How many long haired ladies have transitioned without the BC??

[blackbarbie]

Hi Ladies,
I did a 16 week stretch most recently and seriously thought about transitioning, but since that was my first time having to deal with the 2 different textures, I didn't handle it very well and stopped at the 16 week mark. (it wasn't horrible, I just wasn't prepared; didn't know quite what to expect; I was losing a lot of hair dealing with the 2 textures)





I really love my natural texture and didn't even get a relaxer until I was 18, however, I am wondering how many of you naturals that have shoulder length hair or longer stretched without doing the BC?? Also did you wear your hair straight most of the time? The reason I ask is that I would love to transition without doing the BC, but I think it would be a whole lot easier if my hair were straight (via flat ironing or rollersetting) since it would be easier to manage and comb through. During this past stretch, I would lose a lot of hair whenever I combed it while it was curly whether wet or dry, but I still can't imagine putting all the heat in my hair on a weekly basis to straighten it out.....



I have been seriously mulling this over and the more I think about it, the more I would like to do it……….Can I get some help here??

 

[meia]

hey girl! im trying to do it now but i figure at some point im going to need a bc just because the relaxed ends are toooo much! but i had made a thread about this before titled "transitioning to nautral without the big chop" the link to the thread is here if you want to read some of the responses!!! http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=65737&highlight=meia

ENJOY!
meia

 

[Suri]

I started my transition last December and my hair is a little past my chin, grazing my nape so it's not really long. In the beginning I managed to wash and go or bun it up because it was the summer, but now it's mostly braids or straightening it once a month. The heat is bad, had to stop that,braids are a good option (just started this weekend)

Although my hair isn't long, I do not plan on BCing. I think for a person with at least shoulder length hair, it would be VERY EASY to transition. Because you have the length, you can do loose buns and braid outs with a reasonable amount of hair, it's really hard for me, I am outside of my total hair comfort zone, but I wouldn't focus on keeping it straight during the transition. The journey of the transition is to learn to deal with the natural hair emerging, not making straight all the time. HTH, hope you start transitioning, it's trying but fun and gives you a chance to really be creative.

I have like 2-4 inches of permed hair left all over...I am soooo tempted, but I will be wearing my hair braided in different styles until say April when the weather breaks again. This time will come in your transition when you need to minimize manipulation, maximize protection and growth, and just chill to keep from watching it. Okay I am really done this time.

 

[Faith]

So far so good...I have been blowdrying (on LOW heat...more cool than hot) after I wash. I have to otherwise I would lose a TON of hair.

 

[bklyncurly]

I never did the BC and I'm approaching my 2nd year anniversary of not relaxing my hair! Granted, it was rough. The 2 different textures takes a lot of getting used to. Products that worked for my relaxed hair didn't work on the new growth (natural). So, I had to experiment with a lot of different products, mixing my own products, oils, creams, etc.

Blow drying takes a lot longer (at least for me) because I had to make sure I wasn't pulling too much on the spot where the 2 different textures met (does that make sense). However, after a few months, I got the hang of it. I'm approaching bra strap (finally). And my hair seems to be growing faster without the relaxer.

One other thing (and it took me 2 years to realize this!). My hair responds much better to products geared toward curly hair. I think its all the moisture in them. Also, I wear my hair straight and curly. Straight most of the time. I don't wear protective styles and I blow dry twice a week (I know some people are cringing) but it works for me.

The biggest problem is dealing with dryness and deep cons and lots of coconut oil works great for me!

Hope this helps!

 

[blackbarbie]

hey girl! im trying to do it now but i figure at some point im going to need a bc just because the relaxed ends are toooo much! but i had made a thread about this before titled "transitioning to nautral without the big chop" the link to the thread is here if you want to read some of the responses!!! http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=65737&highlight=meia

ENJOY!
meia

Meia, thanks for the link! I will read a few of the posts...How long have you been doing it and how has it been for you so far?

