New *2009* Transitioners Support Thread!

[FindingMe]

I'm a little over six months and was beginning to give up hope (thus my woe-is-me thread ) but last night I did an ACV rinse for the first time and I really believe it will help me. I cowashed (which my hair usually hates, but worked for some reason,) followed with two cups of water mixed with 1/4 cup honey and 1 tbsp ACV, and my hair's two textures evened out and were easy to detangle and felt smoothed.
I'm still considering BKT or braids (if my fine hair can survive them,) but I think the ACV might get me through the next few months just fine

@xyra: I was having some of the same issues with the two different textures and some of the ladies here made some really great suggestions. Most of them recommended--aside from a BC--trying BKT, braids and/or sew-ins, or trying braid-outs with headbands in order to obscure the disparities between textures. Or maybe the ACV might help you like it helped me. After my shower--with my hair still wet with the ACV mix--I combed through the entire length with a wide-tooth comb, then--only once thoroughly detangled--went through only the three-to-four inches of new growth very gently with a fine-tooth comb, then put my hair in two snug braids. The fine tooth comb kept my roots from popping up during the drying process. You could also do the same with a scarf tied tightly around your hair while it dries to keep the roots in place. If you don't like the idea of the comb, you could use a tooth brush instead. I don't know how much NG you have, but perhaps you could try braidouts again using this method

I hope the transitioning is going well for everyone!

I keep saying I am going to try an ACV rinse. I think it will help mostly when I do the ayurvedic regi w/ diluted castille soap and then a shikaikai rinse. Yep, I'm going to try it.

 

[Nuelle]

Well how much hair would you have if you BC?
About 6 to 7 inches I'd say.

How long have you been transitioning.
I've been transitioning for about 14 months and a half.

Maybe try some curly styles?

Have you tried braidouts?
I have but they always look horrible. My ends are stick straight and I don't get much definition. A friend had recommended that I wet my hair before unbraiding my hair so it could come out curlier.

Knotouts?
I tried those too but my ng shrinks so much; they never look right for some reason.

I agree, stay away from the heat for a bit.

Maybe get braids to get your mind off of your hair for a little while?
That seems like the best solution right now. Thanks!

Answers are in red. I sound so down right now. lol. I'm just frustrated. My BKT consultation is later on today... My objective for the next two weeks is to do some research and try some of the styles you recommended. If they turn out well, I might not have to get the BKT done after all. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[InNeedofHairapy]

I'm a transitioner who is really a natural...if that makes sense. My last relaxer was december 20, 2006 lol. I have not cut the last of the relaxed ends off, b/c at this point & after so many trims throughout my transition, I only have about 2 inches of relaxed hair left.

I will do it before the summer is over. I don't know what I'm holding on to. Has anyone else done this?

 

[SouthernBeauty]

I AM STILL TRANSITIONING!!!!!

THANK YOU LADIES FOR THE MOTIVATING WORDS AND SUGGESTIONS!! MOMMYGIRL I TOOK UR ADVICE ABOUT COWASHING AND MAKING SMALLER PLAITS!!

First put Alagio Silk Obsession Conditioner on my new growth like a relaxer than on the ends of my hair
Next I sat under the dry for 30 minutes
Then I rinsed it out
This conditioner had my hair so soft and it detangled soooooo freaking easy!! I think this going to be one of my staples!!
Next I put my hair in 3 plaits and left it alone! I am so glad I didnt give up!

I didnt realize I had this much new growth!! (Excuse the crooked parts)

 

[countrychickd]

I'm still in it. I'm 5 months post, and it's getting rough. I'm itching to BC now...only because my relaxed hair is acting very strange. It's shedding like crazy no matter what I do, and it's so hard to detangle. I may try an ACV rinse today.

 

[Chromia]

I'm a transitioner who is really a natural...if that makes sense. My last relaxer was december 20, 2006 lol. I have not cut the last of the relaxed ends off, b/c at this point & after so many trims throughout my transition, I only have about 2 inches of relaxed hair left.

I will do it before the summer is over. I don't know what I'm holding on to. Has anyone else done this?

I plan to have a long transition. I want to always be comfortable with the length of my hair and I don't want to wear braids or a wig. Right now I'm 20 months into my transition. I plan to cut all of my relaxed hair next year.

 

[MummysGirl]

Hey Buddy...
Think long and hard about your BC, ok?
If the ACV rinse doesn't work....
Maybe get a clarifying shampoo, then protein DC, then moisture DC and Roux Porosity Control?
I'm not a fan of getting braids, kinky twists, etc but is that an option for you?

I'm still in it. I'm 5 months post, and it's getting rough. I'm itching to BC now...only because my relaxed hair is acting very strange. It's shedding like crazy no matter what I do, and it's so hard to detangle. I may try an ACV rinse today.

 

[MummysGirl]

5 months post today

My hair tends to misbehave once in a while but I have good days so it's all worth it.

