New *2009* Transitioners Support Thread!

Carlita- Songbyrd gave you a lot of good advice on your moisture issue. As for the length difference, well dont get too discouraged by that. I am 22months post right now and I have different lengths all over my head. The front for me is shorter than the back also. I dont use any growth aids so i just deal with the different lengths. I have different textures too. I guess what i'm saying is our hair doesnt always do what we want it to do. It doesnt like to work with us we have to work with it. 7.5months is a huge accomplishment, you seem to really go natural and i hope this hard patch does not discourage you too much.

SouthernDimps- Congrats on making 6 months!!!!!

Carolie- Congratulation on making the decision to transition. A lot of people start shedding around the 16weeks post time. I used to shed horribly around that time also. I heard garlic is supposed to help curb shedding. I used alter ego garlic deep conditoner and that did help some.
 
Lyoness said:
Wow 15months!! You gotta keep going thats amazing.. I know I'm not far off that but I'm not there yet and you are.. your like a rock in this thread!!
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Hardly a rock star :laugh: but thanks. Looking @ the date of your last relaxer, you're right behind me!
 
Eisani said:
Aww, gracias mami! I really need encouraging sometimes, we all do :yep:
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You're so welcome :huggle: You hang in there.

Lyoness said:
@Morenita
The short area will help you decide when your happy to clip the rest off so it, well that's my theory anyway!!
I remember when I was a kid I'd just decide I wanted a fringe and snip snip snip I had a tuft... Loads of crazy moments.. Fingers crossed for the gel [are you planning on using 4 types all at once? lol].. or you could part your hair on the opposite side? you can work with it!
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@ the bolded...that was my thinking too. Maybe it was a bit premature though. The front is growing more slowly than the rest, so maybe I will be pleasantly surprised when I B/C and my hair is longer than I thought. At least that's me trying tomake myself feel better lol. :look:

Girl, when I was little, I cut off my entire nape because I was sick of it falling down when my hair was up in a ponytail :huh: lol! My mom (God rest her soul) was like WTF!? :lachen:

Carlita: If your cuticles are feeling rough, you may want to also try an apple cider vinegar rinse (AVC). Take a tablespoon of ACV per 16 oz of water and rinse that over your hair to see if it helps. You may be having porosity issues which is something that plagues me. Definitely try a deep condition as well, as was suggested. Hang in there! I have a rough patch in the front of my head as well (the part that I cut) but I find that it gets softer when I apply certain products, so maybe you just need to treat that area with more TLC and a slightly different regimen. Let us know how you're doing.

Princess & Carolie, welcome!
 
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songbyrd517 said:
Hi CarLiTa!!! I am going to answer your question the best I can, but I wanted to tell you this first. Don't be discouraged dear! Though you have not said you are thinking of relaxing, I want to make sure that thought does not cross your mind. My mother always said that anything worth having is worth fighting for, so don't give up, ok!!! :bighug:
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Wow!!
Thanks so much for the advice!
I am deep-conditioning right now, as we speak. I applied Aubrey Organics GPB, some other natural conditioner, and olive oil.

I used to take such good care of my hair. I feel at a loss when I am transitioning.
I am overwhelmed by all these natural products out there (the ones raved about on this board) and I don't know what to choose to combat the dryness.

I also realize that a HUGE part of my hair feeling dry is the fact that I'm not giving it moisture. I need a serious deep-conditioner, as well as a good moisturizer. Right now, I have NEITHER:eek:

I have to go shopping. I don't even have a moisturizing shampoo at this moment. I only have the 2 conditioners I mentioned, no real leave-in (just some gloss thingie), and no styling product.:blush: I just realized how bad it is and how inactive I've been.

Gotta get on it again.

cinnamin316 said:
Carlita- 7.5months is a huge accomplishment, you seem to really go natural and i hope this hard patch does not discourage you too much.
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thank you:)
my hair has been off my mind in the past few months, but I need to start caring more about it.
I really do want to go natural. I know I'm not feeling bone-straight hair. Even if I wanted to go back to chemicals, the relaxed hair i'm dealing with right now wouldn't cut it. I'd have to have a whole new head of hair, and even then, i'd only texturize it.

