Transitioning without BC'ing Support Thread

[naturallygoldie]

So...you're 8 months post relaxer?woooooowsers go for the transition

 

[SqrpioQutie]

So...you're 8 months post relaxer?woooooowsers go for the transition

yep - ... it started out as a stretch and then just kept extending further and further as i tried to see just how long i could stretch... after a while, i was like ok - let's think about letting go of it altogether... since i don't want to part with length, another bc was out...

i'm sure i'll be popping in here whenever i feel a little "weak"... lol

 

[naturallygoldie]

And I'll be sure to pop u if relax them gorgeous curls!!! Lol just kidding

But seriously..

We're here for ya..regardless

 

[daviine]

I think I know why some of my edges won't behave. I think the main reason is because that part of my hair is short. The relaxed part has broken off so that part is too short for me to pull back into the ponytail.

And I'm sure the texture has something to do with it but mainly the length.

 

[MystiqueBabe]

I'm 34 weeks today. I have no idea what my hair type is going to be but it seems that my edges are 4bc or something. I'm not looking for a sleek look because I don't think they can do that. They just end up looking fuzzy and then usually after an hour or so, a little patch comes up and it's like I have a dry micro-fro on one section.

Haha.... I didn't even think about "texturizing" my edges so it will blend better. I'm going to have to keep looking for a solution for my edges before I relax them because I haven't thought everything through yet, lil.

I don't know what my hair type is either. I am going to make a hair typing thread on my next wash day and have the other ladies on here tell me what my hair type is. I should have enough NG for them to tell which hair type I am. It will be fun experimenting with products that work good for my hair type. But from what I am reading, I think that I am a 4b(I can defintely see a Z like pattern on my hair) with some 4a...

 

[AJellyCake]

chrisanddonniesmommy
I was just saying that because I'm not quite 16 months and definitely couldn't get a bun out of my natural hair yet The prospect of 4 more months is so daunting to me!

Actually, I always wondered how long it took people to reach ponytail length or bun length, so that you for giving us an estimate. :yup:

Hahaha! I'm still rolling along my transition. Unless, I misunderstood the question. I figured twenty months because I was including the most natural hair with the least relaxed ends.

 

[Z-kitty]

I totally understand about not being able to achieve 2nd day hair. Very frustrating.

I went to Sally's today to buy Curlformers but they didn't have what I wanted. I wanted to just buy the hook and a 6-pack of long and wide curlers to try out on a small section. No way am I spending $70 on curlers I might not have the patience for and/or might not work.

I'm not sure what sizes I should try other than long and wide.

I'm sitting here now with over 70 bucks worth of rollers in my hair and a sore scalp. Actually took me longer to put them in than it would have taken to twist.
my hair doesn't even feel like mine it's so soft and silky. If the rest feels like my test patch I might stroke out.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

chrisanddonniesmommy
I was just saying that because I'm not quite 16 months and definitely couldn't get a bun out of my natural hair yet The prospect of 4 more months is so daunting to me!

Actually, I always wondered how long it took people to reach ponytail length or bun length, so that you for giving us an estimate. :yup:

naturalnewb

I believe in you. You can do it for another four months. I didn't think I could make it a year; but, I did. Take one day at a time. If not, you can always b.c.! Either way, I'm supporting you!

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

I think I know why some of my edges won't behave. I think the main reason is because that part of my hair is short. The relaxed part has broken off so that part is too short for me to pull back into the ponytail.

And I'm sure the texture has something to do with it but mainly the length.

daviine
Castor oil is your edges' best friend. At the very beginning of my transition, a sub-focus of mine were thicker edges (after being fried by relaxing). Every night, I slicked them down with regular castor oil (or you can use Jamaican Black, as well). My edges are thicker than they have been in a LONG time.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

chrisanddonniesmommy,
See thats the crazy part, manageable is sleek for me.
I have been applying JBCO since April w/o a change, all it does is make my edges heavy with oil and gives it a sense of being sleek for like 20 mins after taking off my scarf. Its hot as h3ll in Texas like average 105 degrees daily. I cant pack on JBCO without it running down my face later so I still end up looking like a grease monkey with baby curlies along my edges.

