New *2010* Transitioners Support Thread!

[LoveCraze]

StephElise, how did you do your updo? It's very pretty!!

Thanks. It's super easy. I took the front and made a hump/pompadour by using some curl activator gel and ecostyler gel for some moisture and hold, then secured it with a good hair day pin. Then for the back I just gathered the ends, twisted it and then secured it with a flexi 8 hair pin. You can also use bobby pins or the good hair day pins. I wish I would have taken a picture of the back but it kinda looks like the one below but without the hair band and with a Flexi 8 hair pin. HTH.

 

[andromeda]

This is going to be quite a journey, but I'm really looking forward to going along for the ride

I'm just gonna let all the relaxer grow out and be N-A-T-U-R-A-L. I don't even plan on hot combing my hair unless it's urgent!

So here I am ladies… New transitioner. I will post pics once I take down the sew in!

Sorry for the long post.

Welcome, ladies!

I just wanted to share the importance of listening to our hair. Whether is be the need for protein, the need for moisture, the need to let the relaxers go, or the need to cut the relaxed ends.

I think this is so important. Yes, as transitioners we set goals based on time and/or length and we should proud to achieve those goals. However, it can be foolhardy to pretend that an arbitrary # of inches or a date matters to our [natural] hair and that we should keep pressing towards those goals to satisfy what we want at the risk of contradicting what our hair wants and needs.

As I stated several posts upthread, that's the main concern that makes me seriously consider BCing. It's a question of "at what cost" long term transitioning comes to my natural hair. At what point is transitioning not only a nuisance - dealing with two textures, having to look at pathetic relaxed ends - but a harm - the natural hair simply wants to be free of those relaxed ends?

I understand where you're coming from.

 

[CurlTalk]

Checking in!
Made 6 months post on Tuesday~got hair pressed on Saturday, and it's still holding up; hoping to make it last till next Friday if possible.
Discovered Suave Humectant; did nothing for my relaxed hair, and everything for my natural hair; it will def. be a staple after I chop.
Currently on a simple reggie; low heat, low manipulation, washing every so many days, and deep conditioning when I feel the need.
Hair is currently thriving.
HHJ all!

 

[Khaiya]

16 weeks post, still in cornrows.

 

[determined_to_grow]

I'm a little over 5 months and i want to BC!!!!

 

[cch24]

combed out some serious tangles today. mane n tail detangler plus knot today took care of them with minimal hair loss. tomorrow i'll do a light protein prepoo, clarify, cassia treatment, and deep condition. i'm excited!

ALSO, i brushed my hair for the first time in years with this neat little brush from sally's. i used small sections and my hair looked like it had been blown out when i was done. (sorry no pics! next time i promise!)

http://www.sallybeauty.com/pocket-brush/SBS-502135,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair10

 

[Platinum]

41 weeks post!

 

[Aggie]

16 weeks post, still in cornrows.

Wow, I didn't know you were transitioning Khaiya?

 

[Ltown]

Wow, I didn't know you were transitioning Khaiya?

Aggie you look good, like the hair style.

 

[Aggie]

Oh by the way, I am 54 weeks post my last relaxer and since cutting away a total of 7 inches in January and May of last year, I haven't trimmed since. I still have some relaxed ends hanging in there and haven't decided what I will do about them as yet.

I plan to complete at least 18 months of stretching and then decide how I will procede. Anyway, good luck to everyone in their transition to healthy natural hair.

 

[Aggie]

Aggie you look good, like the hair style.

, thank you so much ltown. I love braids and cornrows. They work very well for me especially since I am using MN religiously. It goes through the braids very easily.

 

[LoveCraze]

combed out some serious tangles today. mane n tail detangler plus knot today took care of them with minimal hair loss. tomorrow i'll do a light protein prepoo, clarify, cassia treatment, and deep condition. i'm excited!

ALSO, i brushed my hair for the first time in years with this neat little brush from sally's. i used small sections and my hair looked like it had been blown out when i was done. (sorry no pics! next time i promise!)

http://www.sallybeauty.com/pocket-brush/SBS-502135,default,pd.html?cgid=Hair10

Oh Hey!! I have that brush! I just haven't used it as of yet. I wasn't sure what to do with it but now I think I may give it a try next wash day.

