New *2011* Transitioners Support Thread!

Nuelle - My 2 year anniversary is Saturday..... I may BC then. We'll see.

thanks WriterGirl

Im going to need as much help as possible. I never really did anything to my hair besides relax and wrap.

1. How far into the transition are you? 27 weeks or 6 months
2. Whats your transition goal? at least 24 months

These next 18 months should be interesting since I have no idea what to do with my hair when I don't straighten. Breakage is killing me right so if I don't get that under control I may not make my goal.

Current length thin APL

Z-kitty

I've been MIA for a while but checking in @ 96 weeks today. On my way to 104 weeks and then BC-ing that should leave me with at least shoulder length stretched hair (dang shrinkage!). Now that summer's her WnGs have really helped solve my styling dilemas.

Only 8 more weeks to go!

Hey Ladies

I wish you the best.

I have crossed over.

Nappyheaded Itgirl

Hey Ladies after 18 months and 1 week I BC'd.. Been natural for 2 weeks now.. Just mostly been wearing my natural hair in cornrows and twist.. Hairstyle I got from Tiashauntee you -tube page.. My hair is no where as long as her but it's a cute style.. I tried twist this weekend they just a little too short should have done it on stretched hair.. I might end up putting kinky twist in myself..

Nuelle

Congrats

Hey ya'll this seems like a new group of people since I started transitioning, lol. I'm still going at it

i haven't been here in a LONG time.

i was 2 years post on july 1st. i have yet to cut off the remaining relaxed ends, even tho i have been trimming it off for quite some time. there isn't much left, but i dunno - can't bring myself to do it yet.







my front?- the curls/waves/z's don't seem to be as defined as the back. it's also not as thick.
the back?- geez. THICK.


i have conditioner in it. prepping/detangling prior to wash.

sorry if they're too big!

dorko Your hair looks scrumptious!

I'm still hanging in there ya'll. Been in vacation mode but these wide and extra wide curlformers are really helping me out -- weddings, special occasions, etc. I wear them down and pincurl for 3 days and then wear them up in a banana clip.

I'm still having problems with keeping my new growth moisturized. Every time I think I have it, my hair says "Sike!"

I have about 3 inches of new growth, which is really good. I would probably be APL straightened.

It's a little discouraging but I'm in this to win this so I'll just keep trying new things until I hit something that works.

Every time I feel like I want to quit, I look at the fotkis of my 4a/4b hair twins mrsjohnson75 and Alta Angel. They have gorgeous hair and that's what's helping to keep me inspired.

Keep up the good work ladies!

Hey everyone!
Checking in.. 29 weeks... 6 months, 24 days. Kinda surprised I lasted this long! It's not so bad as I thought. In this time I have tackled hair loss, which is coming back around - my crown is mostly filled in, and my left edge has grown (but still very short).
But then again, I think I take the easy route b/c I straighten my hair every week. Every other week I go to the salon, and on my off weeks and I wash, airdry/blowdry and flat iron. AND I got color on memorial day weekend (had to brighten myself up after getting a semi-drastic trim).
However, I have reached a frustration point.
#1 - not a ton of new growth! My hair has been various neck lengths for.. ever. I hoped transition would help speed up the hair growth. My hair definitely grows healthily out of my head.. I've finally had the epiphany that it's just not retaining!
#2 - on top of this, I've reached a setback... Breakage. Now, I've always been one to have breakage and tons of shedding. I have a bad case of HIH syndrome. Now I'm starting to feel like the breakage that at the left edge is spreading upward. And I'm noticing all kinds of splits halfway up the hair shaft -- I've never had that before! And as I'm inspecting my hairs, they feel kinda tougher at the ends, and sometimes have the crinkly split at the end.
So.. I'm here for support.. WHAT TO DO?
I really thought I'd discover a no-heat style that worked. But I'm always too afraid to try out a style, for fear i'll just have to add more manipulation by correcting the style (ahem, flat-ironing back to straight). My hair is mostly neck length, but at the same time sections are all different lengths.. shorter hair at the crown / top.. the breakage at my edge... I'd love to master a curly style but don't like the short look it creates, and i think the different lengths i have will just make the curly style look even odder.

sigh. that's my rant.

^^ 05girl - We are right there together in our transitions with time, breakage, and styling challenges. Finally found a conditioner that softens my extremely dry hair. Thanks To TJ nourish spa I just might last for another 1.5 years.....

Hey ladies I'm 40 wks post as of this past Saturday! However today I got tired of the split ends, plus they started splitting further up the hair shaft! So i grabbed the scissors and cut all the relax ends off!

Z-Kitty how are you styling your hair? Are you NL as well?
I will definitely check out the conditioner. I picked up some Shea Moisture Raw Shea Restorative Trauma Masque from Target but don't think it made a big difference.

