New *2009* Transitioners Support Thread!

[BlondeByDesire]

How's everyone doing with their transition?

The picture in my siggy was taken today. I currently have about 1/2 inch of relaxed hair left (on the sides / front). The next time I wash my hair, I'll probably use my own shears to snip the remaining relaxed ends.

I'm very happy with my current length (when it's straightened). Right now, my length goal is bra strap length (when straightened). It looks like I'm a little below arm pit length now.

Your hair looks great ... I admire you for the long transition. Will you ever wear your hair natural?

 

[Allandra]

Your hair looks great ... I admire you for the long transition. Will you ever wear your hair natural?

I have - in curly ponytails. It's getting cooler here now tho.

 

[blksndrlla]

I updated my Fotki!

Also - I know detangling is a big deal for all transitoners - esp when it comes to babying that line of demarcation. Lately, I picked up a bottle of Amla Oil from my local Indian/Asian Market and it works miracles. I spray my hair a bit to dampen, massage in the oil, and let it sit. I makes my hair super fluffy and soft - has a distinct odor, but that rinses clean. I do it as a prepoo then detangle and section my hair before I hope in the shower.

I bought the powder to make my own...but it has just been sitting there...lol. I guess I will get it brewing this weekend after I take out these $160 kinky twists that look like my the begininnings of locs...after 1 week! I just can't catch a fake hair break...

 

[MummysGirl]

Hi Ladies! Transition's going well... Nothing new to report. I'm 42.5 weeks (almost 10 months) post and I'm still aiming for June 2010 (18 months) as my earliest date to cut of all my relaxed ends.

I am currently in my braids (no extensions) and will try to keep them in for 3 weeks (1 week longer than my usual 2 weeks). If it works out fine, I think I'll change to 3 weeks in braids, 1 week in braidouts/twistouts... I'll see. I cowash and DC while in the braids and my hair always feels so soft and strong when I take them out.



HHG Ladies!!!

 

[diva24]

Counter in my siggy. That went pretty quickly. It has been a year already.

 

[blksndrlla]

Congrats on all of the milestones!

Random story
I took out my kinky twist last night. So, after detangling I had a major faux fro...I sent a pic to my SO and he called immediately! He kept going on abt how sexy the natural is on me and how it fits me. It made me smile and feel reassured b/c I used to be referred to as Hawaiian Silky. He wanted me to rock out today, but maybe in the future. Yep, he's a keeper . (Well, I already knew that!!!)

 

[Ltown]

I have - in curly ponytails. It's getting cooler here now tho.

Allandra, you'll be BC soon how does it feel? I was thinking since we both will only making small chop I'm going to call it SC If I started that you can imagine how piss off the board would get


53 weeks post protective styling for the winter, hanging on to 2" of relax hair

 

[Allandra]

Allandra, you'll be BC soon how does it feel? I was thinking since we both will only making small chop I'm going to call it SC If I started that you can imagine how piss off the board would get


53 weeks post protective styling for the winter, hanging on to 2" of relax hair

Girl, I have 1/2 inch of relaxed hair left. You know this ain't no BC. I'll be snipping it off myself soon. The relaxed hair is only on the sides / front, back has been all natural (grows faster).

 

[pmichael52172]

:woohoo2: Got my hair done yesterday and my stylist said I have about 1-1.5 inches of relaxed hair left. She says I'm waaay ahead of schedule and my transition should be complete in January. I'm SO excited. We can then start focusing on length. I wanted to get color once all the relaxed hair was out but I think I'll wait until I get more length and then add color to "show it off".

 

[naturallygoldie]

:woohoo2: Got my hair done yesterday and my stylist said I have about 1-1.5 inches of relaxed hair left. She says I'm waaay ahead of schedule and my transition should be complete in January. I'm SO excited. We can then start focusing on length. I wanted to get color once all the relaxed hair was out but I think I'll wait until I get more length and then add color to "show it off".

Congratz!!!!!!!!

How long is ur natural hair?

