Things We Learned About Long Term Transitioning

Using Headbands During Transitioning Helps With Styling

Bantu Knots are a great option for Transitioning Hair!

Bantu Knot Out on Transitioning Hair

HELPFUL TIPS FOR TRANSITIONING HAIR

While I was transitioning, my staple style was to do several braids, and put the perm rod rollers on the relaxed parts. I kept it simple then. Why? I want to grow my hair long, and I realize the less I mess with it after I give it the proper care (1x weekly), then it will retain length. I believe that's true for everyone.

As far as products, I don't get to recommend products b/c I found out that everybody's hair is different (even me and my 2 girls). So the fun part for you is to buy a product, try it, look at the ingredients, and decide what ingredients your hair likes or doesn't like. For instance, I found out how my hair likes shea butter. It doesn't respond to it the same way that everyone else's does.

If you're long term transitioning like we did. Some things that helped us were:

1) Trimming as needed: some clues to trim...if your relaxed ends keep knotting up when you're styling or washing/conditioning. A little trim will make your life so much easier.

2)  Moisturizing. Your new growth may require a different moisturizing product than your relaxed ends. But once you moisturize properly, your styling will be easier.

3) Find a way to create 1 consistent texture and stick with it. You can variate your styling, but creating the texture is the basis for what you will do your styling on. For instance. Decide if you will match your straight hair or your coily hair. In the beginning of my transition, I matched my straight hair by blow drying 1 x week. Further into my transition, I decided to match my coily hair by use of perm rod rollers.

4) Invest in a Satin/Silky Pillowcase, some headbands, Bobby Pins, a Satin Scarf, Clamps or clips to help with holding the hair in sections while you are washing/styling.

5) If you are a long term transitioner, and still looking to see length during your transition, a good thing to practice is "low manipulation styling". Basically, pick a style on your wash day---and stick with it for the week if possible. The less "man-handling" you do with your transitioning hair, the better. Less breakage, less knotting, less split ends means length retention. My hair grew the longest ever while I was transitioning. That was nice to learn that I knew how to retain the length.

RE: Office Styling, only you know what will be acceptable in your particular place of employment. I feel that any type of clean, groomed hair that is not a distraction--is professional. Buns are pretty much the standard for most "corporate" office environments (for straight or curly haired textures)!

Click here if you are looking for staple products for your transitioning hair. We list some of our all time favorites.

Quick Tips For Men Who Are Growing Out Their Hair!

Are you a guy trying to grow out your natural hair? You can change your whole appearance by just growing some length to your hair! There are "awkward" phases to this process, but it's well worth it. The truth of the matter is that if you're going to go through the process of growing hair that is healthy, you're gonna have to "step up" your hair care game! Especially during the upcoming dry winter season. What is required to grow healthy hair you ask? Plenty of moisture. This way, your length will maintain because your hair ends are not breaking off. Dry hair acts like dry grass. It dries up and is easily broken. I know you guys want to keep it simple, so I'll break it down for you.

• Switch up your bar soap shampoo (you know, the one you use on your body too)! Exchange that for a shampoo that adds moisture (it will state moisturizing on the bottle). A good one that I know of is the Shea Moisture moisturizing shampoo. It's pretty creamy, has no sulphates, and provides a good cleansing. 
• Some guys like to skip the fancy conditioning process--that is a no-no. Find a conditioner that provides moisture and "slip". The "slip" makes it easy for the hair to be detangled (either by finger, comb, or brush). 
• Find a good leave-in moisturizer, and a good oil (coconut oil, jojoba oil, almond oil, grape seed oil) to "lock in" that moisturizer. It's really that simple--the daily maintain. How much you wash your hair depends on how quickly your hair gets dirty. This simple routine will maximize your hair's true "self", and discourage dry, ashy, frizzy hair. 

While you're at it guys, just rub some of that oil on your knees, feet, and rub your hands together. Just joking, you know I loves you. No, seriously.