2 years. I never did a BC. I did 2 minichops and never went shorter than shouldler length. I took photos every step of the way. http://public.fotki.com/RegsWife/
I transitioned in braids, trimming my hair every 6-8 weeks, and realized I had no more relaxed hair on my one year anniversary of transitioning. When I strarted/put in the braids, I had 1 inch of natural hair growth. When I discovered I had no more relaxed hair, I had about 5-6 inches of natural hair as seen below:
It all depends on how long you want your hair to be when the relaxed ends are cut. I transitioned for several years. My relaxed hair was probably below armpit length, and I didn't want my hair any shorter than that, so I transitioned for a few years until my new growth was about armpit length. I trimmed the relaxed ends every few months.
I transitioned for 4months then bc'd lol... It was actually on accident because i took my hair down out of braids and clarified it.... big mistake! I had a matted mess and ended up just chopping my relaxed hair halfway to hell.. SO the next day i just went to my stylist and she chopped all my hair off. Havent looked back since
^^^I 2nd that. Luv, luv, luv Mook's hair. Can't wait till I'm 100% natural. Hey Mook, my Bee Mine products will be here 2mor, I hope I like them as much as you do.
I had relaxed hair in 2007-2008. By 2010 I had no relaxer left in my hair, I had unknowingly just trimmed it all away and my hair is currently APL. I had no idea!