Comments on: Thinking About Transitioning?

By: Coffy

Coffy — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:42:28 +0000

this is a late entry but NaturallyCurly is also a great place to begin your journey.
http://www.naturallycurly.com//curltalk/

By: LBellatrix

LBellatrix — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:22:19 +0000

Thanks, Bella, for yet another great natural hair post! Hopefully it will help sisters get over their fears and take the plunge.

(Isn’t it interesting how there IS fear when it comes to wearing natural hair…when relaxing is supposed to be “just a choice”? Food for thought.)

I didn’t transition…I chopped my relaxed hair off 7 weeks after a touch-up. It took me a few days to get used to it but seriously — after 17 years of sleeping on rollers, fighting with hot irons (and usually losing), worrying about rain, humidity and what not — with my TWA I experienced a freedom I didn’t think was possible. That was 12 years ago next week and I’m still singing Diana Ross: “If there’s a cure for this / I don’t want it / Don’t want it”…

Just wanted to put in an extra heavy plug for Nappturality. The Transitioners’ forum is the place to get ALL your questions answered…and then, once you’ve finally crossed over (heh), the Napptural Hair forum is full of helpful advice. Hope to see some of you there soon if you’re not there already!

By: Courtie

Courtie — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:08:09 +0000

…Found it on MotownGirl! That site is the business!
Thanks for the info, mona! And thanks for the post, Bella!

By: Courtie

Courtie — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:59:19 +0000

mona,

That straw set sounds like what I need — I am afraid my hair will break if I try to braid it. Where do I learn to do that? (I am so embarrassed, my hair expertise is strictly relaxing and straightening my hair. I have never known how to set it to make it curly or whatever)

By: mona

mona — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:30:03 +0000

Hello all,

When I was transitioning, my favorite style to wear was a straw set. You can use the really small perm rods, or actual drinking straws (cut ‘em in thirds or halves if needed). And the more you separate the curls, the fuller the style. Straw sets are great b/c they last awhile, are low maintenance AND they hide where your hair changes from natural to relaxed. Just my two cents!

By: missy

missy — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:21:49 +0000

Don’t hesitate – Do it – you will not regret going natural. I have been natural for almost a year. I have always been very vain about my hair. I was a weekly visit to the hair salon type of girl. I decided to go natural because I thought it was strange that I was 30 something years old and did not know what my natural hair looked like. But – - I worried about looking professional at work and about whether I would still look “fly” with natural styles. I thought transitioning would be a lot harder, but it was not. I kept in braids and twists until I had about 4 inches of my natural hair and then I got the Big Chop. I have wild, crazy, thick, 4b hair. I keep it in a TWA with lots of moisturizer and I get so many compliments. When my hair was permed, I thought it was so healthy. Yes it was shiny, and I did not have thinning or shedding. But once I started growing out MY HAIR I realized how damaged my permed hair actually was.

By: surayasmom

surayasmom — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:19:32 +0000

Hi Bella! I’m in the process of transitioning from relaxed hair to my natural hair texture. It’s been challenging but I appreciate my hair more and more each day. I decided to go natural after trying to find the right products for my 16 month old Daughter. After reading your post for “Little Afrobellas” I found really nice products for her hair through the Curly Q line. I spent so much time thinking of her hair health I couldn’t figure out why I continue to put chemicals in my hair when I wouldn’t do that to her. So I am definetly making a change. I am concerned however about my new growth and breakage as I transition. I will ultimately do the chop but want a bit of hair to work with before I make that move.

Thanks for your wonderful site.

By: LT

LT — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:26:17 +0000

I decided to transition from a weave press and curl to natural in August 07. At times it can get frustration because it seems as if you hair has it own brain! However with the help of Motown Girl and I recently purchased the book Curly Girl who also offers great tips on how to care for your natural hair. I am loving my natural hair. Also another great site to research is Fotki.com. Alot of sisters on Fotki. com offer pictures of their transitions and their hair care product routines. Love your nautural hair!

By: Courtie

Courtie — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 18:21:19 +0000

This post hit home for me. I was just talking to my boyfriend about how fed up I am with my relaxed hair. Nothing I do makes it look right, I would like to be able to have it curly sometimes, but with a relaxer it is stick straight or nothing. I am worried about chopping it all off (I know that’s the route I need to go) because I have a VERY round face and I know I would look — awkward for a while. Also, my hair grows pretty slowly, even when not being relaxed.I am so sick of my hair, but I wish there was some way I could, like, ease into it. What are the results of growing it out a little bit (like 3 or 4 inches) and then cutting off the relaxed part? Just to leave a little length.

By: ASW

ASW — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 17:14:39 +0000

Great post! I’m transitioning now. It has only been 3 months since my last relaxer so I have a long way to go! I’m going natural because I’ve noticed the improvement in texture for some of my friends and I want that for myself. I’ve done the relaxer and color thing for so long that I’m already getting a little anxious. I’m not bold enough to cut it all off and I’m not into the ‘fro, so I’m having to just let the relaxer grow out. (Long road ahead, I know) I’m looking forward to healthy, natural hair!!!