Need a transitiion buddy!!! - Page 4

vmocha · 12-27-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iyanifa1

Hey Ladies,
Just wanted to say how awesome it is to have read your thread. I am on day one (as of today, from reading your post for encouragement) in transitioning. Unfortunately I broke down on Christmas Eve from a 6 week break in relaxing. The Holiday broke me down - ugghh. So I'm straight again, but not happy. I have been through several transitions - from locks, to bald (yes bald), to short afro, to relaxed/pineapple curl fade. Hence where I am now - but longer. I want to be NATURAL again - I miss it. I want to transition because I believe the chemicals not only get in you system (causing health issues), but it also affect you mentally, your thinking. I remember being bald - It was great! People would stare, but I felt a natural empowerment (not arrogrant - just like THIS IS ME!) - ya know. And with the Afro as well, I just felt like a free thinker. With the relaxer, I felt good when my curls were shining and my fade was tight, but in between salon visits it was hard to maintain, hence a decrease in my self confidence. Could be me, but it is what it is. Anyway, all three of my children are natural, and I want to set a positive example to them now so they won't have to go through that (which was my reason for going natural before)- As for how long I plan to transition - I believe this time its for life----- Can't wait for the wisdom to flow when I turn grey and am natural. Not using any products now (no new growth yet) but will tuff it out till I have enough to cut - even if its a miniscule afro. I need my naturalness (is that a word?-LOL) and I need it now!
Thanks for starting this thread.
Many Blessing and a Happy Nappy Year!

I think its awesome!! I wish I had the courage to go for the gusto cut it all off...my head is too large...LOL

I hope it works out 4 you this go round at "naturalness"...and yes, it is a word...well, on this thread it is...LOL

www.fotki.com/hafro

anaturalme · 12-28-2008, 12:34 PM

I am having major shedding. Everytime I wash or comb alot of hair strands are coming out. I know I could up my DC but I moist everyday and seal with oil and wear it up no heat. Is this part of the transtioning phase? how can I stop this awful shedding. And my NG isn't coming in as thick as I thought it would am I doing something wrong? I only comb with a wide tooth and my denman now. I only co wash. And I try to do it everyday but i usually only do it a couple times a week. any suggestions would be great.

heyitsmefe · 12-28-2008, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anaturalme

I am having major shedding. Everytime I wash or comb alot of hair strands are coming out. I know I could up my DC but I moist everyday and seal with oil and wear it up no heat. Is this part of the transtioning phase? how can I stop this awful shedding. And my NG isn't coming in as thick as I thought it would am I doing something wrong? I only comb with a wide tooth and my denman now. I only co wash. And I try to do it everyday but i usually only do it a couple times a week. any suggestions would be great.

I experienced a lot of shedding when I was manipulating my hair more often and not using enough moisture. It wasn't until I found a staple style and starting co-washing 3x a week that I noticed my hair not shedding as much. I think you may need to up your co-washing a little bit and make sure you're not pulling too much at your hair. Oh yeah, how ofen are you deep conditioning?

anaturalme · 12-28-2008, 06:21 PM

well i am not going to lie. I DC whenever. I try to do it once to twice a wk. I don't do anything to my hair but wear it in a ponytail with a clip or just in a ponytail with my ends tucked. I will try co washing 3times a wk. Moist twice a day DC once a wk. I don't think I manipulate my hair that often because I truly barely mess with it except to style every morning.

heyitsmefe · 12-31-2008, 07:52 AM

Happy New Years Ladies!

tedra · 01-01-2009, 07:39 PM

Happy new year everybody!

I need help with my hair!!!

It is very tangled (sp), eventhough I deep conditioned it. WTH?? Any ideas?? Im thinking of bc'ing this weekend....we'll see

Sugarbabe1 · 01-02-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedra

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarbabe1

Hi Tedra, I'm in too!!!! YAY!!!

Welcome!! We are glad you're here.

Tell us about yourself...What made you want to go natural?
This is so much fun!!!!

Hi ladies! Happy new year!!!

I've always been a "do-it-yourself" kind of girl...so i never went to to any hair stylist to get my hair relaxed. I never had any major issues with my relaxed hair. The only thing is that i had to flat iron my hair so i could get it straight (yeah the relaxer always got me wavy hair after washing it).My hair grows fast. I have been cutting it myself when I went crazy (this teds to happen to me from time to time

...although i have been good lately and decided not to touch it for awhile (this now give me the confidence that i can go along with a long transitioning period)).

The reason I decided to go natural is that i'm just fed up with the relaxing touch ups and the flat ironig evry week...my hair is getting damaged by the heat and i must admit that in its straight stage i don't really take good care of my hair (being sleek and shiny was all i was going for)...I don't really remember what my hair looked like...i just remember that i had a full head of hair and people were pitying me when my mom had to style my hair

. i was so happy when i had my first relaxer (and my mom too because she did'nt have to style it herself anymore).
I just need to reconnect with my old self...

now it's been over two months since my last relaxer and i've just been really careful with my hair.
I'm French but i live now in London. We don't have access to the most of the products you're referring too on this forum...i mean you can still get some shipped over but it's gonna cost you an arm...so i'm doing loads of research, learning what's good, what's not and will experiment and let you know what i found that worked for me and could work for you.

