Transitioners support thread

[phyl73]

It will be a full year for me the beginning of November. I did cut off a few inches back in March when I was so upset that my pony was so thin. Now I think I'll keep my permed ends until I reach BSL. I should be there this time next year. I'm glad I've stuck with it. My natural hair is so much thicker. It shows in my blow out.

 

[aramaticart]

How's everybody doing?? It's been a while!

Well... I'm trying to come up with new ways to moisturize my braids under my sew in. I moisturize w a cream and then squirt on some oil (CD Lisa's Hair Elixir). Any other suggestions would be great!

Also... have any of you ladies changed your reggies since the weather has gotten colder (depending on where you live)??

 

[The Girl]

I am doing okay...16 months in, dusting old ends randomly. I was looking at the ends today and wonder if I will still like them all natural but I am not relaxing sooo...

 

[Soliel185]

I made it to 10 months post. This past weekend I got my first full sew-in. I told the stylist I was transitioning, and she asked how long it had been since my last relaxer. When I told her she said "Oh girl, you don't need no relaxer. The hair closest to your scalp looks like it would straighten so easy. And your hair is super thick and growin too"

I will keep the sewin for 8-12 wks. My 1 yr anniversary is Jan 29th. I'm already excited b/c I know I'm going to make it.

 

[aramaticart]

I made it to 10 months post. This past weekend I got my first full sew-in. I told the stylist I was transitioning, and she asked how long it had been since my last relaxer. When I told her she said "Oh girl, you don't need no relaxer. The hair closest to your scalp looks like it would straighten so easy. And your hair is super thick and growin too"

I will keep the sewin for 8-12 wks. My 1 yr anniversary is Jan 29th. I'm already excited b/c I know I'm going to make it.

Soliel, your sew-in looks SO nice! Don't you feel so much more comfortable with transitioning now that your hair is put away? It's so easy to deal with. How are you taking care of the hair underneath?

 

[Soliel185]

Soliel, your sew-in looks SO nice! Don't you feel so much more comfortable with transitioning now that your hair is put away? It's so easy to deal with. How are you taking care of the hair underneath?

Thank you! It came out better than I expected. I don't know if I feel better or more comfortable, but I can definitely put it on the back burner now. I have a pretty good system for dealing with my NG, but it does require more maintenance. The Sew-in lets me focus on other things a bit more - esp with the holidays and everything coming up.

It's alittle hard to get to my scalp (she braided vertically) but I'm spraying with my sulfur 8 spray and then oiling with some BT. I use a tiny bit of Aloe Vera & Glycerine spray on my weave and the hair that's left out, and seal that with a very light coating of coconut oil, and castor oil for my edges. I was considering using MT, but there'' too much potential for buildup with my scalp hidden like this, so I think BT is better and it soothes my itchies.

 

[aramaticart]

It's alittle hard to get to my scalp (she braided vertically) but I'm spraying with my sulfur 8 spray and then oiling with some BT. I use a tiny bit of Aloe Vera & Glycerine spray on my weave and the hair that's left out, and seal that with a very light coating of coconut oil, and castor oil for my edges. I was considering using MT, but there'' too much potential for buildup with my scalp hidden like this, so I think BT is better and it soothes my itchies.

The sew-in helps me because it's so low maintainence compared to trying to deal with 15 mos. of new growth and skinny relaxed ends And it keeps me from wanting to BC prematurely or... relax


Do you get a lot of growth from the BT and/or sulfur 8 spray? I didn't even know there was a spray, I was considering getting some of the grease next week.

 

[Soliel185]

The sew-in helps me because it's so low maintainence compared to trying to deal with 15 mos. of new growth and skinny relaxed ends And it keeps me from wanting to BC prematurely or... relax


Do you get a lot of growth from the BT and/or sulfur 8 spray? I didn't even know there was a spray, I was considering getting some of the grease next week.

I did see faster growth with BT. I don't use Sulfur 8 for growth, I bought it for dry itchy scalp - it's a braid spray. The BT I really like during the winter b/c the dry weather gives me flaky scalp and I don't to wash so frequently with it being cold out. The sulfur in the BT keeps that at bay, and seals the moisture from the spray. Also, I like the scent.

