Any Transitioners "Not" Doing The BC?

[soblessed]

If you are transitioning or plan to transition without doing the "Big Chop", then please list your reason(s) why.

[Mallorynjtx]

I started to grow my hair out naturally unintentionally. I had a short hair style and got orders to Korea. I decided to get a weave so that I would not have to worry about keeping up the style. I kept a weave in my hair for two years until when I decided to wear my own hair. I discovered that I never really knew what my natural hair looked and felt like. Discovering and learning more about how to better care for my hair has empowered me and makes me feel unique and beautiful.

[soblessed]

Hi!

I am glad that you decided to join the forum! Well, I do understand your getting a weave put in your hair while you were serving in Korea. As, I know that at that time, it provided you withh a carefree way for you to maintain your hair. But, I am glad that you did decide to begin wearing your own hair out again and learning how to take better care of it in the process as well.

I know that alot of ladies that are out there serving to protect our country have enough to handle already. And, then have your hair stay healthy at the same time can be a big deal. As, you are having to deal with various climate changes and then having to deal with the possibilty of being in combat, and all of that can be very stressful to a female. So, I sure that you are a strong female just for doing all that you have done thus far to help protect our country and preserve peace. Also, I am so glad that you found out about this site, because you can definitely come here and get all of the help that you need in order to have healthy, beautiful hair!

[CarrieAlana24]

I've decided not to do the big chop because I've been there and done that!! I had all my hair cut off to get a texturizer after I had my daughter and I looked like a little boy for awhile. Now my hair is finally almost down to my shoulders and I would like to preserve that because I don't like curling my hair everyday. I too am in the military(Navy) and it is soo much easier to just put your hair up in a ponytail because when you wear your hair down it can't be past your collar, not to mention if you have it nicely curled then you have to put the hat on and it just ruins your whole "do". I'm in Florida now, but I love going to places with hot climates because it grows your hair really fast, the only problem is maintaining a nice healthy head of hair because for certain hair types there's not always someone there that knows how to take care of your hair. I'll try chopping it down every few months like you've mentioned in some of your posts.

[wofford16]

I have been transitioning for a little over a month and when I first decided, I was going to do the BC but I quickly changed my mind. It took me so long to grow my hair to almost shoulder length and I just couldn't think about cutting my hair that short again. I do have to confess, it is a test to my patience now because I am running out of styles and usually just settle for the old standby ponytail. I am glad that I started my transition during the summer because as stated before the hot weather does grow my hair much faster, I think I have about 2 inches of natural hair now so I have a long transition ahead of me.

[soblessed]

I know that alot of people who are wanting to go natural feel that getting the BC done is only option out their for people who want to wear their hair natural but that certainly isn't the case. Which is why, I am so glad when I hear about more people who have decided that they want to wear their hair natural opt to go the transitioning route. As, there are a number of people who opt to immediately get the BC done and then they are at a loss as to what to do with their hair afterwards. They often find that they can't get any softness or shine to their hair and the styling option that find themselves having is a picked out fro that looks super dry.

I am glad that more women are option to go for aa long transition as it does allow the person to garner more lenght to hair while they are growing out their relaxer and getting the relaxed ends slowly cut off during the process. As, there is certainly wrong with opting to do a long transition versus instead doing a BC. Because, how you choose to transition is totally up to you and I always believe in a person doing what seems to be best for them. And, I would honestly never want to stir anyone otherwise (as I sincerly hope that I have never done to anyone here).

