New *2010* Transitioners Support Thread!

[andromeda]

Rant. I'm struggling with my transition right now. My relaxed ends are giving me a really hard time...but I don't want to BC because I'm just at APL and I don't want to lose my length. But even more, I really don't want to perm anymore. UGH. I find myself flat ironing in order to deal with the differences in texture (I think I'm a 4a in the crown with some 3C around nape and edges), risking heat damage and breakage. So today, I told myself that I REFUSE to use heat until my 1 year mark in June and just rock uber-conditioned wash and goes (like today).
Also, I think my hair likes a lot of protein. I was misusing my Aphogee 2 step and using it every 2-3 weeks. Breakage and shedding stopped...so, I haven't don't one in weeks...now the shedding/breakage is picking up.
I hate the limbo of it all sometimes.
Okay...rant over.
Does anyone know of a light protein treatment I could use more frequently?

I'm pretty sure Aubrey Organics GlycoProtein Balance is considered a mild protein. Everyone's hair is different, but that's how I use it. I used it the week before last, hennaed last week (which is considered protein) and straightened, then used it again this week - my hair isn't mushy, as far as I can tell. I plan on using it once a month as a complement to hennaing.

Giovanni Direct Leave In is also a light protein, not a treatment though. They've apparently changed the formula, so I don't know if that's still the case.

There's a thread around here somewhere on the different types of protein, which you might find useful. I think I bookmarked it. Let me look for it...eta: found it. Here's one by supergirl, with a very informative post by sistaslick. Here's another by mscocoface, with a very informative post by msa.

Also, as mentioned upthread, mummysgirl started a thread on transitioning styles, most, if not all, of which are no-heat.

 

[changedname]

Oooh can I join!? I'm so excited! I've finally decided to transition! I know it seems silly, but my heart feels like it's been set free! No more relaxers!

I'm only 4 weeks post my relaxer and I cannot wait to see my coils. I've missed them so much. Bring on the transition! My goal is to transition at least for the rest of the year. I use Akin products currently, which are ok. I plan to switch to AO and Giovanni Direct and just take each day at a time. I've (unintentionally) transitioned before, so I know I can do it. Well at least until about 12 months anyway.

 

[Platinum]

Oooh can I join!? I'm so excited! I've finally decided to transition! I know it seems silly, but my heart feels like it's been set free! No more relaxers!

I'm only 4 weeks post my relaxer and I cannot wait to see my coils. I've missed them so much. Bring on the transition! My goal is to transition at least for the rest of the year. I use Akin products currently, which are ok. I plan to switch to AO and Giovanni Direct and just take each day at a time. I've (unintentionally) transitioned before, so I know I can do it. Well at least until about 12 months anyway.

and Congratulations on your decision to transition!

 

[Grand Prix]

Rant. I'm struggling with my transition right now. My relaxed ends are giving me a really hard time...but I don't want to BC because I'm just at APL and I don't want to lose my length. But even more, I really don't want to perm anymore. UGH. I find myself flat ironing in order to deal with the differences in texture (I think I'm a 4a in the crown with some 3C around nape and edges), risking heat damage and breakage. So today, I told myself that I REFUSE to use heat until my 1 year mark in June and just rock uber-conditioned wash and goes (like today).
Also, I think my hair likes a lot of protein. I was misusing my Aphogee 2 step and using it every 2-3 weeks. Breakage and shedding stopped...so, I haven't don't one in weeks...now the shedding/breakage is picking up.
I hate the limbo of it all sometimes.
Okay...rant over.
Does anyone know of a light protein treatment I could use more frequently?

ITA with AO GPB. ORS replenishing pack always seems a little too light for me when I want some more protein, I prefer using the hair mayo and adding some conditioner (and some coconut cream and honey..).

How often are you straightening? It doesn't have to be all bad.
I plan on flat ironing for the most part of the rest of my transition because the ng has become such a handful. I wait at least 2 weeks to straighten again, though.

I've set a date y'all
April 5

Excited for you!!

I also tried doing a bun on unstraightened hair for the first time in a long time:

I know it's messy. I basically let my hair air dry in bantu knotted twists while I was getting ready for my run and then undid them one by one, pulling them back into a banana clip and securing the ends with a bobby pin. I have yet to use gel during my transition (actually I don't think I've ever used gel). I bought some IC gel a year ago but I want to try to the ecostyler and get a denman brush - though the idea of brush + gel makes me apprehensive.

I have your very same edges!