Cowashing is my BESTEST friend, lol.

I am on my sister's bridal train this weekend so I plan to get a curly do. I do not want a flat iron anywhere near my hair so I will try to convince the stylist to do a rollerset for me... I hope she doesn't complain about my new growth.

 

[nichole21]

Hi ladies, I'm a transitioner and I'm glad to see the new thread. The old one was long, it was a bit daunting. My last relaxer was April 2008, so I recently made it 1 full year. I'm hoping to make it two years before chopping. Great thread!

 

[Black Hoya Chick]

Hi ladies, I'm a transitioner and I'm glad to see the new thread. The old one was long, it was a bit daunting. My last relaxer was April 2008, so I recently made it 1 full year. I'm hoping to make it two years before chopping. Great thread!

we are around the same point. my last relaxer was the end of March 2008. My minimum goal is 2 years as well. but i won't BC, I will just start to trim monthly or every 2 months from there. i was trimming like mad the last few months so i only have about 3 inches of relaxer left anyway. now i am just holding onto it so i can maintain my bunning style. when i reach full BSL, which should be by my 2 year mark, i will start the trim and be all natural before the year 2010 is out.

 

[nichole21]

we are around the same point. my last relaxer was the end of March 2008. My minimum goal is 2 years as well. but i won't BC, I will just start to trim monthly or every 2 months from there. i was trimming like mad the last few months so i only have about 3 inches of relaxer left anyway. now i am just holding onto it so i can maintain my bunning style. when i reach full BSL, which should be by my 2 year mark, i will start the trim and be all natural before the year 2010 is out.

That sounds like a great plan! I hadn't thought about that, sounds interesting. To be honest, I keep day dreaming about chopping. I've had long hair for a while so I'm starting to think maybe it might be okay to have short(er) hair again erplexed If I chopped now, it would be NL/SL but would probably shrink to EL (curly). Ultimately, I want to be able to put it in a bun like you mentioned. That is my signature style!

 

[countrychickd]

Hey Buddy...
Think long and hard about your BC, ok?
If the ACV rinse doesn't work....
Maybe get a clarifying shampoo, then protein DC, then moisture DC and Roux Porosity Control?
I'm not a fan of getting braids, kinky twists, etc but is that an option for you?

Thanks so much for this encouragement. So I clarified today, and lemme tell you....that made all the difference. My hair had been feeling so weird and tangled, and I couldn't figure out what to do. I hadn't clarified in forever, when I normally clarify at least once a month. So I figured that maybe my hair had too much product build up to allow the products to penetrate. So I clarified and my hair is soft and easy to detangle again. Thanks for that suggestion lady!

 

[MummysGirl]

Yay!!!! So we're still on track

Thanks so much for this encouragement. So I clarified today, and lemme tell you....that made all the difference. My hair had been feeling so weird and tangled, and I couldn't figure out what to do. I hadn't clarified in forever, when I normally clarify at least once a month. So I figured that maybe my hair had too much product build up to allow the products to penetrate. So I clarified and my hair is soft and easy to detangle again. Thanks for that suggestion lady!

 

[l_choice2001]

Hey Ladies Checking in a am 19 weeks post relaxer still rocking half wigs and full wigs during my transition

i wash every week
dc every week

i think i may need to up it to 2xs a week my hair cant get so dry sometimes

thats all for now!!

 

[Whimsy]

I'm a transitioner who is really a natural...if that makes sense. My last relaxer was december 20, 2006 lol. I have not cut the last of the relaxed ends off, b/c at this point & after so many trims throughout my transition, I only have about 2 inches of relaxed hair left.

I will do it before the summer is over. I don't know what I'm holding on to. Has anyone else done this?

If there's still relaxed ends you're not yet natural.
CUT THEM BAD BOYS OFF!!!!

 

[SouthernBeauty]

*Post Deleted*

 

[song_of_serenity]

21 weeks and 4 days post. Let's just round off to 5 months. :3 Loving my natural texture! Going to clarify with baking soda now since it's been well over a month since I did so!
~*Janelle~*

 

[jaded_faerie]

I'm in month 7 with only about 3 inches of relaxed hair left. I am trying to hold out until my 2 year anni (October 2010).

 

[GodsPromises]

I have decided to transition as well. I am 8 weeks post the longest I have ever gone without a relaxer is 20 weeks. I'm just tried of the entire relaxing thing.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=367111

 

[Whimsy]

Good luck to all newcomers!!!

 

[countrychickd]

I have decided to transition as well. I am 8 weeks post the longest I have ever gone without a relaxer is 20 weeks. I'm just tried of the entire relaxing thing.

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=367111

Congrats on making the big decision to transition. Welcome to the club, and good luck. You can definitely do this! We're here if you need anything.

