New *2009* Transitioners Support Thread!

[cocoaluv]

Yay Cocoaluv! Best wishes to you!

Thanks for the support!

Your hair is very pretty

 

[araceli2418]

I use henna, it doesn't matter if you have two textures. I think it's actually beneficial as a transitioner. There are a LOT of naturals/transitioners who use henna . The henna and adding a dash of MT to my moisturizing DC's has actually helped me a lot with my breakage. It's very minimal now.

Okay, thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[MissMusic]

Didn't realize there was a new thread b4 I posted in the old one, oh well. Long story short, I'm transitioning back to natural. Hope to transition until my natural hair streches to in the middle of SL and APL, then I'll chop whatever is left (if there is anything left!). Currently stalking transitioner fotki's

ETA: I didn't transition this time, but I am doing so now.

 

[Black Hoya Chick]

yay! i just joined today! i am 36 weeks post (technically 8 months though...) and at the moment life is good. bunning my life away. at the moment i am living by the CurlyNikki bun =)

 

[aramaticart]

I'll probably be like my avatar, twists (If I can get them to look right), buns and WnG's-much like now.

Eisani- your hair in your avatar is SO cute, did you just do a twistout and put it in a ponytail?? I think I'm going to attempt a twistout sometime soon in between sew-ins....

Anywho- I'm about 16 months post relaxer. I guess I'm an 08-09 transitioner?

 

[monie20032007]

It will be 1 Year on Dec. 6. I will update my fotki probably tomorrow when I wash my hair and straighten it Wow! I cant believe i have come this far. I plan on either chopping in June or in Dec. of 2009

 

[Eisani]

Okay, thanks for clearing that up for me.

You're welcome

Didn't realize there was a new thread b4 I posted in the old one, oh well. Long story short, I'm transitioning back to natural. Hope to transition until my natural hair streches to in the middle of SL and APL, then I'll chop whatever is left (if there is anything left!). Currently stalking transitioner fotki's

Best of luck to you!

Eisani- your hair in your avatar is SO cute, did you just do a twistout and put it in a ponytail?? I think I'm going to attempt a twistout sometime soon in between sew-ins....

Anywho- I'm about 16 months post relaxer. I guess I'm an 08-09 transitioner?

Oh lawd, I don't even remember what happened that day I think it was a 2 day old 2-braid, braid out that was getting bigger by the day and on my nerves so I just pulled it back. I didn't know you've been transitioning that long! Guess you didn't either

It will be 1 Year on Dec. 6. I will update my fotki probably tomorrow when I wash my hair and straighten it Wow! I cant believe i have come this far. I plan on either chopping in June or in Dec. of 2009

Congrats!! Make sure you let us know when you've updated your Fotki

 

[Tarae]

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

 

[Eisani]

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

I was texlaxing my hair every 4 to 7 months anyway but then I found products and a routine that worked for my hair and kept it managable so I just said bump it, I don't need the chemical any more. I didn't have an earth shattering, awe-inspiring moment of clarity like some . I just got lazy and my hair was cool with that...

 

[malibu4590]

I was texlaxing my hair every 4 to 7 months anyway but then I found products and a routine that worked for my hair and kept it managable so I just said bump it, I don't need the chemical any more. I didn't have an earth shattering, awe-inspiring moment of clarity like some . I just got lazy and my hair was cool with that...

ITA w/ the bolded.

When I realized I could get my natural roots relaxer straight with a flatiron and no-chemicals, I was sold!

At first, I thought it couldn't be done or that I needed a high end flatiron to work some miracles for me. I purchased a FHI Platform and ended sending it right back because it didn't perform any better than my 2-year old Jilbere Titanium which was way cheaper.

Flatironing natural hair is all about the technique and products. I found have finally found both and am excited to take this journey. I haven't seen my natural hair since I was 8 or 9 years old.

 

[Eisani]

I haven't seen my natural hair since I was 8 or 9 years old.

Girl, besides the 2 years between 5th and 7th grade, me either. My mom took me to the salon for a Precise relaxer when I was in 3rd grade because I was so tenderheaded and would sweat out a press from crying so by the time she got done, it would have already reverted .

I always had a lot of hair as a child (thick MBL), even w/the relaxer until one day my mom dropped me off @ the salon and the lady used an Optimum and it ate my hair up. After all the damage was said and done, I ended up w/NL hair . Still thick, but short! Imagine the complex I already had, then you have friends AND grown ups constantly saying "Wow, what happened to your hair? I remember when it was in the middle of your back! It used to be so pretty."