My edges are only going to thicken to a certain amount bc they were never full, even as a child. The only reason I have been putting JBCO on it was bc my hair is so fine that when I got my Senagalese Twist my poor edges couldnt take it and broke off. So if you look at my fotki you will see the result for my edges on the braids.

It has been filling back in nicely so I am good.
And I dont rely on relaxing them cause its not something that I do all the time. This was my first time doing it and I never said that I would def continue to do it, but if I get down the road in 6 more months and my edges are giving me h3ll again I will not have a problem slapping relaxer on them again (but we will see about that when we get there).
Its hard to say what you will do until you get there. I am use to sleek, nicely done hair and I was just rocking that with my hair in February. From Feb to April I was in the braids and after the braids its this.....I cant go from sleek to curly sue when that something I am not use to. Its still hard for me to deal with the middle but when I become frustrated I throw it in a ponytail and call it a day. I am not to the point of loving it yet especially dealing with 2 textures so as time passes it will be easier. I get lots of compliments on my hair texture from my friends but they dont know the truth (thats the inside= crown). I dont wanna NOT be myself bc I am transitioning....I wanna have a sense of being in control still.

To the bold I think I already kinda answered in my vent. I never had thin edges when I was relaxed (not thinner than what they normally are) not that I can recall anyways.....if it was it was bc of braids and the Africans but they always grew back. I know, I know my edges cant handle braids but what is a girl to do!

Imma keep on moving foreward and JBCO it up and finishing off this bottle of MN and see where that gets me. I know I went all over, off, and above on this response but my hair is giving me the blues LOL. Sorry!

ZebraPrintLover
Get the rant out! It's all good. Don't feel sorry for your feelings. Own them.

I'm here to help you through like the other LHCF sisters. Don't hesitate to ask (or scream), if you need to.

 

[daviine]

chrisanddonniesmommy

I love castor oil. I have Haitian Castor Oil and the clear one. I haven't been using them though (with the exception of earlier this week because I couldn't take it anymore) because the dermatologist told me not to use oils. I'm thinking that it will be okay to apply to the edges though. But won't the castor oil just make them more wild? I can barely handle the edges I have now.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

chrisanddonniesmommy

I love castor oil. I have Haitian Castor Oil and the clear one. I haven't been using them though (with the exception of earlier this week because I couldn't take it anymore) because the dermatologist told me not to use oils. I'm thinking that it will be okay to apply to the edges though. But won't the castor oil just make them more wild? I can barely handle the edges I have now.

I haven't experienced wildness. My edges just got fuller and softer.

 

[Lanea87]

I'm not sure what sizes I should try other than long and wide.

I have the long and wide and I love them (pink and orange, right?)
Those others are too small for my hair and I can see it being a tangly mess. The others are too big and my hair wont hold it.....Well since I have a bob now I cant wear them period.

daviine
Castor oil is your edges' best friend. At the very beginning of my transition, a sub-focus of mine were thicker edges (after being fried by relaxing). Every night, I slicked them down with regular castor oil (or you can use Jamaican Black, as well). My edges are thicker than they have been in a LONG time.

Thinking of you being this CO pusher I applied mines this morning and tonight LOL

 

[daviine]

I haven't experienced wildness. My edges just got fuller and softer.

Lol... Well, I guess "wild" edges would be a good thing. I guess I was thinking the castor oil would give crazy growth or something, lol. I'm just trying to imagine how I'm going to get the thicker/fuller edges to lay down. Figuring out what to do with my edges on a daily basis is the one of the most annoying part of transitioning I think. But if they get softer like yours, maybe that won't be an issue. Maybe they'll behave and lay down.

 

[daviine]

Driving through the Bronx.... Dominican blowouts and roller sets everywhere. Sigh....

