Has anyone transitioned with out the big chop?

[femalegold]

Did you let your relaxer grow out, and cut a little at the time? If so how did it work for you. How did you maintain the two different textures?

 

[Ms Red]

Hi femalegold

I am transitioning without the big chop and there are several other members who have/are as well. People like Sweet Ambrosia, LynneB, NewYorkGyrl and lots more.

When I decided to go natural and stopped getting relaxers, I changed my regimen to include co-washes 2-3 times a week, Wild Growth Oil and deep conditioning. I also changed my products and styles and have used phony ponies and falls at first, then braidouts and twistouts to blend.

I bumped the Transitioner Support Thread for you to look through. HTH!

 

[femalegold]

Thank you cupcake!!

 

[cocomama]

hello,

I transitioned without the bc. I have tons of pics in my fotki albums. I flat iron for about 6 mths, then I flat twist, braided, bantu knots, twist outs, etc for about another 8 more mths.

Hope that helps

 

[honeybadgirl]

i didnt do the bc. in the beginning i think i just went to the salon every 2 wks but i used to doing that anyway. once i started doing my hair myself it was a breeze. i didnt have any problems with ng. i kept wearing my hair str8 and didnt even think about it. dont get me wrong, when i 1st transitioned it took some getting used to. i was so used to str8 hair that the puffy roots was a bit hard to look at but i got used to it and once the relaxed hair grew further down the ng didnt seem so puffy anymore.

 

[Miss*Tress]

My last relaxer was July 2005 and I haven't really changed my routine. I continue to roller set - in winter - and now do twist outs in summer. That's it really.

ETA: I could have added more detail like everyone else. I CO wash once every week or every two weeks in winter (depending on my shedding) and about 3-4 times a week in the summer. I deep condition with every wash in winter and every two weeks in summer and use shampoo once a month or whenever I remember. Hard core protein when I remember - Aphogee - and I'm trying to get on the henna/indigo train. Now that's it! Really.

 

[candiel]

I am also transitioning without the BC. I do COwashes twice a week and I mostly wear braidouts and twistouts. I sometimes get my hair flatironed once month.

 

[naicendivine]

i didnt do the bc. in the beginning i think i just went to the salon every 2 wks but i used to doing that anyway. once i started doing my hair myself it was a breeze. i didnt have any problems with ng. i kept wearing my hair str8 and didnt even think about it. dont get me wrong, when i 1st transitioned it took some getting used to. i was so used to str8 hair that the puffy roots was a bit hard to look at but i got used to it and once the relaxed hair grew further down the ng didnt seem so puffy anymore.

did you flat iron every 2 weeks? For those who transitioned by flat ironing, did you notice any heat damage?

Thanx!

 

[LynnieB]

Did you let your relaxer grow out, and cut a little at the time? If so how did it work for you. How did you maintain the two different textures?

Transitioning since Feb, '06 and no plans on BCing.

i only trim/dust when it looks like i need it. i'm not having any major difficulties transitioning and it's actually been pretty easy once i found the right moisturizing products and styling techniques.

i'm not bone straight relaxed so blending the 2 textures isn't that hard, it's also easier to keep hair from breaking at the weakest link - the line of demarcation. I use minimal heat probably flatiron once a month or 2. i do blow dry when i don't feel like waiting for it to air dry but only use warm or cold air settings. cold air blowdrying has really been working out great!

i mostly do braidouts, sometimes twistouts and flat twists on either wet or dry hair. i've also started doing flatcoils - they're fun and different looking. flat twists and the coils i can keep in for 5-7 days without doing anything 'cept mist with elasta qp H2 and slap a satin scarf on before sleeping.

i only detangle to get rid of built up shed hair and that's once a week when i wash it but finger style if needed. i deep condition every poo and avoid combing or brushing dry hair.

i'm 13 months into the transition and @ midback. my hair has never been this long in my life

Are you thinking about transitioning?

 

[honeybadgirl]

did you flat iron every 2 weeks? For those who transitioned by flat ironing, did you notice any heat damage?

Thanx!

no i did not flat iron but my hair was curled with the curlers they used in the stove. that was about 3-4yrs ago and my stylist at the time didnt use flat irons. but regardless, heat was used in my hair to straighten it. no one knew i was transitioning actually.
i did move on to flat irons and that made it so much easier to transition!

 

[caligirl]

I transitioned for 2 years by doing braidouts every week. Every now and then I would get my hair blown out and a trim.

 

[Je Ne Sais Quoi]

I transitioned with out big chopping. I just cut a little at a time (sometimes too much at one time) until all the perm was gone. I didn't have too much probably texture wise, and I honestly don't know why I didnt since I'm definitely 4a material. I just looked up one day and I had grown it out. My hair was a little less than shoulder length so there wasn't much to transition out of.

 

[femalegold]

Transitioning since Feb, '06 and no plans on BCing.

i only trim/dust when it looks like i need it. i'm not having any major difficulties transitioning and it's actually been pretty easy once i found the right moisturizing products and styling techniques.

i'm not bone straight relaxed so blending the 2 textures isn't that hard, it's also easier to keep hair from breaking at the weakest link - the line of demarcation. I use minimal heat probably flatiron once a month or 2. i do blow dry when i don't feel like waiting for it to air dry but only use warm or cold air settings. cold air blowdrying has really been working out great!

i mostly do braidouts, sometimes twistouts and flat twists on either wet or dry hair. i've also started doing flatcoils - they're fun and different looking. flat twists and the coils i can keep in for 5-7 days without doing anything 'cept mist with elasta qp H2 and slap a satin scarf on before sleeping.

i only detangle to get rid of built up shed hair and that's once a week when i wash it but finger style if needed. i deep condition every poo and avoid combing or brushing dry hair.

i'm 13 months into the transition and @ midback. my hair has never been this long in my life

Are you thinking about transitioning?

Yes I'm thinking about tradsitioning! I am currently 4 months post relaxer and my new growth is really soft. I'm loving the texture.

Thank you ladies so much for sharing your experiences with me. I'm going to give it a try and see how it works out.

 

[Legend]

Did you let your relaxer grow out, and cut a little at the time? If so how did it work for you. How did you maintain the two different textures?

I did, and I've got two words for you: Phony Ponies!

Seriously, I just don't have time for daily hair styling in general--transitioning or not--so I washed it only about once a week, and clipped the ends off little by little until all the old relaxed hair was gone. Of course--silly me--I ended up going to the salon and texturizing my hair when I'd finally gotten rid of the relaxed stuff. But, it can be done, and easily so. Just keep your hair conditioned, moisturized, strengthened with protein, and protected and it'll be smooth sailing.

I can't wear them myself, but may want to consider braids as a great option.

HGH!

 

[MsBttrfly23]

I did cut quite a bit, but could not bring myself to BC. I have been alternating braids and buns and trimming/cutting off a little bit of the permed ends at a time. I started transitioning around last April and hope to be 100% by June/July...(judging from my progress)... I prefer cutting it off little by little. The back of my hair (nape) is really curly/coily and I like it so far. It is the only part of my hair that is completely natural so far.

 

[DigitalRain]

Ive been contemplating not b/c'ing. Like NEVER. Unless its a routine trim. Im hoping I work with dealing with 2 textures.

 

[Marhia]

i know i dont plan on doing any bc so the tips you gals gave were very helpful

 

[DDTexlaxed]

hello,

I transitioned without the bc. I have tons of pics in my fotki albums. I flat iron for about 6 mths, then I flat twist, braided, bantu knots, twist outs, etc for about another 8 more mths.

Hope that helps

This is what I want to do! Thank you!