I transitioned wearing braids and presses but got it relaxed again in 7th grade. I didn't lose length anymore after that because I became responsible for my own hair and was VERY picky about products used and styles. I was 12 &13 and had my own Nexxus stash back when it was a salon only line.

As I got older, I started figuring out my hair texture. I've had some mishaps in between (only when I used a black stylist-my PERSONAL experience) but got back on track when I found a stylist who could not only color her butt off, but cut well and stretched her clients on purpose. She then got me to underprocessing i.e. texlaxing once she realized my hair was still curly and wavy after trying to relax. I always did my own hair here and there but after that, I started doing my own hair and ended up here...I'm really curious to see my hair completely natural. It's been a LONG time since it's been natural AND long!!!!

 

[Morenita]

I've been waiting for somebody to do this I've been transitioning since March 2008 now, so I'm 8 months in, with about 5-6 inches of new growth. I'm loving it and I can't wait until my hair is all grown out.

By the way, do any transitioners use Henna? I ordered the Cassia from Mehandi.com and then realized I think only relaxed heads are using Henna. I can't really remember. Anyway, I was wondering if it matters that I have 2 textures.

Last night while detangling I noticed that my new growth is pretty strong. It's the relaxed ends that are weak and fragile. They snap like twigs so I try to be very careful.

Any advice??

I use henna I've always used it, even pre-LHCF. I love me some henna. I'm also dealing with the same issue with detangling and easy breakage that you are. Try doing everything to your hair in sections if you aren't already. I find that it helps you be more gentle and the hair doesn't get as tangled to begin with.

Transitioners: How much relaxed hair do you have left (if any)?

I have a lot of relaxed hair left since I am BSL and only been transitiong for less than a year. But when it gets closer to that 18 month mark and my relaxed hair continues to revert, I'm not sure I will be able to tell where the demarccation line is very well by glancing. If I wash my hair and then run my hands along the top I can feel how much softer my new growth is vs my relaxed hair though.

how do you ladies plan on wearing your hair once you're fully natural?
im going back and forth about transitioning but i dont really see myself rockin the curly look lol.

I'm not very creative with my hair. For me it's always been either a ponytail or a wrap so it will be interesting lol. I will probably stick to the same laziness and either bun it with some cute hairsticks like I do now, pony it, and wear it down and curly. I will straighten for special occasions. I don't want heat damage after all of this work!

yay! i just joined today! i am 36 weeks post (technically 8 months though...) and at the moment life is good. bunning my life away. at the moment i am living by the CurlyNikki bun =)

I love her hair.

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

I was texlaxing my hair every 4 to 7 months anyway but then I found products and a routine that worked for my hair and kept it managable so I just said bump it, I don't need the chemical any more. I didn't have an earth shattering, awe-inspiring moment of clarity like some . I just got lazy and my hair was cool with that...

Ditto This is my 3rd, and only successful attempt at transitioning. I've gone as long as 6 months twice before, but out of laziness, pregnancy, and me living far away from anyone I trusted to do my hair. In the past I didn't know jack about protein/moisture though, so it was a disaster. I did my first self-relaxer after becoming extremely frustrated with my 6 month post hair. I took out a couple of handfuls ripping that Jilbere through my hair and said that's it, I will be bald if this keeps up! The second time, I was pregnant and just did a long stretch. I relaxed March 14, and joined LHCF two weeks later. Now I'm because I would have been almost 18 months into this. Oh well

 

[Desiree4]

My last relaxer was 11/9/07 so I've been transitioning for 13 months
now.Months 2-8 were the hardest but now I know what products
work for my hair. I keep my hair in a bun 90% of the time and currently
I'm in kinky twist. I don't plan to cut until 12/09.

 

[lovleelilie]

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

So weird how I made the decision...my hair was damaged from overprocessing and my research (shout out to sistaslick!!) told me to wait and attempt to fix the damage w/ DCs n Protein treatments b4 I re-touch b/c a touch up is not a hair-problem solver. Hence my stretch began.

Stretching forced me 2 pay attention to my NG for the 1st time ever. I pamper it (i'm so gentle to avoid breakage) and by default have started to love it. Literally, the way it curls up and is soft and strong. Now I want to see more and learn how to make it pretty instead of beating it into something it's naturally not (straight, limp). It's not easy but it's getting easier w/ time - I just pay attention and do what it tells me.