 

[SherylsTresses]

Well I'm new to this site ! Hello everyone. I'm 11 weeks post, BSL, maybe 4a and have about 1.5 inches of NG. I chickened out and scheduled an appt for next weekend for a retouch. I think I will either cancel it or get a pampered shampoo.

I chose to become natural after reading two posts, "If you woke up with MBL hair, would you want it relaxed or natural?" and "How long 'til your hair journey ends?". Both really got me to thinking. I'm 40 now and don't want to be an older woman with relaxed hair. Also, I love the thickness and health from natural hair. I'm a big fan of Oprah's hair and other natural YouTube celebs.

I'm trying to hang in there and yes I have my DH's support.

 

[BlondeByDesire]

Well I haven't cut or snipped anything since I started my transition. I'm scared of the hairdresser right now ... but I need to find one in Baltimore who would take extra special care of my fragile hair so I can do some mini chops. Any suggestions, ladies in or around Baltimore. Thanks.

 

[Ltown]

Well I'm new to this site ! Hello everyone. I'm 11 weeks post, BSL, maybe 4a and have about 1.5 inches of NG. I chickened out and scheduled an appt for next weekend for a retouch. I think I will either cancel it or get a pampered shampoo.

I chose to become natural after reading two posts, "If you woke up with MBL hair, would you want it relaxed or natural?" and "How long 'til your hair journey ends?". Both really got me to thinking. I'm 40 now and don't want to be an older woman with relaxed hair. Also, I love the thickness and health from natural hair. I'm a big fan of Oprah's hair and other natural on YouTube celebs .

I'm trying to hang in there and yes I have my DH's support.

Welcome to the thread! You'll have alot of support here too!

 

[Ltown]

:woohoo2: Got my hair done yesterday and my stylist said I have about 1-1.5 inches of relaxed hair left. She says I'm waaay ahead of schedule and my transition should be complete in January. I'm SO excited. We can then start focusing on length. I wanted to get color once all the relaxed hair was out but I think I'll wait until I get more length and then add color to "show it off".

Great transition congrats!

 

[pmichael52172]

Congratz!!!!!!!!

How long is ur natural hair?

I would say nape length in the back (that's all natural) and the sides just to the earlobe anf the front maybe past my eyes. I started with a tapered asymetrical bob which is why the transition is not as long. I'll make my albulm public when I get to a computer

 

[Shay72]

Transitioning is going pretty well. I had my hair in a braidout on Wednesday and did a flexirod set for yesterday. I was tired of looking at the two textures. It's back in a bun today. I think I will try my caruso set on Monday. I want to try bantu knots and pin curls again. They weren't successful the first couple of times I tried but I'm willing to give them each another shot.

 

[Bublin]

Hey

I'm joining in too. I'm only 3 months post right now.

I just can't detangle without ripping out lots of hair so instead of giving up and relaxing i'm just going to the salon every few weeks - get them to wash, detangle and cornrow (sans extensions) - until i get enough natural hair to chop off the ends.

This is my 2nd attempt at being natural and i'm ultra determined not to give up this time.

 

[shtow]

Well I haven't cut or snipped anything since I started my transition. I'm scared of the hairdresser right now ... but I need to find one in Baltimore who would take extra special care of my fragile hair so I can do some mini chops. Any suggestions, ladies in or around Baltimore. Thanks.

Tracey from Salon Avenue in Owings Mills. She is very gentle with the hair and will not cut more than you instruct. She uses the products you ask and only does what you tell her to do. Before she picks up a comb, she asks if its ok. Ill PM you her number.

eta: here is the thread I wrote on the salon. http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=200897

 

[Chromia]

Well I'm new to this site ! Hello everyone. I'm 11 weeks post, BSL, maybe 4a and have about 1.5 inches of NG. I chickened out and scheduled an appt for next weekend for a retouch. I think I will either cancel it or get a pampered shampoo.

I chose to become natural after reading two posts, "If you woke up with MBL hair, would you want it relaxed or natural?" and "How long 'til your hair journey ends?". Both really got me to thinking. I'm 40 now and don't want to be an older woman with relaxed hair. Also, I love the thickness and health from natural hair. I'm a big fan of Oprah's hair and other natural YouTube celebs.

