Well, I think that I am going to go back to relaxing after being natural for a few years. When I look back, I actually liked my hair best during transitioning. Weird? Plus, my purpose to transitioning was to grow my hair to a certain length and then start relaxing again, assuming that I know how to now care for relaxed hair, in order to show length. I like wearing my hair out and having it hang on my shoulders.
With a relaxer:
It is a wonder that I had any hair at all! My hair actually stayed a little longer than shoulder length. I raked combs through my hair and wondered why it broke. Every few months, I relaxed my entire head of hair! The biggie was that although I have thick, yet fine hair, I always used super strength and kept it in for twice the alloted time to get the bone straight look which I never got! My hair always ended up with a slight wave pattern, but never bone straight.
As a natural:
I just don't feel like I am glamorous (yes vanity) except in braids. Considering that my hair is somewhere around bra strap (which you can never really tell length on a 3C/4A), I don't get to show any length. What is the point of being on a journey for long hair if the length doesn't show?! Furthermore, being of school, work, and my workout schedule, I don't have the time to properly style my hair. My braid out no longer look good, because they are so big! I always have the biggest and frizziest ponytail, even in the winter. Finally, I am not being patient and my ends suffer because of it.
As a transitioner:
I transitioned for 2 years with braid outs. I love braid out styles! I used to just wash, add leave in, oil, and aloe vera gel and my hair was done for 5 days! Plus, my hair was healthy once I found good detangling conditioners. After not relaxing for almost a year, I flat ironed my hair one day and the thickness, the length, etc.... BEAURIFUL!
Changes:
I am thinking about using Motions oil mild or Revlon mild. I used to use Dark n Lovely super. I want to use a relaxer that is easy to find. I was thinking about the affirm but after I saw a few women freak out in the beauty supply store last week about the affirm not being in yet, I changed my mind.
1. Use a mild relaxer and keep it in for less than the recommened time. I want to more so texturize than relax. The bone straight look has only caused me damage.
2. Relax 2-3 times a year only. I used to relax every 6 months and thought that it was weird that many people did it less often. When I was transitioning, my hair was still manageable, easy to handle, etc for at least 6 months. After 6 months, I started using super detangling agent which made the transition continue to be easy for the full year.
3. Base scalp and edges with vaseline or castor oil.
4. No heat...Roller set to get the straight look.
I apologize for this post being so long, but I was on the roll!
With a relaxer:
It is a wonder that I had any hair at all! My hair actually stayed a little longer than shoulder length. I raked combs through my hair and wondered why it broke. Every few months, I relaxed my entire head of hair! The biggie was that although I have thick, yet fine hair, I always used super strength and kept it in for twice the alloted time to get the bone straight look which I never got! My hair always ended up with a slight wave pattern, but never bone straight.
As a natural:
I just don't feel like I am glamorous (yes vanity) except in braids. Considering that my hair is somewhere around bra strap (which you can never really tell length on a 3C/4A), I don't get to show any length. What is the point of being on a journey for long hair if the length doesn't show?! Furthermore, being of school, work, and my workout schedule, I don't have the time to properly style my hair. My braid out no longer look good, because they are so big! I always have the biggest and frizziest ponytail, even in the winter. Finally, I am not being patient and my ends suffer because of it.
As a transitioner:
I transitioned for 2 years with braid outs. I love braid out styles! I used to just wash, add leave in, oil, and aloe vera gel and my hair was done for 5 days! Plus, my hair was healthy once I found good detangling conditioners. After not relaxing for almost a year, I flat ironed my hair one day and the thickness, the length, etc.... BEAURIFUL!
Changes:
I am thinking about using Motions oil mild or Revlon mild. I used to use Dark n Lovely super. I want to use a relaxer that is easy to find. I was thinking about the affirm but after I saw a few women freak out in the beauty supply store last week about the affirm not being in yet, I changed my mind.
1. Use a mild relaxer and keep it in for less than the recommened time. I want to more so texturize than relax. The bone straight look has only caused me damage.
2. Relax 2-3 times a year only. I used to relax every 6 months and thought that it was weird that many people did it less often. When I was transitioning, my hair was still manageable, easy to handle, etc for at least 6 months. After 6 months, I started using super detangling agent which made the transition continue to be easy for the full year.
3. Base scalp and edges with vaseline or castor oil.
4. No heat...Roller set to get the straight look.
I apologize for this post being so long, but I was on the roll!
There are ways to make natural hair look long though. Check out saddity1's album! 