Gel saves my life, though , my mother brainwashed me well that I cannot leave the house without them lying flat.
I use the IC fantasia clear one, and only ever use it on wet hair. If it dries up and you try to brush your hair them then, yes, that would be (quite)damaging.

Your bun looks very thick by the way. Did you just wrap your hair around your scrunchie?
You said your hair wasn't thick, I want your secret!!

 

[melissa-bee]

So i may have heat damaged my natural hair already. When i washed yesterday my coils in the crown of my head weren't as defined as they normally are. I only flatiron my hair every two weeks well in two weeks time i'm gonna dc with cholesterol and see if they come back.

 

[Grand Prix]

So i may have heat damaged my natural hair already. When i washed yesterday my coils in the crown of my head weren't as defined as they normally are. I only flatiron my hair every two weeks well in two weeks time i'm gonna dc with cholesterol and see if they come back.

Oh no..

Try clarifying too. Heat protectants can keep your hair from reverting.

Also, my heat damaged bits fistshake: stylist!) are simply straight, like relaxed hair at the ends.
When my hair isn't as defined, clarifying and a protein DC makes the coils pop pack up.
Hope this will be the same for you!

 

[dr.j]

Trying to get an idea of how much ng I have. My fingers roughly indicate where the ng ends and the bonelaxed ends begin:
on straightened, but reverting hair

on freshly dc'd/washed hair

Love this pic! I can't wait until my ng makes my relaxed ends look anorexic! Thanks for sharing!

 

[andromeda]

I have your very same edges!

Gel saves my life, though , my mother brainwashed me well that I cannot leave the house without them lying flat.
I use the IC fantasia clear one, and only ever use it on wet hair. If it dries up and you try to brush your hair them then, yes, that would be (quite)damaging.

Gotcha. I think I have that same one - I think it has an aloe plant on the front? Anyways, I'll keep that in mind - only gel on wet hair. I also know that tying it down with a scarf goes a long in preserving it. I'm back in cornrows now but I definitely enjoyed wearing a bun and will be trying more out during my wig-breaks.

Your bun looks very thick by the way. Did you just wrap your hair around your scrunchie?
You said your hair wasn't thick, I want your secret!!

It's all an illuuuuuuusion. For me, the key to a big bun is hair distribution and strategic placement of ends - yes, I approach it as a science. The banana clip allows my hair to be widely-distributed, providing a large base. I then tucked my ends under with a bobby pin. If my hair is straightened, I'll use several hair pins to create volume but since my hair was still 50% wet and the ng was in its natural state, that provided volume/appearance of thickness on its own (you can sorta see my ng underneath my relaxed ends in the bun). It goes back to what I was saying before about my hair not actually being that thick, natural or relaxed, the pattern (or lack thereof) of my coils just creates the illusion of thickness in its natural state, esp when wet/damp.

Love this pic! I can't wait until my ng makes my relaxed ends look anorexic! Thanks for sharing!

It didn't take long for me. Such is the vicious cycle of treating your relaxed ends like a red-headed stepchild bc they look anorexic and them getting more anorexic bc you're treating them that way.

 

[andromeda]

Oooh can I join!? I'm so excited! I've finally decided to transition! I know it seems silly, but my heart feels like it's been set free! No more relaxers!

I'm only 4 weeks post my relaxer and I cannot wait to see my coils. I've missed them so much. Bring on the transition! My goal is to transition at least for the rest of the year. I use Akin products currently, which are ok. I plan to switch to AO and Giovanni Direct and just take each day at a time. I've (unintentionally) transitioned before, so I know I can do it. Well at least until about 12 months anyway.

...................

 

[LoveCraze]

Hello transitioning sistas! Just poppin in to show you my first set of Senegalese twists and my bone comb that I took with me to make sure they used instead of the skinny fine tooth combs that they use. I like the twists so far and they're not toooo tight.

These are from Hairsense. I love them.

 

[preciouslove0x]

Ended my transition yesterday after 7 months!!! lol it was suppose to be 2 years but w/e I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!

BEFORE:
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AFTER: (in these pics my hair is wet with conditioner)
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[caligirl2385]

CONGRATS, precious!!!!! Go girl!

 

[Ltown]

Hello transitioning sistas! Just poppin in to show you my first set of Senegalese twists and my bone comb that I took with me to make sure they used instead of the skinny fine tooth combs that they use. I like the twists so far and they're not toooo tight.

These are from Hairsense. I love them.

I brought a comb too, should be easy to use my hair does not tangle to bad. Steph as usual you hair is beautiful.

