The "Super Long Transitioners" Thread!

[Rusycurly]

Originally Posted by NaturallyRece

After transitioning for 16.5 months, I finally bit the bullet and cut off the relaxed ends! *gasp* I think I cut off almost half of my hair. Surprisingly, I don't miss the length. I just need hairstyle ideas! No more fancy updo's. I posted pics on my blog.

~ http://AHairStory.Wordpress.com ~

Saw the pics on your blog. Hair looks beautiful. Easier or more difficult now to manage your hair? How has your routine changed?

[NalaJae]

Originally Posted by amber109

Im very new to this site and to transitioning. I am so glad to have come across this site. My last perm was Feb 2011. I have no plans on doing the big chop. I do not look cute with really short hair.I will have to cut it all off to be relaxer free. As of write now I am trying to grow it out with a sew in. I think I am going to keep wearing them at least until the end of the summer. I will get a trim every 3 months. I dont feel comfortable trimming alot off yet so right now it just may be the split ends we will see. Even though I am wearing a sew in a work out alot so I have been co washing everyother day. I am also trying the no poo method.

i also had my last relaxer in Feb 2011. i mostly do braidouts and i LOVE them. i have done a bun...it was ok. but my hair is really hard to manage because it is very long and i dont plan on doing the BC so braidouts are working great for me right now. i need to trim my hair though.

[pprMACHEheart]

Hope everyone is doing well with their whole transitioning bit today.

[Butterfly_Curlz]

Originally Posted by pprMACHEheart

Hope everyone is doing well with their whole transitioning bit today.

I know that you transitioned for a good amount of time & I'm curious as to your thoughts on the ease and/or difficulty of the transitioning process the further you went along.

I have never been a PJ (mainly because I never wanted to jump from product to product & because of a lack of funds), however I noticed that once I settled into a consistent reggie the entire transitioning process becomes alot easier (at least for me).

Yes I spend 3 to 4 hrs on each wash day but I just consider that a part of the process & I look at it as pampering my hair so the time doesn't really bother me. I sometimes can't relate to those who state that transitioning is sooo difficult bc it...well just isn't for me. I just like everyone else want long hair rt now however I know that can't happen so I focus on the health of my hair instead knowing that the growth will come in time.

What are your thoughts?

[pprMACHEheart]

Originally Posted by JaylensMami10

I know that you transitioned for a good amount of time & I'm curious as to your thoughts on the ease and/or difficulty of the transitioning process the further you went along.

I have never been a PJ (mainly because I never wanted to jump from product to product & because of a lack of funds), however I noticed that once I settled into a consistent reggie the entire transitioning process becomes alot easier (at least for me).

Yes I spend 3 to 4 hrs on each wash day but I just consider that a part of the process & I look at it as pampering my hair so the time doesn't really bother me. I sometimes can't relate to those who state that transitioning is sooo difficult bc it...well just isn't for me. I just like everyone else want long hair rt now however I know that can't happen so I focus on the health of my hair instead knowing that the growth will come in time.

What are your thoughts?

I agree with you, transitioning for me was easy. I found what worked for me and clung to it, between finding that my hair thrived with Joico products, deep conditioning treatments every two weeks, and doing twist outs when I didn't go to the salon . . . transitioning for almost 2 years, seemed like no time at all.

I wasn't afraid of trimming either, I trimmed every 3 months and my hair stayed healthy and long to boot.

Transitioning is all about your mindset, if you think it's difficult (and you moan, gripe and complain about wishing you could perm your hair every time it does something you're not accustomed to) it will be and you'll want to go back to relaxers.

But this is just my two cents.

[Butterfly_Curlz]

Originally Posted by pprMACHEheart

I agree with you, transitioning for me was easy. I found what worked for me and clung to it, between finding that my hair thrived with Joico products, deep conditioning treatments every two weeks, and doing twist outs when I didn't go to the salon . . . transitioning for almost 2 years, seemed like no time at all.

I wasn't afraid of trimming either, I trimmed every 3 months and my hair stayed healthy and long to boot.

Transitioning is all about your mindset, if you think it's difficult (and you moan, gripe and complain about wishing you could perm your hair every time it does something you're not accustomed to) it will be and you'll want to go back to relaxers.

But this is just my two cents.

Ita w/that as well. Transitioning is really all about what you make of it. It is a process...sometimes a very long one depending on what your goals/expectations are when you chop however again I say focus on the health of your hair instead of length or where you aren't rt now.

I really noticed that once I did that the 1st yr flew by & doing another yr or two max really doesn't seem that far fetched to me anymore.

I'm comfortable w/my transitioning styles, my reggie, the way my hair reponds to my reggie & I totally make wash day a complete pampering day where I do my toes & nails when I'm done w/my hair.

It has really been an enjoyable process thus far. I love seeing and playing w/my hair on wash day (I view wash day as a time to love on my hair vs a 'chore') & I'm excited about all thats to come in years ahead.

[annabananalise]

I haven't found it difficult at all. I'm even trimming my own hair now!

On the phone! Sorry for teh errerz.

[Butterfly_Curlz]

Originally Posted by annabananaliese

I haven't found it difficult at all. I'm even trimming my own hair now!

On the phone! Sorry for teh errerz.

Yea me too! I was initially a little nervous about trimming my own hair however once I got used to it its no biggie anymore.

I must say that I am throughly enjoying my transitioning process. I will admit that I wish I could just snap my fingers and have thick, lush, long natural hair however I am ok w/going thru the process and loving what I have...even if it is an inch at a time!