Oh by the way, I am 54 weeks post my last relaxer and since cutting away a total of 7 inches in January and May of last year, I haven't trimmed since. I still have some relaxed ends hanging in there and haven't decided what I will do about them as yet.

I plan to complete at least 18 months of stretching and then decide how I will procede. Anyway, good luck to everyone in their transition to healthy natural hair.

Aggie!! Your siggie pic is just too cute! Are you back in braids? They always look so good. Nice of you to pop in.

 

[Aggie]

Thank you so much SE. Actually my hair is currently in big plaits with a wig over it for a while and then I will consider having braids installed next month.

 

[andromeda]

Hey now! Is this our very own alta angel on curlynikki.com?

Simply beautiful!

 

[MummysGirl]

That's her...

She is sooooooooo pretty!

Hey now! Is this our very own alta angel on curlynikki.com?

Simply beautiful!

 

[lila_baby]

what DCs are u girls using?

i've tried so many on my relaxed hair but now i'm out to find some new products.

can u suggest some moisture and protein DCs?

thanks girls!

 

[chelleyrock]

I'm still holding on. 14 months post will be here before you know it. Here's what I've been doing weekly:

-Part hair into 6 sections and braid
-Shampoo braids w/CON (green bottle)
-Deep condition braids with whatever DCs I have left and mix with olive oil and honey. Leave in for 30 min w/heat or overnight.
-Detangle each section and rebraid.
-Co-wash with Aussie moist
-Rinse and apply mixture of shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil to each section. I let my hair dry to about 80% before I start to braid for my braidouts (10 braids total)

 

[andromeda]

what DCs are u girls using?

i've tried so many on my relaxed hair but now i'm out to find some new products.

can u suggest some moisture and protein DCs?

thanks girls!

I've pretty much been using Aubrey Organics Honesuckle Rose and Aubrey Organics White Camelia since starting my transition. I've used Hairveda Sitrinillah twice since December. I like all of them. I usually mix some combo of coconut oil, olive oil, castor oil, honey (in the spring/summer) and regular conditioner (Trader Joe's Nourish Spa) with my AO conditioners to add some umph and stretch it.

No rec on protein DC. I usually henna and I recently bought Aubrey Organics GPB, which I plan on using for the first time next weekend..

 

[seraphinelle]

Taking my weave down tomorrow.

Any advice on how to go about washing it without tangling it... should i condition it first?

Next weave will be put in for a month.

 

[Patrice S]

Hello ladies,

I am new to LHCF and transitioning. I am only 7 weeks post and I plan to transition for 2 years. I currently use the entire Nouritress line, some Mizani, and Design Essentials but if there some must haves products I need to know about then please let me know.

I will try to read majority of the posts to get some information on regimens others use and are successful with. I am ssoooooo excited.

I will post pictures soon and of my progress in months to come.

Also, in a previous thread, I read about MegaTek is anyone having success with that?

 

[Bun Mistress]

My breakage stopped! Don't know what did probably nothing. Did a dry roller set tonight will have to detange something over the weekend. Maybe a blow dry and flat iron.

 

[Black Hoya Chick]

so i just chopped about 1-1 1/2 inches off my bottom layer (lol) but i think that part is all natural now. i am pretty much almost there. however, i am probably back at apl (or just passed) i shall stretch it after i rinse out this dc. but I am really excited. its only the front parts that still have a bit of relaxer left. i will cut those by june (when all the natural can fit into my ponytail and look nice and stuff lol)

 

[determined_to_grow]

I JUST CHOOPED 7 INCHES OFF!!!! BC BABY - I STILL HAVE ABOUT 2-4 INCHES OF RELAXED HAIR TO GO... I WASHED TONIGHT AND COULD NOT BRING MYSELF TO DETANGLE so I chopped it off...

I KINDA FEEL BUMBED B/C I HATE IT - my hair is SO SO dog on thick... I don't know what I expected but not this....