 

[blackbarbie]

Suri - you're right about not trying to keep it straight, I just have to figure the best way to manage it in its natural state. I am looking forward to the spring/summer time so I can rock the braidouts/twistouts, etc. So until then, these next few months will give me a chance to start adjusting to the different texture....Thanks!

Faith - I can't do the blowdrying thing. (even now while I am relaxed) I need to work on my manual dexterity first Whether I am trying to blow dry or flat iron, I usually end up giving up after the first 15 minutes! I think the biggest thing with me and blowdrying is whether I'm doing it or whether someone else is doing it, I always feel like I am pulling my hair right out of my head! I know - I'm not all there

neijon - I can't believe you transitioned for 2 whole years w/o doing the BC. I think I am just going to go through a trial and error period to see what works for me first. My mother transitioned after only getting a perm once in her life. (for over 40 years of her life, she always pressed and when I first got my perm, she ran out on a whim and got one, but when it came time to do her first rollerset, she chickened out and said it was for the birds and threw her hands up)....She never did the BC and maintained all her length. She would just press the roots with a hot comb when new growth came in and she would shampoo and con. once a week. (she def. didn't go through any extra steps as we do here on the board except a stylist told her that she needed to keep the NG moisturized)........I know I will eventually have to use the blowdryer (deathly afraid of it), but I am hoping I can use the maxiglide (not like I am that much better with that either)........I just don't do very well w/hair appliances unless it's a hood dryer!! Thanks for the response and congrats again!

 

[KiSseS03]

Hey Blackbarbie!

I transitioned for 13 months 3 years ago, and knew nothing about hair care really lol... My hair stayed healthy though, I just used rollersets/updos pretty much the entire time. I chopped a teeny bit each month and did a final chop at the end of the 13 months..

Now my hair is the longest it's been in years and I just can't cut it off... I really like how I look with longer hair (my goal is BSL-- maybe longer). I'm transitioning now and I'm not chopping, I'm just going to keep pressing towards my length goal and then probably maintain the length and keep trimming away the relaxed hair...

I find it gets easier with more length, my new growth seems to be more cooperative when there is more....

 

[kitchen_tician]

Hi Blackbarbie!
I'm also a long haired transitioner and I'm approaching my 8th month. So far so good.

I also want to avoid the BC, so I'm in the process of still learning how to deal with both textures. Now I wash in 3 sections, which is SUPER helpful. At first I would usually blowdry once per week or every 2 weeks, then I'd wrap my hair while still warm in a satin scarf. Or I would flat iron my hair after air drying it. Or I would wear a phony pony with the front part of my hair corn rowed.

I also like silky hairstyles, but I often have to use heat to acheive them, plus the heat makes it more manageable. Eventhough, heat makes my hair alot more manageable, I want to reduce the heat, not because of damage, but becaue I want my hair to be as healthy as possible during this delicate stage. Now, I'm on a rollersetting mission, which takes so much time and patience, but it's well worth it. I allow my rollerset to airdry for about 14 hours.

Actually, for me, the longer I stretched, the harder it was for me to relax. I didn't want my efforts to be wasted. And yes, I agree with KiSseS03. The more newgrowth, the easier it is to manage.

I don't have a maxi glide yet, so I'll have to wait to experience it. I think that will be my reward for being 1 year relaxer free.

 

[babyblue]

I've been fully natural for a couple of years now but i transitioned without doing the big chop. i transitioned for more than two years by trimming my ends little by little over time. I alternated with pressing my new growth and just wearing braided styles with my own hair and doing twist/braidouts, buns etc. Knowing what i know now I wouldnt recommend excessive use of heat to transition because it can ruin your natural texture over time leaving you with permanently straight limp strands in some places.

Just make sure you deep condition frequently, use a wide tooth comb, a good detangler and use lots of heat free styles like wet sets, braids, twists, roller sets etc. and you should have no problem with a long transition. You'll chop when your ready.

 

[benosayi]

I transitioned by wearing braids. I couldn't deal with the two textures. I would cut off about an inch every two months.

