Natural Hair Chronicles: The Trouble with Transitioning

The temptation to run back to the creamy crack can be a tempting one. Be strong my friend, be strong!

[photo credit]

Transitioning from relaxed to natural sans the big chop can be one of the most frustrating experiences for those desiring to “go natural”. There’s a reason why so many naturals advise against the long-term transition and encourage a quick big chop instead. Managing two different textures and dealing with tangled ends, partially straight & partially curly hair while trying to find the right products and regimen has left many of us fighting tears of frustration, yearning for the creamy crack & wondering what the hell we were thinking, maybe natural ain’t for everybody!

But that’s where resources play a major role! I transitioned for 21 months, wearing a weave for six, and then another 14 months of gradual trims until I was completely natural. Looking back, I think it would’ve been far more freeing and far less frustrating had I big chopped at the beginning. But when you’re used to having hair of a certain length, a big chop can seem overwhelming as it did for me. I wasn’t 100% sure I wanted to go natural at all, but I felt I needed a fresh start hair wise & if it hadn’t been for the severely damaged state of my hair, I’d probably still be relaxed today.

While Carol’s Daughter offers a kit for transitioning hair, I know I wouldn’t have been able to endure the process solo. Had it not been for a stylist who was also natural and able to tend to my tresses at a reasonable rate after Sheri relocated to another state, I don’t know what I would’ve done. And the times I tried to handle it at home often resulted in tears & a breakdown where I’d vow to return to relaxers! But I hung in there & found the end was much better than the transition…

Some of my looks during my 21-month transitioning journey, after the weave was removed. Growing out short hair is always challenging…

So if you’re like me & struggling to stick to your natural journey while transitioning, allow me to share some helpful resources to make the walk a little less painful:

• Help for Transitioning From Relaxed to Natural Hair
• 5 Ways to Enjoy Your Hair While Transitioning
• 10 Tips for Transitioning to Natural Hair
• Long Term Transitioning to Natural Hair Is Possible!

Above all else, here’s my BBC rule!

• Be gentle.
• Be patient.
• Condition, condition, condition.

Happy trails….

2 comments on “Natural Hair Chronicles: The Trouble with Transitioning”

1. Eco Beauty Vivi

   September 4, 2013

   

   i’ve got natural waves and my hair has always been prone to frizziness. So I spent much of my teenage years with relaxed/re-bonded hair. It was only during my early 20s that I came to accept my natural hair type (and.. I figured it was too expensive to maintain). It was a difficult transition phase for me because I forgot how my real hair texture was like. For many months, I had to deal with having an “octopus” head (big crown, fine hair ends). Like you, I think it would have been much easier if I just chopped most of it earlier.

   Reply
   • suite7beautytalk

     September 5, 2013

     

     Hi Vivi!

     I completely understand how you feel. Even now, I often wish I was daring enough to just chop it off & start over again. I see quite a few women doing that now & think how freeing & exciting (albeit scary) it must be. ; )

     Reply

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