Is anyone just starting their transition?

[JenBenCal]

I'm seriously considering transitioning to natural hair and I miss the thick tresses I had when I was younger. However, I'm not sure that I can make it =/. I'm going back to college this fall and thinking about dealing with all the knots and tangles that come with my natural hair worries me. I don't know. Lets put it this way: I WANT to be with you on this, but I'm not sure yet lol.

 

[keykee]

Hello.
I decided to start the transition process yesterday.. I am pretty nervous but ready for this.
I need to educate myself as much as possible and possibly throw out the flat iron to avoid temptation.
My hair is thick and the roots are sometimes wild.. I think its been 2-3 months since I got my last relaxer.. I am used to stretching out the relaxer since I really didn't like doing it often.
I can't do the big chop as I've always been used to having some sort of length.. But right now its cut shorter in a bob.. I hope that having it shorter now makes it easier. and I will not use extensions.

I am doing this alone and hoping to get some support and questions answered!! Def going to check out the support posts.
So nice to see other people in the same boat.

Good luck to all!!

 

[Glamorous_chic]

i just made a thread about this exact same thing. i've decided to transition as well. i'm about 4 months post, and a little past shoulder length. my ultimate goal is bsl however. i finally want to be able to see my natural hair again. i used get a re-touch every 6 weeks on the dot, but recently started stretching to every 3 months, and this time deicded to try for every 4-6 months, but decided i just wanted to transition altogether. i dont want to lose my length, and a short hairstyle doesn't suit my face, so i'll just start cutting off my relaxed ends little by little.

i'm hoping to transition through the help of buns, braids, and rollersets.

 

[sharifeh]

I want to, but I'm not sure if I'm ready. I'm currently 16 weeks post-relaxer.

I'm right there with u....

Yup, that is me too. Once I get to week 14 it usually falls apart. I will keep doing braidouts and try to push for the promise land!

I'm right there with all of you!!!
One day...

But I definitely want to be in this thread with you guys. My sister is transitioning and it would be nice to get some tips for her and myself when I transition, if I ever.

 

[Platinum]

Congratulations on your decision to transition, Ladies. My advice is to check out the transitioning/ natural threads, check out youtube vids on the subject, stalk some fotkis. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I'm sure other transitioning and natural sisters would love to help to help you.

Good luck and happy hair growing.

 

[RoundEyedGirl504]

I am with you ladies! I am 12 weeks post and this is my 4th time transitioning, so if anyone has any questions feel free to PM! it really is mind over matter!

 

[jaded_faerie]

Hey yah! This is my 3rd transition...and im 9.5 months in. This is the longest I have gone. I usually cave in around the 6 month mark. Stick with it, it gets easier! good luck

 

[Mook's hair]

I just popped in to offer some encouragement.

 

[AllAboutMoi]

I am attempting to transition. But that is really easy for me to say at only 10 weeks post. Styling options seem to be my biggest hurdle. We'll see...

 

[*closer*2*my*dreams*]

This will be my second time transitioning. The first time was by accident really. I had just joined the board and was planning to stretch; every week i told myself that I would wait until the following week. That went on for 13 months. Then I decided to texlax, i was just so busy with school and work and i couldn't devote as much time to caring for two textures.

Now that I've graduated and have just a little bit more time, I'm wanting to transition again. I definitely won't BC to a TWA because i do not think i will feel confident enough to rock it like some of our fierce and fabolous board members. I'll transition and lightly snip away at my ends until I'm fully natural. I think that would be easier for me.

My ultimate goal is to have natural APL curls unstretched (if that's possible, if not i'll settle for past SL). I also want them to be healthy and highlighted (I'm having a dillema with color taking to my hair and I'll be damned if I can't get some sort of color on my tresses).

Hopefully we can all be here and support one another and provide advice and tips where needed. HHG!!

 

[TPayne75]

Congrats on your journey to natural hair! I've been transitioning for 5 months so far. I LOVE the waves of my new growth but I'm trying to look for more styling options. I've had shoulder length hair (when I was relaxed) most of my life and I'm afraid to cut so I'm going to get rid of my relaxed ends a little bit at a time. I'll be your "buddy"! I'm looking for transitioning support too. Alot of my friends relaxer their hair. They say they support my decision to go natural but some try to get me to go back to the "creamy crack". Shoot I've come too far to go back now!

 

[peachfuzzz]

I'm new here...well, fresh out of the lurking stage anyway! I'm curious about my hair texture and I want to see if my hair will actually grow without the chemicals. My hair seemed to stall out with a relaxer, but my nails grow crazy fast and super long while maintaining strength. I'm hoping my hair will now do the same. I haven't had a relaxer since Dec 28...which puts us at about the same time frame. I just removed micro braids. I need to learn how to do roller sets, twists, knots and the such... I have loved reading all the info here.