 

[honey_jammz82]

I transitioned without doing the big chop. I did not know what transitioning was, but I knew the relaxers were killing my hair. I think I was like 15 or 16, I did not take good care of my hair while I was transitioning. I bleached it with hilites, and used tons of heat. It took me a long time to get my hair to even look decent, because I was not informed on what to do. Just make sure to moisturze and condition your hair frequently, and you should be alright.hth

 

[blackbarbie]

I transitioned without doing the big chop. I did not know what transitioning was, but I knew the relaxers were killing my hair. I think I was like 15 or 16, I did not take good care of my hair while I was transitioning. I bleached it with hilites, and used tons of heat. It took me a long time to get my hair to even look decent, because I was not informed on what to do. Just make sure to moisturze and condition your hair frequently, and you should be alright.hth

Very pretty hair and skin too!! Oh, and did I mention how shiny, full, and thick it is?!?! I like!

 

[honey_jammz82]

Very pretty hair and skin too!! Oh, and did I mention how shiny, full, and thick it is?!?! I like!

Thank you soo much! Your hair is beautiful, and I been eyeing that color you got there!

 

[mzlatisha]

i did it...although my hair was never bone straight..i grew out the perm with just trimming a major patience..lol

actually did this 5 years ago..still growing..my goal length is to middle of back a little past bra strap..

 

[meia]

Meia, thanks for the link! I will read a few of the posts...How long have you been doing it and how has it been for you so far?

hey blackbarbie! im glad you re-created this thread cos ive SOO been thinking again of going natural--but to do it all in a bc would *kill* me...ive been doing the transition for almost a year now and its been a crazyyy journey! i just had about an inch cut off (almost fainted ...no scratch that almost kicked the stylists ASS! lol) unintentionally but the ends feel better.. i figure if i hit waist by june (with my two textures combined) i could still have 6-10 inches of new growth which would be great! i figure for every 2-3 inches i get, i could cut an inch off....

the two textures are ridiculous to keep up with...my new growth responds with little manipulation...very little..it just needs moisturizer and to be kept clean and detangled..the relaxed ends are like straw no matter what i put on them, knot up so easily,and the ends split no matter what i do to keep them healthy..i might make this a longer transition than previously thought if i can start doing straw sets on myself (weekly) to get use to the look of my texture of hair, and to stop the amount of washing and other forms of manipulation i use on my hair...ive been bunning lately- washing, conditioning, adding leave-in,a nd then follow up with a pudding for moisturizer..keeps my hair so nice and well moisturized- thats the only way i can deal with my hair now because a few months ago i got to such a point with my transition that i couldnt even deal with my hair..everything i was doing, adding, or anything messed my hair up worse than it already was..then i found oyin products- this has given my transition a lot more hope..and has made th two textures so much easier to deal with!

i might spend the next few months up to june wearing my hair in conrows and in twists, braids, and buns in-between so i dont mess my hairline up...im thinking of giving myself 2-5 years of transitioning by then i should have cut all my relaxed hair out..and my curly hair should be at lower back to waist length...so i'll be happy either way!

 

[mermaid]

I transitioned with braided extensions, but I wasn't trying to transition, I was just wearing braids.
That was 10 years ago. Haven't seen any reason to slap a relaxer on my head since, I can get my hair just as straight by other means.
I have three or four different textures in my hair naturally anyway, so I had to figure out how to manipulate different textures as it is.

 

[nissi]

i'm coming up to 3 years since i transitioned without the big chop. like the others said, it's important to get good shampoos and conditioners with lots of slip that keep your hair moisturized and less likely to tangle and break. this is major! paul mitchell detangler, loreal vive for women of color, elasta products, ntm products are excellent...

i used wigs (got a lot of growth that way letting my hair rest), phony ponies, and minimized the handling so that i could grow it to bra strap before i had my mom cut all the relaxed ends off.

btw, some things that really set me back in transitioning:
- letting the dominican stylist blow the roots -- it caused terrible breakage! don't do it!
- scrunchies and hair ties that have not been soaked in oil -- scrunchies eat hair! instead, use a metal hair clip to gather pony tails.
- yucky conidtioners that caused tangling
- not having the right tools, wide tooth combs, k-cutter combs, seamless combs...
- not being gentle and patient with hair...

hth!