I'm in Paris for the holidays but when i'm back in London (this weekend) i will start to document my journey. I already crested my fotki but i just need to add some photos!

Cheers ladies

naturalnurse04 · 01-02-2009, 07:42 AM

Hello everyone! I posted a seperate thread last night out of pure frustration and the lovely Tedra suggested I join here, so here I am! Thanks Tedra. My last relaxer was September 6, 2006, so I am 4 months into transitioning. I have had relaxers since I was 6 and I just decided that I wanted to get to know the real me. I don't want to have to conform to world's standards of beauty: the long straight hair, 100 pounds soaking wet. I want to be me, the way that God created me. So I started on this journey.

My current regimen includes washing every two weeks, deep conditioning every week and co-washing once or twice a week. I use organix coconut shampoo and conditioner, suave tropical coconut for co-washes, ORS deep conditioning packs, and TONS of unrefined shea butter. I love that stuff. I also have IC Fantasia gel and I love the way it makes my little curls stand out in the front. I would be completely lost with headbands, hair clips, and bobby pins. I think that I've turned into an accessory junkie if that's possible.

My original plan was to BC after a year of transitioning, but lately I've been rethinking that. Maybe 6 months, which would be in March? Only time will tell. I'm looking forward to chatting with you guys and getting some good advice and support. Thanks for everything!

tedra · 01-02-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarbabe1

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedra

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sugarbabe1

Hi Tedra, I'm in too!!!! YAY!!!

Welcome!! We are glad you're here.

Tell us about yourself...What made you want to go natural?
This is so much fun!!!!

Hi ladies! Happy new year!!!

I've always been a "do-it-yourself" kind of girl...so i never went to to any hair stylist to get my hair relaxed. I never had any major issues with my relaxed hair. The only thing is that i had to flat iron my hair so i could get it straight (yeah the relaxer always got me wavy hair after washing it).My hair grows fast. I have been cutting it myself when I went crazy (this teds to happen to me from time to time

...although i have been good lately and decided not to touch it for awhile (this now give me the confidence that i can go along with a long transitioning period)).

The reason I decided to go natural is that i'm just fed up with the relaxing touch ups and the flat ironig evry week...my hair is getting damaged by the heat and i must admit that in its straight stage i don't really take good care of my hair (being sleek and shiny was all i was going for)...I don't really remember what my hair looked like...i just remember that i had a full head of hair and people were pitying me when my mom had to style my hair

. i was so happy when i had my first relaxer (and my mom too because she did'nt have to style it herself anymore).
I just need to reconnect with my old self...

now it's been over two months since my last relaxer and i've just been really careful with my hair.
I'm French but i live now in London. We don't have access to the most of the products you're referring too on this forum...i mean you can still get some shipped over but it's gonna cost you an arm...so i'm doing loads of research, learning what's good, what's not and will experiment and let you know what i found that worked for me and could work for you.

I'm in Paris for the holidays but when i'm back in London (this weekend) i will start to document my journey. I already crested my fotki but i just need to add some photos!

Cheers ladies

I went to Paris and London a few years ago, I loved it!
Can't wait to see you fotki...

Happy new year

tedra · 01-02-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturalnurse04

Hello everyone! I posted a seperate thread last night out of pure frustration and the lovely Tedra suggested I join here, so here I am! Thanks Tedra. My last relaxer was September 6, 2006, so I am 4 months into transitioning. I have had relaxers since I was 6 and I just decided that I wanted to get to know the real me. I don't want to have to conform to world's standards of beauty: the long straight hair, 100 pounds soaking wet. I want to be me, the way that God created me. So I started on this journey.

My current regimen includes washing every two weeks, deep conditioning every week and co-washing once or twice a week. I use organix coconut shampoo and conditioner, suave tropical coconut for co-washes, ORS deep conditioning packs, and TONS of unrefined shea butter. I love that stuff. I also have IC Fantasia gel and I love the way it makes my little curls stand out in the front. I would be completely lost with headbands, hair clips, and bobby pins. I think that I've turned into an accessory junkie if that's possible.

My original plan was to BC after a year of transitioning, but lately I've been rethinking that. Maybe 6 months, which would be in March? Only time will tell. I'm looking forward to chatting with you guys and getting some good advice and support. Thanks for everything!

You're welcome! Glad you found us! Have you set up a fotki yet, we would love to see pics of your journey.
Were did you get the IC gel, I can't find it anywhere. It's alcohol free right??

naturalnurse04 · 01-03-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedra

You're welcome! Glad you found us! Have you set up a fotki yet, we would love to see pics of your journey.
Were did you get the IC gel, I can't find it anywhere. It's alcohol free right??

