by
Christina Patrice
Lately, I’ve been getting a lot of e-mails and questions about tips, advice, product recommendations, and secrets for successfully transitioning to natural hair. Once you’ve made up your mind to go natural, it’s pretty easy to become obsessed. And with a plethora of blogs, websites, YouTube videos, Instagrams, Pintrests, Facebook pages and Google Plusses, the world of natural hair is never more than a few clicks away. Before your eyes glaze over, or you find yourself caught in the whirlwind frenzy of products. pH balancing, porosity, and parabens, take a second and breathe. Transitioning may be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be complicated.
FYI: I’m not there yet! June marks 16 months in the struggle (lol) for me….and I’ve got at least 3 more to go before I’m done. While I haven’t reached the promised land yet, I have definitely had my share of stumbles and successes. Keep reading to get a general idea of what I went through my first year of transitioning, as well as some do’s and don’ts to help encourage and keep you on track. Every transition isn’t the same, but hopefully there are some tidibits in here to help you along the way!
1 – 3 Months: Excited and Gullible
The first three months of my transition, I was doe-eyed…to say the least. I spent a LOT of time oogling over the likes of Hey Fran Hey, Naptural85, and Mahogany Curls — longing for the day my tresses would hover in their territory. I also found myself obsessed with what I later found to be the biggest waste of money for a transitioner — styling products. Even though I knew and accepted that my hair was heat damaged, I held out hope that some miracle potion would deliver rejuvenated curls as promised on the label. Needless to say, that didn’t happen.
DO: If you’re just beginning your transition, commit the first three months to developing good haircare habits — they’ll carry you further in the long run. If you don’t already, sleep with a satin (or silk, if you’re fancy!) scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase. Learn how to properly moisturize and seal hair. In the first three months, practices like finger detangling aren’t vital, because most of your hair will still be straight (whether heat damaged or relaxed), and fairly easy to comb through. Months 1 – 3 is also a perfect time to clean house in terms of products. If you’re transitioning from a relaxer and you still have some creamy crack stashed somewhere, throw it out or give it away. Or, if you just so happen to have the receipt, return it. For those transitioning from heat damage, store the irons out of sight, or put them in someone else’s care. If you’re giving up sulfates, silicones, mineral oil, petrolatum, parabens, etc., chuck those products as well.
DON’T: Waste money or time trying to “get your curl back”. It’s not coming back. More than likely, it left the building a LONG time ago and you were too busy flat ironing or relaxing to notice. The first three months is also not the time to buy into hair typing (if ever at all). It’s much too early in the game to decipher how your natural hair will behave, and hopping on the typing bandwagon (among others) will serve you absolutely no purpose. Also, avoid immediately slapping your hair into box braids or Havana twists. With only a small amount of new growth, your hair is highly susceptible to breakage from the stress and weight of added hair at this point. Save those styles for later on down the line.
4 – 6 Months: Why Did I Do This, Again?
After the first leg of my transition was down, I found myself excited when I straightened my hair for the first time. It was longer, stronger, and thicker than what I started with. That alone kept me encouraged through month 4, and into 5. Then I hit a wall. My go-to styles were no longer working. My banana clips (God, I loved me some banana clips) wouldn’t stay closed to save my life, and I couldn’t fake the funk with my pseudo wash n’ go anymore. I was frustrated. I had doubts. Everything I was learning seemed for naught. My hair was driving me crazy.
DO: When you hit a wall in your transition, change something up. This is the perfect time to start experimenting with transitioner styles that blend textures, finger detangling, protective styling, and maybe even a new product or two. This is also the right time to start paying extra attention to the line of demarcation between your new and old hair. Gentle handling, regular deep conditioning, and protective styling combined with those moisturizing and sealing techniques you learned early on will help minimize breakage. Lastly, find the best detangling products and method for you. Get a handle on it now, because as any naturalista would tell you, you’re gonna need it in the future. Like next week.