 

[vivEz daNs lamouR]

How is everyone?

I've passed the 8 month mark, which is honestly pretty surprising for me because I didn't think I would make it! But now I'm just eager to get enough hair on my head to BC because I'm tired of dealing with two different textures. I've been flat ironing to get by, and honestly, it's working for me rather than to attempt to air dry in this cold weather.

 

[DaRealist]

I fell off, but I'm back in again.
I'm a measly 14 weeks post today
I plan to wear braids or cornrows to get me through this time

 

[Br*nzeb*mbsh~ll]

It will be a full year for me the beginning of November. I did cut off a few inches back in March when I was so upset that my pony was so thin. Now I think I'll keep my permed ends until I reach BSL. I should be there this time next year. I'm glad I've stuck with it. My natural hair is so much thicker. It shows in my blow out.

Are you doing anything special to get your hair to grow-in thicker?

 

[aramaticart]

I'm a measly 14 weeks post today

MEASLY?! You gotta start somewhere- and 14 weeks is a lot.

But I remember being X weeks post and people talking about they were X MONTHS post, I felt the same way.

Keep up the good work! Time will go by so fast!

 

[Sha76]

I'm in my 24th week. I have taken a bit of a break from braids, but I am going to try the curly fro from the lisa akbari on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZInve4LqQ8

 

[Chromia]

My Maxiglide arrived! I'll use it this weekend, probably after air drying. Next week I'll be exactly 14 months into my transition. I've been doing twistouts and braidouts for the last 9 or 10 months.

I had been avoiding direct heat, but I'm so glad I bought a blow dryer and a Maxiglide. I deep condition and I use a heat protector so I'm sure my hair will do fine with the heat.

 

[Whimsy]

My Maxiglide arrived! I'll use it this weekend, probably after air drying. Next week I'll be exactly 14 months into my transition. I've been doing twistouts and braidouts for the last 9 or 10 months.

I had been avoiding direct heat, but I'm so glad I bought a blow dryer and a Maxiglide. I deep condition and I use a heat protector so I'm sure my hair will do fine with the heat.

YAY!!! maxiglide got me thru my transition. I'm 15+ months into my transition and going strong. Recently trimmed and am approaching full BSL.

 

[faithful]

I did the big chop!

So after 2 years and 4 months of transitioning, I cut off the final 3-4 inches of relaxed ends! Whew! I'm flat ironed straight now for the trim. (Poofy because I forgot about completely avoiding the rain :-/ ) For some reason the back is longer than the very front. Now the real learning begins! Any tips?

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[Ediese]

Re: I did the big chop!

So after 2 years and 4 months of transitioning, I cut off the final 3-4 inches of relaxed ends! Whew! I'm flat ironed straight now for the trim. (Poofy because I forgot about completely avoiding the rain :-/ ) For some reason the back is longer than the very front. Now the real learning begins! Any tips?

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I can't wait to be where you are. I know it feels great to be rid of those ends, and your length is amazing!

 

[naturally-devine]

Ladies I am so glad this thread made it back to the top of the forum. I was on the ledge of relaxing (bought relaxer today). I think I may invest in the maxiglide. These days, I'm limited on time and I just need something to get me over this relaxer bug. I really want to complete this natural journey, but sometimes my patience wears thin and relaxing seems so much easier. I'm taking the relaxer back to the store tomorrow and reinvesting in a maxiglide. Thank you ladies just for sharing your experiences.

 

[LovelyRae]

Hi everyone!! This is my first post and although I have been a member for a while, I just became a full paying member this year. I have decided to transition also. My last relaxer was in April this year so I am going into my 7th month and it's getting pretty hard. But I just figured out my staple moisturizer which is the aloe vera juice + glycerin + a little suave conditioner. Not sure when I will BC but man I sure am ready though! I've done mini chops and now my current length is about shoulder length. I never knew that there was so many of us transitioning but it is very comforting to know that there are others out there!

 

[DaRealist]

Re: I did the big chop!

