New *2010* Transitioners Support Thread!

[Foxglove]

I really think Henna has helped me with retention. I think I'm going to take a break from the braid and twist extentions for a while so I can start using Henna and my Ayurvedic powders again.

Aggie, thank you for your Henna gloss recipe. I've been using something similiar to it between braid installs.

Can I get in on this recipe?

 

[Platinum]

Can I get in on this recipe?

I don't remember where it's located in the Henna threads but I believe she has the recipe in her fotki.

 

[Aggie]

Can I get in on this recipe?

I don't remember where it's located in the Henna threads but I believe she has the recipe in her fotki.

Hey FG, Plat is right, you can find the recipe in my fotki, no passsword needed.

 

[Platinum]

Removed my twists. I didn't realize how thick my hair is . I'll be henna'ing today but I haven't decided how I plan to style my hair. I bought a phony puff yesterday from the BSS, so I may try that or try out my Maxiglide.

 

[andromeda]

The relaxed ends of my bantu knot twist out weren't holding up so well, so I decided to pin them up, basically giving the appearance of what my hair would look like if I BC'd. I love it! With my trusty headband, it actually suits me very well - like a crown sitting atop my head. I'm seriously thinking about BCing this weekend. In a perfect world, I'd like to be APL before going completely natchal but I know that's unrealistic with my slow growth rate, shrinkage and the minimal amount of relaxed ends remaining.

I feel like I've met most of the important requirements for being BC-ready:
Appearance
-Am I comfortable with my hair at this length?
Yes. It's not my optimal length but factoring in shrinkage, I won't be at my optimal length for a long while.

-Do I have a grasp of styles that I will wear and do these styles complement my lifestyle?
Yes. I already love wearing wigs and plan to continuing doing so regardless of whether I BC or not. I also like how my hair looks with bantu-knotted twist outs. I have enough new growth to put in a very short ponytail, which can be augmented with a phony-puff. These styles complement my lifestyle irt meetings and events since I'm not in an ultra-conservative field. Another important aspect of my lifestyle is working out. When I'm wearing cornrows, I honestly don't feel comfortable going out in them, so BCing won't change that. I'll wear a scarf or casual half-wig when I go running. When I'm wearing my hair "out", being all natural would actually be easier bc I don't have to worry about sweat reverting my relaxed ends from, let's say, a bantu knot twist out curl pattern to bone straight. I look a ham with my ng in a curly or kinky texture and my relaxed ends straight. With all natural hair, if I sweat, my style might stay or it might not, but at least all my hair will be the same texture.

-What styling options will I be missing out on if I BC?
Buns of substance on my own hair. Last week, I wore my hair in twists pulled back in a bun, which is a look I loved. Last month, I straightened my hair and was able to do gorgeous buns. If I BC, I won't be able to do either. I also might not be able to wear my hair straightened (aside from occasional length checks) because it's not in a "cut" style, which is preferable for hair of my length.

-Have I accepted my texture?
Yes. Long time ago. I know my hair won't hang. I know that it grows up, not down. I know that my hair isn't conducive to wash-n-go, which isn't really something I feel I'm missing out on.

-Am I prepared for the weird in-between stage of not quite TWA, not quite BAA?
I think so. :scratchch


Regimen+ Hair Health
-Will BCing make my hair easier to care for?
I believe it will. I've always had a problem with roughness and tangling along the border of ng/relaxed ends, even with applying DCs diligently using an application brush since the beginning of my HHJ and regular moisturizing and attentive detangling. My relaxed ends won't let my natchal hair be great! I think caring for one texture will be easier and will also allow me to care for my [future] natural ends better.

-How will BCing affect my regimen?
I'm still in the process of finding the perfect regimen but I've been doing a low-manipulation regimen and will continue to do so whether or not I BC. My current regimen requires cornrowing under wigs and if I BC, I'll still have enough hair to cornrow. My regimen and how I handle my hair has mostly prioritized my natural hair, so not much would change. In fact, I really can't think of a single thing that would change.

-How will BCing affect my product lineup?
Once again, can't think of anything. I don't have use any super-heavy proteins or ceramides for my relaxed ends. In light of a recent feature on The Natural Haven blog, I was considering re-incorporating a glycerin/water spray mix into my lineup but that has more to do with the season than transitioning/fully natural hair.