DON’T: Give up and go back to what you were doing out of frustration. It’s ok to use heat seldomly (once every 3 months or so), but don’t start flat ironing on a weekly basis because you hate the way your hair looks right now. It will only lead to more damage.
7 – 9 Months: That Awkward Moment…
For me, months 7, 8, and 9 were just plain awkward. Although I was loving my hair and digging my new growth, I found myself in an unflattering in-between stage, reminiscent of wearing a training bra. Too much to not need anything, not enough for the real deal. I found myself wanting out of this stage ASAP. I buckled down on my vitamins, scalp massages, and even subjected myself to some totally unflattering hairstyles in the name of growth progress.
DO: This is the perfect time to adopt washing your hair in sections, to prevent re-tangling during the cleansing process. Continue to be diligent. Your hard work is going to pay off. Keep detangling gently, cleansing regularly, deep conditioning, moisturizing and sealing. If you’re into building a regimen, then create one at this point that works for you. If not, you can always go ahead and with listening to your hair and acting accordingly.To help keep your mind off of the starkly different textures, find a few staple styles that are great for blending — like satin strip braidouts, straw sets, twist and curls, flexi rods, bantu knot-outs, or Curlformer sets. Master these staple styles, and make them your go-to when you get tired of buns, updos, or just looking at partially textured, partially straight hair.
DON’T: Start curl coveting, or beating yourself up over growth progress. Yes, Mahogany Curls, Naptural85, Hey Fran Hey, and Chime Edwards all have GORGEOUS hair. And if you follow many of their journeys (especially Mahogany Curls and Naptural85), you’ll see that they didn’t get those amazing manes overnight. Everyone’s hair grows at a different rate, so don’t get all up in arms if you only get 1/4 inch of growth per month, instead of 1/2 or 1 inch. Besides, your hair might be growing faster than you know — but you just can’t see it because its all curled and coiled up.
10 – 12 Months: Closer to My Dreams…
Once I got closer to the year mark, I really hit my stride. I had a firm grasp on what worked for my hair, and what didn’t. I could do my favorite styles in my sleep. At this point, I could really see my texture coming through, and I was more committed than ever to seeing this thing to the end.
DO: Get ingredient savvy. Sure, over the past year you’ve learned all about silicones, sulfates, parabens, mineral oils, petrolatum, and other generally “red flag” ingredients. But have you educated yourself on fatty alcohols, humectants, ingredients that penetrate, and those that repair? Now is a great time to get beyond surface level and really understand the products you’re using, or interested in using. Jc of The Natural Haven, The Beauty Brains, and the EWG Skin Deep Cosmetic Database are great resources. You can also get into the DYI trend, if that tickles your fancy. Making your own flaxseed gel, whipped shea butter, oil blends, and more is a great way to save money and use quality ingredients.
DON’T: As you approach or hit the one year mark, try not to fall prey to product junkie-ism. Because you see your hair texture more, you might be more prone to scooping up everything that says curl defining on the bottle — but don’t. Experimenting with a product or two is always fine, but don’t go burning through a wad of cash at this point…or ever.
1 Year + : It’s All Up to You
After you hit the year mark, it’s really whatever you want from your hair. If you’re ready to cut, cut. If you want to keep going, keep going. I’ve personally been transitioning for 16 months, with at least 3 more to go before I consider chopping the rest. Once I got to 15 months, I found myself comfortable rocking wash n’ go styles. I still protectively style, but not as diligently (because I love my hair so much, I want to wear it out like all the time). I’ve become more diligent about the connection between healthy hair and a healthy body. Regular exercise, a cleaner diet, drinking plenty of water, vitamins and supplements are all as important to me as henna treatments, gentle handling, and maintaining moisture. The only major change to my regimen I’ve made is steaming my hair during detangling, pre-pooing and mid-week for moisture…but that’s a story for another time. The bottom line is, after a year all the grueling work is done. Everything pretty much runs like clockwork. Just figure out what you want to do next!
It’s important to remember, there is no set timeline on the following things during your transition to natural hair:
Lastly, here are some things to avoid at every stage of your transition:
Above all else, remain patient and enjoy your transition!!!