So after 2 years and 4 months of transitioning, I cut off the final 3-4 inches of relaxed ends! Whew! I'm flat ironed straight now for the trim. (Poofy because I forgot about completely avoiding the rain :-/ ) For some reason the back is longer than the very front. Now the real learning begins! Any tips?

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CONGRATS!!!!!
I want to be where you after 2 years of transitioning.
What was your main style while transitioning?

 

[DaRealist]

MEASLY?! You gotta start somewhere- and 14 weeks is a lot.

But I remember being X weeks post and people talking about they were X MONTHS post, I felt the same way.

Keep up the good work! Time will go by so fast!

Thanks Aramaticart!

Yeah, I said measly because if I hadn't caved my first time, I would be 6 months now.
However, I'm doing it this time...I think

time is flying now though, but i think it's because I am keeping my hair cornrowed.

 

[Eisani]

ONE YEAR TODAY!!!!
I don't know if I want to laugh or cry. I still plan on evaluating my long term goals and styling options to determine whether I'll texlax again or not. It is a good, free feeling though! Oh, and I do want a BACA one of these days

 

[faithful]

Thanks ladies! I wore different styles through out. Usually I picked one and stay with it for at least a few weeks. I wore buns A LOT, Braid outs, twist outs, pontails, 1 large french braid, wash and go ponytails and flexi rod sets, my friend also flat ironed me a few times when I felt like what am I doing - do I really want this. It was a nice change of pace and then I'd realize that I wanted my curls and hated caring what the weather was doing. After a week at the most my hair ended up in a ponytail or braid anyway. I did take pics along the way have to put them online somewhere.

I'm still flat ironed right now (since fri) nervous and excited about seeing it fully natural and curly. Planning to experiment this weekend. KUP!

 

[DaRealist]

Thanks, Faithful.

Congrats, Eisani!!!!!

 

[Garner]

Congrats Eisani!!! Keep up the good work! You are an inspiration to me and others on this Transition Journey!!!

 

[*closer*2*my*dreams*]

I've been transitioning since February 2008; I've had some feedback (both negative and positive); i'm tempted to relax though (no particular reason why, just an urge to) I'm trying to stay strong and finish this out, but i look at all of the beautiful relaxed heads and how their hair effortlessly goes into ponytails and how bouncy their rollerwraps/sets come out. some days i just wish i was relaxed.

 

[aramaticart]

ONE YEAR TODAY!!!!
I don't know if I want to laugh or cry. I still plan on evaluating my long term goals and styling options to determine whether I'll texlax again or not. It is a good, free feeling though! Oh, and I do want a BACA one of these days

CONGRATS!!

 

[faithful]

ONE YEAR TODAY!!!!
I don't know if I want to laugh or cry. I still plan on evaluating my long term goals and styling options to determine whether I'll texlax again or not. It is a good, free feeling though! Oh, and I do want a BACA one of these days

That's awesome!

 

[Creatividual]

I'm 6 months in this and no turning back. If anything, I have to fight the urge to BC right now! LOL. I'm trying to wait till May, which wold be a 1 year transition for me, at the earliest to BC b/c I want enough hair to do different styles with. I have hair ADHD and need to be able to wear and try different styles.

I don't think I have a desire to ever relax my hair again. I'm becoming more green and into my health and when I look at it from that perspective, I see that it's not healthy to relax.. And I'm just tired of doing it every 2 months. I'm just ready to have fun with the hair that grows outta my head naturally. Our curls are beautiful!

 

[faithful]

I've been transitioning since February 2008; I've had some feedback (both negative and positive); i'm tempted to relax though (no particular reason why, just an urge to) I'm trying to stay strong and finish this out, but i look at all of the beautiful relaxed heads and how their hair effortlessly goes into ponytails and how bouncy their rollerwraps/sets come out. some days i just wish i was relaxed.

Hi!

You're almost to a year! I think most of us have felt this way at some point during the transition. Someone told me at that point to try a different hairstyle - roller set, flexi rods, braids, twist out etc. Flat iron if you use heat.

As for the ponytail, which I am dependent on, I discovered for my hair- ponytails are much eaiser to achieve when at least the base of my hair is wet!

Hope you reach your goals what ever you decide!