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.