 

[Morenita]

Ok... I am in LOVE. I've recently discovered how fabulous Oyin products are and I don't think I will ever turn back. I'm always on the look out for products that help me manage this transitioning hair, and it does the trick! I purchased the Whipped Pudding, Honey Hair Wash and Greg's Juice and I am just mad I didn't try it sooner. Matter of fact... I am going to go start a thread to push it

I know, right?! I'm a mess...

It has been so painless for me, though, bc I LOVE my braidouts. I plan to rock them 90% of the time when I am fully natural as well.

Another thing that gave me the confidence to say that I could fully transition out was that I also straightened my hair this weekend and trimmed about 1.5-2 inches off, so I am just past APL again. BUT, my ends are cool and the trim really helped with the thickness on the ends, so I am not tripping. My natural hair straightened out SO well (I did a damp to dry flat iron) and is so smooth and soft and shiny and thick, I feel like if I want to wear my hair straight, I can still do my hair like this until it's transitioned on out.Thus the 2+ year transition...I honestly don't feel like I'm gonna have enough length after 18 months bc I am SOOOO attached to the length right now...

Lol, it's ok, do you girl. Your hair looks fab, and it will still look fab at your 2 year mark. Me, I'm just impatient and when I hit 2 years, I think I will just call it quits. I'm attached to the length as well, but I am curious about my natural texture more! As long as I can get a ponytail/bun, I'm good. Braidouts are a nice change, but I don't think I can hang with them as an everyday style.

 

[Briabiggles]

Uh oh! I just got a little scissor happy! I didn't big chop but I took off a couple inches all over. It looks horrible. At least I can still get it in a little bun. I guess I'll have to get a proper cut now.

 

[mocha.li]

I'm at around 22 weeks. I'm going to try ACV today when I come back from Zumba class. I did a wash n go yesterday and it looked so dry, any suggestions?

 

[Morenita]

Uh oh! I just got a little scissor happy! I didn't big chop but I took off a couple inches all over. It looks horrible. At least I can still get it in a little bun. I guess I'll have to get a proper cut now.

Oh no! Gotta be careful with those scissors lol... I got scissor happy/curious and ended up chopping off the front of my hair, about 2 inches deep. It has grown back a lot since then and is JUST NOW finally starting to slick back down when I make my pony/bun... perplexed

I'm at around 22 weeks. I'm going to try ACV today when I come back from Zumba class. I did a wash n go yesterday and it looked so dry, any suggestions?

What products/technique did you use? I haven't wash and go'ed yet b/c it would look a hot mess with the two textures, but I do have 3 curly kids

 

[Whimsy]

Uh oh! I just got a little scissor happy! I didn't big chop but I took off a couple inches all over. It looks horrible. At least I can still get it in a little bun. I guess I'll have to get a proper cut now.

Aw maaan.
those scissors are dangerous!
and they're tricky too!
they'll be calling to you alllll day...
whispering in your ear and junk....

I hope the proper cut looks good.

I'm fighting a losing battle with the scissor myself. At least I'm only 3 months from my goal.

 

[Whimsy]

Morenita your siggie always amazes me. It's such a DRASTIC difference between the natural vs relaxed!!! How long is the natural portion hair when stretched?

 

[jaded_faerie]

Okay I'm going to attempt to do box braids this weekend...

hopefully they don't come out a mess

 

[Austro-Afrikana]

I need help...
I've been transitioning for 10months and when i'm not in braid extensions, i have so much trouble with my hair. I don't know what to do. I'm not used to this thickness my hair used to be a very thin 5 inches and now it is a relatively thick 12 inches...the only thing that works is to blowdry after every wash but i want to completely cut out the heat as i now wash twice a week.
I already gave up flat ironing every week to every 2 months...
I tried to air dry today but it just didn't turn out great. It was better than the last time i tried to air dry as it wasn't so dry but i just ended up blow drying and flat ironing because it was too big. I was so sad as i haven't flat ironed in 2months.
I only took my braids out 1 week ago and i feel to just go back in as i don't know what else to do except blow dry...

 

[Nuelle]

In all honesty, I had the same issue and had to blowdry after every wash so my hair wouldn't tangle up and I'd be able to put it in a ponytail. Braidouts and knot-outs had stopped working at that point. Hopefully other long-term transitioners will weigh in on this. How long are you planning to transition for?

I need help...
I've been transitioning for 10months and when i'm not in braid extensions, i have so much trouble with my hair. I don't know what to do. I'm not used to this thickness my hair used to be a very thin 5 inches and now it is a relatively thick 12 inches...the only thing that works is to blowdry after every wash but i want to completely cut out the heat as i now wash twice a week.
I already gave up flat ironing every week to every 2 months...
I tried to air dry today but it just didn't turn out great. It was better than the last time i tried to air dry as it wasn't so dry but i just ended up blow drying and flat ironing because it was too big. I was so sad as i haven't flat ironed in 2months.
I only took my braids out 1 week ago and i feel to just go back in as i don't know what else to do except blow dry...