So, maybe try stretching, see how it goes for a while (don't get discouraged if it sheds a bit...I thk that's natural and lessens as you learn what it needs.) You may just end up sticking it out!

Phew - after that monologue I hope I don't have a setback and run back to the lye!

(so to answer ur question: it took me till about 11 weeks post.)

 

[likewtr4chklit]

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

I would say about two weeks ago (18 weeks post). Now that I'm 5 months in and I feel my soft coils I can't let go of them so easily. I really think I would be upset if I relaxed my hair and couldn't feel those curls anymore. I just plan to let my natural hair grow for the next two years and then cut any relaxed ends that are left, or I might mini chop in 6 month stages...it depends on how things go.

 

[chosen07]

i'm more of a lurker but am transitioning. my last relaxer was end of June 08 so I'm about 23 weeks. I have had my hair in rope twists for the past month and about to get them 'cleaned' up to last until end of december.
my initial goal was about 12-15 months before getting a BC...now that I found a style that I love (rope twists), I'm thnking I can really wait it out. I'm convinced my head (and forehead) is simply too big to rock a TWA....and my hubby loves hair so I wouldn't want to traumatize him.
so tha's me in a nut shell...probably be in and out of braids until at least summer 09!

 

[MissMusic]

I'm gonna crown and glory it for 2009 and then see where I'm at. I hope to be SL by the end of 2009.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

I think I solved my detangling problem.

I read somewhere on here that it is easier if you detangle in reverse. So I took my braids down and slowly detangled my hair dry.

then I braided it back up to wash.

unbraided each section, slapped on condish, braided it back up and DCed for 20 min.

Then I unbraided the sections, detangled and put on products to put them in the braids that will rest under my half wig.

It still took a long time, but it was a LOT easier and I lost a whole lot less hair, mostly shed hair. I see now that if I stay on top of getting the shed hair out that I half won most of the battle through that.

And I think my hair prefers to get rid of shed hair while it is dry. Seems to me that if I let my hair get wet with shed hair trapped up in there that it will yank other hairs out b/c I am coily full of spirals.

I also moisturized my new growth twice this week with Hawaiian Silky 14 n 1.

I will still keep trying to find the best regimen but some form of this is best for me I think.

Yup, I think I can hang with this transition thing for a while longer. I am so happy

 

[**Jade**]

I'm in and I'm 6 months post relaxer... (the longest I've ever been)... i started to go natural in the early part of 2009 after I cut all my hair off (I did it just because is the sad part) I then decided on a relaxer in May of 2009 and flip flopped until I got braids in late June early July and I've been natural in braids ever since. When I began I was wayyyy above ear level.

Last night was the first time that I had ever tried to manage longish ( at my nape natural and a little above shoulder length straightened) natural and relaxed combined hair and with the help of Aphagee (I think that's how you spell it) product it was SO easy. I used the shampoo and the 2 step protein and my hair (which is usually really coarse, coilly and thick) was soft and really manageable. From that point on I was pretty much sold not to mention when i flat ironed it my natural hair (I think i have about 5 or 6 inches) looked way better than the relaxed ends.

So I have to come up with a reggie (please help me) and get a much needed trim (I haven't had a trim in like 10 months) and then I'm gonna see how long I can go.


Sorry for the long winded post I'm just so excited!!

I never thought I would say it but I think that my natural hair is beautiful, thick, coilly and it WILL grow!!

 

[araceli2418]

I've been waiting for somebody to do this I've been transitioning since March 2008 now, so I'm 8 months in, with about 5-6 inches of new growth. I'm loving it and I can't wait until my hair is all grown out.



I use henna I've always used it, even pre-LHCF. I love me some henna. I'm also dealing with the same issue with detangling and easy breakage that you are. Try doing everything to your hair in sections if you aren't already. I find that it helps you be more gentle and the hair doesn't get as tangled to begin with.

Thanks for commenting about the Henna. It's funny b/c I think of myself having breakage b/c in the past when I had breakage I could cover a whole bathroom floor and now it very, very few strands. I think it's happens more when my hair is wet. So I try to let it dry some before I start manipulating it. I don't know what happened but my hair used to dry in under .5 seconds or, at least it seemed like that. Now it takes maybe 20 minutes. That may not sound long but to me it is.

