Michelle writes:
It’ Michelle from Chicago! I shared my Transition story on CurlyNikki in May of 2011. Big news! August 2012 will mark my one year anniversary of finishing my transition to natural! Your site has helped me so much! I can’t thank you enough. I’m so happy I made the decision to go natural (and transition long term). I LOVE MY HAIR!
I just want to let those who are long term transitioners know that it is okay to transition long term, Do You! The debate over doing the BC and transitioning can wear on one who is trying to transition! Listening to what other people are saying (which is sometimes negative) can make you think twice about transitioning. My advice is KEEP GOING! You can do it! Everyone’s story is not the same; everyone’s journey to natural is not the same either. You have to do what works best for you! Thank you NIKKI for all you do for the natural community!
My current regimen:
I wash and condition my hair one a week using a sulfate free shampoo. I either do a Twist-N-Curl or a Braid-N-Curl, and bun for the rest of the week until it’s time to wash again. I deep condition twice a month with JessiCurl Weekly Deep Conditioning Treatment (looking for another really good deep conditioner.. any suggestions?). If I feel good I will do mini twists which last usually two weeks!
My nightly routine:
Moisturize with water and a little Shea butter on my ends. Sometimes I pineapple, but I wear a satin bonnet EVERY NIGHT!!
My current products:
Shea Moisture Coconut& Hibiscus Curl and Shine shampoo. TRESemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner, Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Jane Carter Revitalizing Leave in Conditioner, Cantu Shea Butter leave in, Jane Carter Nourish and shine, Kinky Curly Knot Today. Just a few… whew I’m a PJ! Still wanting new products LOL!
I recently started a blog, please check it out!! happilyevernatural.com, FB page: happily ever natural. I’m also hair picture happy!! Instagram @naturalista86
Thank you so much NIKKI! Without your site, I would have been LOST! Thanks for letting me share!
I am also a long term transitioner. It's been a year since my last relaxer. I don't plan to do a big chop- just trim the ends till it grows out. I just can't bring myself to cut off all of this hair- especially with the highlights. Plus my natural texture is wavy and the texture difference isn't obvious. I find that braid outs work very well for me.
Whoot Whoot!! LTT STAND UP! Lol Thanks Chica!!! You can do it!!!! Much Love!!!
Shout out to the long term transitioners! I am in my 10th month today and this post is certainly inspiration to stick with my original goal and to not BC until I am ready for certain.
Same here. Although I wasn't pressured, just so in love with my new growth that I chopped before planned. I thought I was ready for shorter hair because I've worn it short in the past, but short relaxed hair (as in Halle Berry cut) and short, natural hair are different. I love, love, love my hair, especially since it's grown out some, but I wish I had waited the two years as planned.
THANK YOU!!!!!! In the photos I did twist n- curls and also braid n- curls. I havent tried curlformers yet 🙁 I have a ton of hair and they are a bit pricey
Thank you so much for posting this! I've been contemplating going natural for over a year and just made up my mind a few weeks ago. My last perm was May 2, 2012. I'm used to hair down my back and so is my husband. I want to transition but am so tempted to just chop it off! I think I'm just anxious to see what my hair will look like sans the perm. I'm not sure I can do this for a year, but if I do, I'm sure it will be because of this site and fellow transitioners like yourself 🙂
Your hair looks gorgeous! What did you do to get it like that? Did you use curlformers? Just curious.
Thanks!
Braids, wig, weave or try braid out which is fuller on transitioning hair and put a satin sponge roller or perm rod on the ends to curl them, without some type of roller on the end they will appear stringy and limp…good luck!
I mostly just wear my transitioning hair in a ponytail (which isn't flattering since my head has a square shape) every day but I'm wondering if that could lead to damage. What are good styles for transitioning hair that is shorter on one side than the other? I've tried twists but the unevenness make me look weird and I've tried twist-outs but my hair is 4b or 4c and I can't make the roots look smooth.
