New *2009* Transitioners Support Thread!

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

I'm gonna be honest with you.

For me right now, if I wasn't flat ironing my hair, I probably would've relaxed by now.

For me, cowashing and bunning was leading to my hair being mushy and limp and it was really doing more harm than good to my hair in terms of breakage at the demarcation line. And I was getting REALLY bored.

The blending of the textures makes my hair look and feel 20x healthier and better. I only do this once every 3 weeks, sometimes once a month, but even so, I combat that by doing a DC, and I use protectorant products.

You can look at my texture, even though I've been flat ironing consistently since the summertime, my texture isn't heat damaged, and my ends aren't splitting terribly or getting thin. I still wear satin scarves, moisturize, and all the other essentials, but instead, I flat iron. I'd love to be one of those who could just airdry or use a boar brush to brush my hair back into a wet pony, but its cold here in NYC, and all that brushing makes my hair overly manipulated and I wind up losing more hair than I do when I just do this regimen.

Once I'm fully natural, I won't flat iron as much as I'll have one full texture, but for now this works for me. My suggestion would be to get a Sedu, do a DC session, use some products post-wash (I use Lacio Lacio, a tiny bit of shea butter, and some Aveda Brilliant Gloss or Biosilk, but I didn't use this yesterday. Only Shea.) and then blow dry on warm and then flat iron. I guarantee that you'll like it and you probably won't see any harm done.

Thanks so much, your hair tex looks alot like mine, and i really appreciate your honesty...what type of sedu do you have? it may be my christmas present to myself, i've never purchased any styling product this costly and i'm hoping i get salon results - relaxer straight results - i'm pulling my hair into my high-pony and i think i'll get a phonypony to match my tex an do a messy bun...i've gotta switch things up...i'll do this after services, today...going into bss and looking at hair makes me dizzy, i mean the choices?ohwell: How do you choose, they all look alike to me and there's no one to help...anyway, hopefully i'll find somthing fab and hang with my pony for a wee bit longer without succumbing to the creamy crack...

could you pm your reggie/styling products?

thanks again, Vivez~ btw, your hair RoCks!!!!
digging that color, too, girlie~

 

[trinidarkie1]

Hello Ladies! In an attempt to keep myself from going crazy and constantly manipulating my hair, I got a full weave put in on Friday night. My hope is to keep it in until the end of January. The tracks aren't too tight, so they are very comfortable. The only thing that bothers me is that I didn't moisturize or oil my hair before the application. I may have to find a way to put some product in between. The issue with that is I hate the way oily weaves look and considering the hair is a synthetic blend (PRo -10), I may avoid doing so for as long as possible.

This will allow me to add another 6 - 7 weeks to my stretch, then I will remove this and apply another one at the end of January, beginning of February until the end of March, beginning of April.

 

[Duchesse]

I'm only 13 weeks in and fighting the urge to BC! I know that I personally should really wait it out. I can't do a decent rollerset with my hair, so I'm living by braid outs and lightly flat ironing my new growth.

You long term transitioners are very inspiring for me. I've BCed so many times in the past with less than an inch of hair and usually regret it around the 5th month of natural hair. If I can transition for at least a year and have a decent length of hair, it will be easier for me to stay natural.

 

[trinidarkie1]

I'm only 13 weeks in and fighting the urge to BC! I know that I personally should really wait it out. I can't do a decent rollerset with my hair, so I'm living by braid outs and lightly flat ironing my new growth.

You long term transitioners are very inspiring for me. I've BCed so many times in the past with less than an inch of hair and usually regret it around the 5th month of natural hair. If I can transition for at least a year and have a decent length of hair, it will be easier for me to stay natural.

Duchesse, your hair in your sig looks so beautiful and full! That's one of the things I am hoping to achieve by transitioning : Full and Thick hair.
If I did my BC now I would look like I'm balding

Glad that we inspire you. The issue is that with my long stretches I do not get as much growth as I would like, which is sad, but I guess that's how it is for me.

You keep on having your beautiful hair! Happy growing.

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

I wear half wigs everyday so I don't have to worry about presenting my transitioning hair to the world.

It seems like every weekend when I "do" my hair I keep finding more and more ways to manage my natural hair!

Pinkskates and her tension method. All I have to say is wow! I had no clue that "we" didn't have to use comb attachments to get the hair straight. I was so surprised, I could see myself blowing it straight and leaving it like that. I mean it got really, really straight!

Detangling is an ordeal. I just pace myself and do it while I'm watching a movie or something. I keep progressing in my technique but it still takes a while. I will just have to get used to that. I think this week was the first week I had little to no knots so that was very encouraging.

