CN: Were you a long-term or short-term transitioner, and why?
EA: I was a long-term transitioner. While running track during my first 2 years as an undergrad, I experienced a lot of breakage due to excessive heat and tight ponytails. I decided I needed to take a healthier approach with my hair, and not using relaxers was the way! My last relaxer was in the summer of 2007, and I cut off all of my relaxed ends on my 21st birthday in June 2008.
CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
EA: I received very positive feedback from the majority of my family and friends. A large number of my friends questioned why I had used a relaxer in the first place.
CN: What was your transition routine?
EA: During my transition period, I wore French braids and ponytails. While transitioning, I experienced a lot of breakage as well. So I bought a half wig and wore it for a few months. Under the half wig, I wore 2 braids, and I flat-ironed the front. Most people didn’t even know I was wearing a wig!
CN: Current regimen?
EA: I usually wear wash-and-goes for 3-4 days and then wear a messy bun for the remainder of the week. I’m a bit of a PJ, but after a year, I’m very close to finding my staple products. I’m a fan of the tightly curly method, and I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration as a leave-in. It works well, and I usually don’t have to put any extra stuff in my hair like gels or creams. The conditioner is heavy which limits the frizz and puff. Since the tightly curly method takes forever to air dry, I use a leave-in and Aveda’s Be Curly with the Confixor when I’m in a rush. When I do a TnC, which I find myself doing more often, I’ll use a leave-in like Paul Mitchell’s The Conditioner or KKNT and twist with KCCC or Curls Soufflé. I recently tried it and loved it. However, I’m still trying to find a good product routine for my TnC. The next thing on my list to try is the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancement Cream along with flexirods!
Early Natural days after 1.5 yrs of slow transitioning… all relaxed ends off. First pic of wearing it natural
Spring 2011. WnG. Tightly Curly Method
Journey Slideroll:
I love your hair!
Elleigh Ann,
What kind of shampoos and conditioners did you use during your year long transition befoe the BC? Did you use similar products to what you are using now?
Hi Transitioners,
I need your help with some resaerch i am doing. What did you find was or is your biggest frustration with transitioning from relaxed to natural hair? Just click on this link http://www.lovemykinks.com/ to let me know. Thanks in advance for your help.
Kinked & Lovin it!
Beautiful hair! Thanks for sharing your story.
Hey LaVonne! Thanks and I miss u!!! I'm well and Im certain you are!!
NaturalSes- I wet my hands, use some type of conditioner- applying it generously to my edges and the front of my hair, and then I'd tie a scarf around the front. No gels needed!
Hey boo! Your hair is absolutely beautiful and so are you! I hope you're doing well! OO-OOP!
BEAUTIFUL!!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!
After seeing this post yesterday, I re visited Teri's site and read into the tightly curly method. I must admit that I've seen her sight before and wrote it off since she is mixed and just assumed that it would not work for me (I'm a 4a/b).
After seeing your hair, I was like I have to try this.
Well I did, I tried the tight curly method last night with Yes to Carrots! OMGoodness! I'm in love with the results!
Your hair is beautiful and thanks for sharing your story!
beautiful hair!!! i am curious to try the tightly curly method at some point.
Beautiful hair!!!!!!! What are you using to lay the edges down when in a bun?
Thanks Anon @ 12:03 and Elleigh Ann. I'll give it another go with the tips ya'll mentioned. 🙂
I use Herbal Essence's Hello Hydration conditioner as well. If your hair keeps getting frizzy, you may want to try a thicker conditioner w higher viscosity. And maybe a gel on top of it. As mentioned in a few post up, visiting the site would be helpful bc it provides you w a list of various conditioners.
And Margeret I dont have a hair blog or fotki account 🙁
TnC stands for twist and curl
What is Tnc please and yes I have to hit post comment avout 140 times to get my comment to post.