Over the years, I have educated my self greatly on healthy haircare as well as how to take care of naturally curly hair as well. So, I have come to better understand what works and what doesn't work well when it comes to the promoting of healthy hair. And, when someone does decide to stop relaxing their hair they must know and understand that yes when you do transition you will have to deal with encounter a bit more shedding, dryness, and shrinkage. But, that is normal and is to be expected when growing out your relaxer. However, it can come under control through the usage of a proper haircare regimen specifically tailored to meet your hair's needs. Also, sticking with this regimen for long term use also makes a huge difference in the health of one's hair while whether you hair is in transition, relaxed, natural, or even texturized. Now, there is certainly wrong with introducing a new product into your regimen every once a while. But, constantly switching from product to new product isn't good for the hair. Because in order to get the best results with a product (unless it truly works terrible in your hair upon first use) is to give your hair at least a month or two to really know how well a product is suiting your hair. Often people gie up on products that really aren't bad for their hair, because they don't get instant results with them. As, honestly, there are no "miracle" products that can do everything you want it to do for your hair overnight.

Good luck on either going back to wearing your hair natural again or going natural for the first time!

[afenrick]

I'm not sure if I'm going to do the BC yet. I've been transitioning for almost 5 months and I must say it is getting harder and harder by the week. Between today and yesterday it took me nearly 2 1/2 hours to do my hair. I washed it and deep conditioned it under the dryer (30 minutes total) then blow dried it (1 hour!), then flat ironed/curled it this morning (another hour!) It usually takes me 45 minutes to an hour total from shower to out the door when my hair is relaxed. I have hair that is a bit longer than shoulder length and while I know it is thick, I have no idea what "type" it is. I confess that I'm starting to wonder why I'm doing this at all especially since I don't know what I'm going to end up with at the end of the day. I have this fantasy about wearing my hair in a natural style but am quite nervous about what that will look like on me. Then I think if I'm going to wear my hair straight anyway, I may as well relax it so it's easier and less time consuming to do. In the short run, I might just cut some of it so that it doesn't take so long and then decide on the "why" question later on.

[sammibammy]

Hi
I had planned to do the BC at 40 which is 4 years away and then go natural. However, my mom found yours products online while looking for something to use in my curly haired daughter's hair. I saw the 'transitioning diva' line and decided to give it a try. I love it. My hair still is curly when I wash and let it air dry even though it is relaxed. People all says it looks good, especially my husband! I am so glad I didn't cut it and hope it continue to look good as it grows out more. I just started the products about 2 weeks ago but I like being able to do my hair myself and not having to go to the salon.

[chyna_curly]

Im in love with my hair and i plan to hold on to every piece even my little dry permed ends lol

[soblessed]

Originally Posted by afenrick

I'm not sure if I'm going to do the BC yet. I've been transitioning for almost 5 months and I must say it is getting harder and harder by the week. Between today and yesterday it took me nearly 2 1/2 hours to do my hair. I washed it and deep conditioned it under the dryer (30 minutes total) then blow dried it (1 hour!), then flat ironed/curled it this morning (another hour!) It usually takes me 45 minutes to an hour total from shower to out the door when my hair is relaxed. I have hair that is a bit longer than shoulder length and while I know it is thick, I have no idea what "type" it is. I confess that I'm starting to wonder why I'm doing this at all especially since I don't know what I'm going to end up with at the end of the day. I have this fantasy about wearing my hair in a natural style but am quite nervous about what that will look like on me. Then I think if I'm going to wear my hair straight anyway, I may as well relax it so it's easier and less time consuming to do. In the short run, I might just cut some of it so that it doesn't take so long and then decide on the "why" question later on.

Exposing your hair to too much direct heat is not good for it. So, I would honestly recommend that you try experimenting with wearing your hair in a curly style and just letting your hair airdry.

You can do rollersets on your hair. You can also rock wash and gos. And, you can do twistouts/braidouts on your hair as well. I know that that when you have thick hair it takes a while to get your hair straight and then if it is exposed to heat and humidity only time will tell if the hair starts to frizz up. Therefore, rocking a straight style or another style that requires direct heatto be applied to the hair is okay every once in a while. But, doing it all the time as a means of styling your hair isn't good whether you have relaxed hair or even hair that is transition.

I don't want you to get discouraged about transitioning. So, definitely keep me posted on what directions you go with your hair. As, I am am here 100 percent to help you while you transition in any way that I can!