Ladies, can you relate to this timeline? What was your transition like?
For more from Christina check out her blog, The Mane Objective. You can also find her on Instagram and Facebook.
74 Responses
I love your blog it has helped me so much while transitioning. I am now 14 month post and mostly keep my hair in braids. Also I wanted to order some shea butter but was reading about it melting before I receive it. What are your thoughts. Thanks.
First off, I’m 14 and I’ve wanted to be natural ever since I learned about it. I don’t necessarily have the funds to buy the products myself. When I tell members of my family all I get told is that I don’t have that type of hair. I can’t make them buy the things necessary for me and even when show them videos or websites or forums, they’re saying I’m doing it because I see other girls do it. I want to do it for me not because other girls are. I want to be healthier and flaunt my curl locks. Every time a perm is put in my head I think my hair breaks off more and more. My hair is overprocessed heat damaged and so much more. Its around my ears
I’m almost 13 months post texturizer! This is so true!!! Great job! I plan on doing more protective styling so I won’t have to comb my hair everyday! It’s good to keep track of your progress! I document mine on my instagram: transition2fro. My big chop might be sooner than I thought!
When transitioning do have to cut your hair first to remove some of the relaxed parts?
Clip your ends as often as you usually do so it’s gradually gone, or you can do the big chop. Either way. But yes, ultimately you have to cut your hair to remove the process parts.
I have had braids extensions for the last year in a half, do is my hair ready to just start wash and gos or is there more transitioning I need to do without the braids?
Many thanks for your advises. What if we want to go natural and Keep straightening our hair weekly? Im 4 month post texturizer my hair are not in a bad states at all but I dont actually need chemical to straighten them as using heat is enough. My stylist agrees Is it wrong to just want to go natural and keep Straightening our hair? I think Michelle Obama is natural and her hair rocks. Sometimes it feels like if we are not natural people judge us if we are transitioning and keep using heat people judge us to. Its not encouraging sometimes.
I have relaxed my hair this was my first time ever now i want to go natural because I’m not liking this whole relax stuff…will it take time to be natural again if it was my first time relaxing my hair?
You can either chop off all the relaxed hair, or transition for however long you want. The relaxed hair will never be natural again. So it’s up you.
I’ve been transitioning for 6 months now and my hair always comes out in clumps after I wash it (i even wash in sections but it doesn’t work)and even when I don’t and its soo unbearable ..I need some advice please
Hi Elsa,
What are you doing to maintain moisture levels in your hair while transitioning. Also, are you deep conditioning weekly and doing deep conditionings?
Are you using a comb to detangle? I ask because I learned early in my transition that if I stood any chance of not experiencing major breakag I had to ditch my comb and finger detangle only. Before I wash I lightly finger detangle my dry hair and section into 6 sections. Then I apply Conditioner to each section and let it sit. After 5 mins I go back through each section and finger detangle in more detail. When I rinse each section I detangle more under the running water. Before I did this I used a comb and pulled out hair by the handfuls. Now I barely pull out any hair.
I’ve been transitioning for 9 months now and Im experiencing major hairfall especially in the shower…I think I’m gonna go bald
Have you been deep conditioning weekly and keeping your hair moisturized? Also, when I wash my hair I finger detangle. I’ve been transitioning for 1 year and 2 months and have experienced very little shedding, as a matter of fact, I’ve had my same rate of shedding as I did when I was getting a relaxer.
1 year post relaxer and 1 month post big chop. I’m in the awkward stage but I don’t really have a problem with it. I love my hair and so does everyone else lol . just don’t get a relaxer especially 5 months post relaxer or up. You will regret it and throw out all the progress you made. Surround yourself with positive people, it makes things much easier .
Best advise i have come across so far for beginners. Thank you!!!
Also could someone tell me how to take care of my hair underneath braids and weaves
Im so confused about this.. ive had a sew in since may which was also my last relaxer and im planning on getting box braids soon. Im not sure about the first 3 months…there’s no way I can wear my real hair out mainly because of trips and im starting college in the fall for those months what should I do?
