New *2010* Transitioners Support Thread!

[Aggie]

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....

I'd pay throw the ears to have this problem, lol.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

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.

Mummy, your hair looks great and sooo thick! What flatiron did you use?

 

[asubeauty]

I just did a "mini chop." My hair is now right above SL straightened (I was about APL) so now most of my hair is natural. I only have relaxed hair in the front. I'm so excited about my little curlies in the back!

 

[sweetpuff]

I used to manipulate my hair everyday to make buns and change styles and on wash days, i'd comb in and out of the shower and blowdry. I'd have broken hair all over my bathroom.

Now, I do 5 braids on my hair, put a wig cap and a half wig. I comb in the shower and every 2 days.When I wash, I airdry.

I don't have my regular moisturiser so what I do is spritz a mix of water and essential oils and put on my shea butter pommade.
I redo my braids every night and every 2 days, I use a comb to detangle
I use boundless tresses on my scalp every 2 days.

My hair hardly ever breaks now.

My new growth is very soft and manageable. So far so good.
I have to think of summer styles now because it will be too hot for the wigs.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

I used to manipulate my hair everyday to make buns and change styles and on wash days, i'd comb in and out of the shower and blowdry. I'd have broken hair all over my bathroom.

Now, I do 5 braids on my hair, put a wig cap and a half wig. I comb in the shower and every 2 days.When I wash, I airdry.

I don't have my regular moisturiser so what I do is spritz a mix of water and essential oils and put on my shea butter pommade.
I redo my braids every night and every 2 days, I use a comb to detangle
I use boundless tresses on my scalp every 2 days.

My hair hardly ever breaks now.

My new growth is very soft and manageable. So far so good.
I have to think of summer styles now because it will be too hot for the wigs.

Sounds like you have your reggie together! Congrats.

 

[MummysGirl]

Thanks ltown (so glad to see you're still hanging with us ). Any more pictures to share?
I'd say about 3-4 inches average - more in some areas, less in some.

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

Thanks Aggie and welcome back (I love your new siggy pic - beautiful!)!
I've been running my fingers through my hair and I love it

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

Thanks sipp100, I used a GHD flat iron.

Mummy, your hair looks great and sooo thick! What flatiron did you use?

 

[sweetpuff]

Sounds like you have your reggie together! Congrats.

Thanks!! it took me a while to realize that canadian winter is not to be played with. My hair likes to be left alone during those times.

btw: your hair on your pikistrips is gorgeous!!!

 

[cch24]

I did a cassia treatment on Friday and the thickness is out of control Still bunning....

 

[chelleyrock]

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 ).

Hey KiSseS03, I've been cleaning all day and just logged on. Yes, that's my braidout in my siggy and thank you. I actually do cornrows but to avoid tangling, I make sure my hair is mostly dry, 'cause if it's wet it will be tangle city. It's really annoying at this point because I have to do this every night.

I do use perm rods at the end (the really small yellow ones). I need to get a larger size though because I'm noticing small knots trying to form when I have to rebraid each night.

Give it a try. I'm pretty sure it'll turn out great.

 

[Ltown]

Thanks ltown (so glad to see you're still hanging with us ). Any more pictures to share?
I'd say about 3-4 inches average - more in some areas, less in some.

No I have not taken any pictures or done anything exciting with my hair. I've done one flat iron picture in siggly and it revert so fast it was waste of time. I'm still style transitioning

 

[LoveCraze]

Thanks ltown (so glad to see you're still hanging with us ). Any more pictures to share?
I'd say about 3-4 inches average - more in some areas, less in some.

No I have not taken any pictures or done anything exciting with my hair. I've done one flat iron picture in siggly and it revert so fast it was waste of time. I'm still style transitioning

ltown, it is really great to see you still hanging here with us. Kinda like a big sis looking over her siblings!!! You have a lot of growth in your siggy. Have you tried to do twistouts yet? Come on...do it!!! I wanna seeeee. Pretty pelase with sugar on top!!

 

[LoveCraze]

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.

Wow MG, you have a lot of growth there! I have yet to try to flat iron my own hair. Kinda been too busy to do it anyway. I think you did a decent job though. Oh and I hear that you shouldn't use too much heat protectant because it can weigh the hair down. If you ever try again, try to use a little less, a little goes a long way.

 

[MummysGirl]

Thanks Steph, I now appreciate how much growth I've had since I started transitioning
And thanks for the advice on the heat protectant

Wow MG, you have a lot of growth there! I have yet to try to flat iron my own hair. Kinda been too busy to do it anyway. I think you did a decent job though. Oh and I hear that you shouldn't use too much heat protectant because it can weigh the hair down. If you ever try again, try to use a little less, a little goes a long way.

