I need definite answers!

DSTurbinglysoulful · 07-15-2008, 02:19 PM

Hey...
I'm new to this going natural thing...
And after reading thousands of web pages, blogs, and posts (maybe hundreds, not thousands!) I'm still not sure how to best go about this transitioning thing.

I probably have about 1/2-1 inch of new growth; my last perm was late May, early June. I'm looking for basic ways to take care of my hair until I'm able to get braids to grow my hair out.

I'm in need of good oils, (my scalp is itchy for some reason) shampoos/conditioners (that are easily attainable at the local beauty supply store) and don't cost a refinance on my car to buy. ha!

Any suggestions? (like real, "I've done this before, it works..." suggestions)

Be as simple in your responses as possible; my eyes are crossed trying to figure all of this out...

Peace & Collard Greens!

Alisha

______________________________

From what I know so far, maybe a 3B,3C,4B? Who knows.... lol

DSTurbinglysoulful · 07-15-2008, 02:21 PM

http://images14.fotki.com/v258/photo...7110469-vi.jpg

pic of my hair

Vainity · 07-16-2008, 01:36 PM

This is my third time transitioning in the past five years.
Why do I keep going back? I have no clue.
So, the first time I did it by shampooing weekly, and wearing my hair gelled, in a bun EVERYday. When I relaxed again, breakage was minimal.
The second time I transitioned by conditioning only. No special products. I would deep condition once a week with cholesterol, air dry my hair and flat iron/ pressing comb (edges only0). In the earlier stages of this I could style my hair easily in relaxed styles. In the later stages, I was reduced to a ponytail. I did this for ten months and when I went back to my stylist for a relaxer, I had no breakage. She was surprised.
Last year I also bc'd my hair 6 weeks after getting a relaxer. It went well for 9 months or so. Then I wanted straight hair again and relaxed.
This time, my game plan is to use some of the knowledge I gained while being completely natural.
Some products and styles I plan to use... Giovanni Direct Leave In (great for detangling), Qhemet Biologics Heavy Cream (great moisturizer), Jane Carter Solutions Nourish and Shine (moisturizer without water)... My hair also loves co-washes with Suave Naturals. Qhemet Biologics can be found online at the Qhemet website, the other two can be found at Whole Foods. Remember if you do decide to style your hair with heat, like its relaxed, use a heat protectant. My favorite is Beyond the Zone. You can find that at Sally's.
I'm still wearing my hair in the layered style its cut in. But I suspect when I get near 2 inches of new growth, this will be a little hard and I'll be reduced to ponytails again.

soon2b · 07-16-2008, 01:59 PM

I think it is important to wait until you know ur hair better before investing in expensive products. Advice:
1. Don't manipulate ur hair alot bc it is extremely fragile. Instead use protective styles ( twist out, braid out, braids, bun, ect)
2.Keep your hair moisturized, some ppl prefer oils and other butters ( olive oil, coconut oil and shea moisture are all good, and are cheap)
3. I washed mine once a week until was completely natural. Everytime you wash make sure u deep condition. You can easily turn any conditioner into something more moisturizing by simply adding an oil of your choice ( I use olive) and add some honey. I add it directly to my hair not the bottle.
4. trim about an inch every couple months

DSTurbinglysoulful · 07-16-2008, 05:27 PM

Thanks...your wisdom is well taken. That is one thing I HAVE learned so far, to not invest too much until I know more. I did get some shea butter oil for my roots on yesterday... they drunk it all up and I think I'll re-oil on tomorrow. I did my first co-wash yesterday. After that, I air dried, oiled my scalp and my hair seemed happy.

I do plan on getting braids at the end of the month... otherwise, I'd spend my free time staring in the mirror looking for newgrowth. HA!

Thanks again!

DSTurbinglysoulful · 07-16-2008, 05:29 PM

That's interesting... So do you think this time around you will stick with it?

DSTurbinglysoulful · 08-04-2008, 06:37 PM

Okay...So, here goes.
I'm about to CRACK. At this point usually, I'd be soooo ready to put a perm in my hair.
But I know I can't.
I've come too far! (well not that far, only 2 months in)

But, at the same time, I can't really afford to pay to get my hair braided (as I THOUGHT I was going to do in my previous post)...

...so I've been wearing my hair in a bun the last 3 weeks. My roots are extremely "nappy", puffy, and my relaxed hair is really brittle and dry. It's hard to get it to "lay down" so I can do a decent bun and hard to comb through....it's just a mess.

Then I thought about just BCing right now, 2 months in...but decided against it because the last time I got a perm, I did it MYSELF and the front got a lot straighter than the back. While I have about an inch of NG in the middle, I have 1/4 inch in the front in back. Retarded. THAT was the day I decided, "this is stupid....I'm going natural."

I don't know. Someone give me some support. Give me an encouraging word so that I don't take the last $7.99 I have and get a box perm.

