Many of my faithful readers have requested information on transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. I have no direct experience in this process (although I’m well versed in literature out there), and so I’m reaching out to you guys!
If you have recently BC’ed (Big Chopped), are currently transitioning or natural (and documented your transition well), please answer the following questions and email the responses and 2-3 pics to nikki@curlynikki.com.
Questions (tweak them for your situation!):
-Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
-How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
-What was your transition routine (products included)?
-What was your staple hair style during the transition?
-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
-Why did you choose to go natural?
Please send your responses and 2-3 pics to nikki@curlynikki.com
As the interviews come in, I will post them for everyone’s viewing pleasure. I pray that this endeavor will inspire and educate ladies who are transitioning, as well as those toying with the idea of it. So please ladies, help make someone’s transition easier!!!
Later Gators,
CurlyNikki
SO I wish I would have came across this site when I decided to go natural. I am a recent high school grad and i decided to go natural about a year ago. I went through "transition" for about three months, in which I wore my hair in twist extensions. Come October of 2010 I made the "big chop". My natural journey was hard for me. I was a cheerleader so having a one inch fro when everyone else is rocking the Beyonce do defintly dose alot to your selfesteem. But looking back at it now I'm so happy I chose the natural route. I also inspired alot of girls at my school to join #teamnatural
Hello everyone,
I wanted to know if anyone has tried kinky curly products ?
My friend Dani introduced me to your blog and just in time. I just made the decision to transition from my relaxed hair to natural. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your site! Its so great to see all the people who have done it, are doing it and just to have access to a network of support and advice. I've been documenting my journey, someday hopefully I can share but for now I am enjoying reading and learning from others…GREAT SITE! THANK YOU!!!
I'm super excited about my upcoming journey to NATURAL……. Last year I was 75% natural. I relasped and went back to realaxer and I am currently transistioning back.I wasnt ready to embrace my natural curls..Now I am. This site is amazing. I ahve been on it all day……… SUppper excited. I can't wait to share. Wish me LUCK
I have tried the twist out but it didnt work out too well…the relaxed part of my hair turned out lookin pretty lame and fell flat…thinking of getting some form of hair dryer so it helps keep it in style.
I love this site.Curly Nikki has given me so much insite when it comes to the different kinds of products out there and styles.I am currently transitioning and had my last perm in may so i am about 4 months in.. i dont think i will be BC'ing so would be along term transitioner..I do seem to be having some troubles figuring out what kind of styles to use to incorporate my 2 textures though..anyone have any advice pls
OMG!!!! I found ur site yesterday n I am so in LUV!!!! I have a lot of hair. My mom is African American and my father is Italian. So its kinky hair that i have and a lot of it! When i was twelve years old my mom let me get a relaxer and my hair was down to my elbows. Before that she used to keep my hair braided. I got my hands on a flat iron and it was over from there. I got a relaxer about twice a year. Last year i made the decision not to relax my hair anymore because i think its over rated and it was totally damaging my hair. So i just used to go to the salon and get a wash n set and let them blow it out. For the past 3 weeks i've been thinkin i want to go natural. Then i came across your site and it was just what i am lookin for Nikki!!! Ive been on your site two days in a row and there's no doubt in my mind that i want to be a CG :). Thank you so much for your inspiration. I am thankful. I havent started yet but i will as soon as i get all the products i need for my hair. My hair type is 4b. Do you have any suggestions?
Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why? No, cut my hair off last year March 09, after having locs for 5yrs. Now my hair is back to shoulder length when blowdried it out.
-When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair? March 09 a week before my b/day. I thought it looked good on me and plus it made me look a little bit younger as well.
-How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them? Both my mom and sister are natural, mom afro, sis locs but now cut and is in a twa for now. They both liked my hair.
-What was your transition routine (products included)? Nothing really i just used Pantene Relaxed in Shampoo and Conditioner. SheaButter nonrefined, different oils-coconut,evoo,jojoba,glycerin,rosemary,grapefruit
-What was your staple hair style during the transition? Twists,Twistout,Afro
-How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?SheaButter nonrefined, cantu shea butter leave in conditioner,Conditioners,Ecostyler gel, and the gel that i was looking for but couldnt remember the brand i found it yesterday. It's called Lesiure Curl Gel Activator I got it at the Sun Beauty Supply Store in Savannah,GA for $3.99. That left my curls so defined and so moist, i had the best twistout ever and that's just leaving them in overnight.
-Why did you choose to go natural? I did it because i wanted a different hairstyle,and also my side edges were starting to thin out after the locs being retwisted to small. I would recommend that you get locs that are med size, not go in for the small locs or sisterlocs, serious edge killers for sure.
