Thinking about transitioning?
Last year IntelligentBeauty graced HBH with her knowledge and experience about transitioning and did a Transitioning 101 series that offered great tips and suggestions for transitioners.
Check out the links below to see the tips that she so generously provided:
Transitioning 101: Products
Transitioning 101: Regimens/Routines
Transitioning 101: Hairstyling Techniques
Thinking about transitioning?
Last year IntelligentBeauty graced HBH with her knowledge and experience about transitioning and did a Transitioning 101 series that offered great tips and suggestions for transitioners.
Check out the links below to see the tips that she so generously provided:
Transitioning 101: Products
Transitioning 101: Regimens/Routines
Transitioning 101: Hairstyling Techniques
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty (Part 4)

HAIRSTYLING TECHNIQUES
YAYYY, finally the fun part!!!
This part is all about starting to do naturally curly styles. Never mind the flat irons and blow-dryers to try to blend the curly hair to the straight hair. Think opposite of this and try to blend the straight hair with curly hair. Make the straight hair curly. There are plenty of creative, protective styles for you to try to blend the 2 textures. You want low manipulation and protective styles to minimize breakage. Surf you tube, hit all the natural hair blogs, books and magazines. Check out transitioning and natural curlies journals on fotki (www.fotki.com/
Some of my favs were:
DOUBLE STRAND FLAT TWISTS
TWIST OUTS
ROLLER SETS
BUNNING
BRAIDS (no extensions)
BRAID OUTS
FRENCH ROLLS
BANTU KNOTS
BANTU
When styling, remember that certain gels are drying and should be avoided, use butters instead (shea or mango butter). Do not brush you hair. This will cause the hair to break at the line of demarcation. Try to use only your fingers or a wide toothed comb if you must and then a smaller comb of smaller sections. If you must brush your edges, use an old tooth brush, some butter and water, and a light hand. The use a scarf to hold the edges down in place for about 10-20 mins. Then you can have nice smooth edges.
Well this concludes my transition tricks and tips.
My final words to you are congratulations on your choice to go natural. Stay encouraged through your journey. Remember why you are doing this in the first place. There have been plenty of women before you that have been successful and you will be too!!! There is a lot of info out there on the web compared to years ago. Don't be afraid to ask questions on the blogs. Big chop only when YOU are ready!! Join a community of curlies on the forums and get support from them. Be patient with yourself and your hair. Be consistent with your regimen and products that work. Concentrate on your new head of curls, and not your neighbor's. Let your uniqueness and beauty shine through, like only you can do.
HAVE A TERRIFIC JOURNEY, DOLLS!!!!
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty (Part 4)

HAIRSTYLING TECHNIQUES
YAYYY, finally the fun part!!!
This part is all about starting to do naturally curly styles. Never mind the flat irons and blow-dryers to try to blend the curly hair to the straight hair. Think opposite of this and try to blend the straight hair with curly hair. Make the straight hair curly. There are plenty of creative, protective styles for you to try to blend the 2 textures. You want low manipulation and protective styles to minimize breakage. Surf you tube, hit all the natural hair blogs, books and magazines. Check out transitioning and natural curlies journals on fotki (www.fotki.com/
Some of my favs were:
DOUBLE STRAND FLAT TWISTS
TWIST OUTS
ROLLER SETS
BUNNING
BRAIDS (no extensions)
BRAID OUTS
FRENCH ROLLS
BANTU KNOTS
BANTU
When styling, remember that certain gels are drying and should be avoided, use butters instead (shea or mango butter). Do not brush you hair. This will cause the hair to break at the line of demarcation. Try to use only your fingers or a wide toothed comb if you must and then a smaller comb of smaller sections. If you must brush your edges, use an old tooth brush, some butter and water, and a light hand. The use a scarf to hold the edges down in place for about 10-20 mins. Then you can have nice smooth edges.
Well this concludes my transition tricks and tips.
My final words to you are congratulations on your choice to go natural. Stay encouraged through your journey. Remember why you are doing this in the first place. There have been plenty of women before you that have been successful and you will be too!!! There is a lot of info out there on the web compared to years ago. Don't be afraid to ask questions on the blogs. Big chop only when YOU are ready!! Join a community of curlies on the forums and get support from them. Be patient with yourself and your hair. Be consistent with your regimen and products that work. Concentrate on your new head of curls, and not your neighbor's. Let your uniqueness and beauty shine through, like only you can do.
HAVE A TERRIFIC JOURNEY, DOLLS!!!!
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty (Part 3)

