My Top 8 Tips for Transitioning Hair

During this time of Quarantine, we are faced with having to do our own hair. Its been about 2 months or so now, salons are still closed, and some woman are actually transitioning on accident. Majority of the question i have been asked lately are “how did i transition my hair” and “if i could give any tips or pointers” based off what i have learned through my journey. So here are some of my tips for those of you out there who are transitioning to natural hair during Quarantine.

Lets Dive into My Tips

Tip 1: Lose the Heat tools

STOP USING HEAT! Yes you can use a blow dryer but I would still use it on the cool setting. Lose the hair straighteners, hot combs, EVERYTHING! You are causing my harm to your hair by applying heat to just in the house or to take your Instagram pics! CUT IT OUT!

Tip 2: Manage your expectations

Just because you are now natural, don’t expect your hair to magically form curls and retain length. Transition is derived from the word of Transform. Furthermore, with any type of transformation – it takes dedication and TIME!!! This is now your journey, whether you wanted it to be or not. So, join the rest of us and reap the reward at the end of the finish line! You Got this Sis!

Tip 3: Get to know your hair

One of the most valuable tips during the first few months is to get to know your hair. You will quickly find out what your hair loves or what it doesn’t like. If you’re past the few month mark now, you can start to figure out your hair type, what products to use, if your hair is protein sensitive. Trial and error will become your best friend. We have all been there but it is worth all the slip ups to get those Poppin curls.

Tip 4: Try to avoid Sulfates, Silicone’s and Parabens

Parabens– All i can say is RUN FOREST RUN!!! AVOID THEM AT ALL COST!!!
These will effect your hormones and cause serious health concerns. I mean if you don’t even want them in your foods, why would you want them in your hair products?

When it comes to sulfates, these are used in a lot of cleansing products such cleaning supplies and detergents. They are used to help strip and remove oils, grime and other particles from surfaces. Being that this is in our shampoo’s, we try to avoid it in the natural hair community. We mainly do this because it over stripes the natural oils from our hair. So, while the shampoo is getting rid of the bad, its also getting rid of the good. Due to the texture of our kinky or Coily hair, it takes longer for our good oils to travel down the hair shaft. I would try to avoid it as much as possible if your hair is prone to dryness.

Silicone’s are good for the hair in the sense that it helps promote shine and moisture. The downfall of silicone’s is that it is a strong sealant and once it is set, it blocks everything and anything else from coming in or passing through it. Blockage= no additional moisture can pass through it.

Tip 5: Build a routine that works for you!

While being “bored in the house, and im in the house bored”, use this time to find out what routine works best for you and your hair. From what days you wash youur hair, what process you like to do for you wash routine. Is it, Deep condition first then wash? Is it a hot oil treatment, then wash? Or is it a combination of the two? You can really take the time to figure out how to get the best results with your hair while you are learning what works best with your schedule.

Another part of your routine also means picking a style. You might feel overwhelmed trying to figure out what works for you style wise. Some of you might want a style that you see on another curly hair girl that you see on the web. But you have to find what works for YOUR hair and its current state. During the early stages of me transitioning, I personally loved doing braid outs. But i also started my hair journey already being somewhat natural just with MADDDD Heat damage.
For fresh off the press, transitioned ladies with shorter hair, i would recommended doing Bantu Knots, Finger Coils, Rod sets ( flexi rods, perm rods, etc.) After month 4 or 5 when you have retained more length and texture, then i suggest that you can start doing braid outs, twist outs etc.
Add in hair and do other protective styles such as Marley braids or passion twists. Hell if you didn’t want to do any of those, i say..

“THROW A WIG ON DAT B!$%H!!!!“

Tip 6: YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BIG CHOP TO GO NATURAL!!!

But, i do advise that you trim regularly. You can’t avoid the scissors all together. While your hair is growing out you will need to cut off the dead ends. If you avoid trimming these dead ends they can continue to spread upwards towards your new growth and well…we ain’t here for that.

I tend to do small trims every 2-3 months on my ends just to clean them up and make look and feel more healthy. When I was first transitioning, I would trim once a month. Now that my hair is in better shape, I do it every 2-3 months. No one is saying you need to cut off INCHES every time you trim your hair. That’s why it is called a “Trim” and not a “Cut”

Tip 7: YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW YOUR HAIR TYPE!!!

This tip is for all my queens who are NOW just starting to transition to natural hair. As in, the last few weeks of quarantine hahaha.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO KNOW YOUR HAIR TYPE!!!
Because honestly- you can’t! Your hair is just now noticing the change and we all know, your curls have yet to form. Your hair will be super unique at this stage. You might have multiple hair patterns and it wont look like ANYONE ELSE’S. The best thing you can do at this time is keeping your hair happy and taking good care of it. This includes keeping moisturized!

Tip 8: but its a given….

Patience is KEY!!! You must be patient. I mean if you have been patient enough during this time for stores and salons to open back up, you can be patient with your hair.

Final Thoughts

If anything, i would like to give credit to quarantine due to the fact that its taught alot of people more about the beauty of selfcare, DIY’ing and loving our natural hair for what it is and what it can become. One thing i have always said is “my hair expresses me and who i am” It took me a long time to love my hair and like all things, it takes time and confidence.

I do hope these 8 tips have comforted and helped some of you out who are struggling during this time. Its a lot of hard work to have natural hair. We have all been through it! Just always remember, the reward is worth the process!