I found it at Sally's beauty supply store and lately I have been seeing it at Target. Yes, it's alcohol free. It really defines the curls (my new growth) and I LOVE it. I'm working on my Fotki, so soon I'll have pictures. Thanks for the support!

tedra · 01-04-2009, 10:10 AM

I found it at walgreens, have not tried it though. Thanks for the reply........still no BC, I said that I was thinkng about doing it this weekend. Dunno I just want to make sure its the right decision. I've never had short hair before so I'm kinda scared

. ANy advice??????

DivaGyrl · 01-05-2009, 11:25 AM

Hi all, I'm a newbie and am so glad to have found this thread! I posted something similar over in 4a, although I really don't know what my hair type is... a mixture I think? Anyway, I have not had a perm since late '02 but have had my hair pressed/flat-ironed on a pretty regular basis since then. I've decided to go completely natural this year and I love all the support I see on this board, so here goes nothing!

tnatural · 01-05-2009, 07:36 PM

Hello! Like DivaGyrl I am also new at this (blogging) and I would really appreciate the support with transitioning. This will be a 3rd time in five years growing out my relaxer.

Five years ago I attempted to grow out my relaxer after having one since I was 5 or 6 years. I have always loved curly hair but was clueless on how to
transition. I just kept it pressed or flat ironed and after about 6 months I couldn't take it anymore went back to relaxing.

On my second attempt I looked on the internet for some help and found a site on texurizers. I got one thinking I would have a natural wave to my hair. Boy was I wrong

. It did make some spots curly/wavy but other spots it did not take or if was left on too long. It made my hair wavy/straight/kinky. It also damaged and dried my hair. So I decided enough is enough. Whether it's a relaxer or texurizer (basically the same thing) I want it out !!

My last texurizer was 9-18-08 and I don't plan on BC until I can put my natural hair in a ponytail. Which I hope will be this fall (praying).

If I would have seen the Youtube videos, Fotki pictures, and this blog 5 years ago I would have never put that nasty white crack back in my hair.

I am looking forward to getting hair tips and product suggestion from everyone.

Thanks!!!

naturalnurse04 · 01-05-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedra

I found it at walgreens, have not tried it though. Thanks for the reply........still no BC, I said that I was thinkng about doing it this weekend. Dunno I just want to make sure its the right decision. I've never had short hair before so I'm kinda scared

. ANy advice??????

I'm in the same situation as you. I have never had short hair and I'm afraid of what it would look like. On the days that I get really impatient and I just want to BC, I look at pictures of all my "hair idols" and it reminds me that I must be patient. But if you really want it, then I say go for it! It's hair and it will grow. I have yet to see an ugly TWA... They are all beautiful!

tedra · 01-06-2009, 11:59 AM

Just added some pics in my fotki, 12 weeks down!! I am going to hold off on the BC for now. Check it out...

MsZaree · 01-08-2009, 11:23 AM

First off hello ladies. I am so glad this is going on. I tried starting a similar thread a few months ago, but was unable to keep it up once I came back to work.

Anyways I am in month 9 of my transition. My goal to go at least a year. I haven't learned much over these months I'm just pushing along. I cowash at least twice a week with TJ's Nourish. I DT about every week, sometimes I forget to do this. I seal my ends with pure shea butter after every wash. I spritz my hair with Motown's girl homemade spritz. Not sure the water agrees with my hair but still I do it. I mostly wear braid outs. When they get old looking & I'm feeling lazy I just use a claw clip to put it up.

I plan on trying to come on the site more and look forward to sharing this journey with you all

MsZaree · 01-08-2009, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tedra

Happy new year everybody!

I need help with my hair!!!

It is very tangled (sp), eventhough I deep conditioned it. WTH?? Any ideas?? Im thinking of bc'ing this weekend....we'll see

How are you washing your hair and do you detangle under running water? Both of these things can add to the tangling problem. Washing your hair in sections works wonders. I also found that the type of conditioner I used made a difference on how tangled my hair was. I had to give up on Suave cause my hair tangled so bad when I used it. Still don't know why.

tedra · 01-08-2009, 11:39 AM

i shampoo in the shower. i think the problem is, i let my hair air dry in a ponytail, and when i go to bed its not dry yet, which causes it to tangle.

tedra · 01-08-2009, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsZaree

First off hello ladies. I am so glad this is going on. I tried starting a similar thread a few months ago, but was unable to keep it up once I came back to work.

Anyways I am in month 9 of my transition. My goal to go at least a year. I haven't learned much over these months I'm just pushing along. I cowash at least twice a week with TJ's Nourish. I DT about every week, sometimes I forget to do this. I seal my ends with pure shea butter after every wash. I spritz my hair with Motown's girl homemade spritz. Not sure the water agrees with my hair but still I do it. I mostly wear braid outs. When they get old looking & I'm feeling lazy I just use a claw clip to put it up.

I plan on trying to come on the site more and look forward to sharing this journey with you all

Welcome.

We look to see pics here, do you have any