REGIMEN/ROUTINES
Toward the end of my transition journey, I had develop a way for me to stay organized on what I was doing and with my hair every week, from products I will use to styles I wanted to try. On a regular laid out calendar, I wrote down exactly when I would do my hair and with what products. It was a simple, clear approach to finding and maintaining a good regimen. Regimens can be very simple or quite complex with treatments and different types of rinses. However, for the sake of simplicity, I will write about a regimen that will, over time and with consistency, improve and maintain the health of your hair.
STEP 1---
STEP 2---COWASH- Wet the hair thoroughly, pour a dime size amount of conditioner (CO) in your hand and use the pads of your fingertips, apply to one spot of your scalp and massage well, just as you would with shampoo. Repeat until you have scrubbed all over. Rinse
STEP 3--DRYING--Dry hair with a t-shirt or curly cloth. Also micro fiber cloths are good too. DO NOT USE A TOWEL, as using one will use cause frizz to occur.
STEP 4--LEAVE IN CONDITIONER--This is an important step as well. Leave in conditioners are lighter weight conditioners and adds moisture to the hair making it easier to manipulate into the style of your choosing.
STEP 5--OILS--This should be used on top of your leave in conditioner to add shine and reduce any frizz, once styling is complete. Again, these should be natural oils.
Here is another important tip; heavy-handedness with product is usually a problem when first starting out. It is important to curb that tendency to use a lot of a product to see results. The only step where heavy handedness is welcomed is in the prepoo step, to apply the oil to the entire head. Other than that, using more product than normal will cause more harm than good to your end result hairstyle. Also being rough with your hair in the wash and detangle phase can cause unwanted breakage and holes in the hair strand. So be gentle, take your time, and remember the line of demarcation is very delicate.
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty (Part 3)

REGIMEN/ROUTINES
Toward the end of my transition journey, I had develop a way for me to stay organized on what I was doing and with my hair every week, from products I will use to styles I wanted to try. On a regular laid out calendar, I wrote down exactly when I would do my hair and with what products. It was a simple, clear approach to finding and maintaining a good regimen. Regimens can be very simple or quite complex with treatments and different types of rinses. However, for the sake of simplicity, I will write about a regimen that will, over time and with consistency, improve and maintain the health of your hair.
STEP 1---
STEP 2---COWASH- Wet the hair thoroughly, pour a dime size amount of conditioner (CO) in your hand and use the pads of your fingertips, apply to one spot of your scalp and massage well, just as you would with shampoo. Repeat until you have scrubbed all over. Rinse
STEP 3--DRYING--Dry hair with a t-shirt or curly cloth. Also micro fiber cloths are good too. DO NOT USE A TOWEL, as using one will use cause frizz to occur.
STEP 4--LEAVE IN CONDITIONER--This is an important step as well. Leave in conditioners are lighter weight conditioners and adds moisture to the hair making it easier to manipulate into the style of your choosing.
STEP 5--OILS--This should be used on top of your leave in conditioner to add shine and reduce any frizz, once styling is complete. Again, these should be natural oils.
Here is another important tip; heavy-handedness with product is usually a problem when first starting out. It is important to curb that tendency to use a lot of a product to see results. The only step where heavy handedness is welcomed is in the prepoo step, to apply the oil to the entire head. Other than that, using more product than normal will cause more harm than good to your end result hairstyle. Also being rough with your hair in the wash and detangle phase can cause unwanted breakage and holes in the hair strand. So be gentle, take your time, and remember the line of demarcation is very delicate.
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty (Part 2)

IntelligentBeauty will address those questions in Part 3 of Transitioning 101
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty (Part 2)

IntelligentBeauty will address those questions in Part 3 of Transitioning 101
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty

As a newly natural (last relaxer March 17th, 2009), having transitioned for 1 yr prior to my BC. I have experienced the trials and triumphs of transitioning. I was asked to share with you some of my tips and tricks on surviving through the transitioning phase to help ease your journey to embracing and unlocking the beautiful curls hidden under the "creamy crack (aka perms/relaxers/texturizers)." Through a dear friend, that was also natural, as my only support in the beginning and my determination to become a naturalista, I began to explore this new subject matter of natural curly hair. It is really important to think about the reasons you want to go natural. These same reasons will help you in the difficult times when you may want to reach for that box of relaxer.
Transitioning 101 by IntelligentBeauty

