I'm 20 and I've put relaxers in my hair since I was 10. Now I am sick of relaxers because they break your hair. Now I want to grow back to my natural hair. What are some tips or advice that can be given to me?What are tips for transiting to natural hair?
If you can afford to see a professional while you grow out of the relaxer, that would be best. Where the new growth and the relaxed hair meets is very weak, and it can break. Your hair will have to be treated very gently during this process. So you shouldn't do anything that will put stress on your hair, such as braids.
If your hair is damaged, you should get a trim first. Use a good moisturizing shampoo, conditioner and use a leave-in conditioner. My personal favorite is Paul Mitchell but Matrix, Joico, and Aveda are excellent products. If you will press the new growth, do only the new growth. When you style your hair with heat, use a heat protectant. I love Citre Shine Serum, and it's a really good product. Again, the thing is to treat your hair gently so that it doesn't break. It's not a major, drama filled process like some people think.What are tips for transiting 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. I was getting discouraged becuase it felt like my hair was so tangly and I'm tender headed. Then 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 for 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
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-KzbLBFT鈥?/a>
%26gt;Bantu knots
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfFcvZTYT鈥?/a>
%26gt;Cornrows at night and let out in the morning gives an awesome texture
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZJghuPmf鈥?/a>
%26gt;Natural hair color like henna (I wish I had thought of this sooner becuase you can instantly tell how much hair has grown by the dye.)
hennaforhair.com
%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)
http://www.curlynikki.com/search/label/C鈥?/a>
%26gt;french braids
%26gt;I pin back one side of my hair and let the other side hang free
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx-pp4Bqp鈥?/a>
%26gt;I love the faux hawk look.
%26gt;Shingling (not sure you can do it with relaxed ends.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmFyhnPBe鈥?/a>
I like this youtube channel naturalnana for style inspiration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB9B_EmUi鈥?/a>
In conclusion, there is a unending amount of styles you can do in transitioning hair that is left out. You can do all of the above or in any combination. They should be low manipulation and always keep hair moisturized becuase if you want to keep it out remember that fragile demarcation line. At least braid down at night. Otherwise you're just asking for breakage.
Good luck from Florida
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/f鈥?/a>
That thread should help you with all kinds of questions, and this site should, too:
http://www.nappturality.com
Just let your hair grow without adding any relaxers. All u have to do is comb and wash your hair.
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