I trimmed my hair last night and I know my ends look better already... I'd say I trimmed ~ 0.5 - 1 inch.

I was able to keep my hair straight even after my workout today
I put it in a high ponytail (to protect my ends from sweat), although my edges started reverting once I got into my workout. Once I was done with my workout, I applied my shea mix to my edges, brushed and laid down with a scarf and put on my shower cap for my shower. When I was done getting dressed, I took off the scarf, took down the ponytail, moisturised all my hair with my shea mix, combed and put on my banana clip.

I'm going to wash and deep condition tonight, although I'm tempted to keep it straight for another day, I'm more anxious to get my hair wet again, it feels weird having it so straight

 

[Ltown]

ltown, it is really great to see you still hanging here with us. Kinda like a big sis looking over her siblings!!! You have a lot of growth in your siggy. Have you tried to do twistouts yet? Come on...do it!!! I wanna seeeee. Pretty pelase with sugar on top!!

I have tried them and they are ugly but for everyone here I'm going to do some and post something by the end of this week.

 

[Murjani]

Checking in! Im almost to the point were I ended my transition before. Im wearing a sew-in throughout my transition. Whenever I take my sew-ins down, I've been cutting about an inch off.

 

[cch24]

I have a quick (and possibly stupid) question. I see a lot of posts about people not being able to wet bun because their hair shrinks when wet. When I wet my hair the curls loosen and become straighter, which makes it easier to bun. Is this a sign of a different hair type or am I doing something wrong?

TIA

 

[MummysGirl]

I think it has to do with texture, size of strands and Length...

I have *very* coily new growth and very fine strands. When my hair is wet, it shrinks but I think because I have fine strands, it's easier for me to wet bun (although I prefer 2 buns because one bun requires too much manipulation and I think this is where the length of my hair comes into play.) than if I had thicker strands/hair.

I have a quick (and possibly stupid) question. I see a lot of posts about people not being able to wet bun because their hair shrinks when wet. When I wet my hair the curls loosen and become straighter, which makes it easier to bun. Is this a sign of a different hair type or am I doing something wrong?

TIA

 

[blksndrlla]

I have had a great year of new products...So, I figured I would share!

Mizani Thermasmooth: Oh my...oh my...how I love it. If you are flat ironing...buy this system. I have VERY high standards for my straight hair and this helps me meet that standard. My hair was unbelievably soft and straight.The kicker for me is it was not weighed down at all. Not to mention it did not take much heat at all to get my hair straight. I will never use anything else when flat-ironing my hair. Everyone keeps thinking I got a fresh relaxer.

Elasta-QP Olive Oil and Mango Butter: This is great for when I'm not wearing it straight and down. It leaves my hair so moisturized and it helps lay down my edges. I do use it in the last days of straight if it is in a banana clip or pony. I like it better than Cantu leave-in b/c it plays well with other products.

I went back to CON in the green bottle and Lustrasilk liquid cholesterol (the carrot oil one)...so happy. Gotta use what works...

About the previous heat damage: My curls started bouncing back after a hard protein treatment and several deep conditioning treatments. They aren't 100%, but I am not going to stress it. At the end of the day, it's my hair and I will not sacrifice loving the way look to maybe like it when it gets to X point. Gotta love who I am right now.

I am getting a sew-in on tuesday, so...it'll help save everything, but my leave out. It seems as if my growth rate is increasing, but I'll save the photos for a few months for a better comparison.

HHG everyone!
(19 months down...7 to go!)

 

[lila_baby]

SCAB HAIR ANYONE?? I think i got it on my crown area

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

i'm so sick of this transition. i wore my hair in a bantu knot out for an entire week, and it is so tangly and dry. i am feeling really tempted to cut this ish off! i miss the days when i was natural and could wash my hair when i wanted too, and just run my fingers through my hair under water to detangle. this mess is horrible. and i've pulled so many knot balls off my hair that i'm scared to straighten it and see if lost length. i really feel like choppin it off yal.

oh yeah, i'm 12 months post. yay. *deadface* ♥

 

[blksndrlla]

i'm so sick of this transition. i wore my hair in a bantu knot out for an entire week, and it is so tangly and dry. i am feeling really tempted to cut this ish off! i miss the days when i was natural and could wash my hair when i wanted too, and just run my fingers through my hair under water to detangle. this mess is horrible. and i've pulled so many knot balls off my hair that i'm scared to straighten it and see if lost length. i really feel like choppin it off yal.

oh yeah, i'm 12 months post. yay. *deadface* ♥

I got like that a lot lately...so, I straighten now or at least stretch it and bun it. I knew I wanted more length before I cut, but I couldn't take the "trying to make relaxed hair look natural and ending up with tangled-ish on my head" anymore. I hate being a slow grower! This transition would so be over!