I’m at 10 months of transitioning and I know exactly what you’re going through.
Even though you’re in your first three months, you can still wear out your hair. At this point your hair is probably reaching the half inch to 1 inch mark (depending on growth rate.) It’s enough to make you see the difference but not enough to make you stop wearing your hair out.
My first 3 months we’re rough because every time I looked at my new growth I wanted to cut it! But I knew the length wouldn’t work, so I mainly wore protective styles like buns and braids (if I didn’t want the braids down, I tied them up.)
And with college? Oh boy it’s so hard to fit doing your hair into a busy schedule! I’m only taking 4 classes this semester (evening classes) from Monday through Thursday. I plan on soaking my hair with some conditioner on Thursday nights, then shampooing or co-washing on Friday, and finally styling on Saturday.
During college, buns and blow outs (in my opinion) are your best friends. I’m going to try Havana Twists for the first time this October, since my hair is hitting that awkward phase, and to protect it from the upcoming California cold this winter.
Also try mixing up your regimen with some hats. I’m lazy and depend on hats during the fall. Usually I section out a small section of hair from the front, then tie the rest into a pony tail. I then braid or flat twist that section and Bobby pin it to the side. Then I cover the rest of my hair with the hat and let the braid or twist hang out and rub some oil on for protection.
Hope this helps!
I have been transitioning for 4 months and hit that exact same wall as you i am going crazy here but i REFUSE to get a silk or perm i love my natural look and hair its beautiful experience and to be able to see the evolution of natural hair is great experience
I didnt wait for new growth, once I put in my relaxer I made the decesion to go natural not long after. I started my regimen a week later. I see it as training my hair early to get it ready! No regrets so far…4 wks post
Hello
I was wondering if there was a “waiting period” from relaxer to transitioning. Should there be a certain amount of new growth before I start the process?
Just stop getting relaxers
I’m 9 months into my transition and it’s so frustrating nd hectic , my hair is just too full for me to manage 🙁 help?
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So I Am 5 Months Natural And I Am Loving It. My Curls Are Tight And Springy. People Have Their Negative Thoughts And They Refuse To Understand That It’s Mine And Mine Only. It Took Me A While To Embrace My Natural Hair But I Must Say, I Look Alot More Beautiful Than Ever!!
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I have successfully reached the 4 months stage! I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it but I’m in love. I’ve learnt soo much. I treat my hair so well and the new growth seems to be growing beautifully. I can’t wait for the big chop, I can’t even remember my natural curl pattern. Reading this has made me want to carry on with my journey. THANK YOU.
HELP!!!
I want to start transitioning but my hair has not been permed for about 6 years. I do however flat iron my hair weekly ( bad I know). My curls is a little bit of everything and is such a pain in the but to care for :(… I don’t know what to do with it anymore!!!:( please help!!! Thank you
Shakari,
Why did you stop perming your hair? You know heat isn’t good for any hair types. If seems that you are listening to your voice or someone else voice. Do you want to be completely natural or it’s the trendy style? Youtube will be your guide to stepping out….. I follow mahogany girl and napture85(I think, I spelled it correctly. Don’t worry about hair types or textures…….If you going to do it all the way, just do it. You will love the crazy, wonderful, memorable journey.
Although enjoying the pleasures of the summer is necessary,
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This is definitely an affirming article. I am in my 7th month of transitioning and I’m like okay??? What do I do now? Right now, I’m knee deep in the ‘yuck stage’ and I’ve been wearing wigs for the last 3 months. Its okay though because I am fully committed. Thank you!
“Yuck Stage” hits it right on the head, so to speak! I did a twist out on my 6 month old TWA. What was I thinking? I looked like Buckwheat’s sister!!! Nevertheless, the next I am going to try a roller set. Wish me luck and hide the clippers…. 🙂
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Thanks for the advice!!
I am happy to be in my fourteenth month of transitioning. Its not easy, but my hair is much healthier now, and I almost have the courage to chop off the remainder of what is still permed…
Hit the three month mark. This article was informing.
