Transitioning without BC'ing Support Thread

[reallynow]

Why so?

I had much more time to devote to my hair and a great stylist at the time. She was all about getting me through my transition with healthy hair. I saw her monthly and in between I would literally do my wash day routine, put my hair in 4-6 braids and wear braid outs and buns. That stylist is no longer in the area and my new stylist is great but he is very expensive. Going back to long wash days is already making me anxious. LOL
My relaxed hair is different this time around so my natural hair may be different as well. We'll see.

 

[divachyk]

I had much more time to devote to my hair and a great stylist at the time. She was all about getting me through my transition with healthy hair. I saw her monthly and in between I would literally do my wash day routine, put my hair in 4-6 braids and wear braid outs and buns. That stylist is no longer in the area and my new stylist is great but he is very expensive. Going back to long wash days is already making me anxious. LOL
My relaxed hair is different this time around so my natural hair may be different as well. We'll see.

We're here for you to help you through this. Just don't give up without a fight. It's rewarding in the end. Makes the long, frustrating wash days worth it.

 

[reallynow]

Thank you so much @divachyk .

 

[lavaflow99]

2 years since last relaxer today!!

The transition has been going so smoothly. Using weaves for most of the transition with 1-2 month breaks between. I am liking what I am seeing and excited to see my final texture.

Right now I am weave free and wash days are pretty easy. I keep it up in a bun and only comb/manipulate on wash days. The challenge is going to be keeping it soft. After it dries (I wet bun) and it feels so dry! I want to give hair butters a try to see if it helps me retain more moisture.

I was going for 3 years transition but will reassess in 6 months. I probably have 70% natural/30% relaxed hair I think.

 

[Saludable84]

@divachyk @AgeinATL we were exchanging a little while back about protein usage. I'm currently at 2 months. I'm doing strand tests the day before wash day to assess.

 

[AgeinATL]

@divachyk @AgeinATL we were exchanging a little while back about protein usage. I'm currently at 2 months. I'm doing strand tests the day before wash day to assess.

I do one every 6 to 8 weeks. I do the same thing on wash day. My natural hair just doesn't need a strong protein very often. My bottle of komaza protein will last me a long time.

 

[VictoriousBrownFlower]

2 years since last relaxer today!!

The transition has been going so smoothly. Using weaves for most of the transition with 1-2 month breaks between. I am liking what I am seeing and excited to see my final texture.

Right now I am weave free and wash days are pretty easy. I keep it up in a bun and only comb/manipulate on wash days. The challenge is going to be keeping it soft. After it dries (I wet bun) and it feels so dry! I want to give hair butters a try to see if it helps me retain more moisture.

I was going for 3 years transition but will reassess in 6 months. I probably have 70% natural/30% relaxed hair I think.

Congrats... 2 yrs is quite a feat.. I was only able to go 19 months but luckily it was enough for me to have a good length. If you don't make it 3 yrs I'm sure you will still have a nice length to work with so don't worry too much but go as long as you can.

My natural hair was pretty dry in the beg as well and hemp seed butter really helped me retain moisture. My hair didn't like oils very much. Also if after trying butters you find it's still dry try changing shampoos. That was another cause of dryness for me. My relaxed hair didn't mind reg shampoo but natural hair hated it.

 

[Saludable84]

I do one every 6 to 8 weeks. I do the same thing on wash day. My natural hair just doesn't need a strong protein very often. My bottle of komaza protein will last me a long time.

My bottle will last me a year and I had the nerve to purchase a backup

 

[divachyk]

@Saludable84 @AgeinATL, likewise - my natural hair doesn't need protein nearly as much. I might use protein every two months or so and even then, I don't feel like my hair needs it. I do it just 'cause.

 

[Saludable84]

@Saludable84 @AgeinATL, likewise - my natural hair doesn't need protein nearly as much. I might use protein every two months or so and even then, I don't feel like my hair needs it. I do it just 'cause.

Because I'm LP and my hair is subject to moisture overload, I just do it anyway. It's not broken, so I'm not fixing it. I'll probably pull out the protein in a couple weeks.

 

[lavaflow99]

Congrats... 2 yrs is quite a feat.. I was only able to go 19 months but luckily it was enough for me to have a good length. If you don't make it 3 yrs I'm sure you will still have a nice length to work with so don't worry too much but go as long as you can.

My natural hair was pretty dry in the beg as well and hemp seed butter really helped me retain moisture. My hair didn't like oils very much. Also if after trying butters you find it's still dry try changing shampoos. That was another cause of dryness for me. My relaxed hair didn't mind reg shampoo but natural hair hated it.

Thanks!

And thanks for the recommendation of hemp seed butter. Can I find in stores or is it only online? I did see some brands on Amazon.

 

[VictoriousBrownFlower]

Thanks!

