Hello everyone,
I've recently started posting on this forum, and I love it so far- both lurking and reading. It seems to be a classy environment filled with educated friendly black women which is something that brightens up my life.
Anyways, I decided about a year ago to grow my 4b hair out from a relaxer. I started relaxing in 7th or 8th grade, and at that point my hair was extremely thick, full, and longer than shoulder length natural - I had never gotten it pressed so I don't know the maximum length. I completely want this hair back, and now that I know how much natural hair shrinks, especially my natural hair, I long for that length as well. But this year has been hard going in terms of cute hair styles, and so I am coming here for advice.
I was thinking of just doing a big chop, and cutting all my hair except my natural hair over winter break. It's about 6 inches long stretched and like 3 inches kept natural, but I really don't like short hair much and I have never had my hair shorter than it is now (somewhere between shoulder and bra length straightened.), and if I cut it, I will have an awkward transition going from a semi-short fro to longer look, and I believe that may be even harder than what I'm doing now and will probably last for a very long time. I'd love the ease and convenience, but I don't even know if I would like the look. I was also thinking of keeping on transitioning for about 1 and a half more years, but starting to press my hair semi-frequently. But that almost defeats the purpose of going natural by damaging the hair. I don't know how to press well anyways, and it would probably take a lot of heat to straighten my hair frequently.
What should I do? My long-term length goal is waist length straightened. I don't know how long my hair is now - somewhere between bra-strap and shoulder-length straighened. I'll guess about 2 inches from bra-strap length. I love straight hair and natural hair although I long for my natural style.
So what kind of regimen do you think I should keep? Currently, I conditioner wash frequently- whenever I feel like it, which ranges from every single day to once every two weeks. I do a deep conditioning treatment once a week. I have started the vaseline challenge. I put my hair in a poofy bun daily. I tried over the summer to learn how to do a straight roller set, but for the life of me, it didn't work and I don't know why. I can't transition with braids, because I can't afford to get them redone so frequently.
Any advice from someone with long hair who knows about how damaging heat is or someone with natural 4a/4b hair that has been in the same situation? Or anyone who feels that they can help me out? I would be eternally grateful. What kind of regimen should I be following for the next 3 years (time it would probably take to achieve my long-term goals)? And pretty please let it be a regimen that lets me feel cute every once in a while.
I've recently started posting on this forum, and I love it so far- both lurking and reading. It seems to be a classy environment filled with educated friendly black women which is something that brightens up my life.
Anyways, I decided about a year ago to grow my 4b hair out from a relaxer. I started relaxing in 7th or 8th grade, and at that point my hair was extremely thick, full, and longer than shoulder length natural - I had never gotten it pressed so I don't know the maximum length. I completely want this hair back, and now that I know how much natural hair shrinks, especially my natural hair, I long for that length as well. But this year has been hard going in terms of cute hair styles, and so I am coming here for advice.
I was thinking of just doing a big chop, and cutting all my hair except my natural hair over winter break. It's about 6 inches long stretched and like 3 inches kept natural, but I really don't like short hair much and I have never had my hair shorter than it is now (somewhere between shoulder and bra length straightened.), and if I cut it, I will have an awkward transition going from a semi-short fro to longer look, and I believe that may be even harder than what I'm doing now and will probably last for a very long time. I'd love the ease and convenience, but I don't even know if I would like the look. I was also thinking of keeping on transitioning for about 1 and a half more years, but starting to press my hair semi-frequently. But that almost defeats the purpose of going natural by damaging the hair. I don't know how to press well anyways, and it would probably take a lot of heat to straighten my hair frequently.
What should I do? My long-term length goal is waist length straightened. I don't know how long my hair is now - somewhere between bra-strap and shoulder-length straighened. I'll guess about 2 inches from bra-strap length. I love straight hair and natural hair although I long for my natural style.
So what kind of regimen do you think I should keep? Currently, I conditioner wash frequently- whenever I feel like it, which ranges from every single day to once every two weeks. I do a deep conditioning treatment once a week. I have started the vaseline challenge. I put my hair in a poofy bun daily. I tried over the summer to learn how to do a straight roller set, but for the life of me, it didn't work and I don't know why. I can't transition with braids, because I can't afford to get them redone so frequently.
Any advice from someone with long hair who knows about how damaging heat is or someone with natural 4a/4b hair that has been in the same situation? Or anyone who feels that they can help me out? I would be eternally grateful. What kind of regimen should I be following for the next 3 years (time it would probably take to achieve my long-term goals)? And pretty please let it be a regimen that lets me feel cute every once in a while.