-If I find myself in a rut after BCing, would I be in danger of relaxing?
I honestly don't think so. Not because I'm fundamentally opposed to relaxing. For me, transitioning was an opportunity to get acquainted with my relaxer-free hair bc I felt I owed it to myself to do so. I've never been of the conviction that "I'll never relax again". However, of the various complications that BCing could present, I don't see how a relaxer would solve any of them, therefore I don't see myself in danger of relaxing as a "way out".

I'll sleep on it another night. Any other things to take into account?

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

wow those are all very good questions! ♥

 

[andromeda]

wow those are all very good questions! ♥

Thanks! That means a lot coming from a long-term transitioner who recently BC'd.

BTW, your puff is to die for!:lovedrool:

 

[jamoca5]

Gonna try DCing on dry hair today. Any of you guys do this (Mummy's Girl, I think you do, if I remember your YT vid correctly) and if so, what differences--good and bad--did you find compared to DCing on wet hair?

 

[Ms.Christ3n]

Wow! You ladies are really doin' the dang thang! lol, I wish I would have joined LHCF before I BC'd. I would have been able to transition so much longer!
I'm still happy that I BC'd though!
Keep up the great work!

 

[lilsparkle825]

Hey ladies, just dropping in for support -- I transitioned for a year and BC'd in 2008. I also need to ask a question: I have a friend who is 6 months post and struggling with how she's gonna do her hair over the summer. I can't really help her, since my transition was largely over the winter and I chopped in June just so I could WNG, so what do you guys think?? Any styles (with or without added hair) that she can do that won't look crazy at the end of the day?

TIA ladies!

 

[Platinum]

Hey ladies, just dropping in for support -- I transitioned for a year and BC'd in 2008. I also need to ask a question: I have a friend who is 6 months post and struggling with how she's gonna do her hair over the summer. I can't really help her, since my transition was largely over the winter and I chopped in June just so I could WNG, so what do you guys think?? Any styles (with or without added hair) that she can do that won't look crazy at the end of the day?

TIA ladies!

What about braids/twists or a sew-in?

 

[thickhairRN]

She can definitely try kinky twists, senegalese twists, sewins, and braids to help transition. I'm only a little past 4months post but these styles help me stay sane lol. Also, I did my first wash with "natural" hair care products and I'm in LOVE! I used Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap, Earthly Delight Conditioner, vegetable glycerin, and a mix of EVOO, castor oil, and jojoba oil. I have never not seen a comb full of broken hair! It was a beautiful thing and detangling was not an issue at all! Thanks soooo much ladies!!! Time for a sewin now, can't wait for more growth bcuz its so pretty!

 

[wontonfm]

Eight months post and nowhere near BCing!

 

[Platinum]

49 weeks post today!::superbanana: I removed my twists and Henna'd yesterday. Too be honest, I was almost on the verge of BC'ing yesterday. I have quite a bit of NG (my nape is 100% natural though ) but I'm still not sure if I'm comfortable with the length of if chop now. Also, I still want to try to see if I can make APL by Dec.

Keep up the good work ladies!

 

[Aggie]

I'm thinking about getting individual braids with extensions in May for 6-7 weeks and re-done a week afterwards a couple more times of the same duration to help me get to 2 years a lot easier. MY wigs are working fine but I need a change, I'm getting bored with them now, .

 

[Aggie]

49 weeks post today!::superbanana: I removed my twists and Henna'd yesterday. Too be honest, I was almost on the verge of BC'ing yesterday. I have quite a bit of NG (my nape is 100% natural though ) but I'm still not sure if I'm comfortable with the length of if chop now. Also, I still want to try to see if I can make APL by Dec.

Keep up the good work ladies!

Congratas Platinum and good luck reaching APL by December this year.

 

[cch24]

So it's been about 12 days since I've BC'd. My hair has either grown a lot (doubtful) or the texture has loosened (probable). I think that my hair was shocked when I cut the relaxed ends off, and daily cowashing has brought out my true (and a bit looser) texture. Still just bunning away. I plan on trying a wash and go when this semester is over in mid May.

 

[davisbr88]

1. Currently 7 months post
2. Planning to go until my 23rd birthday, which is exactly 17 months! (Too much of a coincidence, right?!)
Celebrating by taking a trip to the Bronx to get my BC done at Miss Jessie's. Can't wait!