Hey, I just started my transitioning journey(1 month). I just started the moisture and seal using giovani leave in as moisture and shea butter as a sealer but I’m confused as to how often do i need to moisture and seal being that my head is mostly permed (1 inch natural) ?? So Confused!
TamDelightFul,
It will be a wonderful journey if you believe in yourself. Please,Please, stay on this journey. I am two weeks all natural. Yes, I did transition for 9months and I feel amazing. It was like yesterday, while sitting in the salon ….I knew, I wasn’t going to be 75 years of age with a perm . Oh well! Don’t give up! Do the math perms $65x6times a year over, next, 30pluse year. Heck NO!!!! Yes, my family was tripping. It’s my hair and my life……..They will come around! I was born natural.
Can not wait to go natural again, i was natural for about 6 months than permed my hair i was so disspointed when i did so but not this time! i will rock my natural hair!
Thank you so-o much for the tips! I am currently in my 6th month of transitioning and every word you wrote was true! You have to actually ‘learn’ your hair and its type! What works for you, product-wise and what does not! I anxiously look forward to my one year mark and beyond! Once again, thank you.
Thank you so much. This information will be quite helpful.
Hey im in my 8th month of transitioning and its a learning experience..i wash once a week and i do a pre-poo before i wash. I do the twist out every night and i havent used my flat irons in about a month and i see a total difference. I cant wait till i get to my one year mark !
Should I cut the perm .I have about 3in of new grow
Useful info. Blessed my family I ran across your website by mistake, with this particular shocked precisely why this specific coincidence couldn’t occurred upfront! I personally book marked the item.
I haven’t permed my hair in over a year but have been wearing braids. I need serious help with transitioning. I don’t want to wear braids anymore. My hair is already short. What shud I do?????
I don’t even know how to thank you for this post. This is my 3rd time transitioning. After a long 9 months last year and a lazy 7 months this year, I have decided to be serious about it now. And your post has definitely shone the light on expectations. I confess I found a lot of my past experiences in your Don’ts. And its really going to help me focus more now.
Im in my 8th month and still dont kno what to do. Besides being lazy and being overwhelmed with information, i just feel like a lost sleep. Idk where to start n bearly have time to experiment..what to do?
I’m Almost At My 1 Year Mark Its Getting Better And Better Tho I Can Manage And Maintain My Hair Even Tho I Still Have Some Relaxer That Hasn’t Grown Out Yet And My Hair Is Growing Alot It’s At My Back Now My Goal Is To Reach My Buttocks Thats Gonna Take Some Years But I’ll Be Waiting Patiently
Im super happy for you ! Im 6 almost 7 months in and am at collar bone length while curly im really urked to staighten it to flaunt it , but know that im only half way there
HELP!! I am having the worst issues ever! I started transitioning about 3 months ago.I wasn’t comfortable with the ‘big chop’ so I only cut the back and my sides,kind of like a pixie cut.REMINDER that was 3 months ago and it looked WONDERFUL.Now,I just don’t know what to do.The parts I cut are curling up and are very nappy while my front (bangs) are still permed with 2 inches of new growth.I wash my hair every Saturday and co-wash every 2 weeks.Any tips on what I should do?
I decided to go natural in the 15th of June 2013. three months into it and am loving my hair everyday. though I like wearing a lot of protective styles like twist. still do my weekly cleaning, moisturising and sealing. its much easier when u know what works for u.
Update?
I’m in my 2 1/2 month transition (from heat, not a perm) 🙂 . When I did my first successful flat twist I LOVED it! I was feeling really confident, but a girl had the nerve to ask “WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR HAIR?!?! It looks like a monster was chewing on it!” I was SO embarrassed and angry, BUT that didn’t deter me. I though my twist out was beautiful, and my family members loved it! I go to a school with about 5 or 6 african american girls. At least 4 of them have gone natural and I feel comfortable knowing that I have that (unspoken) support.