 

[Ltown]

Hello ladies,

I am new to LHCF and transitioning. I am only 7 weeks post and I plan to transition for 2 years. I currently use the entire Nouritress line, some Mizani, and Design Essentials but if there some must haves products I need to know about then please let me know.

I will try to read majority of the posts to get some information on regimens others use and are successful with. I am ssoooooo excited.

I will post pictures soon and of my progress in months to come.

Also, in a previous thread, I read about MegaTek is anyone having success with that?

Welcome to the forum!

 

[dr.j]

so i just chopped about 1-1 1/2 inches off my bottom layer (lol) but i think that part is all natural now. i am pretty much almost there. however, i am probably back at apl (or just passed) i shall stretch it after i rinse out this dc. but I am really excited. its only the front parts that still have a bit of relaxer left. i will cut those by june (when all the natural can fit into my ponytail and look nice and stuff lol)

How exciting!!! I'm trying to do a long transition like yours so your post is inspirational!

 

[dr.j]

I JUST CHOOPED 7 INCHES OFF!!!! BC BABY - I STILL HAVE ABOUT 2-4 INCHES OF RELAXED HAIR TO GO... I WASHED TONIGHT AND COULD NOT BRING MYSELF TO DETANGLE so I chopped it off...

I KINDA FEEL BUMBED B/C I HATE IT - my hair is SO SO dog on thick... I don't know what I expected but not this....

Wow DTG!! You are so bold! Maybe after a couple of days you will feel better about it. Thick hair is beautiful!!!

 

[MummysGirl]

Hi Ladies... I'm 59 weeks post and I straightened my hair yesterday It was a sudden decision and I did it, I loaded my hair with heat protectant By the time I was done, it felt like my hair was heavy with it

After this, I am not straightening my hair for the rest of this year. It's just not worth the panic and worry, "Will I have heat damage?", etc... I can't deal with it



Compare to this *shrinkage* photo @ 49 weeks post when I did a ponytail rollerset, and my new growth wasn't straightened enough:


I'm going to use this opportunity to trim my hair, about half an inch.

 

[Ltown]

Hi Ladies... I straightened my hair yesterday It was a sudden decision and I did it, I loaded my hair with heat protectant By the time I was done, it felt like my hair was heavy with it

After this, I am not straigthening my hair for the rest of this year. It's just not worth the panic and worry, "Will I have heat damage?", etc... I can't deal with it

I felt the same way but it looks good. How much of that is relax hair?

 

[KiSseS03]

I'm still holding on. 14 months post will be here before you know it. Here's what I've been doing weekly:

-Part hair into 6 sections and braid
-Shampoo braids w/CON (green bottle)
-Deep condition braids with whatever DCs I have left and mix with olive oil and honey. Leave in for 30 min w/heat or overnight.
-Detangle each section and rebraid.
-Co-wash with Aussie moist
-Rinse and apply mixture of shea butter, coconut oil, castor oil to each section. I let my hair dry to about 80% before I start to braid for my braidouts (10 braids total)

Chelleyrock, girl, Is that your braid-out in your siggy? If so it is very pretty! I am also 14 months post, but gave up on braidouts a long time ago due to tangling, but yours looks sooo soft and pretty I might want to try it again. I'm assuming you do individual plaits, not cornrows right?

ETA: Do you put perm rods at the ends of your hair? Sorry for being all up in your hair, but you have me wanting to try this (on a day that I don't have to go out of the house, in case it comes out a HAM on me ).

 

[Aggie]

Hi Ladies... I'm 59 weeks post and I straightened my hair yesterday It was a sudden decision and I did it, I loaded my hair with heat protectant By the time I was done, it felt like my hair was heavy with it

After this, I am not straightening my hair for the rest of this year. It's just not worth the panic and worry, "Will I have heat damage?", etc... I can't deal with it



Compare to this *shrinkage* photo @ 49 weeks post when I did a ponytail rollerset, and my new growth wasn't straightened enough:


I'm going to use this opportunity to trim my hair, about half an inch.

Girl MG, your new growth still looks so thick even after straightening. Good progress too.