[aa9072]

I plan on transitioning for a year or so!! Lets see what happens :-/ 2 weeks ago I did a mini chop! Chopped my Apl hair to neck length. I am 5 months post now. I think a year of transition would do me good

[mochamel]

I haven't relaxed my hair in about 3mths. I used Jane Carter to help go natural. It didn't do anything. I used Mixed Chicks last summer and it was so so. I've been using One&Only Argan Oil products. At 1st it was great and now I'm doubting if it is any good. Bought Kinky Curly products last nite mite use them. I'm just trying to find some good hair products to use in between relaxing. Btw I'm a 3C. And I don't know any of the transitioning or hair product terms so please explain to me lol. =)

MochaMel (CurlyKinky3C)

[Rusycurly]

Just wanted to check in with you ladies. With this heat I've been exclusively wearing protective styles. I do wash and gos until hair air dries and as soon as it does so I either do a bun or French braids. I tried twist outs and braid outs and they were a fail for me. Right now I'm just trying to keep the hair away because my 11 month old loves to pull it and I'm trying to minimize breakage. What are you ladies up to?

[annabananalise]

Welll it will be a year in three days. I'm pretty much doing buns and ponytails lately. Wash, detangle, let dry then bun. I need to find some more hairstyles as I'm feeling rather uninspired. Lol.

On the phone! Sorry for teh errerz.

[Rusycurly]

How often do you ladies trim your hair? Last time I had a trim was in May. I was originally thinking of waiting until December for a trim (since I'm trying to keep my length) but lately I've been giving serious consideration to cutting off at least a good 4 inches. For those of you who have transitioned longer than me (only 8 months) would it cause a lot of damage to my hair if I were to go for like a year without trimming? My hair doesn't have any split ends or anything. I'm just concerned because I keep hearing that breakage is an issue when you long transition.

[pprMACHEheart]

As someone who transitioned for almost two years, I trimmed every three months religiously. My hair stayed healthy and I kept my length. I think trimming is pretty important while transitioning.

[besos2011]

Hey Ladies!,


This Thread is very neat! I have been transitioning for 27 months and my goal is to transition for 36 months.

I just want to say congrats to all the ladies on here for making the long term transition. I know how difficult it can be at times. So keep up the good work and HHG!

[Butterfly_Curlz]

Originally Posted by annabananaliese

Welll it will be a year in three days. I'm pretty much doing buns and ponytails lately. Wash, detangle, let dry then bun. I need to find some more hairstyles as I'm feeling rather uninspired. Lol.

On the phone! Sorry for teh errerz.

Congrats on reaching 1year anna! Doesn't it feel great?!

Originally Posted by pprMACHEheart

As someone who transitioned for almost two years, I trimmed every three months religiously. My hair stayed healthy and I kept my length. I think trimming is pretty important while transitioning.

I would have to agree w/pprmache. I originally used to trim every 3months and then I switched to as needed, which has been working better lately. I protective style, have only used heat once since I started, DT religiously,etc but as of the past 2months I have noticed very minimal splits every 3wks.

At first I was like I have to wait one more wk to cut but then I realized I have to do whats best for my hair & if it requires me dusting every 3wks then so be it. I say this all to say that while it is important to trim, don't get so wrapped up in only doing it on a set schedule. If your ends are looking a little rough then dust them before they get out of control (I dust when I see 1 stray strand). My hair thanks me for it with giving me less breakage and easier manageability in the long run.

Originally Posted by besos2011

Hey Ladies!,


This Thread is very neat! I have been transitioning for 27 months and my goal is to transition for 36 months.

I just want to say congrats to all the ladies on here for making the long term transition. I know how difficult it can be at times. So keep up the good work and HHG!

Wow! Congrats on making it this far already! I can't wait to reach my 2yr mark.

[annabananalise]

Thanks! It does feel great.

On the phone! Sorry for teh errerz.

[Aerogirl530]

Originally Posted by RealChic4eva

Hey yall!

I'm 10 months in and I'm starting to have a difficult time handling my hair. I'd probably get a relaxer if I hadn't come so far already.

I've always had long hair, and I'm not interested in short hair at all. The tangles are out of control! I can pass the comb thru, grab a clip, change the channel, do anything really, I go back to it and it's tangled again! So frustrating!

I don't know if the tangling is b/c of the relaxed ends or what. But I don't really see how that can be the case.

I'm brushing BSL straightened, and I plan to cut 3-4 inches as soon as I get the cajones.

Dunno what to do abt it being so difficult to handle tho.

I'm having the same dilemma i comb my hair, i try to brush it into a bun and look ! its tangled again, but my hair tangles at the demarcation line (where natural and relaxed hair meet) because they are fighting for freedom, i am also 10 months post i will be a year on october 27th, i plan on big chopping between 18-20 months or 24 whenever i've comfortable,but i am very young not even in my 20's !, i'm in middle school

[MsNellabella]

Flat twists outs have been working great for me. I saw a tutorial on by kimmaytube on youtube. It is a great way to blend the relaxed ends and get a big head of curls.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using CurlTalk App

[Butterfly_Curlz]

Originally Posted by MsNellabella

Flat twists outs have been working great for me. I saw a tutorial on by kimmaytube on youtube. It is a great way to blend the relaxed ends and get a big head of curls.

Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using CurlTalk App

I'm going to have to check that out. I am very very style challenged despite buns, braids & twists...that does not include flat twists. I still have never mastered wrapping my hair at night...