 

[Grand Prix]

Gotcha. I think I have that same one - I think it has an aloe plant on the front? Anyways, I'll keep that in mind - only gel on wet hair. I also know that tying it down with a scarf goes a long in preserving it. I'm back in cornrows now but I definitely enjoyed wearing a bun and will be trying more out during my wig-breaks.

It's all an illuuuuuuusion. For me, the key to a big bun is hair distribution and strategic placement of ends - yes, I approach it as a science. The banana clip allows my hair to be widely-distributed, providing a large base. I then tucked my ends under with a bobby pin. If my hair is straightened, I'll use several hair pins to create volume but since my hair was still 50% wet and the ng was in its natural state, that provided volume/appearance of thickness on its own (you can sorta see my ng underneath my relaxed ends in the bun). It goes back to what I was saying before about my hair not actually being that thick, natural or relaxed, the pattern (or lack thereof) of my coils just creates the illusion of thickness in its natural state, esp when wet/damp.

A banaclip bun! Great idea.
Look at us thin haired girls with all of our thick hair tricks.

Ended my transition yesterday after 7 months!!! lol it was suppose to be 2 years but w/e I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!

AFTER: (in these pics my hair is wet with conditioner)
[/URL]

​

Ohh congratulations!!
It suits you so well!

 

[lila_baby]

ANYONE ELSE NOT REALLY LIKING THEIR NATURAL TEXTURE??

I made the mistake of assuming it would be like someone else's and now i

realize it's not i'm a little upset. Oh well still NOT gonna relax anymore afterall

I promised to love honour and cherish my real hair-erplexed

 

[Grand Prix]

ANYONE ELSE NOT REALLY LIKING THEIR NATURAL TEXTURE??

I made the mistake of assuming it would be like someone else's and now i

realize it's not i'm a little upset. Oh well still NOT gonna relax anymore afterall

I promised to love honour and cherish my real hair-erplexed

Awh..

I'm sorry you're disappointed. How far along in your transition are you?
You can't really tell what your texture is too early on.

Is your hair too kinky/coily for your taste? Because if that's the case, I don't really see anything wrong with relaxing. Or texlaxing, if the curly look is what you were looking for.
I'm all for natural hair and I love my own and everybody else's, but if you're not happy about it, there's no point.

Though don't forget you can always straighten or stretch out your curls (even without heat) when you're natural. You can always manipulate your hair to do as you like.

I confess I wouldn't mind if I had, say, 3a hair. Would never have been pressured into relaxing, wear wash and go's, be able to retain better.. But that's looking at other people's hair and only an assumption I'm making.

Keep in mind that for many of us this is a mental transition as well.
Maybe when you're further into your transition, you'll have learned that the hair that grows out of your head suits you best.

 

[MummysGirl]

I love them
How long will you keep them in for?

 

[MummysGirl]

Looking good

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[/INDENT]

 

[Imani]

ANYONE ELSE NOT REALLY LIKING THEIR NATURAL TEXTURE??

I made the mistake of assuming it would be like someone else's and now i

realize it's not i'm a little upset. Oh well still NOT gonna relax anymore afterall

I promised to love honour and cherish my real hair-erplexed

how long have u been transitioning? I'm at 7 months post and when I was around 4 months I was like , and thought my hair was just too nappy to be natural. I was even planning on making an appointment to get a relaxer and everything. I would sweat and not be able to even get my fingers through my new growth it was so rough and tangled.

I'm 4b, always told I had "bad hair", and it has never been past my shoulders my entire life.

Fast forward to now I'm 7 months post, my hair is way more manageable. I have been doing steam treatments every single week. With my hair type its all about moisture, moisture, moisture. When my moisture level got to where it needed to be, it wasn't a problem.

I started to think back to my childhood days when I had "bad hair", no deep conditioners, grease and hot combs, ripping thru it with small tooth combs, no wonder my hair was so rough all the time. My hair can be just as manageable as anyone elses with the proper care.

Also, I plan on being mostly a straight natural. My family told me the only way my hair would get and stay straight was with grease and hot combs. So far, definitely not true. My hair in my avatar is flat ironed. I usually go to a salon that specializes in natural hair for straightening and I'm in the process in perfecting the method myself. I don't experience any damage and my hair fully reverts.

 

[CurlTalk]

Made 7 months post a few days ago; rocking bantu knot outs for now and loving them. Stopped bunning, as I got bored and my edges were beginning to suffer.
I have the feeling that this transition is getting easier and easier; anyone else feel like as time goes on, the transition gets easier?

 

[Alta Angel]

Hello all!