So yes, i'm going natural. I think at the earliest I'll cut in August 09, though that's definitely not a guarantee :lol:
Might wait until December 09.

Morenita said:
Carlita: If your cuticles are feeling rough, you may want to also try an apple cider vinegar rinse (AVC). Take a tablespoon of ACV per 16 oz of water and rinse that over your hair to see if it helps. You may be having porosity issues which is something that plagues me. Definitely try a deep condition as well, as was suggested.
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You know, I think my hair needs a good clarifying. I can't remember last time I did that:blush:
I'm going to try your recommendation in a few weeks, after I put some moisture into it.
Thank you:)
 
Checking in at a little over 14 months post. I have my last minichop on Feb. 5th and I'm pretty close to all natural in the back, but because of heat damage from a previous press and curl, the front only has about 4-5 months worth of NG. So, I won't claim all natural until the front section of my hair coils like the rest of it :)
 
Hi ladies,

Just checking in at 3 months post. The transitioning is easy so far, I just make sure my hair stays moistured, deep condition once a week and co-wash once or twice a week. This board is helping me out tremendously so thank you ladies.:grin:

Congrats to the new BC'ers and new transitioners.
 
Just checking in! I'm at about 16 months post right now. I've been getting rollersets the entire time, once about every 10 days. Unfortunately, I've noticed a minor setback in the back/nape area where I do have some thinning on the right side :ohwell:. I've decided to just keep trimming and stay at BSL until that area thickens up again. The rest of my hair has been doing pretty well, but the nape is definitely a different texture, so I have to remember to be extra careful there.
 
Well done to all transitioners and BC'ers, I'm only just over 9 weeks post relaxer and I am really encouraged by all of you.
I really hope I can hold out till earliest December to make it a year before I BC... I'm worried I might BC earlier and then not like my length... I guess all I can do right now is wait till I get to that point and deal with it :-)

Good luck everyone, HHG :-)
 
OneInAMillion said:
Just checking in! I'm at about 16 months post right now. I've been getting rollersets the entire time, once about every 10 days. Unfortunately, I've noticed a minor setback in the back/nape area where I do have some thinning on the right side :ohwell:. I've decided to just keep trimming and stay at BSL until that area thickens up again. The rest of my hair has been doing pretty well, but the nape is definitely a different texture, so I have to remember to be extra careful there.
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I talked to my stylist last night about getting a good trim and we both agreed that it would probably be best to maintain a certain length for a while and for me to not worry about reaching length goals at the present time so I can completely focus on the transition. I think the length thing is what's causing the back and forth thoughts about texlaxing vs going natural. I know my hair grows, rather quickly actually, so why am I trippin so hard? Gotta let this hair anorexia go...
 
Eisani said:
I talked to my stylist last night about getting a good trim and we both agreed that it would probably be best to maintain a certain length for a while and for me to not worry about reaching length goals at the present time so I can completely focus on the transition. I think the length thing is what's causing the back and forth thoughts about texlaxing vs going natural. I know my hair grows, rather quickly actually, so why am I trippin so hard? Gotta let this hair anorexia go...
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:yep:
I'm so glad you posted this! I've been trippin since last month, and it's really the first time since I've been a member of this site that I've had any feelings of hair anorexia. I agree, I'm going to ignore the length, all I care about is getting my hair thick and natural anyway.

All this after I just bought a 10 month supply of biotin :rolleyes:.
 