Is Cassia the only "Henna" that does not color? I was wondering if I should get the black Henna to cover my grays. I've got about 3 gray hairs. Doesn't really bother me but one of them is right on my edge. No way to hide it and it grows faster and longer than the rest of my hair.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

Thanks for commenting about the Henna. It's funny b/c I think of myself having breakage b/c in the past when I had breakage I could cover a whole bathroom floor and now it very, very few strands. I think it's happens more when my hair is wet. So I try to let it dry some before I start manipulating it. I don't know what happened but my hair used to dry in under .5 seconds or, at least it seemed like that. Now it takes maybe 20 minutes. That may not sound long but to me it is.

I also think for some reason that my hair is more prone to breakage when it is wet. I am learning to be more gentle with it.

 

[Lyoness]

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

I texlaxed for NYE & NYD to see the new year in.. I wanted my hair to be perfect for nights out. while I was out I bumped into a random in the toilet as you do and she had natural hair and was convinced she wanted to relax.. I found myself telling her not to relax her hair was gorge and then a light bulb went off in my head.

I tried transitioning last summer since I only left the relaxer on for 1/2 the stated time 3/4times a year, I wore my hair curly at times so I kinda thought whats the point? I got so many negative comments from family, I gave up transitioning.

So after the last texlax, I decided I'd stretch and see how far I could get stretching... which turned into transitioning.. I've not heard 1 negative comment this time around. I have enough inspiration and determination to keep me going..

 

[lila_baby]

I'm only about 6 weeks post and it's not bad in terms of managing the two

types of hair I have about an inch of new growth it's just that I can't find

my silk do-rag and at night I'm too tired to find something to tie on my

head to make sure it's flat in the morning- ONE night I just grabbed a pair

of shorts and tied that over my head!

Funniest thing is that since deciding to transition I've really left my hair

alone- I just smooth the edges with a brush into a pony or bun and wash

once a week (I used to comb my hair like crazy everyday and wash my

hair 4-5 times per week! ) I'm definitely seeing some benefit and no real

breakage at all wow!

 

[myxdchiick]

I'm gonna crown and glory it for 2009 and then see where I'm at. I hope to be SL by the end of 2009.

What is the crown and glory method?

 

[divya]

Reaching 6 months once again!

I waver back and forth b/c I like my texlaxed curls too. But I'll likely keep growing it out - want that full head of natural hair!

 

[aramaticart]

Oh lawd, I don't even remember what happened that day I think it was a 2 day old 2-braid, braid out that was getting bigger by the day and on my nerves so I just pulled it back. I didn't know you've been transitioning that long! Guess you didn't either

Whatever it is, it's cute . I'm considering taking out my sew in and I wanna do a curly puff (ESPECIALLY after lusting after yours) before my next weave but i CANNOT get my hair to make a nice smooth ponytail anymore Not wet, not with gel, NOTHIN. If anyone has any suggestions though.... (I'm like a 4a-b I think).

How long did it take you ladies to decide you wanted to transition?
I'm only 3 weeks post now, lol, but I've seriously been considering it for a while. I still go back and forth about it a lot.

I'll just subscribe to this thread and keep checking in.

I decided to transition the day I got my last relaxer. My friend was about to put the relaxer on and said how nice my curl pattern was. I didn't even think I had a curl pattern- I thought I just had naps erplexed She kept asking if I was sure I wanted the relaxer and I said yeah because #1 I was looking forward to it and #2 I knew nothing about transitioning or being natural. The next day is when I started reading the first page of the Transitioner's Support Thread, and that was it.

 

[llahend123]

Hello Ladies,

I just joined the old thread a couple weeks ago (it may have been last week) but wanted to officially tell you, that I bc on Friday.

I had been transitioning since February 2008 and the two textures were getting tough to deal with and to tell you the truth, the more I worked with my natural hair, the more I loved it better than the relaxed.

I am soooo in love w/my hair right now! I'll post pics later, when I can figure out where I saved them on my computer....

Thanks again for your support.

 

[sweetsuccess]

I can't access the old 1 so I'm not complaining!! Thanks!! I'm at week 49 .. I'm not finding it too hard, in fact its getting easier..

what products are you using thats making it so easy?!? ....

 

[sweetsuccess]

im joining!!...

been transitioning since jan 2008. i will do the BC dec 2009.. by then i should atleast be SL 100% natural. hopefully even longer. im currently maybe 65% natural...

happy hair growing ladies!!

 

[Black Hoya Chick]

transitioning has also gotten quite easy for me now. i am solid in my regimen and bunning is just wonderful