Steph Elise, I love those twists! They look beautiful! Everyone is doing so well. I used a "phony pony" for the first time this week and wore my hair back in a bun. I cannot believe that I am 9 months post relaxer! Thank you Ekaette, Mrs. Johnson, and Glamazon for your pics and instructions.

I simply washed, conditioned, steamed, as usual. I applied Qhemets AOHC mixed with my sample of the Qhemets Hydrating Honey Balm ( I LOVE this combo) to each section of my damp hair and braided my hair in about 6 braids. I tied a scarf around my head and went to bed. The next morning I unbraided my hair and applied a bit more AOHC/Honey mix. Next I spritzed my hair all over with a mix of water, Suave Coconut condish, and jojoba oil. I lightly brushed my hair back and got the clear Eco Styler gel mixed with Fruit of the Earth Aloe vera gel and smoothed over the top of my hair and the edges. I brushed lightly, but mainly used my hands to smooth into a ponytail. I wrapped my little ponytail stub around the base and gently secured with a bobby pin. Then I attached and wrapped the phony braid. Then I put my scarf on to set for about 15 minutes while I put on makeup. Each morning, I have been using the conditioner spritz and using the aloe vera/Eco gel mix. I know that I will need to clarify and deep condition once a week.

 

[andromeda]

^^^Beautiful!

Hello transitioning sistas! Just poppin in to show you my first set of Senegalese twists and my bone comb that I took with me to make sure they used instead of the skinny fine tooth combs that they use. I like the twists so far and they're not toooo tight.

These are from Hairsense. I love them.

Ended my transition yesterday after 7 months!!! lol it was suppose to be 2 years but w/e I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!

BEFORE:
[/URL]

[/URL]




AFTER: (in these pics my hair is wet with conditioner)
[/URL]

[/URL]

​

Gorgeous, ladies!

how long have u been transitioning? I'm at 7 months post and when I was around 4 months I was like , and thought my hair was just too nappy to be natural. I was even planning on making an appointment to get a relaxer and everything. I would sweat and not be able to even get my fingers through my new growth it was so rough and tangled.

I'm 4b, always told I had "bad hair", and it has never been past my shoulders my entire life.

Fast forward to now I'm 7 months post, my hair is way more manageable. I have been doing steam treatments every single week. With my hair type its all about moisture, moisture, moisture. When my moisture level got to where it needed to be, it wasn't a problem.

I started to think back to my childhood days when I had "bad hair", no deep conditioners, grease and hot combs, ripping thru it with small tooth combs, no wonder my hair was so rough all the time. My hair can be just as manageable as anyone elses with the proper care.

Also, I plan on being mostly a straight natural. My family told me the only way my hair would get and stay straight was with grease and hot combs. So far, definitely not true. My hair in my avatar is flat ironed. I usually go to a salon that specializes in natural hair for straightening and I'm in the process in perfecting the method myself. I don't experience any damage and my hair fully reverts.

Your hair is absolutely beautiful in your avi.

 

[chelleyrock]

With all these BC threads, I'm really itching to BC. But I must wait til at least December.

 

[andromeda]

After reading that trimming thread, I think I'm going to go ahead and trim at the end of this month. Yes, I've been babying my ends but apparently, that doesn't absolve me from trimming. I'll be damned if the unimportant ends affect the health of my new growth.

Does anyone know of a light protein treatment I could use more frequently?

I was just reading the aphogee keratin and green tea spray thread and thought about your predicament. Seems like that's a light protein that's actually heat activated. Some posters also mention the chi keratin mist spray as an alternative that doesn't require heat.

 

[dr.j]

Steph Elise --- beautiful twists!

Preciouslove ---- congratulations on your BC - looks great!

Alta Angel --- your phony pony looks really nice! - makes me want to get one too

I'm hanging in here almost 9 months post --- so thankful to have this thread --- not sure if I would have made it without you all!

 

[MummysGirl]

Beautiful Your hair looks so soft

I simply washed, conditioned, steamed, as usual. I applied Qhemets AOHC mixed with my sample of the Qhemets Hydrating Honey Balm ( I LOVE this combo) to each section of my damp hair and braided my hair in about 6 braids. I tied a scarf around my head and went to bed. The next morning I unbraided my hair and applied a bit more AOHC/Honey mix. Next I spritzed my hair all over with a mix of water, Suave Coconut condish, and jojoba oil. I lightly brushed my hair back and got the clear Eco Styler gel mixed with Fruit of the Earth Aloe vera gel and smoothed over the top of my hair and the edges. I brushed lightly, but mainly used my hands to smooth into a ponytail. I wrapped my little ponytail stub around the base and gently secured with a bobby pin. Then I attached and wrapped the phony braid. Then I put my scarf on to set for about 15 minutes while I put on makeup. Each morning, I have been using the conditioner spritz and using the aloe vera/Eco gel mix. I know that I will need to clarify and deep condition once a week.