Morenita said:
Congratulations to all those who B/C'ed! You're all very courageous :D




FM! Hey girl. I just cut off about an inch or two also. My ends were thin also. I think it's the old damaged hair growing out, and not necessarily continued damage (I hope). I am not as gentle with my hair as I should be though and it breaks off so darn easily. I figured out recently that I have been doing moisture overload and stepped up my hardcore protein to once a week. I use Nexxus Emergencee right now and I picked up some Aveda so hopefully that will help. I give it until March 2010 at the latest before I get sick of doing this though. I keep looking at pics of the ladies who chopped at 18 mos-2 years post or who have 18 months to two years worth of natural hair growth and it looks so pretty! Southerntease and Ebony Majesty come to mind, there are lots of others though. Don't even get me started on my natural inspirations like Curly Nikki, Serenity, LadyLibra, and the long long haired divas, Chichelle, Chicoro, Pink Skates, and I could go on and on and on! :thud:

Oh man, why can't it be next year already? :look:
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WHAZZZUPPP?!?! I am almost 11 months post, so I feel you....Last time I transitioned I BC'd and big potato head did not look cute. I am SO in love with my braidouts, I will be wearing these mostly when I am fully natural I am sure...

I really like my length, tho, so I think I will continue to trnaisiton until I have about 2 inches left and then I'll chop. But I am definitely staying this length. My hair just graces my brastrap, so I am claiming BSL. I plan on snipping 1/2 - 1 inch every 8 weeks from here on out. Hopefully by the end of the year, I will have lost all these draggin, tired relaxed ends that make my hair look frazzly...

I actually am managing it pretty well, but like you, I am rough with my hair, so I have had a lot of breakage, but thankfully I have a lot of hair, so it's not really been an issue....I am looking forward to a lot of growth this summer, bc that's when my hair grows the most...

M, I saw a thread about porosity control (ACV, porosity control product, etc.) and I think I am going to try to add that step after I dc to try and help with my ends....we'll see...
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=341855

I completely feel you on the 18month thing, tho---I think I need a full 2 years worth of growth, though for me....I think my hair grows a little slower than yours...
 
Eisani said:
I talked to my stylist last night about getting a good trim and we both agreed that it would probably be best to maintain a certain length for a while and for me to not worry about reaching length goals at the present time so I can completely focus on the transition. I think the length thing is what's causing the back and forth thoughts about texlaxing vs going natural. I know my hair grows, rather quickly actually, so why am I trippin so hard? Gotta let this hair anorexia go...
Click to expand...

I am right there with you...I am not trying to grow, I am just focusing on transitioning...once I have a full head of healthy, non-chemically altered hair, I will then try and grow....
 
Eisani said:
I talked to my stylist last night about getting a good trim and we both agreed that it would probably be best to maintain a certain length for a while and for me to not worry about reaching length goals at the present time so I can completely focus on the transition. I think the length thing is what's causing the back and forth thoughts about texlaxing vs going natural. I know my hair grows, rather quickly actually, so why am I trippin so hard? Gotta let this hair anorexia go...
Click to expand...

I am with you on this one E. I joined LHCF and decided to transition all around the same time and I found myself obsessing over how long my hair was getting, but wanting to be natural at the same time! We really cant' have both and I am just now facing that. I am going to hover around BSL and snip snip every couple months until I am comfortable doing the BC. Good for you on making a decision! It will make your life easier vs the back and forth, I swear! -- Unless you determine that's not really the cause. I think you should give it a shot though. I keep telling myself you know what, it's only HAIR. It will grow back, and plus, once we're fully natural, then we can focus on the length and not have any of this two or three texture BS. :spinning:

FindingMe said:
WHAZZZUPPP?!?! I am almost 11 months post, so I feel you....Last time I transitioned I BC'd and big potato head did not look cute. I am SO in love with my braidouts, I will be wearing these mostly when I am fully natural I am sure...

I really like my length, tho, so I think I will continue to trnaisiton until I have about 2 inches left and then I'll chop. But I am definitely staying this length. My hair just graces my brastrap, so I am claiming BSL. I plan on snipping 1/2 - 1 inch every 8 weeks from here on out. Hopefully by the end of the year, I will have lost all these draggin, tired relaxed ends that make my hair look frazzly...