And thanks for the recommendation of hemp seed butter. Can I find in stores or is it only online? I did see some brands on Amazon.

I've only ever been able to find it online. I get mine from Amazon. I get it from a seller named Dr. Adorable but I think you can get it from anyone. It should be soft and yellow in color. Use it after moisturizing to seal.

I almost forgot to say don't get the one that you can eat. It should be specifically for hair and body.

 

[lavaflow99]

I washed my hair and lost so little hair!! It seems like the less relaxed hair I have, the more manageable my hair is.

I did a mini trim last week and took off about an 1 inch. So think I may be 80% natural/20% relaxed ends. I will take pic at my next wash day and post.

 

[AgeinATL]

I washed my hair and lost so little hair!! It seems like the less relaxed hair I have, the more manageable my hair is.

I did a mini trim last week and took off about an 1 inch. So think I may be 80% natural/20% relaxed ends. I will take pic at my next wash day and post.

I found this to be true as well. That is why I say that if people can get over that hump (when the amount of natural hair officially surpasses the amount of relaxed hair), the transition gets easier. Good luck with the rest of your transition!

 

[JessieLeleB]

Hey ladies I'm new to this thread... when I first joined I went natural for 2 years bald went APL then put heat on it and lost my curls so I relaxed my hair and then decided after 1.5 to go back natural so Dec '15 was my last perm I plan on BC this Dec at my 2 year mark... YaY!!!

 

[lavaflow99]

I have decided that I will reassess my hair length in about 5 months and if I like the amount of new growth then I will get rid of my remaining relaxed ends. I will be 2.5 years post at that time. If not, then I will weave back up and then definitely get rid of the remaining relaxed ends at the 3 year back. That's my final answer

 

[GettingKinky]

I'm 4 months away from the 3 year mark. I really want to chop. I'm not sure why I'm making myself wait for this magical 3 years.

 

[Coilystep]

I'm 4 months away from the 3 year mark. I really want to chop. I'm not sure why I'm making myself wait for this magical 3 years.

If you're ready to chop chop. Even if you don't make it all the way to a full three years you've made it a long way.

 

[GettingKinky]

I'm ready, but once I set a goal for myself I have a really hard time making myself change my plans.

 

[reallynow]

2+ years is amazing! My first transition my goal was 2 years but at the 18 month mark I sat in my stylist chair and told her to cut the ends off. I was tired at that point and wanted to play in my fully natural hair. I'm only 6 months in to this of 2 year transition and I'm ready to chop now. LOL

 

[TaurusGirl2001]

I'm eight months into my transition and my magical year is two years and then I'll chop off the relaxed ends. Until then I'm passed the point where my NG is manageable . So, I'll just stick to weaves , braids , and wigs .That NG was downright disrespectful after I took my crochet braids out . I couldn't get it to lay flat so I could bun it .

 

[Daina]

I'm eight months into my transition and my magical year is two years and then I'll chop off the relaxed ends. Until then I'm passed the point where my NG is manageable . So, I'll just stick to weaves , braids , and wigs .That NG was downright disrespectful after I took my crochet braids out . I couldn't get it to lay flat so I could bun it .

Hang in there, you're at that point where NG will act a fool but you've come so far...you will get to the other side!

 

[mz.rae]

9 months post going into 10 months. I can honestly say transitioning with a short hair cut is more challenging than when I transitioned with long hair. At least with long hair I could put it in a bun, do a braid out, something. With this short hair it only looks right flat ironed.

 

[TaurusGirl2001]

Hang in there, you're at that point where NG will act a fool but you've come so far...you will get to the other side!

Thanks

 

[lavaflow99]

I did a twist out (first time ever) and my relaxed ends didn't want to play nice at all. #epicfail

The weave may be calling my name sooner than later.

 

[GettingKinky]

I just had another ~2 inches trimmed off. I think I'm pretty close to being fully natural but I won't know until I wash my hair.

It feels short. :-(

 

[divachyk]

Natural hair has been wonderful for me with everything we have been going through medically. I can neglect my hair for days or even weeks without any major issues. Transitioning hair and/or relaxed hair would never let that happen.

I had a professional hair cut and wash and go several weeks ago and was very pleased with the results.

 

[IDareT'sHair]

@divachyk
And You Rockin' it too Gurl!

Glad it worked out for you.

 

[divachyk]

@divachyk
And You Rockin' it too Gurl!

Glad it worked out for you.

Thank you so much T!!!

 

[kim1006]

I am 8 months into my transition and have had no problems so far. I use curlformers to style my hair most of the time. Recently, I discovered Cantu Argan Oil Leave In Hair Repair, which gives me great definition. My hair is really soft and wavy after using. I have also been going to the salon to get it styled professionally. This is great in the winter but during the summer, I intend to do it myself with no salon visits. I am going to learn how to install flexirods and wear nice buns, pony tails, etc.