I decided to go natural last year during May. Just wanted to have healthier hair and get back to my roots. I’m 14 months in and transitioning has been rough! Some days are better than others but I’m def gonna stick it out and see where my hair journey takes me.
Thank you so much for this post. I thought I was the only one too scared to cut it all of and start from scratch, it is nice to know I have fellow transitioners.
I am currently on week 2 of transitioning and my hair is in a weird length to begin with, according to me. I am definitely going to try out the protective styles, because I really want to start out right from the beginning, no matter how frustrating and tiring it may get.
I am getting a lot of insulting advice from my colleagues about my new growth and I am luckily a very stubborn person when I made up my mind anyway, but thank you so much for the comment about not letting others kill your vibe. Much appreciated sister.
I am your new no 1 stalker. Lol.
First, I must say Thank You to the person/people wo run this site. I just chanced upon it from a different Facebook site. Anywho, I just recent transtitioned to natural hair, and I must admit, have been devastated ever since. I made the transition due to extreme damage from years of relaxers, braids, and having to pull my hair back into tight styles. I say have to because I am an active duty Marine, and the hair regulations are very strict! Not to mention that I was never very good at taking care of my own hair and it has been super difficult to find a good beautician in many of the places I’ve been stationed. Currently, I am stationed on the island of Oahu, Hawaii (yaaaay!), but can’t seem to find a “ethnic” hair salon (boo!). The one salon I went to for my very last relaxer charged me over $200! (Everything is very expensive in Hawaii)
Any way, didn’t mean to post my whole life story, but I said all that to say this:
This article gave me some hope and a more realistic outlook on to what to expect in my natural hair journey. Since I will be ending my active duty service very shortly, I will have the freedom to experiment with styles. I plan to frequent this page more now that I know it exists. Thanks for the motivation boost!!
Thank you for your service to our nation!! I hope your transitioning is going well 🙂
I love everyone’s positive & supportive comments. I started to go Natural in mid-2011, then felt the need to return to relaxing last May. After constantly killing my hair every few months w/ relaxers, I’ve FINALLY decided to stop. My last perm was 11 weeks ago & I don’t miss it because for me, it’s like swimming upstream: straightening my hair doesn’t allow me to get to know my curly roots. So, I’m going to be patient w/my hair & strive to style it some kind of way that helps me to tolerate the 2 textures.
Very good post ..I went throughout all the stages and so many different products ..I am finally down to 2 that works for me!!! ..started transitioning 2 years ago …did the BC 6 months ago and I am loving it …oh wow my hair has grown a lot. EMBRACED !!!!
Ok This post made me happy.. I am going natural…….. Again
I have crazy breakage and I miss my natural hair. Love the site
OMG. When I read that last part, “promptly show them the stadium and let them know they can have several seats,” I ’bout died!! LOL. But, seriously, I experienced some negativity early on from my elders, but they got over it once they realized I was really dedicated to my hair and my transition. Just gotta stay with it and stay positive 🙂
OMG YESSSSS!!! SAME HERE!!! ??? I was roooolling when I read that lol!! Too funnyyy
YIKES!! My typos!! “I wish I had seen THIS INFO while I was transitioning”…”the message that is most important IS to love what you have…” Mea culpa. Blessings.
Great article. I wish I had seen while I was transitioning! It mirrored my feelings almost exactly as I went through a 21-month transition. A couple of the lady vloggers that you mentioned are faves of mine, and very informative and inspirational. Just an observation: in viewing the natural hair journeys, several of these ladies had long hair even before they began their journeys. Genetics do count for something; I think that, ultimately, the message that is most important to love what you have and care for it at each stage, because all of us won’t grow waist length hair regardless of the level of care. Otherwise, I was happy to share this with my FB followers who are transitioning or considering a transition.
Much to my surprise, my 24mth transition wasn’t that hard. I only relaxed 2-3 times a year so I was used to handling a lot of new growth. The only issue I had was around months 9-10 when detangling became a nightmare. I discovered Vatika oil as a prepoo and that stuff saved my transition! I was able to detangle with ease after that. My staple style was the braid and curl so I had a cute style to rely on too.I learned so much about my hair during my transition. I am 6mths natural now and that knowledge has been a huge help to me. Good luck to those still transitioning!