 

[blackbarbie]

Ladies, keep the great responses coming. I feel like the lion in the Wizard of Oz here; I keep reading these responses and getting more and more courage!! Reading about and seeing actual live heads of ladies that didn't have to do it makes me feel so much better!

KT - thanks for your input! I stalked your fotki and left you a message and also got your response where you chimed in on another thread about this too.

Babyblue - taking note about the excessive use of heat during the transition and how it can damage the natural hair texture. Looks I will be coming up with a bunch of new concoctions to keep my hair moisturized and twistouts here i come!

MzLatasha - I never knew you were natural!! You say you did it over 5 years ago? Your hair is so thick and let me ask you, has it always been that full even when you were permed or do you think it got even fuller/thicker when you stopped relaxing it?

Meia - just realized something....You say it's been over a year and you're still not done transitioning....didn't dawn on me that the longer your hair is, the longer it takes to transition, huh? So you're not quite sure of going natural, and it's been over a year, so is there anything that would up and make you go get a perm? I am hoping that for me, the longer I transition, the easier it will get, cause I can't see myself transitioning for over a year and not deciding to go natural....(even when I stretched for 16 weeks, when I went to go get my perm, I swear from the stylist trying to pull it through 16 weeks of NG, he broke some of the hairs off in certain places...couldn't let a year's worth of progress go down the drain...)

Mermaid - I have always liked your avatar and that thick head of hair of yours (you look EXACTLY like a girlfriend of mine - I mean exactly like her).....I am just too scary about the braids b/c I have heard horror stories about what they can do to your hairline, etc. and once I asked a stylist about some and she told me my hair was too fine and they would slip out? I really didn't understand what she meant, but I am thinking she must have meant I needed more new growth at the roots to hold them in place....

Nissi - I don't use scrunchies anyway, generally use hairpins to pin up, but I thought the metal clips were dangerous The reason I say this is because when I was in high school and was natural, I would just wear the metal clips/bows (yeah, old skool) and pull my hair back. That was it...Over time, the metal clips "ate" my hair out right on the sides and when I realized that's what it was and stopped using them, the hair had time to grow back in......

I think the biggest thing that I am getting from everyone is to moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. (Glad I went to Big Lots last week and picked up 10 additional bottles of DDTA!! ). I just want to be able to moisturize my hair enough to where the new growth is moisturized and not crackly, but the rest of the head is not suffering and looks like I have dumped a container of oil, etc. in it......

Keep the encouragement coming...I am talking myself into this!!

 

[onepraying]

I never did the BC and I'm approaching my 2nd year anniversary of not relaxing my hair! Granted, it was rough. The 2 different textures takes a lot of getting used to. Products that worked for my relaxed hair didn't work on the new growth (natural). So, I had to experiment with a lot of different products, mixing my own products, oils, creams, etc.

Blow drying takes a lot longer (at least for me) because I had to make sure I wasn't pulling too much on the spot where the 2 different textures met (does that make sense). However, after a few months, I got the hang of it. I'm approaching bra strap (finally). And my hair seems to be growing faster without the relaxer.

One other thing (and it took me 2 years to realize this!). My hair responds much better to products geared toward curly hair. I think its all the moisture in them. Also, I wear my hair straight and curly. Straight most of the time. I don't wear protective styles and I blow dry twice a week (I know some people are cringing) but it works for me.

The biggest problem is dealing with dryness and deep cons and lots of coconut oil works great for me!

Hope this helps!

I want to see your hair!!!

 

[bluediamond0829]

yes this is something ive been wondering also for a while...ive been trying to go without relaxing but really now that i think of it i dont think i really relaxed more than 5 to 6 times this year...but i wanted to at least see how it would be without a relaxer and let my hair grow out...and then if i feel that its too hard for me to take care of..then i can always go back and relax...but i know because of my texture of hair and have been told numerous times that i dont need to have a relaxer...i would love to see how my hair would be actually transitioning or in a natural state...so this may be something i may commit to for 2006...but im with the others i dont want to cut off the little that i do have...so im going to try to transition thru braids, sew in weaves, scarves, instant weaves....

