Hi all,

So I posted on here before about transitioning and am getting really tempted to cut my hair not a full bc but just into a shorter style like a pixie cut or something similar that suits me and doesnt make me look too boyish lol my questions are though;

I have about an inch of new growth so far so would that mean I have to relax the roots to make the style work or would gel suffice?

also can anyone reccomend a godd hair shop I have afro hair but as I said Im transitioning so would like someone who will understand how to handle the different textures?

Finally I have shampoo, conditioner, leave in, oil for sealing and anti frizz serum is there anything else I need???

Thanks x

Firstly, DON’T RELAX! That’s taking your hair one step back. I don’t know much about transisitioning styles, perhaps check out youtube for the best way to blend the different textures?

What kind of shampoo do you have? Is it sulphate-free?

Is your conditioner silicone-free?

Same as above for your leave-in.

If your hair is thick, oil might not be enough for sealing in the moisture - a butter like shea might be better. but the only way to find out is through trial and error

Ive looked on youtube but they only show twa’s or permed short styles so I dont know I’m still looking for somewhere to ge tit done so I’l ask them.

I’m using cantu shea butter shampoo but i’m gonna switch to tresemme naturals when I finish this bottle.

A coconut oil conditioner i think its palmers bit of a random buy really but my hair seems to like it as its the softest its been for a while.

Dr miracles leave in conditioner but I’m not too keen on it my sister suggested it to me so I thought I’d try it I find it too watery though what kind of butter would you suggest I’d like something I can find in my local hair shop.

I like shea butter, but the one you’ll find in your hair shop will probably be full of silicones - the best kind to get is unrefined shea butter. I ended up buying mine from Amazon.

I don’t think the tresemme naturals shampoo is CG friendly but the conditioner is supposed to be. just make sure you check the ingredients first!

Maybe wait a bit longer before cutting your hair so that you’ll have more new growth to play around with?

I know there are videos on youtube with advice on managing transitioning hair.  There are definitely blogs with that people talking about their experiences on managing two different hair types.  Try
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzEUXhVFlmo
Try to be patient with your hair transitioning is a process which takes time, I don’t know if this will help but it can’t hurt http://nappturality.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=40&layout=blog&Itemid=67
I think you need to spend a some time doing some research on the internet so that you can find the informaiton you need.  Hopefully you will find a hairstyle you are happy with.

Hi Yammas..If you truly want to have your own natural hair you have to be patient, stay away from relaxers and anything that makes your hair straight and it also helps to do your own hair instead of relying on a hairdresser/salon. There are ways to have very short hair without looking like a boy..Just look at Amber Rose and when Solange cut her hair. Makeup, hair accesories and earrings will help.  I find most salons do not know how to handle the two different textures. Transitioning hair is very fragile at the point bewteen the straight relaxed hair and the curly natural afro black hair. The best way is to make sure it is in a super condition, reduce manipulation to a minimum and put the hair into a braided or wet or dry set style for weeks or months.  To start, if your shampoo has sulfates in it give it away to someone with greasy straight hair. Your shampoo should have no sulfates or silicones and only use it every 6-8 weeks otherwise it will strip your hair and dry it out. if you need to clean your scalp or wash your hair use a conditioner/non-sulfate cleansing cream and water. Don’t do this everyday. Aim for ever other day or once/twice a week. Hair and scalp cleansing is necessary but be aware that it means manipulating your fragile hair. Make sure you deep condition your hair every week with moisture and a medium strength protein. remember the conditioner is for hair and not the scalp. condtioner left on hair is ok but condtioner left on scalp not so much. Be very gentle with the hair wet or dry. Do not brush the new growth or near the point of the two different textures. You can gently brush the straight ends. Use a leave in condtioner/moisturiser ever day once or twice. Dont use anti-frizz serum they usually have silicones in them which can only be removed with sulfate shampoo something curly and afro textured haired people should not use.  Use pure shea butter or another natural butter like the ones in the emporium to smooth the frizz, new growth, to seal the ends or to style twists or plaits. You have not said where you live but London has many hair shops that sell shea butter and you can order from Paks cosmetics, the Curl Emporium or gidore. Many organic companys have great websites for hairproducts with no nasties in them. The most common transition styles are straw/rod sets, twists, buns, single plaits, braided extensions, weaves or wigs. As long as these are not done too tightly and are rotated and removed on a three monthly basis or before they become matted, they are protective low manipulation styles. I hope that helps and do lots of research on the internet, you can do most hair care yourself and I transitioned in Nottingham..not exactly brimming with natural hair care shops and salons. Good luck and ask us for support if you have any queries. Cheers