Hi I use Herbal Essences Hello Hydration (old formula! stupid new formula has Sodium Hydroxide among other things…dont wanna leave that in my hair…but i digress!!) If you go to Teri's site she has a list of her "combing conditioners" and some of them for example Organix Coconut Milk, she mentions dry kind of "light"…since your hair is fine these ones, though technically they are thick and heavy, for us thick hair and medium or coarse stands ladies need all the heaviness we can get! so you can try super heavy conditioners like HEHH, Giovanni Direct Leave in, and even Yes to Carrots (thanks Nikki!!)…but if that weighs your hair too much you can try a slightly lighter one like the Organix…hmm there was another light one i tried but i can't think of what it is now…hope this helps…
oh yes, the key is amkign sure you do tightly curly when your hair is soaking wet and even spraying to re-wet if necessary!
@ b. – Thanks for the link!
P.S. Am I the only one that has to hit "Post Comment" 3 or 4 times before I get to the word verification?
Gorgeous hair both curly & relaxed!
What conditioner does everyone use for the Tightly Curly Method(including Elleigh Ann if you care to answer)? I've tried it but my hair keeps frizzing(it's realllllly fine lol). TIA 🙂
You guys are all too kind thanks!!!!
@Margeret- I straighten/trim about once every 4-7 months. It really just depends though
@ Shelli – I havent tried the pins and I just saw ur review of it. Todays my day off so I'll prob run to the store today to pick them up! The big bun spinner sounds interesting… I tried to google and search it but didnt find anything. Could you please provide me with that link too?
Oh, and beautiful, gorGEOUS woman=). Btw, have you tried the Goody Spin pins or the big bun spinner for your buns? Those things are great and help you get rid of all the bobby pins!
Shelli
Beautiful, gorgEOUS hair! You're one of my hair idols Elleigh Ann;-)!!! I want a big, lush bun like yours by the time I complete the GOC!
Shelli
you and your hair are beautifulllll
Gorgeous!!! Elleigh, the Tightly Curly Method is definitely the business. Your hair is on point!!! How often do you straighten and/or trim? Do you have a blog or Fotki account?
Elleigh Ann,
Your hair is simply fantastic!!
Absolutely beautiful! I agree with your friends…you didn't EVER need a perm! I heart your buns!! 🙂
beautiful!!!!
I'm on the Tightly Curly method too. Been doing it for about a month and a half. I have a very curly fro and my strands clump way smaller than Teri's. It's takes me about an hour to do the technique if I'm not rushing, which is a lot faster than when I first started doing it! It's so worth it though. I can feel myself getting faster every week. Love the highly defined natural texture and I love that I haven't yet run into someone with hair like mine. Feels awesome to be unique. Loved seeing your beautiful examples of the method ;] Gives me a little glimpse into the future hopefully, as I hope to grow my hair as long as it's willing to grow. I don't plan on straightening though, so over that! Lovely hair, Elleigh.
eference to 6:08pm Wendi
Kinky Kurly Knot Today and Kinky Curly Curling Custard
Love your hair! I use Teri's Method too and have experienced a lot of growth. One question, what does KKNT and KCCC stand for?
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Your hair is absolutely beautiful. What is a TnC?
Wow you have super beautiful healthy hair! That tightly curly method is really helpful and I have gotten fast at it, my hair is about the same length as yours (mid-back) and it only takes me 20 minutes and then I just let it dry naturally.
Thank you all!
@Luressie… I used a flat iron. And Jane Carter's nourish & shine was very helpful in keeping my hair from being heat damaged. Also when I would flat iron, I usually did it once and kept it straight for like 2-3 wks without retouching w heat.
Beautiful hair!! When you kept your hair straighten, did you flat iron or hot comb? Also, what did you put on your hair to keep it from suffering from heat damage?
wow, your hair is just gorgeous!
beautiful hair!!
Actually, CN…have you ever tried her method? My hair is extremely coily and doesn't clump, but I wondered how it would work for you.
@ Abstract
Here's Teri's method. http://www.tightlycurly.com/welcome
You're hair is gorgeous!! I'm not exactly sure what a tightly curled Wash and Go method entails, but it looks good on you!