As a newly natural (last relaxer March 17th, 2009), having transitioned for 1 yr prior to my BC. I have experienced the trials and triumphs of transitioning. I was asked to share with you some of my tips and tricks on surviving through the transitioning phase to help ease your journey to embracing and unlocking the beautiful curls hidden under the "creamy crack (aka perms/relaxers/texturizers)." Through a dear friend, that was also natural, as my only support in the beginning and my determination to become a naturalista, I began to explore this new subject matter of natural curly hair. It is really important to think about the reasons you want to go natural. These same reasons will help you in the difficult times when you may want to reach for that box of relaxer.
Q&A: Transitioning
Q&A: Transitioning
My Christmas Gift
199 Natural hairstyles!!! (seriously)
My jaw dropped!! Looks like I just might try them all and cross them off as I go :) Happy Stylin!
1. Bantu knots
2. Bantu knots in the front with a twist out in the back
3. Bantu knots in the front with a braid out in the back
4. Bantu knots in the front with bantu knot out in the back
5. Bantu knots in the front with braid outs in the back
6. Bantu knots in the front with braids in the back
7. Bantu knots in the front with braids pin curled in the back
8. Bantu knots in the front with braids set on curlers in the back
9. Bantu knots in the front with braids set on rods in the back
10. Bantu knots in the front with braids set on straws in the back
11. Bantu knots in the front with cornrow outs in the back
12. Bantu knots in the front with cornrows in the back
13. Bantu knots in the front with flat twists in the back
14. Bantu knots in the front with pin curl outs in the back
15. Bantu knots in the front with pin curls in the back
16. Bantu knots in the front with pin curls in the back
17. Bantu knots in the front with rod set in the back
18. Bantu knots in the front with rod set in the back
19. Bantu knots in the front with straw curls in the back
20. Bantu knots in the front with straw set in the back
21. Bantu knots in the front with twist outs in the back
22. Bantu knots in the front with twists in the back
23. Bantu knots in the front with twists pin curled in the back
24. Bantu knots in the front with twists set on curlers in the back
25. Bantu knots in the front with twists set on rods in the back
26. Bantu knots in the front with twists set on straws in the back
27. Bantu knots in the front with wet curler set in the back
28. Bantu knots in the front with wet set in the back
29. Bantu knots out
30. Bantu knots out with scarf around the hairline
31. Bantu knots with scarf around the hairline
32. Braid outs
33. Braid outs with scarf around the hairline
34. Braids
35. Braids pin curled
36. Braids pin curled with scarf around the hairline
37. Braids set on curlers
38. Braids set on curlers with scarf around the hairline
39. Braids set on rods
40. Braids set on rods with scarf around the hairline
41. Braids set on straws
42. Braids set on straws with scarf around the hairline
43. Braids with scarf around the hairline
44. Cornrow edges up with bantu knots in the middle
45. Cornrow edges up with bantu knots in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
46. Cornrow edges up with bantu knots out in the middle
47. Cornrow edges up with bantu knots out in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
48. Cornrow edges up with braid outs in the middle
49. Cornrow edges up with braid outs in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
50. Cornrow edges up with braids pin curled in the middle
51. Cornrow edges up with braids pin curled in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
52. Cornrow edges up with braids set on curlers in the middle
53. Cornrow edges up with braids set on curlers in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
54. Cornrow edges up with braids set on rods in the middle
55. Cornrow edges up with braids set on rods in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
56. Cornrow edges up with Braids set on straws in the middle
57. Cornrow edges up with Braids set on straws in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
58. Cornrow edges up with curled braids in the middle
59. Cornrow edges up with curled braids in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
60. Cornrow edges up with pin curl outs in the middle
61. Cornrow edges up with pin curl outs in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
62. Cornrow edges up with pin curls in the middle
63. Cornrow edges up with pin curls in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
64. Cornrow edges up with rod set in the middle
65. Cornrow edges up with rod set in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
66. Cornrow edges up with straw set in the middle
67. Cornrow edges up with straw set in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
68. Cornrow edges up with twist outs in the middle
69. Cornrow edges up with twist outs in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
70. Cornrow edges up with twists in the middle
71. Cornrow edges up with twists in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
72. Cornrow edges up with twists pin curled in the middle
73. Cornrow edges up with twists pin curled in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
74. Cornrow edges up with twists set on curlers in the middle
75. Cornrow edges up with twists set on curlers in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
76. Cornrow edges up with twists set on rods in the middle
77. Cornrow edges up with twists set on rods in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
78. Cornrow edges up with twists set on straws in the middle
