Straw Curls for transitioning Hair?

[Amber_moon]

Ive made up my mind. I'm sick and tired of relaxers and I think I'm going to go natural. But the only problem is Ive gotten my hair to a point where I'm comfortable with the length.

I went to a salon that specializes in natural hair, and I was told that a great style to wear my hair in to transition is something called a "Straw curl".

Ive seen pictures of this, and I like it. But all the pictures Ive seen were on girls with chin length to shoulder length hair. Does anybody know how these would look on a girl with APL-BSL hair? Anyone have any pictures?

Also, is this a good idea for my hair?

Whats the upkeep like? The hairdresser told me I could wear the style for a month, as long as I didn't wash it or get it wet in any way. Is this healthy?

What are your thoughts? Im not trying to do a big chop for a LONG time. I want to grow out my natural hair and see if its a grade I can manage and want to deal with long term before I make the decision to cut the rest off.

 

[ClassicBeauty]

I did a straw set when my hair was about the length of yours. It looked pretty, but it didn't last a month. I personally can't think of any style that would last a month on me (maybe braids, but I don't wear them). After a week, it was time to wash and reset.

 

[Amber_moon]

I did a straw set when my hair was about the length of yours. It looked pretty, but it didn't last a month. I personally can't think of any style that would last a month on me (maybe braids, but I don't wear them). After a week, it was time to wash and reset.

Thanks... I mean this just didnt seem.... right... to me. I mean a whole month? I think she was just trying to make a sale.

 

[Mook's hair]

If you want to see a straw set on longer hair, go to Strands fotki
http://public.fotki.com/StrandzStylez/fly-stylings-by-you/straw-set-experiment/
I think you'll have to ask for her password in her guest book. Your hair is very long you might have to use 2 straws per hair part. I recently did a flexi rod set I think this is a good style for transitioning. I have pictures in my fotki album.


Here's what brought on my decision to go natural???
One day I was on LHCF and I read someone's post and it pretty much explained that with all the time spent stretching, you really only get a few months of not dealing with New Growth so you might as well go natural. Plus when you are natural, you don't have chemical damage.

If you want it straight, you can just blow dry & flat iron. You can still do the same things without the chemicals. Throw some rollers in and you've got curls.

Also I was looking through some peoples transition albums and I made a comment to 2 women saying, Wow, your hair and your waves are so beautiful. Why did you ever even have a relaxer? Well that got me to thinking, hmmm, I wonder what my natural texture would be like. Do I really need a relaxer? So, I just became more & more curious about my natural texture. I've been told that this early part of the transition does not represent what the true texture is. They call this early stuff (Scab hair) Not until about 6 or 7 months do you really see the truth. (please correct me if this is wrong)

I have been very indecisive about this decision up to now. I am finally comitted but I will not BC for a long time. I'm also at a point where I'm comfortable with the length. I have to get my natural length at least to my shoulders before I can BC. so I am going with the trim as you grow program mostly to keep my husband happy. It really helps that I can do cornrows myself. This hair is super thick and I just feel like I want to see what it really is.

Lastly I have just had too many relaxers come out bad. Last year I even had a chemical burn that turned into a bean sized growth in my scalp called a pyogenic melanoma. I had to go to the dermatologist to have it removed. It's time for me to call it quits with relaxers.

 

[Innocent_Kiss]

I do a similar set when I have a lot of new growth but don't want to rush and relax. I do rollerset with perm rods so it'll come out as a tight curl. Then, I seperate the curls with my fingers for a full look. I'm sure straw curls work the same way Are you going to actually use straws? The upkeep is a hundred times easier than maintaining straight hair. For night time maintenance, I need some tips on this myself. Using a scarf flattens the curls. So, I changed my pillow case from cotton to satin. In the morning, I just retouch up with my fingers, maybe brush my edges, and spray a little hair oil or oil sheen. You can jazz it up with make up and cute earrings, too.

 

[ThursdayGirl]

I would be surprised if it lasted more than a week,
but what you may be able to do is manipulate the style a little to get 4 looks out of it.

week 1 - strawset
week 2 - curly ponytail
week 3 - updo
week 4 - twist it up and wear a twist-out

 

[Amber_moon]

If you want to see a straw set on longer hair, go to Strands fotki
http://public.fotki.com/StrandzStylez/fly-stylings-by-you/straw-set-experiment/
I think you'll have to ask for her password in her guest book. Your hair is very long you might have to use 2 straws per hair part. I recently did a flexi rod set I think this is a good style for transitioning. I have pictures in my fotki album.


Here's what brought on my decision to go natural???
One day I was on LHCF and I read someone's post and it pretty much explained that with all the time spent stretching, you really only get a few months of not dealing with New Growth so you might as well go natural. Plus when you are natural, you don't have chemical damage.

If you want it straight, you can just blow dry & flat iron. You can still do the same things without the chemicals. Throw some rollers in and you've got curls.

Also I was looking through some peoples transition albums and I made a comment to 2 women saying, Wow, your hair and your waves are so beautiful. Why did you ever even have a relaxer? Well that got me to thinking, hmmm, I wonder what my natural texture would be like. Do I really need a relaxer? So, I just became more & more curious about my natural texture. I've been told that this early part of the transition does not represent what the true texture is. They call this early stuff (Scab hair) Not until about 6 or 7 months do you really see the truth. (please correct me if this is wrong)

I have been very indecisive about this decision up to now. I am finally comitted but I will not BC for a long time. I'm also at a point where I'm comfortable with the length. I have to get my natural length at least to my shoulders before I can BC. so I am going with the trim as you grow program mostly to keep my husband happy. It really helps that I can do cornrows myself. This hair is super thick and I just feel like I want to see what it really is.

Lastly I have just had too many relaxers come out bad. Last year I even had a chemical burn that turned into a bean sized growth in my scalp called a pyogenic melanoma. I had to go to the dermatologist to have it removed. It's time for me to call it quits with relaxers.

This is an awsome album. Thank you for pointing it out to me.

I feel the same way about my hair. If Im going to be spending most of the year with it natural anyway... why not just spend ALL of it natural?

I just still have so many hangups and issues I have to get over. (my fathers side of the family was big on that "straight long hair and creamy light skin" crap. I got cut out of my grandmothers Will basically for tanning too much but thats a story for another time...) And so deep down... Im really kind of SCARED of my natural hair. (I know that sounds horrible doesnt it???)

But Im going to try it. And I figure, if its too much to handle.... then I can always go back right? But giving my hair a break from unnatural chemicals cant HURT it.

Thank you so much you are a GREAT help to me.

 

[Tiffchelle22]

Congratulations on your decision to transition. This is something I have debated for a few years, but never stuck it out. I'm debating it again, and I'm trying to do a 6 month stretch and will re-evaluate at the end of the stretch. My stretch coincides with the HYH till Christmas challenge.

I think the straw set will look pretty on your hair, but like others have said, I don't think it would last beyond a week. However, the ladies here have good ideas for hairstyles in the transition, like the flexirods or braids.

I wish you the best on this journey. I'm sure you will find a great deal of support on this board.