Ladies,

6 months post!

I invested in a steamer and tried it for the first time today. I also tried out Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose. Oooh, girl. Not a lot of slip but the results were . I can't wait to try my beloved White Camellia, which has tons of slippage. I don't know if the steamer helped or not with this. I did add some extra jojoba oil to the mix. Afterward, detangling was a breeze.

I'm really proud of going 6 months. I've NEVER been this long without a relaxer. I have about 3 inches new growth and 7 inches relaxed ends. Definitely 4bish/4aish.

Right now, I'm using curlformers to stretch out new growth. And just wear it either down the first couple of days and then mostly up.

I plan on doing buns most of the time when the weather turns colder.

I also found that using Nexxus Emergencee 1x or 2x a month has really helped keep my line of demarcation strong as well as clarifying with Redken Cleansing Cream once a month (I think I have hard water).

On wash day, I spray my roots with Aloe vera juice and oil-prepoo with Vatkia oil, which really helps with the detangling then I shampoo in sections with either Elasta QP Creme Conditioning shampoo or Shea Moisture's Moisture Retention shampoo.

Looking forward to the next 6 months!

Bye Bye Ladies! I have BCd.

No I don't have pics. Just wanted to wish you all well.

1. How far into the transition are you? Just hit 13 weeks. Definitely territory I have yet to tread.

2. Whats your transition goal? I want to go about 2 years or until my hair reaches APL stretched. But the way I keep my hands in my hair, I'm sure my relaxed hair is going to break clear off before then. I need help! I probably should braid it up, but I don't really want to.

I got my last perm on February 22, 2011. If I'm not mistaken it has been 23 weeks. I would have never thought that I could do this. Thank you ladies so much for being here.

* Saturday, the 7th, will be 30 weeks for me.
* My goal is 18-24 months depending on length. I want SL stretched before I cut. Right now I have about 3-3.5 inches.

A few months ago I cut off the relaxed ends from my nape (major problem area while relaxed) and since then the curlies have made their presence known. I did the same to my temples and have curlies there to. It's been easy breezy so far. Hoping for another easy 30.

ETA: I trimmed about an inch all around last weekend, I'm sure its uneven but I haven't worn a straight style in months so.... Some recent style pics are attached.

Just about 15 months and still going strong.

I do feel like cutting my relaxed ends. But, I really want to get to 24 months before I do. I don't know if I'll make three years.

I'm 16 wks into my transition & I'm not going to BC, I'll have my relaxed ends cut off as my hair grows.
I'm seriously considering investing in WEN, I don't want to poo anymore- I don't like the stiff/dry feeling of my hair after poo.
Has anyone had success using WEN to keep your hair/roots moisturized during transition?
If so, which WEN formula did you use?
Lately I've been moisturizing/sealing with Shea Butter/oil- I put a lil Shea butter in my hand & a few drops of my oil mixture (hot six oil, aloe & shikakai oil); I rub this all through my hair & wrap it. I also put the oil on my scalp which has been dry & flaky; the flakes are not normal for me. I've been doing a Brahmi/henna/amla powder mixture weekly for strength & moisture- the color is a bonus.
I picked up some Neem powder today to try- it's suppose to be really good for your scalp health.


"...Forgetting what is behind and looking forward to what is ahead,..."
Philippians 3:13

1. How far into the transition are you? 11 months
2. Whats your transition goal? I'm thinking just trim as I go until it's gone. I originally just wanted to stretch my relaxer. Now that I'm past 6 months, things are getting easier to deal with. My texture seems to be mixed with 3c nape and crown area, 4a sides and middle. I even have some that doesn't seem as curly. Not sure what to call it. I just take things one day at a time.

Checking in @ 103 weeks. Next week I'll reach my goal of a 2 year transition.

I haven't decided if I'll bc or try to go another year. I haven't used heat in sooo long! I was btk-ing but I haven't done one of those in awhile too.

Looking good ladies. Just had to peek in and check on y'all

8 months. I'm getting the urge to cut but instead I'll just enjoy this length I'm getting.

I'm glad to see everyone going strong!!

15 months and then some chugging along.

7 months transitioning!

I'm actually surprised. But my hair is doing so well. I have about 4 inches of new growth.

I think the biggest difference since I've started is putting a water filter in my shower and investing in a steamer.

Continued good work ladies.

Wow! I feel like a newborn compared to you ladies My last relaxer was June 29th. I don't have any plans for how long I will transition, I'm just going with the flow. If i have the urge to relax, I will just pull out the flat iron. I know i will never go back to a relaxer. My hair never thrived like i wanted it to, even with the good practices. I had too many setbacks because my scalp couldn't handle the relaxers anymore. I'm excited.