I think my hair likes do be detangled (after conditioning and rinsing) with the hair soaking wet from the shower, not hair that has been re-wet with a spray bottle (if that makes sense). I'll probably just keep my hair with a plastic bag on it until I get to the part to detangle it.

I bought a steamer and it was heaven. I think I will do that every week. So far so good.

The only thing is, I lose a lot of shed hair (at least it looks that way to me). That is disturbing. Once I roll up the hair ball ,it's maybe the size of a golf ball. Also, my natural hair makes my relaxed hair seem so puny, even at only 3 months and some change.

But through it all, I'm excited to have my natural hair back again and all the versatility it affords me.

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

I am seriously considering texlaxing my hair...somebody stop me...pleeze...i'm tired of the grandma buns and i bought a phony pony and it just didn't do anything, i think it was too short, i got frustrated trying to pin it...my hair is sooo curly and wavy and it's about 500 different textures, and shiny...and i just couldn't find anything that matched...the hair i bought matched my hair like 3 years ago...not today...so i am not an excited camper right now...i'm gonna buy a sedu and hopefully i can just flat iron my hair every other week and work with it....i'm not used to looking like this...i want my jazzy back...

 

[trinidarkie1]

I am seriously considering texlaxing my hair...somebody stop me...pleeze...i'm tired of the grandma buns and i bought a phony pony and it just didn't do anything, i think it was too short, i got frustrated trying to pin it...my hair is sooo curly and wavy and it's about 500 different textures, and shiny...and i just couldn't find anything that matched...the hair i bought matched my hair like 3 years ago...not today...so i am not an excited camper right now...i'm gonna buy a sedu and hopefully i can just flat iron my hair every other week and work with it....i'm not used to looking like this...i want my jazzy back...

You have to do what's best for you and your tresses. Don't do it if you really want to keep stretching and transition.

 

[vivEz daNs lamouR]

I am seriously considering texlaxing my hair...somebody stop me...pleeze...i'm tired of the grandma buns and i bought a phony pony and it just didn't do anything, i think it was too short, i got frustrated trying to pin it...my hair is sooo curly and wavy and it's about 500 different textures, and shiny...and i just couldn't find anything that matched...the hair i bought matched my hair like 3 years ago...not today...so i am not an excited camper right now...i'm gonna buy a sedu and hopefully i can just flat iron my hair every other week and work with it....i'm not used to looking like this...i want my jazzy back...

It'll be okay. Just do what YOU feel works best for your hair.

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

You have to do what's best for you and your tresses. Don't do it if you really want to keep stretching and transition.

i do, i do want to transition, but i want gorgeous hair everyday!!

It'll be okay. Just do what YOU feel works best for your hair.

I'm not sure i know what's best for my hair...

Thanks for helping, ladies, first, i'm in luv with the idea of natural hair..however, i transitioned bcs relaxers were thinning my hair. Now, i've learned a lot in the year that i've been on lhcf, and i think i could care for my hair much, much better...no more touchups every 6 weeks and the like...

I'm just torn between the two. I want the ease of maintenance, but i still have to find a stylist who will LISTEN to me. I'd want texlaxed hair, and i'd probably stretch for 6 months....finding a stylist who listens would be a miracle...i don't know why i'm even considering this....

Question - does anyone flatiron weekly?

 

[HollyGolightly1982]

I flat ironed weekly the first time I transitioned.


Have you thought about wearing wigs?

 

[trinidarkie1]

Question - does anyone flatiron weekly?

I don't flat iron at all. My hair is so thin that I only get body by wearing my hair some what puffy or after using flexi rods.

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

I flat ironed weekly the first time I transitioned.


Have you thought about wearing wigs?

wigs hurt my head - medium sized head/thick hair, and i feel self-conscious, I hate wigs that look like wigs. erplexed i bought one a while back, it looked exactly like my hair, but the dang thang hurt..no one knew it was a wig, it also rubbed off some of my hairline, and i was like, that's it! - chunked in a closet...

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

I flat ironed weekly the first time I transitioned.


Have you thought about wearing wigs?

Did the weekly flat ironing damage your hair? What was your reggie? Did you get it professionally done or were you a diyer?

 

[chocolatetresses]

Awesome Thread! I've been transitiong for roughly a year last relaxer was dec 07 I do plan on BC'ing on my bday!

 

[HollyGolightly1982]

Did the weekly flat ironing damage your hair? What was your reggie? Did you get it professionally done or were you a diyer?

It was like ten or so years ago so I don't remember what I used. I didn't have any damage but I might have been lucky. Knowing what I know now I wouldn't really recommend it.

 

[vivEz daNs lamouR]

Question - does anyone flatiron weekly?

3-4 weeks for me.