 

[Murjani]

Checking in @ 6months post..not looking back

My hair is really growing..the little curlies are really sprouting.

I will remain weaved up for the next 6months until BC Day

 

[nsmith30]

I big chopped on Wednesday. At first it scared me to death. But now I love it.

 

[CurlTalk]

^^Congrats! Looks great!

 

[andromeda]

Finally uploaded some photos:

Here's the bantu knot twist out that I had to salvage.

As you can see, most of it didn't turn out too well. So I decided to an updo:

left out a side bang and put the rest in a loose ponytail/puff. side view
view from the top

Today I cowashed with v05 tea therapy black <<somesortafruit>>
I used the same method as I did the last time to form a bun. From six large twists, I undid them one by one, pulling them back/smoothing them into a banana clip. This time, I added some ic fantasia gel and tied my hair down with a scarf for about 20 min (thanks, grand prix!). It's a little bit neater. Sure I could get it even neater if I used a brush.

I ended up putting on a double headband

more photos here, on my fotki

 

[andromeda]

I big chopped on Wednesday. At first it scared me to death. But now I love it.

Gorgeous! You're rocking the heck out of it!

 

[MyAngelEyez~C~U]

6 months post tomorrow!!!

 

[Stepiphanie]

Congrats on the BC nsmith!! Your hair looks great!

Andromeda , the styles are very pretty.

 

[vainღ♥♡jane]

lawd, ever since i discovered i could do a puff, and on dry hair, i have not been motivated to cowash as daily as i used too. `♥

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

Finally uploaded some photos:

Here's the bantu knot twist out that I had to salvage.

As you can see, most of it didn't turn out too well. So I decided to an updo:

left out a side bang and put the rest in a loose ponytail/puff. side view
view from the top

Today I cowashed with v05 tea therapy black <<somesortafruit>>
I used the same method as I did the last time to form a bun. From six large twists, I undid them one by one, pulling them back/smoothing them into a banana clip. This time, I added some ic fantasia gel and tied my hair down with a scarf for about 20 min (thanks, grand prix!). It's a little bit neater. Sure I could get it even neater if I used a brush.

I ended up putting on a double headband

more photos here, on my fotki

BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL!!! VERY NICE!!

 

[KaramelDiva1978]

Hey ladies, just dropping in for support -- I transitioned for a year and BC'd in 2008. I also need to ask a question: I have a friend who is 6 months post and struggling with how she's gonna do her hair over the summer. I can't really help her, since my transition was largely over the winter and I chopped in June just so I could WNG, so what do you guys think?? Any styles (with or without added hair) that she can do that won't look crazy at the end of the day?

TIA ladies!

She can also try curly sets to blend her textures with rods, straws or rollers. It would last her a few days and still allow her to moisturize and oil her scalp if she needs to. As the curls get older, accessorize with headbands, clips or pinups. HTH!

 

[Grand Prix]

Gosh, you really thought it through, andromena!

I've been doing some thinking myself. :scratchch
Or planning, rather. I just want to push myself a little further into my transition. I know I'll never make two years, but I could make, say 20/21 months.

I'm going to try the cowash, bun and scarf overnight method tonight. See if I like it and if it really is that easy.

Then somewhere next week, I think I'll do my last ever bantu knot out ponytail as a transitioner. They're really starting to frustrate me more and more.
And I think we should part as friends . They have gotten me this far and I'm so grateful I found that method, but more of my natural hair is coming through my ponytail and it's starting to look like a puff with stringy relaxed curls hanging on.
Plus they're so hard to comb/brush back after they set on my natural hair.

Then I'll flatiron on Sunday, and if I keep that for a week, I will have made my final goal of 18 months.
It feels really weird to be able to say that.

From then on, I think I'll flatiron, wash after a week and a half, do the wetbun/scarf thing for a few days and then flatiron again.
I think that seeing the length of flatironed hair will keep me from cutting (too much , I will be trimming a whole lot), and it's so much easier than dealing with these two textures.

If all goes well, no reverting and easy wetbuns in between, the last months shouldn't be as much of a struggle as the past few have been.
If it doesn't.. I guess the time has finally come to give in already.

 

[Zaz]

Almost 11 months post, I've been wearing my hair in twistouts that I convert into a puff/bun after two days out. So far things are still easy peasy. My goal is to make it past 18 months