Transitioning is a great way to “go natural”, without having to start from scratch.
Where’s scratch?
Cutting off all your relaxed hair.
While the idea seems drastic, I kinda wish I’d done it. Short hair isn’t so bad. In fact, it’s pretty awesome!
But, I understand the multitude of initial reactions & genuine concerns.
- I don’t have the right face shape.
- I have a big head.
- Ugh!
- I don’t want to look like a boy.
- I don’t want to look like a man.
- Cut off all my hair?!…Are you crazy?!
- I don’t want short hair.
Hey, I was there! In many of those thoughts.
Transitioning is the perfect solution to ditching relaxer touchups. It allows you time to go at your own pace & make adjustments as your natural hair grows in.
I transitioned for 8 months. The phase was pretty much a smooth one. Though detangling did become a real chore around months 6 & 7.
Here are my transitioning tips:
- Wear your hair. It’s probably less work & worry to just hide it (under faux hair). But choosing not to, is the best way to become familiar with it. Seeing & working with your hair, especially during the transitioning stage, well prepares you for the natural road ahead. Through regular cleansing, conditioning & styling, you can soon become an expert of your own hair! Not only will you know what works & what doesn’t when all the relaxed ends are gone but, you’ll also be more accustomed to seeing yourself as you are.
- Less shampoo, more conditioner. Moisture is key during the transitioning stage, as both the new growth & relaxed ends tend to become quite dry. Shampoos tend to strip hair of moisture, so use as needed. When shampooing, try to focus more on cleansing the scalp. When rinsing, the suds will travel down & to also cleanse the hair.
Deep condition regularly. With heat, is ideal. The warmth from a hair dryer, or a wet towel will help the conditioner to better penetrate the hair follicules. - Try two types of conditioners. A moisturizing one on the “new growth”, and a moisturizing/volumizing one on the relaxed ends. The effects of this are soft, natural roots & not-so-limp relaxed ends. Both of which, should feel moisturized. It may take some time to find the right conditioners that work on your hair. (For your reference, I liked Giovanni Smooth as Silk Conditioner, Jane Carter Replenishing Conditioner, and Giovanni Smooth as Silk Leave-in Conditioner.) To save on $ (when experimenting with products), look for sample or travel sizes.
- Wear styles that blend the two textures. Braid outs are beyond awesome! Simple, heat-less, and they can blend like no other style.
- Cut as you grow. To avoid the frustration that can come with managing two different textures of hair, trim regularly. A good measure is to cut an inch, as one grows in. This way, the ends stay fresh.
- Big Chop when you’re ready. How do you know you’re ready? The thought crept into your mind more than once & did a little dance.
Have you transitioned? What are your hair tips for this phase?
I transitioned pretty much having kinky twists in the whole time. At the very end dealing with two textures was pretty bad until I discovered what I now know is the twist-out lol A tip I would have is don’t let the transition derail your natural journey. Dealing with two textures is going to be harder than when you have a head full of natural hair.
Very informative im natural but i didnt transition i went straight for the bc. But now i want my girls to go back to being natural so they have to transition an this is very helpful because im still trying to figure out my hair an to now try an figure out an care for their two texture hair is gonna be journey so thanks for this!
No problem!
You did twist outs at the end of your transition?! WOW. I don’t think I ever tried them, because I didn’t think they’d blend my hair well.
Thanks for sharing your tip! That is a very good point.
I didn’t even know what it was. My hair was driving me crazy, and a friend of mine with natural hair told me to twist and untwist my hair, and I was like “oh, this is awesome!” lol
That’s pretty cool!
I had a similar experience with bantu knots. My mom would do them all the time when I was growing up. Never knew what they were called until finding the hair forums. LOL
Hello,
I have been following your blog and you have very informative info. I have decided that I no longer want relaxers and have been researching various blogs about natural hair care. I really want to cut my hair now but my last relaxer was October 14, 2012. Would you recommend that let my hair grow out more before cutting or cut my hair now and let the relaxer grow out and just trim off relaxer. Let me know what you think.
Thanks in advance
Kennesha
Hi Kennesha!
When asked, I’ll usually advise ladies to cut off their relaxed ends when they are ready. Because you know when you’re ready to do it.
…Sounds like the desire is there, no?!
I think you should go for it.
I know quite a few naturals who say they would’ve cut off their relaxed ends sooner. Rather than waiting to grow it out. I was one of them.
I’m mixed (white mom, black dad) and my whole life all of my black friends would tell me I had “good hair”. Of course, I hated it. I started experimenting with relaxers when I was about 14 (I’m 24 now) and loved the way it looked afterwards – less curly. It never got completepy straight but it made it a little easier to manage. Well, either at the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012 (I really can’t remember) I relaxed my hair. Then bleached it. Then dyed it. Then bleached it again. And dyed it one more time. I was left with blonde hair that broke off at the slightest touch. Since then, my hair has grown out about 9 inches, but it still looks awful. My curls are peeping through in some places but I’m in that awful half curly/half wavy/somewhat straight phase. And I hate it. I have an appointment tomorrow to get a trim, but after reading some of your blog I’m kind of thinking about doing the BC. I never thought I’d miss my curls, but I’m so desperate to get them back I think I’d shave my hair and wear a wig!! Any suggestions? I don’t know how comfortable I am getting it all cut off, but the idea is dancing in my mind.. I just want my curls back, and I’ve vowed NEVER to relax again.
Hi Brittany, Thanks for commenting! It sounds like the desire is very much there for you, I’d say…go for it. BC & enjoy your hair.