Hello to you Nikki and to everyone on the site, I would like to say thanks, this site is realling helping me during my transition, I did the BC about three weeks ago, and It really look nice on my, I a lil agraid of what it's going to look like, when it starts to grow out. but I'm ready.. this is more of a movement for me.. I'm so ready to see what God has so gracefuly blessed me with…
Again I say thanks for Creating this site..
Sincerely,
Sista on da Move
Hello Everyone,
I made the decision to go natural in August 2009, my last relaxer was June 09. This has been a real journey for me. I got my first relaxer at the age of 10 and I don't remember what my natural hair looks like. Needless to say, I love what is growing out of my scalp, but I am overwhelmed with all the ways that you can take care of natural hair. I am afraid because I do not like to do anything to my hair at all. This will be a learning process for me. I am not ready to do the BC so I am transitioning for as long as I can. I am learning that this is a humbling experience and I am learning to exercise patience. I am used to having long hair and I think I have identified myself with that. I do not want to be defined by long hair. That does not make me who I am. I read your post about having self-esteem via hair and looks…I am more than that and I hope this journey allows me to see the inner beauty of who I am and not the outer appearance. I love this site and your hair is awesome! Thanks for this forum.
Sincerely,
Scared new Transitioner!
Hello All,
Well I tried to go natural back in 99, but it was very hard because I did not have any knowlede what so ever…after accidentally seeing a natural beauty on you-tube I became obsessed with natural hair and started to wonder what my hair looked like with the chemicals..so for a month I have been without chemicals nor heat on my hair..I made a commitment to go natural the 25th day of Sept. I will be doing the BC Jan.1,2010. It is hard because alot of people I know thinks I am crazy, but I am strong mind and strong will, I shall prevail. Any transition products or info will be great..luvin this site!
Hello,
Soooo, I have been thinking about going natural since the summer. And I initially decided to go for it back then, but because I'm military, I had to leave for a six week course. I really didn't have the time to dedicated to my hair, so I gave up and went back to the creamy crack out of convenience. So now I want to try again and a friend at work told me about this site. So far it has been very helpful and informative, but I must admit that I am still VERY nervous!! :o) Email me any suggestions you may have to help me out with this transition and any support you can give: raniesaj@gmail.com,
Thank for creating this site!! It helped me in making this decision. Wish me luck!!
Hey Nikki,
Thanks so much for this site. It has been very helpful. I recently did my BC this summer and still trying to figure the whole natural thing and your site as been a great resource and inspiration for me to keep going. Right now my goal is to figure out a regimen that will work for my hair. I have a list of products that I got from your site as well as others that I am trying one by one. I have not taken pictures yet, but I am going to start this afternoon once I finish my DT and probably a twist or braid out of some sort. Thanks again.
Curly C (cherid05@gmail.com)
Hi Nikki…
well this whole transitioning thing is very new to me. I actually decided to start transitioning this past monday. I don't know what i'm doing or how to do it. LOL. all i know is that my hair use to be at my back and now its above my neck. SOOO i'm trying. my sis in law gave me this site to look at and so far.. I'm loving it. I think you guys will help me so much!
Hey Nikki,
After getting sick and tired of losing hair to chemical relaxers, I decided to go for the BC. This was 1994. I was pregnant too so I didn't want to transfer the poison to my kid:-)
I gelled my hair back and let the new growth get to about an inch, each week or two trimming a bit until I cut all the relaxer out. I wore single twists or just a twa until I got some length. The transition wasn't hard at all for me. Not nearly as hard as paying all that time and money just to get hair loss.
This is a great blog. Keep up the good work. Kinkyauthor (cmbooks2000@yahoo.com)
I LOVE THIS SITE! I am currently transitioning and your blog was been a wonderful resource (love the journey to natural stories since that is my reality right now!). I am sure this blog consumes an enormous amount of your time and I truly appreciate your dedication.
–Natural to be 🙂
Nik,
CurlyChronicles is the bomb!!!I actualyy found her before I found you. I will never stray from her twist&style techiques. You gave & continue to give me all I need on hair care. In my home the two of you are family. I call you guys my "hairuiatrist" broken down
hair
"u" = spiritual bridge
iatrist = one who treats
Yup, I came up that up all by myself 😎
Thank you ladies!! CurlyChronicles, if you’re reading this, please, please, please shoot me an email! I took a peak at your youtube vids and your hair is RIDIC!!!! Email me soon!
nik
I agree, this is a great concept, I haven’t seen a group of postings that regard transitioning stories/interviews. I gave a lil plug on my channel 😉
This is a great idea. I wish I learned to save my photos…on top of that I’m one year natural and I have been transitioning before that using heat until i fried my hair to crisps…