I decided to go natural about 2 months ago and im already weary. I have about an inch of growth then the rest is straight (i used to relax my hair).. What should i be doing with my hair to a)speed up the growth process and b)look more decent??
Also, i’ve been dying my hair black, is that a no-no?
There is really not much you can do to speed up the process. Everyone has their own growth rate. All there is…is time and delicate haircare practices to really see growth. To enhance the hair you have growing in, you can 1. Live a healthy lifestyle (fruits and veggies, exercise) 2. Take a multivitamin, Biotin, MSM or all of the above 3. Drink lots of water everyday (this will actually give you moisture in your hair AS its growing in as well)
“decent” hairstyles would be twist outs, bantu knots, braid outs or just leave twists or conrows in. I wouldnt recommend extensions (too much weight on the hair and edges) and weaves (you cant really moisturize your hair under a weave).
Be patient with your hair and accept it for what it is.
When I first went natural, I transitioned for one year and four months. One thing that I didn’t expect after that long transition was my hair ‘tricking’ me of my natural hair’s new length.
I transitioned for 20 months..fully natural May 2013…and it was well worth it!! The more natural my hair got the easier things got, the key is having a go-to hair style and ditch the heat!! I havent used any form of heat since 3 months post now Im 21 months post and loving my hair, I wish I did this yrs ago.
Unemployment caused me to put off relaxing for a year. Then relaxed for and interview and then missed my kinks (got the job!. So now, I am once again 4 months post and hit a wall this morning. My hair is so big…ugh. I wish I could just wear cornrows all year. Maybe if I find a decent wig, I’ll just wear it. Except, I hate wigs
Sorry but I hate everything about your comment. Yes, its just my opinion.
I definitely got into my stride at about 9 months. A few weeks til I hit a year!
adashofk.blogspot.com
I didn’t do the BC I did the gradual grow out and cut off the relaxed ends. I have a big head and I just felt that I couldn’t rock that look.
My first few months were a nightmare! I had to use my blow dryer trying to get through it wet was a NO GO! Same with finger detangling. I was raised to sleep with scarves, bonnets, and silk pillow cases, so that wasn’t hard, but then I had to change up my products and I had to find moisturizers that would keep my hair moist, so it would break cause, I was experiencing some serious breakage that was brought on by a horrible relaxer. I also invested in hair vitamins because my hair was really depleted of what it needed to grow healthy and strong.
Then next three months was not has rough, but it was getting easier to comb and part my hair while my hair was wet. I still used my blow dryer and flat iron, but I didn’t over use it. This was through the winter months, so I reconnected to Coconut oil. It helped a great deal.
My third 3 months my hair was waaaay easier to comb, part, all that. I would blow dry to 50% and then air dry the rest.
Now that I am on the last few months to a year I have my hair in cornrows because I went to Hawaii on Vacation and I didn’t want to have to worry about doing it. It also aids me in air drying my hair 100%. I’ll be at a 1year this July.
I’m still learning as I go along, but its not a nightmare anymore. Some days are better the others, but I’m digging it a little more.
Thank you for this. Although I’ve never had a perm or relaxer, I have been getting a press and curl since I was 9 years old. I’ll be 40 in September. Can you say HEAT DAMAGE????!!! I am at a loss. I have an afro in the back and straight stringy pieces in the front. It’s a hot mess. However, this article has given me some hope that it won’t be a hot mess always…:-)
Hi! I need help. I have been natural for the last 6 months. I use Cantu products. I two twists and pin curl every night. I use a satin bonnet….but it is thinning out!?!? I don’t know why. Do u have any suggestions. I would appreciate your feedback. Thanks
Hi!!! When you pin curl are you using closed bobby pins? If you do this every night, this can definitely increase hair thinning.
Hey! Yes that’s it I have been using the closed Bobby pins the whole time. Thanks, I have been trying to figure this out!