If I could offer my best advice to a recent BC, I'd say...

[originalone]

Enjoy the TWA stage, you will learn so much about your hair.
Learn to love it, beause some may not
TWA are great for the summer enjoy it!

 

[poookie]

i BC'd 4 days ago, & so far, i've learned:

shea butter is your friend! it makes your hair all soft. & Elasta QP's mango butter is AWESOME for detangling & twisting.

products that worked great on your relaxed hair will not work the same on your natural hair. i tried to use a smoothing serum, & had to wash the stuff out: it just felt weird on my natural hair.

if you're a type 4: unless you sleep with your face directly in the pillow, sleeping on your hair will flatten it & make it look funny! give yourself enough time in the morning to spritz a little moisturizer on your hair & smoosh it back into shape. then, when your hair gets long enough to twist, try twisting at night with a butter or thick moisturizer.

and if all else fails, have a go-to style for days when you don't feel like doing your hair! i have 2 wigs on call in case i just want to hide it without having to fuss.

that's all i have. now off to read everyone else's responses!

 

[LaToya28]

As a new bc-er myself, I would say that it takes a lot of confidence to rock a twa. I've looked at myself in the mirror and thought "I cannot go outside like this, what will people say?" I've even pulled out my wigs a couple times, but I immediately put them away because I reminded myself of why I went natural in the first place. I'm sure your friend has her own reasons, but just tell her to write them down and when she gets discouraged to go back and read over them. Many ladies get discouraged about their natural textures, but I'm sure she had an idea of what her texture would be like when she was transitioning, so she just has to be realistic with herself. She may not have hair like Chilli from TLC, but that doesn't make her texture substandard. She just has to dig deep within herself and find that confidence to love herself just as she is...and if she doesn't have the confidence, fake it til you make it!! LOL I wish your friend the best.

 

[zzirvingj]

1. It is okay to admire someone else's hair but it's another thing to want your hair to be "just like someone else's". Like another poster stated, if you BC'd after maybe a...I guess 9 month transition or so, the texture you're seeing is not likely to change much. So you have to learn to take care of it and love it over time.

2. The same people who say ignorant things may likely be asking you for advice in the future so try not to let other people's comments discourage you too much.

3. If you're trying to grow out your TWA, don't mistake DRY ENDS for SPLIT ENDS and end up cutting off dry hair when all you really needed was more consistent deep conditioning and moisture

4. Have fun with your hair! Believe it or not there will be days you miss your TWA

 

[honeybuni84]

the best advice i can give ..


get it lined and shaped up at the barber shop.. it does many things for you mentally and physically... It will make it feel more like a style and choice and will make you feel more confident with the choice. When i bc'd, I was really down with the choice to do it..Cuz it looked like i cut off all my hair, not that i had mad a conscience decision it ...

it looked like a true style after that... yes i lost most of the length that i had, but truly it helped me stick with the natural choice.


also lol guys will get a kick out of it.. they did when i came and got it shaped up and really did make me feel more confident.

 

[ryanshope]

My advice would be "please be patient"....it gets better with time.


I loved my kinky, drawn tight, "nappy" fro--and I love my coily/curly BAA that my hair has grown to.

In a year I have gone from twa to shoulder length when pressed. My hair is moisturized, soft and non-damaged.

The first year is about discovery---texture, products, techniques. Everyone will not have 3a/b/c hair--so if you expect that, then u will be sorely disappointed.


But with commitment and re-education---you will have hair that is beautiful--regardless of the texture. Trust.

 

[Diva_Esq]

THANKS ALL! We are having a natural hair social over sushi on Friday evening and I can't wait to share all of this information! You all are a God-send!

 

[determined_to_grow]

One thing I would like to add is BEWARE - your hair may compose of 233,432 different textures.... *sigh*

 

[Renewed1]

WHOOPSSS I misread the question.

My advice for a recent BC'er is to deep condition (moisturizing conditioner) your hair at least 3 times a week. It has helped me when my hair was going through those dry spells.

Now I don't have any problems with "dry" hair.

 

[Diva_Esq]

One thing I would like to add is BEWARE - your hair may compose of 233,432 different textures.... *sigh*

That is my hair! I swear each curl has a texture of its own!