 

[Faith]

Hi Blackbarbie!
I'm also a long haired transitioner and I'm approaching my 8th month. So far so good.

I also want to avoid the BC, so I'm in the process of still learning how to deal with both textures. Now I wash in 3 sections, which is SUPER helpful. At first I would usually blowdry once per week or every 2 weeks, then I'd wrap my hair while still warm in a satin scarf. Or I would flat iron my hair after air drying it. Or I would wear a phony pony with the front part of my hair corn rowed.

I also like silky hairstyles, but I often have to use heat to acheive them, plus the heat makes it more manageable. Eventhough, heat makes my hair alot more manageable, I want to reduce the heat, not because of damage, but becaue I want my hair to be as healthy as possible during this delicate stage. Now, I'm on a rollersetting mission, which takes so much time and patience, but it's well worth it. I allow my rollerset to airdry for about 14 hours.

Actually, for me, the longer I stretched, the harder it was for me to relax. I didn't want my efforts to be wasted. And yes, I agree with KiSseS03. The more newgrowth, the easier it is to manage.

I don't have a maxi glide yet, so I'll have to wait to experience it. I think that will be my reward for being 1 year relaxer free.

WOW..has it been 8 months already? Well done. I am coming on 3 months since my last relaxer. And it's not so bad if I blowdry it. I think the more natural hair I get the less blowdrying I will have to do. How often are you trimming.

 

[Supastar]

I transitioned about 5 or 6 years ago with braids and weaves. I have a hair stylist that enocurages all her clients to go natural. She also helped with the transition when I wasn't wearing weaves or braids. She would blow my hair out really well with the blow dryer and use the hot curlers--you'd never know the difference between my hair relaxed or natural. We did highlights, layers, everything imaginable that a person with relaxed hair does. It's been a godsend!!

 

[MiWay]

I transitioned about 5 or 6 years ago with braids and weaves. I have a hair stylist that enocurages all her clients to go natural. She also helped with the transition when I wasn't wearing weaves or braids. She would blow my hair out really well with the blow dryer and use the hot curlers--you'd never know the difference between my hair relaxed or natural. We did highlights, layers, everything imaginable that a person with relaxed hair does. It's been a godsend!!

Supastar, I am thinking about going natural, but still scared/skeptical/nervous, etc. I am currently 10 weeks post, and so far so good, but I definitely do not want to do a big chop. What hairdresser do you go to?

 

[mermaid]

Mermaid - I have always liked your avatar and that thick head of hair of yours (you look EXACTLY like a girlfriend of mine - I mean exactly like her).....I am just too scary about the braids b/c I have heard horror stories about what they can do to your hairline, etc. and once I asked a stylist about some and she told me my hair was too fine and they would slip out? I really didn't understand what she meant, but I am thinking she must have meant I needed more new growth at the roots to hold them in place....
QUOTE]
Oh no. If your hair is on the finer side, I would avoid braids. They can cause some stress on the hair. I have some fine sections of hair, but for the most part my hair has very thick strands. They can withstand the stress of braiding (of course I do my own braids, so I know how much tension to use for my own hair) And you are right as far as the slipping too. I have tried to braid my daughter's hair (she has type 1-2 hair)
and the extension did slip right out. Not worth the effort to have it falling out in less than a week.
You know, I have heard a LOT of people say I look like someone else; I even dated a guy who said I reminded him of his ex, his mother said the same thing- (yeah, that was an issue I ain't going into on this thread) her name was Kim.
Either my Dad was a LOT busier than we know of, or the Black/Italian mixes resemble each other, lol!!!!

 

[thattvgirl]

I am a long hair, fine hair textured lady trying to make the transition WITHOUT the Big Cut. It's been 12 weeks since my last relaxer... the longest I've ever gone. I'm not interested in relazing again... ever.