 

[Nuelle]

My last relaxer was in March 2008, which means that I am now in the 9th month of my transition. I'm still ambivalent about the whole transitioning thing. I have been getting my hair flat ironed every 2-4 weeks and I'm starting to wonder if I'm damaging my hair in doing so. I'm so tempted to get a relaxer...I'm BSL now and enjoy wearing my hair straight for the most part. I'll need to figure out what to do with my hair next semester. I'm thinking about getting braids or something...

 

[skyborn09]

I don't know what to do ladies. I'm in my 6th month of transitioning and I can't take it anymore. I wana BC so badd! I just got kinky twist but took them out after 2 weeks cuz they were pulling my edges to tight and I can't have that cuz I alreadi got a big forehead lol. I just don't know what to do. I'm suppose to be chopping all the relaxed ends in May 09 but I have the urge to chop now. Only thing that is holdin me back is how short hair will suit my face and will it be cute. I'm in my senior year and I don't want my hair looking crazi for prom or graduation. So what should i do?

 

[Nuelle]

I don't know what to do ladies. I'm in my 6th month of transitioning and I can't take it anymore. I wana BC so badd! I just got kinky twist but took them out after 2 weeks cuz they were pulling my edges to tight and I can't have that cuz I alreadi got a big forehead lol. I just don't know what to do. I'm suppose to be chopping all the relaxed ends in May 09 but I have the urge to chop now. Only thing that is holdin me back is how short hair will suit my face and will it be cute. I'm in my senior year and I don't want my hair looking crazi for prom or graduation. So what should i do?

Is there a particular reason why you want to BC now?... Months 5-8 were the most difficult for me b/c my hair was a tangled matted mess and I hadn't found the right products yet. I would advise against chopping out of frustration unless you feel it's the right time. Instead, I got my hair flat ironed every 2 weeks or so, wrapped it at night, and tried to forget about it... HTH!

 

[HollyGolightly1982]

Skyborn, have you thought about using wigs/half wigs?

 

[twnz&1mo]

I am three months now. It is hard b/c I don't know how to properly detangle my hair. I would like to hold on and I just ordered paid for a stand up steamer on ebay today. I'm hoping it will get easier for me b/c I like my natural hair. We'll see.

When you detangle your hair, start at the bottom using a wide tooth comb and work your way up. I also use my Denman brush.

 

[twnz&1mo]

Yes I henna cause my grey hairs are coming in alot more. No it doesn't matter that you have two textures. Make sure when you detangle you use a wide tooth comb or a Denman brush if you have it, and start at the bottom of your hair and work your way up.

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??

 

[twnz&1mo]

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 just wondered what my natural hair looked like since I haven't seen it since FOREVER. Now I ask myself why I ever relaxed my hair in the first place. I really think it was because when Jeri curls came out I wanted one and my grandma was like NO! But she said I could get a relaxer, so I settled on that. I wish my hair would grow quicker so I can cut my relaxed ends, I don't like me with short hair. I tried it and didn't like it.

 

[twnz&1mo]

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.

Like Mufasa off The Lion King or what's the childs name, Teyana Taylor

 

[ajoyfuljoy]

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.

Congratulations! That's a real great achievement

 

[Sugarhoneyicetea]

Hi!! I'm new to the board after lurking for a few years and am currently 8 months post relaxer. I'm frustrated with having 2 different textures and breakage at my decremation line so I am planning to BC during my next wash this week. I attempted to last night but in the end only gave myself a great trim lol. This board has been beyond helpful and instead my new best friend, so I'll be looking forward to supporting and getting support from my fellow transitioners in the new year! Good luck ladies!

 

[mellowmel]

Ladies what are you using daily for moisture. I've been bunning and I've notice where my shortest areas are, which are my crown (where I had the most breakage before deciding to transition) are so dry. I'm using the ORS olive oil in the jar.
I basically wet my hair in the morning put some ORS olive oil on the outside along with aloe vera gel and brush it into a bun.

Since my crown was the shortest I can really feel the texture of my hair there. But it's so dry! I need some products that will moisturize the new growth as well as the relaxed hair.

 

[mymane]

I'm currently 53 weeks post. I really need to charge my cam and get some pics up. been saying that forever. Anyway, I don't know when I'll big chop. I've been trimming a little as I go so maybe I won't even need to big chop. It's going pretty well, made some mistakes early on but I've learned. Can anyone tell me if using ponytails to airdry will mess up a curlpattern? I know alot of ladies bun etc. but I heard that a couple of times and was wondering. Thanks.

And sorry so long

 

[Galadriel]

I'm 10 months post. I think my transition is going well...I think I'll be completely natural in a few months.

 

[Galadriel]

Sorry, double post.