 

[CurlyGirl1996]

I'm transitioning too. My last relaxer was in March 09. My hair has come a long way since then. I've had some trials and tribulations along the way but with the help of the LHCF Ladies I'm on my way.

 

[lady djm]

I just took out my braids today and thinking what am I going to do with my hair now. Whatever happens though I will not get a relaxer

 

[Tmochava]

I decided to start transitioning last night. Relaxers tore my hair up and I'm tired of dealing with it this way and just want my wavy natural hair to come through. I don't want to do a bc b/c my face is just too round for that so I'm gonna keep my hair in braid outs, half wigs, and afro twists and keep trimming my hair as it grows out until all of the relaxed hair trimmed off. I'm excited to start this journey, my last relaxer was in July about 5 weeks ago. I have new growth but not tempted to relax it, at least not yet, lol. This may seem silly but can anyone tell me what co-washing is? This is my first time hearing about it since I started reading about transitioning to natural hair. Also looking to team up with other newbies so we keep each other on track with our transitioning and learn things.

 

[Shay72]

I decided to start transitioning last night. Relaxers tore my hair up and I'm tired of dealing with it this way and just want my wavy natural hair to come through. I don't want to do a bc b/c my face is just too round for that so I'm gonna keep my hair in braid outs, half wigs, and afro twists and keep trimming my hair as it grows out until all of the relaxed hair trimmed off. I'm excited to start this journey, my last relaxer was in July about 5 weeks ago. I have new growth but not tempted to relax it, at least not yet, lol. This may seem silly but can anyone tell me what co-washing is? This is my first time hearing about it since I started reading about transitioning to natural hair. Also looking to team up with other newbies so we keep each other on track with our transitioning and learn things.

Here are a few threads related to transitioning:
http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=390252

http://www.longhaircareforum.com/showthread.php?t=312457

Cowashing is washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo.

 

[Jewell]

[FONT=Georgia[COLOR=purple]This will be my second time transitioning. The first time was by accident really. I had just joined the board and was planning to stretch; every week i told myself that I would wait until the following week. That went on for 13 months. Then I decided to texlax, i was just so busy with school and work and i couldn't devote as much time to caring for two textures. [/COLOR][/FONT]

Now that I've graduated and have just a little bit more time, I'm wanting to transition again. I definitely won't BC to a TWA because i do not think i will feel confident enough to rock it like some of our fierce and fabolous board members. I'll transition and lightly snip away at my ends until I'm fully natural. I think that would be easier for me.[/COLOR]

My ultimate goal is to have natural APL curls unstretched (if that's possible, if not i'll settle for past SL). I also want them to be healthy and highlighted (I'm having a dillema with color taking to my hair and I'll be damned if I can't get some sort of color on my tresses).

Hopefully we can all be here and support one another and provide advice and tips where needed. HHG!!

WOW! This is my true story as well. This will be my second time transitioning, I was natural last year for about 5 months. I BC'd and let my hair continue to grow. I ended up texlaxing because I had just had my daughter (a newborn/infant) and I was also sick a lot. I had minimal/no time to care for my hair. I did a texlax to make it easier to care for, although my natural hair wasn't difficult to manage. The transitioning process was easy, because I just left my hair alone under headwraps and wigs.

I would like to invest in a nice lace front to hide my hair for the winter months, but still be able to care for it (can't do with braids). I may do braids here and there. I transitioned for 9 months last time (Sept. 07 to June 2008) then BC'd. I have had good results with relaxers, and my hair has been healthy, but I just want long natural hair. I don't want to have to relax my hair. Tired of the chemical applications. I typically stretch for 4-6 mos at a time, so that period will be a breeze as usual.

This time I WILL NOT BC. I don't like short hair on me, so I will gradually trim over the years. That's right, years. I want some long hair before I'm completely free of the texlaxed ends. As soon as I texlaxed last year, I missed my natural hair. I have maintained a texlaxer until this point for convenience. I have a little more time to deal with my hair these days, and my life has become a bit more stable. Time to go natural and stay that way. I'm very happy with my decision.

ETA: I work from home, so the bad hair days can be dealt with in secrecy behind closed doors, lol!

 

[MizzBrown]

I'm transitioning too. I'm 3 months in also. I worry about being able to stick it out, because I'm nearly BSL . I don't know how I'm gonna feel once I get 3 or 4 inches of new growth, because if I relaxed, it would put me between MBL and WL. I don't know if I'd be able to cut all that off and start over .

I feel like this relaxer is holding me "hostage"!

Relaxers can have you hostage.

That's why I keep giving up on transitioning because when I relax and see how much its grown and realizing that my hair has never been this long AND healthy makes me not want to transition and cut it and instead see how long it can grow.

If I hit APL relaxed, you can forget it! I'll just wait til I hit MBL before even thinking about going natural again if I make it that far. It's hard to give up length that you've never had before to transition and KNOW you have to slowly cut it off.

Still torn between having my hair touch my butt or having a nice puff.

