long you wanna transition your hair will gain length..giving you more options. But..I would suggest you just wearing your hair in more curly styles. Braidouts, twistouts..strawsets.

 

[PinkSkates]

Here are some transition-friendly hair styles from treasurelocks.


Two Strand Twists- simple yet effective. If you decide to cut your hair, you can just use some styling gel (like Black Earth's Lock It Up Gel) and part your hair into sections. Either twist on a comb or take two strands and twist them around each other. Your hair can be worn like this for several days before having to re-style. CAUTION: Hair that is left twisted for too long can begin to lock. So, unless you want locks, take it down every once in a while.


Straw Set- this is a great style if you want to keep your permed hair. The tight curls make the different textures (your roots and ends) less noticeable.


Crinkle Set or Twist Out- by braiding or twisting your hair using a setting gel, you can create a wavy/crinkly look that minimizes the different textures of your hair. This is a very simple and very cute style. You can wear your hair in twists or braids for a while, then remove them and wear the "twist out" look.


Flat Twists- basically the same as cornrows. The difference is you use two strands of hair instead of three.

 

[TrendySocialite]

I'm going to dive in and read some threads and sleep on it. I think I'm going to make a decision tomorrow. Thank you for your information and well wishes!!!!!