Style Ideas for Long Term Transitioners

Many of the hairstyles that naturals swear by, double as excellent transitioning 'dos! If you're in the process of transitioning, and you'd like to hang on to those ends for a little bit longer, try out some of these styles (click on each for instructions):

• Twist-n-Curl
  

• Chunky Twist-n-Curl (looser waves, and less time consuming!)
  

• Messy Side Bun
  

• High Bun- The same basic steps found in THIS VIDEO, but done on dry, previously twisted hair.
  

• Curly Fro
  

• Bantu Knot-Out
  

Long Hair Styles Gallery - Can be used for protective styles
Natural Hair Styles - twist outs, bantu knots, braid outs, etc...

Please add to this list ladies!

I started doing a TnC & a Bantu Knot Out once in awhile after being on your site. I like to do a braid out too. Its weird that the results come out better when I don't fully let it dry out. Since my relaxed hair is still kind of curly the difference in textures isn't that obvious to everyone which is good cuz then I can wear my hair out after a wash and go once in awhile. This may be a silly question and I'm not sure if it fits better in a different post but what exactly does it mean to seal your ends and how is it done?

bevyboo628 wrote:I started doing a TnC & a Bantu Knot Out once in awhile after being on your site. I like to do a braid out too. Its weird that the results come out better when I don't fully let it dry out. Since my relaxed hair is still kind of curly the difference in textures isn't that obvious to everyone which is good cuz then I can wear my hair out after a wash and go once in awhile. This may be a silly question and I'm not sure if it fits better in a different post but what exactly does it mean to seal your ends and how is it done?

Hey bevyboo,
to seal your ends means to lock in that moisture from your
leave-ins/moisturizers. You can use oils, heavy based butters or
pomades but it seems like a lot of people prefer to use oils. Shea
butter and olive oil seems to be most common. Some people use
oil/butters/pomades right after they wash their hair to lock in the
moisture from the water. Others do this after putting in their
leave-ins or moisturizers. All you do is place the oil on your ends,
you can even do it to your entire hair. Not only does it lock/seal in
moisture but it can also help in preventing split, frizzy, dry/brittle
ends.
Hope this helps [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

ALSO THIS LINK IS ON CN AND FEATURES MARIA, WHO WAS A 10 MONTH TRANSITIONER. THIS IS A FABULOUS LINK FOR NEWBIE TRANSITIONERS

http://www.curlynikki.com/2009/06/resource-for-newbies-and-transitioners.html

I say experiment with everything!! I was a long term transitioner and that's exactly what I did.

I wore:

- weaves
- extension braids
- extension twists
- buns
- ponytails
- cornrows
- extension cornrows
- curly fros
- twist-outs
- braid-outs

great info! Thanks ladies!!

My saving grace has been the kimmay method! I'm almost 9 months into my transition and plan to BC on NYE, 1 day shy of hitting 19 months. Currently my hair is shoulder length, and I mini chop ever few months to keep it at that length while I transition. I have 4 inches of natural hair and in some places up to 5 inches of relaxed hair. This style has been the best of me for blending the 2 textures.

Here is a link to the kimmay method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuhamqzKbNI

eta: my avatar is a pic from the 2nd or 3rd month of transition

how much new growth must I have before I can try some of the styles mentioned?

I am a 17 year old art school student as well as transitioner since the month of October 2009. My parents are pressuring me to get a perm, because they hate the fact that I have been cutting off all of my long hair. In fact, I have just recently cut off half of my relaxed hair, but I was wondering if sew-ins were good to put in your hair while transitioning? I am new to this so any information would be helpful! Thanks Bunches!! BTW, Nikki, this website is amazing.

I used sew-ins and kinky twists during my transition. The key is to keep your real hair clean and moisturized while you have it in. Also, make sure the braids aren't too tight.

So in order to keep my real hair clean, i would just have to keep my scalp mosturized and washed on like a weekly basis, without taking the extensions out? And how long would you suggest keeping these sew ins in? Thank you so much for replying to my post so far, I appreciate it very much.

Exactly. I wouldn't keep the sew-ins for longer than two much. For me, it's usually only 1 month I would keep them in because I have a scalp condition that causes major flaking. I used this site in the beginning of my transition to help me through the hard beginning stages http://www.growafrohairlong.com/
And with the whole parents pressuring thing, I went through it too. It took a while, but my mom finally accepted it. My dad still makes fun of me, but I don't care! I started transitioning when I was 18 because I was able to afford taking care of my own hair. I definitely don't regret it. I haven't done my BC yet. It's been 20 months since I've had a relaxer.

I have been transitioning for almost 17 months and I mainly wear my hair in braidouts. I have tried the bantu knots but they didn't look right. I guess I need to keep practicing. I need to try some new styles. I'm going to a baby shower on Saturday so I'm trying to experiment with different styles. I plan on transitioning for another year.

I have been transitioning for 8 mths. I have tried a twist out several times and do not get the awesome results I have seen on CN wonderful blog! I do Bandu Knot outs with much success...am I doing something wrong? Is this not an good transitional style option? I am also new to the forum. Thank you in advance for your help ladies!

I find that as my natural hair grows longer different styles become more appropriate. for the first 5 months a did t-n-c or braid outs once or twice a week. once my hair hit the 5 month mark my natural didnt respond as well to these styles and they didnt hold as well. so i have been doing flexi rod sets for the past 2 months and I find that works MUCH better. the style holds longer, about a week and 1/2, and I think it looks cuter

I also find that the updos I do look better with the defined flexi rod curls.

NubbieNaturalNik wrote:I have been transitioning for 8 mths. I have tried a twist out several times and do not get the awesome results I have seen on CN wonderful blog! I do Bandu Knot outs with much success...am I doing something wrong? Is this not an good transitional style option? I am also new to the forum. Thank you in advance for your help ladies!

my natural is 7 months and I find t-n-c dont look as good either. they used to when I was 2-4 months though

Thanks Komirra! I thought is was just me. Have you used the Bandu knot out technique? It works for me but I worry about the Bobby pins damaging my hair.