I actually am managing it pretty well, but like you, I am rough with my hair, so I have had a lot of breakage, but thankfully I have a lot of hair, so it's not really been an issue....I am looking forward to a lot of growth this summer, bc that's when my hair grows the most...

M, I saw a thread about porosity control (ACV, porosity control product, etc.) and I think I am going to try to add that step after I dc to try and help with my ends....we'll see...
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=341855

I completely feel you on the 18month thing, tho---I think I need a full 2 years worth of growth, though for me....I think my hair grows a little slower than yours...
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Girl, you said everything that has been my story for this last year. I am way too impatient and my hair is fine so it breaks easily. I feel like I've tried everything, so now I'm on this protein kick and loving Aveda DR so far. Honestly, I don't think that transitioning is for my hair, either that or it was just damaged from before and the ends are really weak since that was the damaged hair from before. Regardless, I have decided that I will find a way to make it work and get all of these silly thoughts of BCing out of my head :rolleyes: Off to join the grow your edges back challenge right now! Lol...

So, here's to us sticking it out until at least September - March 2009! I think I will be a lot happier if I B/C at the 2 year mark TBH. I keep looking at pics of naturals with hair that length and I like it a lot better. I keep thinking, once I am out of this transition, I will have a completely new head of hair to show for it. I started LHCF at the same time as the transition so the results should reflect that :yep:

Edit: I think I will actually wait slightly longer than my 2 year mark and B/C next Spring when the weather starts getting warm. I don't want it to be cold when I'm trying to wear my brand new wash-n-go's :)
 
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Ok ladies im approaching month 6 and by reading this thread and numerous of others i see that months 6-9 are the toughest :perplexed So is there any advice for what to maybe do differently or to help me get through these months?!?!

TIA
 
half.cadence said:
me.. Im pretty sure Im 4a. maybe with a little bit of other patterns but 4a-major.
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Ditto. I have some 3c and other "unclassifiables" mixed in, but I am mostly 4a, and I transitioned almost a year. I chopped only because I was sick of the straight ends, not because of breakage, etc.
 
Hi ladies, I'm 12 weeks post and I'm officially transitioning. I've been on the fence for months and now looking back if I had kept stretching I would be so much closer to my BC. I want to transition until 12-18 months post before BCing (either my birthday 12/12 or my graduation may 2010). I will be bunning and using braids the same as I'm doing now
 
I have to learn how to be more patient when I detangle....I'm thinking its becasue I'm still transitioning and I have this relaxed hair...that when I detangle I have this I don't care feeling when i do it...I'm not ripping through the hair but I know I could be more gentle with it...its not tough combing through the relaxed hair or the natural hair....but its where the two textures meet were I have the most problem detangling....some of the strands i find are curly some are staight...I just don't want to mess up....would this get easier once I BC
 
Lyoness said:
I'm right on your tail! What's your target? [months vs length]
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I think my target is length because like I said before, my head is TOO BIG for short hair :laugh: Once I feel it's at a length I'm comfortable with, I'll let the rest go. The trims and mini chops will help as well.

KarmelQT_2008 said:
Ok ladies im approaching month 6 and by reading this thread and numerous of others i see that months 6-9 are the toughest :perplexed So is there any advice for what to maybe do differently or to help me get through these months?!?!

TIA
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Be very patient! Find and use conditioners that give good slip to make detangling easier. Keep your hair moisturized in both wet and dry state. Use styles that will keep your hair detangled. Experiment w/more protective styles as well.
 
Eisani said:
:yay: Welcome! I was wondering who this new person was then I saw Marbel's head :laugh:
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Hello Eisani, it's me :grin:

I'll be 17 weeks post tomorrow - I think length would be a major factor before I BC. I'm going at least a year if not longer. Roller sets will help me out a lot. Right now, I haven't had any major problems with my new growth ...(keeping my fingers crossed).
 
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