I'm trying to hang in there and yes I have my DH's support.

Welcome! I know what you mean about not wanting to become an older woman with relaxed hair. I feel the same way. That's great that your DH supports you on this!

 

[LoveCraze]

Welcome! I know what you mean about not wanting to become an older woman with relaxed hair. I feel the same way. That's great that your DH supports you on this!

ITA: I too no longer wanted to have to depend on my stylist to get a perm/relaxer every 6-8 weeks. I've finally reached a point in my life where I can truly say that I am happy with the direction my hair is going! And this is all being done by my own two hands.

 

[LoveCraze]

Hey

I'm joining in too. I'm only 3 months post right now.

I just can't detangle without ripping out lots of hair so instead of giving up and relaxing i'm just going to the salon every few weeks - get them to wash, detangle and cornrow (sans extensions) - until i get enough natural hair to chop off the ends.

This is my 2nd attempt at being natural and i'm ultra determined not to give up this time.

Hey Bublin! to the group. Why not let us all know your reggie and what you do when you detangle. I'm sure there are quite a few of us here that can give you some pointers to help you out.

 

[-PYT]

Hey lovely ladies!

I was sooo busted this week. Lazy and the weather sucked (no sunlight!) and the cloudiness had me down in the dumps! All I did was push my hair back in the same ol bun all week and today I definitely had the fuzzy halo goin lol

But soon as I left work, whaddya kno, the sun was shining! I came home, washed, DC'd with ORS replenishing pack in detangled/plaited sections, then rinsed out and blow-dryed (with denman!). Flat-ironed with the chi and i feel like a new woman!

anywho, here's some pics...forgive the flash and size...and the angles

 

[Platinum]

25 weeks post!

 

[Foxglove]

25 weeks post!

Congratulations!!

 

[Allandra]

:woohoo2: Got my hair done yesterday and my stylist said I have about 1-1.5 inches of relaxed hair left. She says I'm waaay ahead of schedule and my transition should be complete in January. I'm SO excited. We can then start focusing on length. I wanted to get color once all the relaxed hair was out but I think I'll wait until I get more length and then add color to "show it off".

Wow, that's great. You'll be natural in no time at all.

 

[silentdove13]

I actually do not remember when I did my last perm, July or August. Anyways, I have officially decided to go back to my natural hair but I have no idea where to start except for stop perming my hair. I know I do not plan on cutting it into a short look but letting the perm grow out.

Where do I start?

 

[Chromia]

^^^I think one place to start is to think about styles you want to wear - buns, twistouts, twists, etc. Or maybe you'll want to rollerset, flat iron, or something else.

Just remember to be extra gentle when detangling, especially at the line of demarcation. If you haven't already found a conditioner you like, you can try different ones to see which works best for you.

 

[PeanutButterandHoney]

Hey ladies.

I took the plunge and straightened. I cut about 4 inches off last month and let's say after a lil humidity hit my hair, I am BSL again. I was BSL BEFORE I transitioned and THOUGHT I cut my hair to grazing SL, but I guess I am wrong. I am looking at the length like, wow!

Anyway, my hair is healthy and that's all that matters.
I pre-pooed with Queen Helene and Vatkia with heat (body heat from exercise, plastic cap, scarf and baseball cap). My NG has NEVER been so soft. If I had shears, I woulda BC'ed. Straight up. OMG!!! I am still in shock.

I washed with my CON, and DC'ed with some EVOO, Vatika Oil, and Pantene Relaxed and Natural. The DC literally melted on my hair from the pre-poo. My hair is so shiny and lovely! I am so in looooove.

Anyway, still tryna go for another year until I BC. This is so hard as I want to be natural NOW! lol

 

[Neek-a-Nator]

You make me want to try a pre-poo, never did it before, but you make it sound soooo GOOD.

 

[PeanutButterandHoney]

I have never pre-pooed before either. I think it is so worth it! I pre-pooed on dry hair, if that matters any.