I want to transition but . . .

[diamondlady]

I'm afraid. My sister tried to once and she lost so much hair it was terrible. Then, I don't know how to manage natural hair. I know I can make it nice in the morning,

but then afterwards (during the day) it does what it wants to and I start looking like a sheepdog.

If I press it, it was revert with the smallest amount of moisture.

Does today's hair care products make natural hair easier to manage? It's been so long since I've been natural, I remember having a lot of thick hair but I also remember having a hard time trying to manage it.

 

[Naturalistic]

For me, transitioning was too difficult, which is why I big-chopped, even though I never thought I had the head shape, face shape, etc. for it. This will eliminate breakage at the point of natural versus permed texture. I understand a lot of ladies don't want to lose length, however...I'd suggest finding some good transitional hairstyles to get you thru the difficult growing-out phase. Nappturality.com has a transitioner's board you may want to check out.

 

[NGC]

I basically wore extension braids for 1.5 years. I had fun experimenting with a lot of different styles.

I don't know that today's products make natural hair easier to manage. I just think each person has to make a decision on whether or not it's worth it to them and to be very patient with themselves and their hair.

 

[jemini]

Transitioning takes courage and patience. It can be difficult but then once your natural it gets easier. It might be easy for you to do the big-chop because caring for two different textures isn't exactly a piece of cake

.

 

[Chichi]

Maybe master making a really nice bun. There are lots of products that could help you flatten your new growth (Carol's Daughter Healthy Hair butter, Mimosa Hair Honey <so I have heard> and S-Curl).

What I used to do at 14 weeks post relaxer was to conditioner wash then use my products, after which I would tie a scarf. By morning, my hair would be "flat" and ready for bunning. On days when I didn't rinse or wash, I would mist my hair with distilled water (mixed with a little Monoi oil) and then tie with scarf.

That is one reason why I am transitioning because I wear the bun so often and hardly wear my hair down anyways. I think that the key to not losing hair is to keep the demarcation line moist and airdry frequently so that there won't be that much of a difference between the relaxed hair and the new growth.

There's a thread called Natural Albums on this board. That thread is a wealth of information for transitioners so you may want to check it out.

Chichi

 

[KansasHalo]

I have been transitioning since June and to be honest, I have experienced LESS breakage since I stopped relaxing. Fortunately, my new growth straightens with the same curler that I use to curl my hair with.

I can say that the coconut milk does make my new growth A LOT more managable.

 

[pookeylou]

The key for me was to condition, condition, condition...did I say condition?

I used protein conditioners so that the permed ends would not break prematurly...I used shea butter on my twist to make the hair super soft and flexible...I wore a style that was similar to natural hair so that that the two textures blended very well...I combed my hair only when wet so that there was no tugging or pulling on the opposing textures...

I was able to transition for 7 months this way...with no shedding and I did not cut my permed ends until I was completely ready...

It can be done...but you must be willing to do some work in order to keep your length as long as you want.

Feel free to stop by my transitioning if you need further ideas...my password is in my signature.


hth

 

[diamondlady]

Thanks to all you ladies that offered help. I've gotten some good ideas and I'll let you know how I progress.