Michelle ~ I have a total hair crush on your chunky twistouts! I really enjoy Curl Junkie Curl Rehab, b.a.s.k. YAM Nectar, and definitely Aubrey Organics Honeysuckle Rose Conditioner as deep conditioners. Want to try Jessicurl Weekly though. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Michelle, your hair is GORG! 😉 You look like one of my best friends…I had to do a double glance. lol!
I, too, am in search for a good deep conditioner. I usually sit under my steamer with a regular conditioner like AO White Camilla or Darcy Botanicals Pumpkin Conditioner–so far so good. Keep up the good work girl!
THANK YOU LADIES SO MUCH !!! ALL THE LOVE!!! AMAZING!!! Thanks for letting me share!!!! You all are great!!!! 🙂
"Everyone’s story is not the same; everyone’s journey to natural is not the same either," so true! love your blog name by the way. thanks for sharing!
Wow I use some of those products. Shea moisture curl and shine shampoo, treseme naturails conditioner, Jane Carter revitalizing leave in conditioner my fave and Shea moisture curl enhancing smoothie. Your hair is gorg! If I were relaxed I would long transition because right now I am sort dealing with two textures my new growth and my heat damaged ends. My mom says I need to just cut it all off but I have been deep conditioning with coconut oil and getting a half inch to an inch cut off every 2-3 months. My ends are almost gone but I wish I never straightened my hair. *sheds a tear* but you live and you learn from your mistakes. Keep doing you no matter what others say. It took sometime but the time was worth it.
Megan Montgomery
Wow you're very beautiful Michelle! Thanks for sharing.
I'm trying to "transition" from heat damaged to healthier hair and it has been aggravating! I have obvious straight strands EVERYWHERE and my length is so uneven (;_;) Your post is inspiring and makes waiting a little easier 😀
It is so uplifting to read long term transitioner blog post. Since my plan is to do the same, knowing what works and what challenges they face has helped. Your hair is totally beautiful and looks nice and healthy. ((HUGS))
WOW! Great post. Michelle you are very inspiring. I'll be adding your blog to my list of things to check when I'm online 😉 Thanks Nikki and Michelle!
Thank you for sharing your hair is gorgeous!!! I transitioned from 11-09 to 11-10 and enjoyed that journey. For me patience was key and still is lol!
GORGEOUS..GORGEOUS…GORGEOUS!!! As for a DC; try YestoCarrots Pampering Conditioner mixed with raw honey and olive oil [sometimes I use bhringraj or argan..pick your favorite]. This softens, adds shine, bounce and moisture for days! Wish you the best
your hair is gorgeous and i totally agree about the pressure to chop it off. I should have waited. I was not ready for shorter hair and felt off for awhile
Beautiful hair & great advice Michelle! Im a long term transitioner, Im 10 months into this post relaxer state of mind and will never big chop, Im just going to continue to allow my relaxer to grow out!
Your hair looks amazing & you're such an inspiration to those who do choose to long term transition. I don't why there's a negative attitude toward long term transitioning, you have to do what's best for you & your life style cause in the end it's your hair & your the one caring for it. You gave great advice & encouragement.
Beautiful hair! Congrats on your transition! Check out www.treenaturals.com & try the Bamboo, Fig & Lotus Flower DC!! YUM…the leave in is a MUST!
Beautiful hair Michelle! Thanks for this post Nikki. I've been transitioning for a year and three months and I get so impatient sometimes. I have impulses to cut off all my hair and start from Square 1. Good to know that there are other ladies out there who are embarking on a long term transition journey. Very encouraging post!
I just want to say thank you for this post Nikki and thank you Michelle for sharing. I'm long term transitioning and though just in my 6th month (yay!), I plan to carry on for another year and a half! Your hair is fabu-LUSH and your words are really encouraging. Thank you xxx
Very pretty hair. Big Hair Don't Care!! A good Deep Conditioner – B.A.S.K. YAM is an awesome DC. My hair loves it… they have another DC that isn't as moisturizing as YAM on the website. Check it out. Keep up the beautiful!