Doesn't help that I woke up missing sleek hair... Time to find some natural hair porn.

 

[MsDee14]

Lol... Well, I guess "wild" edges would be a good thing. I guess I was thinking the castor oil would give crazy growth or something, lol. I'm just trying to imagine how I'm going to get the thicker/fuller edges to lay down. Figuring out what to do with my edges on a daily basis is the one of the most annoying part of transitioning I think. But if they get softer like yours, maybe that won't be an issue. Maybe they'll behave and lay down.

I got to the point where I don't even care about slicking my edges down. Especially in this heat. I either tie the front of my hair with a cute summery scarf, put on a head band or put a couple cornrows in the front that mimic a headband and call it a day.

 

[chrisanddonniesmommy]

Lol... Well, I guess "wild" edges would be a good thing. I guess I was thinking the castor oil would give crazy growth or something, lol. I'm just trying to imagine how I'm going to get the thicker/fuller edges to lay down. Figuring out what to do with my edges on a daily basis is the one of the most annoying part of transitioning I think. But if they get softer like yours, maybe that won't be an issue. Maybe they'll behave and lay down.

daviine
Sometimes I use a hair scarf to help with laying them down. Wait a minute Dominican blowouts and roller sets in the heat? WTF?

ZebraPrintLover
I'm your pusha woman!

 

[daviine]

I have so much to say but I'm on my phone and can't multi-quote.

I use a scarf on the new growth but I'm going to try leaving it for more than 45 minutes. I'm also going to start using gel. Maybe that will help on the days I can't find my headbands.

 

[Lanea87]

This is my little ponytail after cutting my weekend.











Surprised that my hair is still straight after the rain today.

 

[MarieB]

I don't know what my hair type is either. I am going to make a hair typing thread on my next wash day and have the other ladies on here tell me what my hair type is. I should have enough NG for them to tell which hair type I am. It will be fun experimenting with products that work good for my hair type. But from what I am reading, I think that I am a 4b(I can defintely see a Z like pattern on my hair) with some 4a...

I saw this on Facebook today, and it definitely made things easier for me:

Curlformers...helping me out again!

 

[Lanea87]

How many of you ladies wash your hair in sections?

I saw this on Facebook today, and it definitely made things easier for me:

I seen that too, I saved it to my phone. I THINK I am between 3c-4a throughout my head.

 

[Caramelangel247]

I can't figure out my hair type for anything. Maybe I have special 4d hair cause I don't see anything!
19 weeks of new growth and working with three different textures. Then today I told everyone that me and weave were breaking up. didn't know what to say except girl you better grab that dark and lovely.

Trying to go natural taught me how to take care of my hair and before I didn't know how. I was getting a perm monthly. I had two inches of hair... While I like my hair straight- I don't like to flat iron my hair. But I did it to show them my flatirons were good enough I could fake a perm.

Then I realized I'm so close to shoulder length!!! The back is about an inch below my shoulders but they are thin so I figure I need another three months before I can claim shoulder length but I'm flipping excited!!!

Am I the only black person to never have or see a Dominican blow out?

 

[Smiley79]

I'm desperately looking for a super moisturizing conditioner....I've tried Silk Elements and Aubrey Organics....only problem with AO White Chamelia is that its hard to get a hold of and that gets on my nerves. So Im on the hunt for something new.

 

[daviine]

Story of my life. I'm looking for a super moisturizing conditioner too. Let us know when you find it.

I've also seen that graphic... I'm pretty sure it's on my phone too. If its not on my phone, it's definitely on my laptop.

 

[Dayjoy]

I can't figure out my hair type for anything. Maybe I have special 4d hair cause I don't see anything!
19 weeks of new growth and working with three different textures. Then today I told everyone that me and weave were breaking up. didn't know what to say except girl you better grab that dark and lovely.

Trying to go natural taught me how to take care of my hair and before I didn't know how. I was getting a perm monthly. I had two inches of hair... While I like my hair straight- I don't like to flat iron my hair. But I did it to show them my flatirons were good enough I could fake a perm.

