My Transitioning Experience

How you doin'?!?!?

I'm watching Wendy Williams and I love when she does that lol!

Anywhoooooo, oh to the point of this post.  I have many family and friends that are transitioning to natural hair so I thought I would give a little info about my journey.  When I started transitioning I had all intentions of making it at least a full year before cutting my hair.  However, my natural hair is much thicker than my relaxed hair so working with two extremely different textures was very difficult for me.  Because of this at the eight month mark, I asked my husband if he mind if I cut it and he said no, so the relaxed ends were served their walking papers! Peace out! Adios! Deuces! Bye-Bye!  So in May 2011, I officially became a member of #teamnatural and although it hasn't always been easy I have no plans to ever get another relaxer.

While transitioning I was obsessed with researching natural hair on the internet and watching Youtube videos about natural hair.  Jumping into it feet first with no one close to you to lean on for support can be very hard and overwhelming.  So here are a few things that helped me through my transitioning journey...

• Be Gentle- The line of demarcation (where the natural and relaxed hair meet) is the most fragile part of your hair.  While detangling, washing, and styling it is important to be very gentle to prevent any breakage. 
• Heat Free- Although heat damage can occur at any time I didn't want to create any unnecessary damage or stress on my hair.  While transitioning I only flat ironed my hair once (hated it!) and since being completely natural I have only straightened once (hated it again lol).  But just be careful with using lots of heat while transitioning because heat damage will permanently alter your curls and you will have to basically transition again to get your natural curl pattern back.  So, if using heat be sure to use a great heat protectant, I like Carol's Daughter Macadamia Heat Protection Serum.
• Styles- Since I didn't want to use heat and didn't like my straight hair any longer it was important for me to find styles that blended the two textures of hair.  While transitioning I wore a lot of flat twist outs, braid outs, flexi rod sets and curlformer sets. 

• Don't compare your hair to others!- This was very hard for me to do in the beginning as I expected my hair to look like all of the naturals I saw on Youtubes videos I watched.  So it's extremely important to know that your curl pattern will be unique to you and no matter how many products you buy and apply, it will not magically change.  Love your curls, kinks, naps, fluff, and everything else that comes with your natural hair, it's unique to YOU!
• Practice, Practice, Practice!- Simply because you aren't a kitchen beautician doesn't mean you can't learn.  Before having my daughter and going natural I could not cornrow or flat twists but YouTube University can teach you anything right? Lol!  So I kept watching videos and kept practicing until I got better at it.  Now I can flat twists my hair in about 30 minutes and I know my twist out will be great the next day!  Don't give up!!

In the end remember that transitioning to natural hair is a journey and it's what you make of it.  Doesn't matter if you big chop immediately or if you let you hair grow for a year or two, the key to being successful is learning your hair.  Transitioning should be a fun and a time when you gain lots of knowledge so if it is stressing you out put your hair away in some twists or braids for a while or get it relaxed again and start over another time when you are more prepared.  Don't stress, it's only hair!