TO update I did a mini big chop as there were only a few relaxed ends at the back I cut them off so now its longer on top and shortish round the sides I feel much better now Ive cut some of it as the back was pretty much natural anyway because my grows longest/fastest on the top of my head. I havent changed my products yet but I am looking into a few products to try not sure where to find a good shampoo or leave in conditioner which is creamy/buttery rather than watery I’d prefer not to have to buy them off the internet though.

Also does anyone know whats good for dry scalp as I’ve been getting quite a bit of dandruff lately and read that your not supposed to put grease on it anymore although thats always worked for me.

Im in birmingham btw.

Yammas. That’s great. There is a forum for High street products.  I would recommend you start with the Naked Range from Boots. They have a sulfate-free shampoos, non- silicone conditioners, leave in, curl cream, curl serum and deep treatments. Check the labels very carefully and buy the mini-samples first as some curlies don’t agree with Naked products. TK Maxx has some good items.  Check Birmingham market for you local Black beauty supply shops. You have to read the ingredients very carefully make sure they have no sulfates and no cones. Asda’s Andrew Barton deep treatments are also quite good. Spend a Saturday looking around. Holland and Barrat and other health food shops stock Jasons, Giovannis, Faith in Nature and Aubreys Organics. Hope that helps.

oops for the scalp try rosemary and tea tree oils and non-sulfate shampoos and conditioners with these ingredients.

Thank you for the advice Im gonna go look in holland and barret and get a deep treatment from asda because my hair is in serious need of one. WHat does it say on the label if there are silicones is it just -cone?

I really want to try Giovanni hope I can find somewhere that sells it. When using tea tree oil can I apply it to the whole scalp or just the spots that need it?

Cones at the end sometimes….so dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Amodimethicone, Various copolymers etc. try tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil on the spot that need it only.

Ok thanks for the heads up havent tried the tea tree oil yet just co-washed my hair and that seems to have done the trick I dont think my hair likes protein very much.

im trying to put together a list of products I want to try so far Ive got;

Shampoo – Naked intensive care or hydrating shampoo
Conditioner – Tresemme Naturals
Sealant e.g. oil – Extra virgin olive oil or Coconut oil
Protein treatment - organic root’s replenishing conditioner
Gel – Eco styler gel or Frizz ease
Heat protectant - Tresemme
Serum - Naked Frizz Fighter

Im still looking for a Moisturiser or Leave in conditioner and Deep conditioner/Treatment they didnt have Andrew Barton S.O.S hair mask at my ASDA :( so need an alternative

Any suggestions???

Hi Yammas,

when i transitioned i did so by having my hair in extentions for about 18months then i cut the relaxer off each time i re-braided my hair.

Product wise,  the soundest advise i can offer is to get as much moisture in your has as possible and condition it relentlessly. Also you need to really find out what your hair likes and dislikes. Alot of naturals avoid silicones but that DOES NOT mean that they will disagree with YOUR hair.

the curly girl method does not work for every one. i dont agree with anyone telling anyone one else what their products “should” or “should not” contain. you will only find that out for yourself, by trial and error. Not everyone likes sheabutter or gylcerine or co-washes fpr example. There are many people who use silicones and have prefectly healthy thriving head of hair. Obviously its much eaisr if you dont have to spend a ton of money finding these things out, maybe you will be fortunate enough to find what works very quickly and simply.
All the best in doing so

Yammas - 17 March 2012 09:23 PM

Hi all,

So I posted on here before about transitioning and am getting really tempted to cut my hair not a full bc but just into a shorter style like a pixie cut or something similar that suits me and doesnt make me look too boyish lol my questions are though;

I have about an inch of new growth so far so would that mean I have to relax the roots to make the style work or would gel suffice?

also can anyone reccomend a godd hair shop I have afro hair but as I said Im transitioning so would like someone who will understand how to handle the different textures?

Finally I have shampoo, conditioner, leave in, oil for sealing and anti frizz serum is there anything else I need???

Thanks x