 

[MummysGirl]

I've been really lazy with my hair this past week and a half(but not lazy with my regimen - I'm cowashing 3 times a week, DC'ng 2ce and moisturising everyday)...



They're not as small as my usual pixie braids but convenient enough to put into a tiny ponytail... As I continue my transition and trim my relaxed ends off, I want to maintain this length in a ponytail. I wonder if I'll have enough natural hair somewhere between months 20 and 24 (August 20th - December 20th this year)... Only time will tell...

I plan to take them out today and do 2 french braids...

I'm going to do a braidout on blowdried hair for a calendar I'm doing for charity sometime this week or next. My next wash after that, I'll put my hair in my pixie braids until the weekend of April 3rd - My friend's baby's birthday party, I plan to put my hair in a donut bun.

 

[ChristmasCarol]

I've been really lazy with my hair this past week and a half(but not lazy with my regimen - I'm cowashing 3 times a week, DC'ng 2ce and moisturising everyday)...



They're not as small as my usual pixie braids but convenient enough to put into a tiny ponytail... As I continue my transition and trim my relaxed ends off, I want to maintain this length in a ponytail. I wonder if I'll have enough natural hair somewhere between months 20 and 24 (August 20th - December 20th this year)... Only time will tell...

I plan to take them out today and do 2 french braids...

I'm going to do a braidout on blowdried hair for a calendar I'm doing for charity sometime this week or next. My next wash after that, I'll put my hair in my pixie braids until the weekend of April 3rd - My friend's baby's birthday party, I plan to put my hair in a donut bun.

MG, you are SO hair-organized. Do you have a hair plan calendar, or something? I couldn't tell you what I'm going to do with my hair tomorrow, let alone a month from now.

 

[LoveCraze]

ANYONE ELSE NOT REALLY LIKING THEIR NATURAL TEXTURE??

I made the mistake of assuming it would be like someone else's and now i

realize it's not i'm a little upset. Oh well still NOT gonna relax anymore afterall

I promised to love honour and cherish my real hair-erplexed

Well I can't speak for all of us, but I know I have struggled with accepting my hair texture as well. Some parts I love love and others I . So as someone said, it is definitely important to transition your mind as well as your hair. I know I got some 4B ,4A and patches of 3C. I just have to love and accept what was given me and make the best of it. Try styles that will accentuate my hair types. Surronding myself with others of similar hair is also inspirational. I at least want to see this thing through and give my hair a chance. I owe that to myself. So hang in there. Don't have unrealistic expectations for yor hair. This will help you from comparing and then being disappointed in the end.

I love them
How long will you keep them in for?

Thaks. I'll keep these in for 2 no more than 3 mths depending how they look. This will at least keep from BCing for a while.

AFTER: (in these pics my hair is wet with conditioner)
[/URL]

Congratulations preciouslove0x!!!!
​

 

[Foxglove]

Hello all!

Steph Elise, I love those twists! They look beautiful! Everyone is doing so well. I used a "phony pony" for the first time this week and wore my hair back in a bun. I cannot believe that I am 9 months post relaxer! Thank you Ekaette, Mrs. Johnson, and Glamazon for your pics and instructions.

I simply washed, conditioned, steamed, as usual. I applied Qhemets AOHC mixed with my sample of the Qhemets Hydrating Honey Balm ( I LOVE this combo) to each section of my damp hair and braided my hair in about 6 braids. I tied a scarf around my head and went to bed. The next morning I unbraided my hair and applied a bit more AOHC/Honey mix. Next I spritzed my hair all over with a mix of water, Suave Coconut condish, and jojoba oil. I lightly brushed my hair back and got the clear Eco Styler gel mixed with Fruit of the Earth Aloe vera gel and smoothed over the top of my hair and the edges. I brushed lightly, but mainly used my hands to smooth into a ponytail. I wrapped my little ponytail stub around the base and gently secured with a bobby pin. Then I attached and wrapped the phony braid. Then I put my scarf on to set for about 15 minutes while I put on makeup. Each morning, I have been using the conditioner spritz and using the aloe vera/Eco gel mix. I know that I will need to clarify and deep condition once a week.

It looks so natural! Where did you get it from?