My long term transition update!

July 09, 2013

Finally I am able to write a blog post! The last few weeks have been so busy and just was not able to do any posts. But I do have great news for you. The long term transition is going very well. The back of my hair and the edges are officially 1 year post relaxer. And the crown is now 6 months post relaxer. 


washday: different textures!!!
This was one of my goals and I am so happy to have reached it, now I am more sure than ever that I will have a successful long term transition. What is really working for me is keeping my hair moisturised all the time. This keeps my new growth soft and manageable. Not combing on a daily basis has also proven very effective in combating unnecessary breakage. 
Many of you have been asking me how I pull that off since I don´t put my hair in protective styles like braids.
texture on wet and air dried hair.

Well it does take a little practice. If you are just beginning try combing every two days, then proceed to three and go on until you are comfortable going for days without using a comb on your hair. It also helps to decide what hairstyle you are going to wear that week. Maintaining one hairstyles is much easier than changing it up everyday. A nice soft bristle brush and some kind of styling cream/ gel will also come in handy in order to keep your edges down all through the week. But remember to only use a Gel that will not leave your hair hard to touch. A good example is aloe Vera gel. In the pictures below I Used a mixture of water and glycerin to moisturise my hair and Aloe vera gel and the soft bristle brush to keep my edges down.

My magic weapons: water and glycerin mixture, brush and aloe vera gel for edges.
 Are you on a long term transition journey? what is helping you go through with it? I still need more tips ;)

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19 comments

  1. Love the curly texture! I hope my hair will behave soon so I can have texture

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    1. Thank you, Your hair definitely has its own special texture. All you need to do is learn how to care for it. I wish you all the best.

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  2. I absolutely love your texture and curl pattern! Your hair looks so lovely!

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  3. will you ever relax your hair in the future?

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    1. I am not going to relax my hair any time soon because I am doing a long term transition to natural and I am very excited about it.

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  4. love the curl pattern. You're doing great with your transition. Can't wait to see where you'll be 2 years post

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  5. Didnt know you were stretching! You have a nice curl pAttern already!

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    1. Thank you Dr. I am actually transitioning to natural but without the big chop :)

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  6. Hi Joanne, I love your curl pattern. Its very beautiful. I'm a newbie in HHJ. What products do you use to keep your new growth soft and moisturized? I'm stretching and I'm now at 11 weeks post relaxer. I intend on going up to 16 weeks but my new growth is too hard.

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    1. Hi Evalyne, Thank you very much for your comment. I think that while stretching your relaxers a good moisturising conditioner will definitely come in handy. You can try the tresemme naturals conditioners. Also a good moisturiser will definitely help to keep your new growth soft. Last but not least, make sure that you avoid combing your hair too much to avoid breakage.

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  7. hi is that forever living aloe vera jelly

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  8. Your hair is beautiful you are doing a wonderful job in taking care of it

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  9. I don't want to go natural, but I want to grow my hair. What should I do without going into braids and protective styles all the time?

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    1. Hi there, You can definitely grow your hair even without having to go natural and put in braids. But if your aim is to retain length, then you will have to do some protective styling. this really helps to retain the ends of your hair. especially if your hair is shoulder length. The longer your hair becomes the more you can get away with protective styling because your hair will not be brushing against your clothes. Here is a tip. try protective styling for three or four days then leave your hair open for the rest of the week :)

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