Tips for Transitioners
Be Fearless. Go Natural...
Transitioning is the process of growing your hair out in its natural textured state without chemical treatments. The time since your last relaxer.
Hello Beautiful Ones,
One of the most liberating experiences for me was going natural. I appreciate the natural beauty God has blessed me with. I learned that this is the hair that I have and I have to learn to appreciate it and care for it. Nevertheless, it is not always easy to transition into your natural hair. Many of us had relaxers since we were small girls. It was like a rite of passage into young womanhood. We wore relaxers because it is convenient, thought it was easier to grow long hair, and many other reasons. Now, in recent years with the natural hair explosion, many women have thrown away their jar of relaxer and told their stylist to trim away the relaxer ends or did a big chop- cutting the entire relaxed strand.
You may still find it hard to commit to being natural. You don't know what products to use, how to style and maintain your hair, or how to feel confident with your new look. Every time you get frustrated with your natural hair, you just want back to the addiction- the creamy crack. Many of my associates who are newly natural say, "I don't know how you do it" and find excuses to convince themselves into getting a chemical treatment once again. Working with your natural hair requires discipline and patience. A relaxer is no longer an option for me. Once you are ready to commit, you most likely will feel the same.
Let me give you a few tips to help you along your natural hair journey:
Tip #1: Write Down a List Why You Went Natural
This encourages setting and achieving goals. Once your natural-hair vision gets blurred due to frustration, this list will motivate you to stick to your hair goals. You can also keep a hair journal with pictures to document your progress.
Tip #2: Build a Healthy Hair Regimen
Make your product selection (staple products) and hair technique simple and stick to it until it is second nature. If you establish a routine, you will be less likely to digress and go back to chemical treatments.
Tip #3: Visit or Join a Natural Hair Forum
These are great sites for motivation. You can communicate with hundreds of curly-haired women across the country and share experiences and learn about products and effective techniques. Look at pictures of others naturals and their journey. It reminds you that you are not alone in your journey.
Tip #5: Inform Yourself
Like the old saying goes, "Knowledge is power"! Become your a expert when it comes to your hair. Read, research, and learn what it takes for your hair to thrive on your personal journey. There are many natural hair blogs, YouTube channels, and books that offer great information and advice. Remember, do what works for you and not everyone else.
Tip #6: Stop obsessing over pictures of you with relaxed hair
This will distract and discourage you from your going of becoming natural. Don't get emotional about how you used to look. Look toward the future and take pictures of your transition into a new you.There is a reason you are transitioning.
Tip #7: Try Different Styles
It is not a one fits all style for natural hair. Wearing your natural hair is fun. Try different styles: Bantu knot-out, braid out, twist-out, updo, buns, roller set, etc. to switch up your style. Every day was not a good hair day when relaxed, so everyday may not be a good hair day when natural. Experiment with a new look every other month for starters.
Tip #8: Patience is the Key
You have to be gentle and patient to see positive results. Anything worth having requires patience. I wish I could say otherwise, but nothing happens over night.
Tip #9: Exude Confidence and Love Your Hair
You are not your hair, but take pride in the decision you have made to become natural. If you love others, will love it. Feel comfortable that this is the hair you have. It is exciting to come out of your comfort zone, and undergo new, rewarding experiences. It is now your hair, it is your attitude towards your hair.
Tip #10: Reward Yourself
Hard work yields positive results. Since you decided to stick with your goal to become natural, reward yourself. You can buy a new pair of gorgeous earrings to compliment your natural-hair, or take professional photos of with you with your natural hair and share it with others. In other words, do something to clebrate your accomplishments.
So ladies, I hope these tips were useful. I just want you all to stay encouraged and with each gain in your progress, do something to reward yourself. Don’t stress or obsess over your hair. Set your hair goals & make this process fun and you should be just fine.
How do you stay motivated during your transition?
Good luck on setting your hair goals & transitioning!
Luv,
Hair Kitty Kitty