 

[Foxglove]

i'm so sick of this transition. i wore my hair in a bantu knot out for an entire week, and it is so tangly and dry. i am feeling really tempted to cut this ish off! i miss the days when i was natural and could wash my hair when i wanted too, and just run my fingers through my hair under water to detangle. this mess is horrible. and i've pulled so many knot balls off my hair that i'm scared to straighten it and see if lost length. i really feel like choppin it off yal.

oh yeah, i'm 12 months post. yay. *deadface* ♥

Yay for making it a year!

 

[Iluvsmuhgrass]

Planning on going through with BCing today. I'm excited!

 

[Thann]

I will be 6 months post on the 12th. I got tired of my sloppy looking buns and being bothered with my hair, so I just self installed my own weave. It turned out way better than I expected and I'm hoping to keep it for at least 6 weeks. The only parts left out are the front edges and horseshoe, everything else; including my nape and side edges are protected. I will more than likely try to stay in weaves until June or July. I'm excited about being able to heat style as I please and retain all of my length.

Transitoning had been really easy for me up until right around 5 months post. At that point, it was like my hair just wouldn't lay down and nothing worked anymore. One side seems to be totally different than the other....its coarser, rougher and way thicker than the other side. I planned on being a heat straightened natural, but at this point, I just don't care to be bothered with my hair.

 

[Grand Prix]

Thanks Steph, I now appreciate how much growth I've had since I started transitioning
And thanks for the advice on the heat protectant




I trimmed my hair last night and I know my ends look better already... I'd say I trimmed ~ 0.5 - 1 inch.


I was able to keep my hair straight even after my workout today
I put it in a high ponytail (to protect my ends from sweat), although my edges started reverting once I got into my workout. Once I was done with my workout, I applied my shea mix to my edges, brushed and laid down with a scarf and put on my shower cap for my shower. When I was done getting dressed, I took off the scarf, took down the ponytail, moisturised all my hair with my shea mix, combed and put on my banana clip.


I'm going to wash and deep condition tonight, although I'm tempted to keep it straight for another day, I'm more anxious to get my hair wet again, it feels weird having it so straight

MG, your hair looks so nice in that banana clip! Your hair looks so lush and healthy, even when straightened.

Question though, how do you self trim?
I wish I could master it so I never have to go to a stylist again!

i'm so sick of this transition. i wore my hair in a bantu knot out for an entire week, and it is so tangly and dry. i am feeling really tempted to cut this ish off! i miss the days when i was natural and could wash my hair when i wanted too, and just run my fingers through my hair under water to detangle. this mess is horrible. and i've pulled so many knot balls off my hair that i'm scared to straighten it and see if lost length. i really feel like choppin it off yal.

oh yeah, i'm 12 months post. yay. *deadface* ♥

Congrats on making 12 months!
I get the feeling you're not entirely enjoying the ride.. but a bantu knot out (which looks so cute on you) lasting a week isn't so bad, is it?
But I feel you on being tired of all this, I spend so much time on my hair just to be able to make a decent bun..
Still no tangling issues though. How is you moisture/protein balance? I feel my ng needs more moisture and my ends need more protein, so I usually go for moisture DC's and spay my ends with CHI keratin mist for example.
Also, have you tried reknotting before bed? That might help with the tangles too.

 

[Grand Prix]

Planning on going through with BCing today. I'm excited!

Ohh, good luck!!

 

[SignatureBeauty]

Transition Over LOL!! I chopped Last Night!!!

 

[blksndrlla]

Planning on going through with BCing today. I'm excited!

Any PICS???!!!

Transition Over LOL!! I chopped Last Night!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

 

[SignatureBeauty]

^^^ Thank You Blksndrlla!! I just hate waiting! LOL!!!

 

[andromeda]

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?

Here's a newbie guide that has tons of useful links. As for must-have products, I think it comes down to starting with the basics (good shampoo, conditioner, deep conditioner, moisturizer, sealant) and building from there, while being attentive to the ingredients in the products you're using and how your hair (especially your new growth) reacts to them. I think learning the fundamentals of hair and what your hair wants and needs in terms of techniques and products will take you very far.

eta: Here's a best of the best for transitioners thread if you want to get a rundown of products others like.