What exactly is a transition from relaxed hair to natural hair?

What are the steps


Are there any tips


Any good products





Tell me everything you know!!!





THANKS!!!!What exactly is a transition from relaxed hair to natural hair?
Congratulations on making the excellent choice to go natural! I have a lot of tips.





I'm about 8 months into the transition and I have about 2-3 inches of new growth (hair grows about 1/2'; a month). I plan to BC (big chop) after Christmas since fully natural is more versatile and you don't completely see your texture until the ends are gone. Good luck if you want to grow hair long before chopping, impatience can set in.





For the transitioning I LOVE Pantene Relaxed and Natural conditioner and I only try to detangle with this in it. Something you MUST know about natural hair and for during the transition.





1. Never, never, NEVER try to detangle or comb it without some type of conditioner in your hair. You are just asking for breakage and pain. Only detangle with fingers/wide tooth comb. It was rough until I discovered that conditioner is your best friend.





2. You may have a very kinky/nappy texture. Do not look at curly haired pictures and think your hair will look like that. Embrace the texture you have or you will be running back to relaxers.





3. Hair grows kind of slow for some people and it can get discouraging. Straighten every now and then so you can get a realistic idea of how much hair you have.





4. Go to the below websites, check out people at the forums, how to videos on youtube, really research becuase there is now so much more info on natural hair than there used to be. Also know everyone's hair is different so find what works for you.





5. You may get negative reactions from people like dirty looks and mean comments. Some people are still negative about nappy hair and some people just don't like change. Just hang in there becuase you know your hair is healthier.





There are 3 options for transitioning (that I know of). 1. The Big Chop 2. Leaving out


3. Braiding down/weave/wigs





[[[[[1. Leave hair out while transitioning]]]]]


PRO: Learn to deal with new texture right away and what works and doesn't. Can grow out natural hair and keep relaxed hair so you don't have to have short hair. You don't get the culture shock of braiding down. Can cut off hair in little chops if you want or keep it until ready for the BC.





CON: The hassle of dealing with both textures can lead to a premature BIG CHOP. Also if you aren't ready for short hair not good for you because breakage might occur since the meeting point of relaxed/natural is fragile. Hard to find styles for both textures. Also the relaxed part of your hair weighs down the natural part and when the relaxed hair is gone you may be left with a totally different texture.








[[[[[2. Braid hair down/put under weave.]]]]]


PRO: This is good if you don't want to deal with the hassle of two textures and want to keep relaxed hair as long as possible. Also can wear kinky textured weave so you know what you would look like with natural hair and how to treat it.





CON: Some culture shock when hair gets unbraided and you don't know how to deal with new growth if you wore a straight weave. Braiding down for too long can also cause breakage and thinning around the temples.








[[[3. The BIG CHOP]]]]]


PRO: Easiest, cutting off hair right away means no hassle of two textures and right option for people who's relaxed hair is damaged or they just want it gone right away. Also you know your texture right away without any interference from relaxed tresses.





CON: leaves you with about 1'; of new growth. Not for you if you hate short hair.





If you choose to leave hair out here are my tips on styling, products and hairstyles:





PRODUCTS:


%26gt;Pantene Relaxed and Natural conditioner and daily oil cream moisturizer (2 diff. products)


%26gt;All natural ingredients


Shea butter=conditioner and holding product


honey=moisturizer


extra virgin olive oil=conditioner/deep conditioner


jojoba/coconut/avocado oils=conditioners


brown sugar=shampoo


baking soda=clarifier


apple cider vinegar=clarifier/helps with dandruff


body grade henna=loosens curls, gives a temp. red color, makes hair shiny and conditioned





HAIRSTYLES:


1. Straighten the new growth to match the relaxed hair


%26gt;Flat iron


%26gt;Blow outs


%26gt;Straw sets


%26gt;Roller sets





2. I personally prefer to match the relaxed hair to the new growth. It's healthier, the styles last longer, you can do it yourself and it teaches you how to deal with your own texture right away.





%26gt; Twists (can do with your own hair or extra kinky hair)


%26gt; Twist outs


%26gt;Bantu knots


%26gt;Cornrows at night and let out in the morning gives an awesome texture


%26gt;Natural hair color like henna


%26gt;I rock the curly fro look often and pin down/straighten the bangs


%26gt;I braid front and let back hang free


%26gt;buns (different varieties of these)


%26gt;french braids


%26gt;I pin back one side of my hair and let the other side hang free


%26gt;I love the faux hawk look.


%26gt;Shingling (not sure you can do it with relaxed ends.)


I like youtube.com. Some great natural users for product, inspiration and styling tips


http://www.youtube.com/user/ItsMsHeather鈥?/a>What exactly is a transition from relaxed hair to natural hair?
First step is to just stop relaxing your hair. You hair will then begin to ';transition'; to natural and you will start seeing more and more new growth as the months go on. You should only comb your hair when it is wet, and you should be VERY careful when combing, as the demarcation line where the natural hair and relaxed hair meets is VERY prone to damage and breakage....this is why most people do the BC (big chop) instead of transitioning to natural hair. You should also every month clip off about 1/8 inch of hair to speed up your transition....since hair typically grows at about 1/4 inch a month...this is a good way to keep long hair while still transitioning faster. When your natural hair reaches your desired length you can then clip off all of your relaxed hair.





Natural hair and transitioning hair performs better when using 100% natural products...Pink Moisturizer African Pride ect ain't gonna cut it. These products are riddled with bad ingredients such as mineral oil that worsen the condition of hair. Mineral Indulgence is a really good line of natural hair products for black women (I like it personally). I like the Kiwi Coconut Hair Smoothie the best as it is a great moisturizer and works as a good conditioner too. You can put it on while your hair is wet, or you can put it on dry hair and then sit under a drier...your hair will be soo shiny, soft and detangled...definitely worth it. The Avocado and Almond Butter Shampoo works well too. Make sure you have a regimen as natural products don't work well with chemical based products. If I were you I would just contact them and ask for a specific regimen.





Good Luck!





http://mineralindulgence.com/