Let me know that I'll make it through. Tell me of a way to get my roots and hair to "ack right" so I can AT LEAST do a decent bun. Tell me that the split ends that are making their way up my hair shaft will soon be gone... someone give me something!!! lol

Suburbanbushbabe · 08-04-2008, 08:08 PM

Quote:

My roots are extremely "nappy", puffy, and my relaxed hair is really brittle and dry. It's hard to get it to "lay down" so I can do a decent bun and hard to comb through....it's just a mess.

Many transitioners tend to think their roots are puffier than they actually are.

A simple hair hydrater is water, aloe vera juice or gel, glycerin and a little bit of honey in a spray bottle. Softens up your hair. You can also spray it on your dry ends, rub in a little oil, and baggy overnight. High quality shea butter or shealoe butter does it as well. Another moistener/hydrator is rubbing butter on your wet ends after cleansing/conditioning - I like Jane Carter Nourish & Shine, but Shea butter works as does Qhemet Burdock Root butter cream. Lastly, wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo, do a Deep treatment, then was with conditioners after that or an occasional sulfate-free shampoo. Get rid of products containing non-water soluble silicones and mineral oil/paraffinum. Good luck with getting rid of the dryness. You can do it!

MissKinkyCoily · 08-05-2008, 12:33 AM

Have u tried wearing twist-outs or braid outs? That's what I did for most of my transition. Its a great way to hide kinky roots and blend the two hair textures. Plus, it helps u get use to the change f not having straight hair. I think u should stop straightening it for now. Also, weekly deep treatments are what helped keep my hair manageable. When I skipped the dt's, my hair did not cooperate. HTH

cysyca · 08-05-2008, 11:17 AM

Stay away from the relaxer! I know exactly how you feel because I'm transitioning too (4 months now) and it's hard but we both can do it. The tips I've read so far have been very helpful. Good luck.

nickfish · 08-05-2008, 01:08 PM

What about rollersets? Rollersets have really been helping me. My roots are not the straightest, but you can't tell unless you actually part my hair and go looking (just some waves)! I co-wash, deep condition with heat (about 30 min.), rollerset with blended beauty styling lotion (I looooove blended beauty) and castor oil on my ends. Once I'm done sitting under the dryer (like 2hrs, I don't like how rollersets com out without heat) I wrap, put on my scarf and go to bed. In the morning my hair is fine. I do this every week. I really have found that co-washing is a must because your hair needs so much more moisture when your transitoning.

If my roots get puffy and dry (which they do after I workout because I refuse to wash my hair everday) I just add some styling butter (blended beauty again) to roots only and wrap with a scarf. I DO NOT comb my hair out until the next day (I usually do this at night) because if you do the moisture you added will only make your hair puff more. You have to wait for it to dry. Good luck!!~

nickfish · 08-05-2008, 01:11 PM

If you don't know how to do rollersets, this website gives a great tutorial

http://www.long-healthy-hair-advisor...ural-hair.html

DSTurbinglysoulful · 08-05-2008, 02:33 PM

You guys have given some really good ideas. I'm going to get on this EVOO, honey, aloe vera mix and see how that works. Has anyone tried Kinky Curly's TRANSITIONER'S TONIC? I was thinking of getting that today... any thoughts?

mixeded · 08-05-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSTurbinglysoulful

Has anyone tried Kinky Curly's TRANSITIONER'S TONIC? I was thinking of getting that today... any thoughts?

I've been using this for the past 2 months or so and just bought another bottle. It seems to work pretty well.. my roots are a lot softer and whatever product I put in my hair afterwards works better.

Karua12 · 08-05-2008, 11:44 PM

I agree, I didn't notice anything at first, but I do believe the FC Transitioning Tonic did soften my hair. I put about 5 drops in my hair about twice a week, concentrating on the roots for about 10 minutes. It's a good scalp massager at the end of a rough day. Also, I heard stimulating your scalp is good for hair growth. I've only tried the Knot Today also, but right now it's definetly one of best conditioners I've ever used for detangling. Paul Michell's Original The Detangler is also good

You should try them.

Sunyata B. · 08-06-2008, 01:39 PM

My biggest piece of advice would be to switch to better quality products now. Before I decided to go natural I got rid of the majority of the products that contained a lot of silicones, mineral oil, and pertrolum. Using better products did bring out a curl pattern that I never saw before, which made me decide to go natural. I usually go online for my products(curlmart on this site,Qhemet Biologics,Oyin Homeade,Carols Daughter, Amazon & Vitacost for conditioners). I usually make a spritz containing glicerin/EVOO/conditioner/peppermint & rosemary oil that really moisturizes my hair. I get those things at a Whole Foods-type store, except for the EVOO, which I get at a regular ol' grocery along with honey(to add to conditioners for deep conditioning) and baking soda(to clarify). The switching of products may seem expensive, but after finding what works it will be worth it to see how beautiful your hair really is.