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Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair? Here are 5 easy ways to do it

Going on this journey is about coming to terms with YOUR curl pattern, which may not be like anything else you’ve ever seen.

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While embracing your natural hair type is a beautiful and empowering experience, it can also be very costly and time-consuming. During your transition from relaxed to curly, you might feel impatient to have those springy coils spotted on Instagram and facebook. But going on this journey is about coming to terms with YOUR curl pattern, which may not be like anything else you’ve ever seen.

Know that the big chop isn’t always necessary

Usually the starting point of a natural hair journey is the “big chop,” or a cut in which all of the damaged/relaxed hair is cut off. But rocking a TWA (teeny-weeny Afro) is definitely not a requirement to go natural. There are tons of different hairstyles that help grow length before you get the “big chop." For example, you can  cut your relaxed hair after every shampoo.

For those who don’t feel as comfortable cutting their own hair, getting regular trims at a salon every month can work, too. You can also try protective styles like weave, braids, and wigs to protect your new growth. The most important thing when it comes to transitioning? Keeping your scalp clean. When your scalp is dirty, it can inhibit new growth from coming in. Plan to wash every 10-14 days. If you sweat a lot especially in your hair,you may need to wash every 7 days.

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Trash the chemicals and use natural oil and butter instead

There are  so many trendy oils and butters on the market, making it hard to pick which one is going to work for your curl type. Across the board, there is one oil that seems to work for everyone: coconut oil. It accentuates, softens, and adds shine to a curl without being too greasy.” Pairing this oil with other products, like mango or shea butters moisturize damp hair right after shampooing. Divide your hair into sections and distribute the mix from root to end.

For a more conditioning treatment on wash day, castor oil has a lot of benefits for those who need to repair breakage or have excessive thinning and shedding. You can also dilute castor oil with water and put it into a spray bottle to apply it in bigger sections. Cover hair with a shower cap and leave the treatment in for 20-30 minutes. Warning: castor oil is much thicker than coconut oil, so you can’t leave it on the scalp without risk of clogging pores.

Hide straight ends with curls

Yes, you can wear your hair curly during the transition despite super straight ends. Use straw or rod sets to disguise your relaxed hair. These are narrow, foam hair curlers that don’t tug at your hair like plastic rollers.  Wrap a one-inch section of hair around the rod and sit under a hood dryer.

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Don’t believe the myth about heat styling.

When heat is used properly it can be a wonderful aid for styling. Some heat tools recommended are comb attachments [for hair dryers], hood dryers, hot rollers, and curling irons (at a low setting). If you feel like you want a sleek, straight look while transitioning,a  Keratin treatment is a really strong protein that smooths the hair, In order to get a consistent Keratin treatment done, you would have to go to the salon every 10 days to two weeks.

Schedule consultation with new hairstylists

Just like any other life experience, you might need a little bit of professional help during your transition. Some things you can do at home, but you definitely need a stylist who can help your hair grow. You should invest in your hair like you would in anything else important in your life.

In order to save money (and stress), you should book a consultation before booking an appointment. That way you can get a vibe for the stylist, look at their portfolio to see the other work they’ve done, and most importantly, see if they’re listening to what you want. “From the first consultation alone, you will know whether or not the stylist understands your needs and will give you what you’re asking for.

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Credit : Self.com

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