Then I realized I'm so close to shoulder length!!! The back is about an inch below my shoulders but they are thin so I figure I need another three months before I can claim shoulder length but I'm flipping excited!!!

Am I the only black person to never have or see a Dominican blow out?

I have never had one or even seen one that I know of either.

I saw this on Facebook today, and it definitely made things easier for me:

Curlformers...helping me out again!

I would have thought that the 4B and 4C would be flipped.

 

[MAHOGNEY329]

I am seven months post relaxer today! I will be honest that I go to the salon more now but I love the idea of being chemical free.

My natural hair intimidates me because it's a lot different from my relaxed hair but I have you guys and I will learn. I think I am going to invest in a Huetiful because my stylist eliminated all of my hair woes by steaming it.......lol

 

[Dayjoy]

I am seven months post relaxer today! I will be honest that I go to the salon more now but I love the idea of being chemical free.

My natural hair intimidates me because it's a lot different from my relaxed hair but I have you guys and I will learn. I think I am going to invest in a Huetiful because my stylist eliminated all of my hair woes by steaming it.......lol

I didn't even realize it until I read your post, but I made seven months too on Saturday. I too was going to the salon more often (at least until the kids got out of school for the summer ). I think I need a steamer too. I just don't know if I want a table top or stand.

 

[Leslie_C]

I didn't even realize it until I read your post, but I made seven months too on Saturday. I too was going to the salon more often (at least until the kids got out of school for the summer ). I think I need a steamer too. I just don't know if I want a table top or stand.

I was 22 weeks yesterday..yeah! Silly question....but do you count the months up by the number of weeks, or do you just count month to month from the date of your last perm? Its easier to count month to month, but I notice that counting by weeks puts you further ahead than I thought I was.

I would like to get a table top steamer Bc I already have a pibbs stand up dryer and I don't want another big appliance taking up a lot of space and having to store it out of the way. I didn't know they made tabletop steamers...do you know any good ones I should look at?

My hair has become much more manageable and the breakage is very little compared to how it was since it is finally accepting and retaining moisture. Its crazy..I must have the driest hair in the world because even what I considered soft before isn't anywhere near as soft as it has gotten now. My standard of moisturized then is still a little dry to me now...but what Im experiencing now is very moisturized hair and if it is getting dry and I add moisture, it accepts it without having to wash and start over like what was happening before. What a relief, I was getting so frustrated.

Style wise , I have been lazy and have been on a high bun kick bc it is easy and quick. Product wise, Ive discovered a couple of staples: CON Argan oil sulfate free shampoo, AG Recoil conditioner and AG Fast Food Leave In--exactly what my air needs. Slip, softness, detangling, shine. AG is part of the liter sale at Ulta right now for 14.99 plus you could use a $3.50 off $10 purchase coupon printable off their website. I like those conditioners so much, Im going back for more to make sure I have another bottle when I run out and maybe those would get me through to the next liter sale. 32 oz of salon quality product for 11.50 is very reasonable!

 

[daviine]

I am seven months post relaxer today! I will be honest that I go to the salon more now but I love the idea of being chemical free.

My natural hair intimidates me because it's a lot different from my relaxed hair but I have you guys and I will learn. I think I am going to invest in a Huetiful because my stylist eliminated all of my hair woes by steaming it.......lol

MAHOGNEY329
Yesterday I was looking up salons but then thought to myself, "What would I get done?"? I thought it might be silly to ask. What do you have done when you go?

ETA: I'm intimidated by my hair for the same reasons. I am so lost.

 

[MsDee14]

So I pulled down one of my front twists and my natural hair ends right at my eyebrows. I don't know if that's a good amount of growth or not. I don't want to measure my new-growth until I'm a year post to see if I really get 6 inches of growth a year. ....But in the mean time..I am applying a Sulfur Oil mix to my scalp at least 3 times weekly, taking biotin and msm daily and giving myself scalp massages as often as I can remember to TRY and speed up growth.