MummysGirl ** 3 Years Post Relaxer ** (MummysGirl) avatar
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Transition to Natural (2009-2010)

Last Relaxer: December 20th 2008 Transition Goal: June 20th 2010 @ 18 months post -- I have finally decided to transition to Natural Hair, I have always intended to "sometime in the future".... I had natural hair during my final year at University (2002-2003) but I didn't know much about natural hair care so I ended up getting a relaxer before graduation. I have decided to NOW because: 1. I really love my natural texture, it's soft and just... NICE! My Mother (she passed away March 2008) had the most beautiful hair! After she fell ill and had surgery in 2003, my sister and I cut off all her hair and her natural hair thrived and thrived and was past APL (stretched) before she passed away - her hair was BEAUTIFUL! 2. I had a bit of a setback in December 2008 which resulted in trimming (cutting!) no less than 4 inches of my hair. This has proved to be a blessing in disguise because my hair is shorter and it won't be as HUGE a difference in length when I cut off my relaxed ends after 12 months (or more). 3. I have seen how many ladies(Fotki and hair boards) have taken good care of their natural hair and I believe I can do the same. 4.There's no time like the present and I'm excited! 5. I've had enough of the chemicals! I can stretch my relaxers for 20 weeks with no problem at all so I'm guessing won't have much of a problem for the 1st 6 months... the next 6-12 months after that will be interesting... One thing I refuse to do: Braids or Twists with extensions, weaves (my hairline is too weak for these) or wear half-wigs. Anyway, I want to deal with my hair only from now on. I am glad I tried braids (with no extensions) in week 30... this will now be part of my transition regime. *NEW* MY BLOG: http://myhairmyhealth.blogspot.com/ MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/MummysGirl81

 
Year 1: Weeks 7 - 28

Updates:
7/8th Feb - 7 weeks post
7th March - 11 weeks post (lol, I couldn't help it)
28/29th March - 14 weeks post
16/17th May - 21 weeks post
4/5th July - 28 weeks post
Current Transition Regime (This will be updated as I get further into my transition)
----------------------------------------------------------
*Moisturisers
1. Shea Butter Mix(Pure Organic Shea Butter, Aloe Vera Gel, Organic Coconut Oil and Castor Oil)
2. Moisturising spritz - Water, EVOO, Glycerin and cheapie conditioner, I use this everyday now before sealing with a tiny amount of my shea-mix*
**Started with cowashing 2ce a week, increased to 3ce for almost 2 months. Increased to 4 times on the 8th of June (24 weeks post) and soap wash (castille soap mixed with conditioner or oils+water) when needed**
Cowash conditioners (I don't mix them, I just use whichever takes my fancy at the time, I sometimes rinse out my DC with one of my cowash conditioners):
1. Herbal Essences Hello Hydration, It's a Curl Thing ('Totally Twisted) and Breakage Defender (Break's Over)
2. Suave Humectant
3. Aussie Moist
4. Pantene R&N
Mon - Prepoo Sun Night with oils. Cowash in the morning after my workout.
Tuesday - DC on dry hair ORS Replenishing Conditioner (mixed with Coconut and Peppermint Oils), then Cowash
Thursday p.m. - Cowash, no DC.
Weekend - Cowash, DC
Soap wash - Prepoo with Vatika, Amla and Olive Oil, soap wash and DC as usual.
Leave-in Conditioners
1. Giovanni Direct Leave In
OR
2.Nexxus Headdress and Coconut Oil
I'm phasing out Nexxuss Headress, once it finishes - not repurchasing.
I use Nexxus Humectress as a leavein for rollersets.
Other products:
1. Aphogee 2 min reconstructor, I usually use this on dry hair for 2-5 minutes once every other week before cowashing.
I work out Mon-Fri... I sweat on my scalp Mon-Fri... at the moment, I moisturise my hair with my moisturising spritz after taking a shower, finger comb, leave down to airdry then pin up when dry, I use an alice or hairband to lay down my new growth... some weekends I do a braidout or rollerset, others I just leave my hair be.
Soap or Conditioner Wash (clarify sometimes) then Henna (Henna procedure can be found here: http://public.fotki.com/MummysGirl/hair/ayuverdic-prepoo-and/) every 3-4 weeks.

Album was created 3 years ago and modified 1 year 11 months ago
 
Year 1: Weeks 29 - 52

Still loving cowashing - I cowash 3-4 times a week and still DC 2ce a week. I prepoo at least 2ce a week with any of or a mix of - Almond Oil, EVOO, Coconut Oil and Vatika Oil.
I sometimes go 4 weeks without shampoo/soap washing. This has to stop because the 3 cowash cons I like have cones which need me to shampoo/soap wash my hair once in a while... I am not ready to try out new cone free cons. I have 4 huge bottles of Aussie Moist, 3 huge bottles of Suave Humectant and I am not ready to let go of my Herbal Essences cons. So - I have to shampoo/soap wash once every 3 weeks (AT MOST).
I have found yet another transition style - braids, with my hair only - No extensions :-)
**
Week 33: I have decided to tweak my transition regime a little:
Except for when my hair is in box braids (no extensions) which I have in for 2 weeks, I'll airdry my hair in cornrows or flat twists --> braidout/twistout or sometimes in one or 2 french braids.
I've stopped airdrying my hair in a ponytail...
**
Style routine (hopefully until the end of my transition):
Two weeks: Braids (no extensions)
Two weeks: Hair out of braids - Braidouts and Twistouts (as explained above)
Updates will be on:
August 22/23 - 35 weeks post
October 10/11 - 42 weeks post
November 28/29 - 49 weeks post
December 19/20 - 52 weeks (1 YEAR) post

Album was created 3 years ago and modified 2 years 2 months ago
 
Hairdos while transitioning...

I love simple hairdos, as much as I love rollersets, they take too much of my time so I will only do them on REALLY special occasions.

Braidouts, twistouts, french braids and simple pin up styles are my go tos at the moment. I own about 20 headbands right now and those help me lay down my new growth perfectly. I need them because I work out in the mornings and my new growth poofs up.

I'm yet to try bantu knot outs...

Album was created 3 years ago and modified 1 year 11 months ago
 
Year 2: Weeks 53 - 78

MY BLOG: http://myhairmyhealth.blogspot.com/
MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL: http://www.youtube.com/user/MummysGirl81

January 16/17 - 56 weeks post
March 6/7 - 63 weeks post
March 20/21 - 65 weeks post
Aug 24/25 - 70 weeks post
June 12/13 - 77 weeks post
June 19/20 - 78 weeks (18 months) post (earliest BC date)

My main plan for this year is:
Braids (no extensions) for 3 weeks, hair out for 1 week.
Sticking to my regimen (detailed in Year 1)
When hair's loose, wash in sections and airdry in at least 2 ponytails.

Album was created 2 years 6 months ago and modified 1 year 8 months ago
 
Products, Accessories, etc

1. Cowash Cons
2. Moisturising Spritz mix
3. Shea Butter mix (for sealing)
4. Deep Conditioner
5. Other Products.
6. Combs
7. Headbands and Scarves
8. Other Accessories.

Album was created 2 years 4 months ago and modified 2 years 4 months ago
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