When a woman decides to start the journey to become natural, it can be difficult. You have two choices regarding how you want to get there. If you are like me and decide that the big chop is not for you, then transitioning is your next best bet. Transitioning from permed to natural hair will certainly test your time and patience, but with a little know-how, your journey will be smooth sailing. Here are four helpful tips to assist you in the transitioning process.
Set a Time Period
When you make the decision to start transitioning, it's a good idea to also know how long you plan on doing it for. Set a time period. Are you going to transition for six months or a year? This is question you need to answer because this will help you in your process. If you go into transitioning blindly, without a clue of how long you want to go through the process, it is almost certain that you will give up and go back to perming. Setting a time period gives you a goal to reach, something worth working for. Even if you decide to cut that goal in half, or to extend it longer, at least you still have something you are working toward.
Research
In today's world, it is a lot easier to transition to natural hair than it was several years ago. But, if you don't know what will make the process easier, how will you be able to do it? When I decided to go natural, I surfed the Internet for any and everything that I could find. There are several books, websites, blogs, and videos. You will be surprised at how much information is out there. YouTube, for example, has an abundance of videos, especially transitioning.
Protective Styling
While transitioning, a lot of women become discouraged because they don't know what to do with their hair. They don't know how to style it and eventually give in to perming. That's where protective styling comes in. Protective styles are hairstyles that don't require you to fix your hair everyday and they protect your hair from any damage. An example of a protective hairstyle is a roller set. A roller set is something that can be done by your hairstylist or at home. Once it is done, a roller set can last for a week or longer. All you need to do at night is cover your hair with a silk scarf or bonnet and get up in the morning and go.
Relax
Transitioning is a process; There will be good days and bad days. You probably have had a perm for several years, if not the majority of your life. That's what you're used to and it will take some time to let that go. You can't expect your hair to be the way you want it to be in a day or a couple of weeks. Relax, enjoy the ride, and always remember: By taking this journey, your hair will certainly reward you in the end.
Elissha Monsivais - My name is Elissha Monsivais and I am a freelance writer. I have been writing short stories and poems since I was in elementary school. I ...
Join the Conversation