I'm not really interested in ever wearing my hair in twists, puffs or natural.--- I prefer to wear it straight. I'm still trying to perfect my washing technique at home... so I get it washed and deep conditioned and flat ironed at the salon every 10-14 days.

So far I love the results of not relaxing my hair.. My new growth is definetely stronger and thicker and I am retaining more length. I have also noticed the more new growth.... the easier it is to detangle. So far I have had no breakage.

So far, so good. Thanks for the encouragement, ladies.

 

[KiSseS03]

I'm not really interested in ever wearing my hair in twists, puffs or natural.--- I prefer to wear it straight. I'm still trying to perfect my washing technique at home... so I get it washed and deep conditioned and flat ironed at the salon every 10-14 days.

So, thattvgirl... do you plan on wearing your hair pressed all the time?

 

[thattvgirl]

Yes, I plan on wearing my hair pressed and straight all the time. With The career field I'm in, I have to wear the same conservative look, day to day, so I don't really have room to experiment or rock afro puffs. So it will be straight and pressed from here on out. My presses and (ceramic) flat irons have worked like a miracle to help get my hair and kinky roots straight and shiny.

 

[caligirl]

Yes, I plan on wearing my hair pressed and straight all the time. With The career field I'm in, I have to wear the same conservative look, day to day, so I don't really have room to experiment or rock afro puffs. So it will be straight and pressed from here on out. My presses and (ceramic) flat irons have worked like a miracle to help get my hair and kinky roots straight and shiny.

Why does conservative have to mean straight? I know you're just going with the flow, but I can't wait for the day when curly, wavy and kinky hair is considered conservative.

 

[meia]

Meia - just realized something....You say it's been over a year and you're still not done transitioning....didn't dawn on me that the longer your hair is, the longer it takes to transition, huh? So you're not quite sure of going natural, and it's been over a year, so is there anything that would up and make you go get a perm? I am hoping that for me, the longer I transition, the easier it will get, cause I can't see myself transitioning for over a year and not deciding to go natural....(even when I stretched for 16 weeks, when I went to go get my perm, I swear from the stylist trying to pull it through 16 weeks of NG, he broke some of the hairs off in certain places...couldn't let a year's worth of progress go down the drain...)

Nooo way im not done transitioning! erplexed ive got another year or two at least before im done transitioning maybe even three..im making my transition so long that way im already half way to my goal so far as my new growth length before i can let go of the extra inches..i have almost 20 inches of relaxed hair..i'd hang myself if i cut any of it! damn shame too!

i think the transitioning process is lengthier only if you want to have more hair on your head thats natural. if its not really an issue, you could do a cut without a long transition- it all depends upon your personal preference for the length of your natural hair...

it is getting easier to transition now that im used to the two textures. i dont have tooo much breakage now.. at the demarcation line..but its bad enough...im attempting to start using mtg so i can speed up my transition and make it only a year or two long versus 3. if i do a year or two long transition and continue to protective style, mtg regularly, i'll be able to grow my hair to mid back natural with no problem at all...

basically- only make your transition long if you know you want to have longer natural hair to start instead of shorter natural hair to start..i also think that becoming more self-reliant on doing your hair personally is better, cheaper, and easier than getting it done..

my things to live by?:
-start styling youre own hair
-start doing frequent "ends" trims (only to the ends that have splits, if any)
-start getting regular trims (if you want your transition to be longer)- 1 inch every 2-3 months
-start protective styling to protect ends and relaxed hair as it can tend to be a shock
-start using one hair care system that really works for you no matter WHAT the cost- its worth it if youre really into keeping that hair healthy and looking the way you want
-its easier to throw some rich moisturizer in, throw it up in a bun while its damp and leave it to go outside during the winter than trying to look cute
-stay away from alcohol (dries hair out), mineral oil (machine grade processed crude oil), parabens, and sodium lauryl/lauryl sulfates
-use a pick combination comb (by goody)- use the pick to gently get through the new growth and use the comb to keep the relaxed hair under control

there are more! if anyone is interested just ask and i'll post the rest of them!!
meia