 

[KinkyRed]

Yes, Im newly transitioning also.. I'm about 9 wks post and it's starting to get a little hectic.. My hair is getting so thick and dry.. If I wasn't a member of LHCF, I would probably break down and relax...

 

[lucea]

Yes, Im newly transitioning also.. I'm about 9 wks post and it's starting to get a little hectic.. My hair is getting so thick and dry.. If I wasn't a member of LHCF, I would probably break down and relax...

Love your avi Kinky red - you already look like a natural.

I am knocking on 6 months post - trying to keep these knots and tangles at bay. I almost cried this weekend trying to detangle, lol. I'll soldier on though. I know I don't want to wear my hair straight anymore. If all goes well, I will BC 1 year from now.

Keep up the good work, ladies!

 

[fanofau1977]

I just started back transitioning. First time I went natural I bc after 3 months. I want to go longer this time around.

 

[Tmochava]

I just started back transitioning. First time I went natural I bc after 3 months. I want to go longer this time around.

What happened the first time you transitioned?

 

[whatshername]

I'm new here...well, fresh out of the lurking stage anyway!

Ditto.

Hello everybody! I've been a lurking member since sometime last month, which is when I decided to transition. Most of my head hasn't seen a relaxer since late May or early June...I can't remember. But I would cheat and perm my edges and nape in between relaxers nono: I know), so my edges and nape were last relaxed in July just before I joined the forum.

Anyway. I'm done with relaxers for good. I plan to transition long term. My hair is shoulder length right now and I don't think I can chop off the relaxed ends until I have enough natural hair to pull up in a bun...which has been the style that saves me from bad hair days.

Ok. That's my quick story.

To all of you who have transitioned more than once, what were some reasons that you went back to relaxing/texlaxing?

 

[cocoaluv]

I'm transitioning too. I'm 3 months in also. I worry about being able to stick it out, because I'm nearly BSL . I don't know how I'm gonna feel once I get 3 or 4 inches of new growth, because if I relaxed, it would put me between MBL and WL. I don't know if I'd be able to cut all that off and start over .

I feel like this relaxer is holding me "hostage"!

This is exactly my story. With all my new growth now I KNOW I am BSL now. But mentally I am sooooooooooooooooooooo over relaxers that I am ok with it. Its hair and I know it will grow back better and prettier than ever. I really think that the relaxers I used to get use to strip my hair of its beauty. My hair is normally thick as heck but after Relaxer it would be limp and blah. I am ready for a change!

 

[TyHill21]

I've am currently transitioning to natural from relaxed. I tried this before and had a break down for the "creamy crack" 4 months into my transition. Now I am 3 months and I plan on having braids and something else (havent decided) to take me to my 6 month mark. This site has really helped me focused on my long term goal.

My goal is to make it to 12 months and then do a BC.
The only thing I hate about my hair is that it is ear length and I feel like I cant do anything with it -Argh........ but imma thug it out

 

[Trini_Chutney]

11 weeks and going strong!

 

[sunnygirl807]

Hello ladies. I'm trying to transition too. I stretched to 4 months before I relaxed 8.1.09. Hopefully, I will make it this time adding braids instead of just rollersets. Good luck.

 

[Aggie]

I want to transition but not sure yet if I'll go natural. I am currently over 7 months (31 and a half weeks) into my stretch but as far as becoming totally natural....I am still seriously thinking about it. I would prefer, in all honesty to be texlaxed more so than natural to have the best of both worlds. I do however, love the way henna loosens my curl pattern and makes stretching my relaxer so much easier than without it. I have no plans to texlax before one year of stretching, so what I'll do is seriously assess how I feel once I get there in January, 2010.

 

[misschee]

Hello All
I am also transitioning (for the second time). I relaxed after almost 2 yrs the first time because I wanted straight hair and my blow dryer and flat iron weren't cutting it in that GA humidity. But a few weeks into being relaxed I decided I didn't really want that and it was more work than I remembered and what I was used to. So now I'm on my way back to the kinky-curly-coily side. I'm about 3 months into it. My first transition lasted about 5 months, so if I can just reach that point I will just cut whenever the urge hits me. Although I am a bit skeptical this time, because I just moved to Chicago for grad school and don't know about a BC in the winter time. If that happens braids and kinky twists will continue to be my best friend.

 

[ixoyegodisgood]

I have decided to transition today. I think my my hair is 4-something, so we will see. I just cut about 2 inches off the ends this morning. I only did that because I think the ends were overlap from a relaxer I gave myself 2 years ago (I forgot all about doing that) I am so scared that I wont know how to take care of natural hair. A lot more learning as I go! I've decided that I need to pick and choose between the relaxers and coloring and have decided to color (I am prematurely gray....no really I am...lol! I've been going gray since birth and am at about 40% gray now [I am 30]). My GHD came in the mail, so that should help with the transition. I have never been so excited about my hair in my life....lol!