March 2013: “The Decision”

This is when I officially decided to give transitioning a shot. I was already 5 months post-relaxer, and I figured there was no better time than the present!

March 2013 (one week later)

My first attempt at a “transitioning hairstyle.” It came out pretty good! Took a little maneuvering with some bobby pins in the front, and a little time to get used to seeing my hair in a different style, but I liked it! This was a braid and curl (I braided my hair, and added small perm rods to help curl the ends).

April 2013 (6 months post-relaxer)

My first attempt at a flexi rod set. I was satisfied with the results!

May 2013 (7 months post-relaxer)

No journey would be complete without obstacles, lol. Not every hairstyle attempt was a success. But all you can do is learn from the mistakes and move on. Don’t let a couple of bad hair days discourage you!

May 2013

Working out while transitioning can also be a challenge, but you do what you have to do! Don’t let your hair deter you from following your normal routine. If possible, work out in the evening, so you have time to restyle your hair for the next day. Or, wear your hair in a protective style.

May 2013

Again, not the best results. But a smile and a little confidence goes a long way! And if at first you don’t succeed…

June 2013 (8 months post-relaxer)

…try, try again! Much better this time. Progress is the name of the game. If I learned anything during this process, it’s that everyone’s hair is different. Don’t be discouraged if you follow that YouTube tutorial step by step, and fail to get the same results as the vlogger. Trial and error is the best way to find the products and techniques that work for your hair.

July 2013 (9 months post relaxer)

I learned that doing a braid and curl gave me better definition than doing a twist and curl (two strand twists with perm rods on the ends). Remember, this is the first style I tried, but here, I had more natural hair, and less relaxed hair, due to 4 months of growth and monthly trims.

August 2013 (10 months post-relaxer)

Flexi rod sets also became a go-to hairstyle at this point in my transition. Rod sets are great for any hair type – relaxed, transitioning, or natural.

September 2013 (11 months post-relaxer)

Moisture is key. No matter the style, keeping my hair moisturized was a top priority. Here is another braid and curl. You can change up the look by separating the hair as much or as little as you like. Just be careful not to fuss with it too much – that’s a recipe for frizz!

October 2013 (1 year post-relaxer!)

When all else fails, stick to the styles you know will work for your hair. If you’re feeling adventurous, tweak the style a little by turning it into an updo or side sweep. Bobby pins are your friends!

November 2013 (13 months post-relaxer)

This is when I started to get the urge to chop! I had a year’s worth of new growth, and I couldn’t wait to see what my hair looked like once it was completely natural.

December 2013 (14 months post-relaxer)

But…with the holiday season in full swing, I decided to just keep going for the time being. Call it cold feet…

January 2014 (15 months post-relaxer)

After the holidays were over, I got the urge again. And I ran with it. Big chop time! I did it myself, with the help of my dear friend (thanks Alex!). I couldn’t wait any longer!

January 2014 (1 day post-chop)

I’ll be honest, it definitely took a day or so to get used to, but I liked it. I really, really liked it! I almost wished I had chopped sooner, but it was worth the wait. No regrets here!

January 2014 (1 week post-chop)

One benefit of long-term transitioning –  when all else fails, your hair is long enough to pull up into a puff!

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If I learned anything from my transition, it was to enjoy my hair in every stage:

April 2014 (3 months post-chop)

May 2014 (4 months post-chop)

June 2014 (5 months post-chop)

July 2014 (6 months post-chop)

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Fast Forward…

January 2015 (1 year post-chop)

January 2016 (2 years post-chop: 3 years and 3 months of growth!)

February 2017 (a little over three years post-chop!)