Transitioning Tips

Here's my Top Ten Tips for Transitioners!

10. Get Organized

Create a regimen that you can follow. Hair responds to healthy regimens and you may even be able to carry it over into naturaldom.

9. Youtube It

If you need inspiration youtube is really the place to go! There is a whole community of women on their going through the same thing you are! There are tutorials, testimonies and documented journeys all there at your finger tips. Take advantage!

8. Water Daily

Okay, maybe not daily; but ladies, get used to using water a lot more than you did when you were relaxed. A lot of black women grew up believing washing your hair is a bad thing. Change your way of thinking on that. Water is essential and the only true 100% moisturizer. Instead of washing with shampoo, lots of naturals/transitioners wash with conditioner, a method most commonly known as "co-washing".

7. Stay Outta Rehab

Don't become a product junkie. I know all those natural hair products in their pretty packaging seem irresistible but I think most natural/past transitioners will tell you not to get too bogged down in all of that. Less truly is more. Find a few products that you love and stick with those. It is okay to switch it up every now and then but don't go nuts buying new products because honestly, most of this stuff does the same thing and with going natural being the new "it" thing, a lot of companies are taking advantage and charging an arm and a leg for products that really aint all that.

6. Have Purpose

Don't start this journey for no reason at all. I think that's the #1 reason women fail on their natural hair journey. If someone came up to you right now and asked why you've decided to go natural, you need to have a reason that is near and dear to your heart. Natural hair is not for the weak at heart. If you don't believe in it then you will be very easily influenced by the many negative reactions that you're bound to receive.

5. No Expectations

Don't sit around and look at other natural women's hair and expect your hair to look like, act like or even feel like theirs. No two curls are the same so don't set yourself up for the disappointment of not having you hair be like someone else's. Love whatever you've been blessed with and take care of it accordingly.

4. Treat Your Straight Ends Like Curls

Natural women tend to spoil their curls like crazy! Get into that habit for healthy post big chop hair with frequent co-washes and deep conditioning treatments!

3. No Heat

I cannot stress this one enough! Using heat while transitioning can be very counter productive. If you get heat damage and your hair becomes permanently straightened, it can cause you to have to start your journey all over. Bummer!

2. Find A Transition Style

Transitioning is like stepping into a whole new world. You won't be able to continue on with your relaxed routine of flat irons, sleek ponytails or a simple pin up for very long. The two textures, depending on how different, can be very difficult to style. You need to find a transition style that works for you, doesn't use heat and looks great!

1. Research

Don't find yourself in the mix and lost without a clue! Know what's going on! It's a a lot easier to deal with the challenges and frustrations if you understand exactly what's going on or what steps you could take to help alleviate the problem.