79. Cornrow edges up with twists set on straws in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
80. Cornrow edges up with wet curler set in the middle
81. Cornrow edges up with wet curler set in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
82. Cornrow outs
83. Cornrow outs with scarf around the hairline
84. Cornrow ponytail
85. Cornrows
86. Cornrows in the front with bantu knots in the back
87. Cornrows in the front with bantu knots out in the back
88. Cornrows in the front with braid out the back
89. Cornrows in the front with braid outs in the back
90. Cornrows in the front with braids in the back
91. Cornrows in the front with braids pin curled in the back
92. Cornrows in the front with braids set on curlers in the back
93. Cornrows in the front with braids set on rods in the back
94. Cornrows in the front with Braids set on straws in the back
95. Cornrows in the front with cornrow outs in the back
96. Cornrows in the front with curled braids in the back
97. Cornrows in the front with pin curl outs in the back
98. Cornrows in the front with pin curls in the back
99. Cornrows in the front with rod set in the back
100. Cornrows in the front with straw set in the back
101. Cornrows in the front with twist outs in the back
102. Cornrows in the front with twists in the back
103. Cornrows in the front with twists pin curled in the back
104. Cornrows in the front with twists set on curlers in the back
105. Cornrows in the front with twists set on rods in the back
106. Cornrows in the front with twists set on straws in the back
107. Cornrows in the front with wet curler set in the back
108. Flat twist edges up with bantu knots in the middle
109. Flat twist edges up with bantu knots in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
110. Flat twist edges up with bantu knots out in the middle
111. Flat twist edges up with bantu knots out in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
112. Flat twist edges up with braid outs in the middle
113. Flat twist edges up with braid outs in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
114. Flat twist edges up with braids pin curled in the middle
115. Flat twist edges up with braids pin curled in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
116. Flat twist edges up with braids set on curlers in the middle
117. Flat twist edges up with braids set on curlers in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
118. Flat twist edges up with braids set on rods in the middle
119. Flat twist edges up with braids set on rods in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
120. Flat twist edges up with Braids set on straws in the middle
121. Flat twist edges up with Braids set on straws in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
122. Flat twist edges up with curled braids in the middle
123. Flat twist edges up with curled braids in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
124. Flat twist edges up with pin curl outs in the middle
125. Flat twist edges up with pin curl outs in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
126. Flat twist edges up with pin curls in the middle
127. Flat twist edges up with pin curls in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
128. Flat twist edges up with rod set in the middle
129. Flat twist edges up with rod set in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
130. Flat twist edges up with straw set in the middle
131. Flat twist edges up with straw set in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
132. Flat twist edges up with twist outs in the middle
133. Flat twist edges up with twist outs in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
134. Flat twist edges up with twists in the middle
135. Flat twist edges up with twists in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
136. Flat twist edges up with twists pin curled in the middle
137. Flat twist edges up with twists pin curled in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
138. Flat twist edges up with twists set on curlers in the middle
139. Flat twist edges up with twists set on curlers in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
140. Flat twist edges up with twists set on rods in the middle
141. Flat twist edges up with twists set on rods in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
142. Flat twist edges up with twists set on straws in the middle
143. Flat twist edges up with twists set on straws in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
144. Flat twist edges up with wet curler set in the middle
145. Flat twist edges up with wet curler set in the middle and a pretty scarf where they meet
146. Flat twist ponytail
147. Flat twists
148. Flat twists in the front with bantu knots in the back
149. Flat twists in the front with bantu knots out in the back
150. Flat twists in the front with braid outs in the back
151. Flat twists in the front with braids in the back
152. Flat twists in the front with braids pin curled in the back
153. Flat twists in the front with braids set on curlers in the back
154. Flat twists in the front with braids set on rods in the back
155. Flat twists in the front with Braids set on straws in the back
156. Flat twists in the front with cornrow outs in the back
157. Flat twists in the front with cornrows in the back
158. Flat twists in the front with pin curl outs in the back
159. Flat twists in the front with pin curls in the back
160. Flat twists in the front with rod set in the back
161. Flat twists in the front with straw set in the back
162. Flat twists in the front with twist outs in the back
163. Flat twists in the front with twists in the back
164. Flat twists in the front with twists pin curled in the back
165. Flat twists in the front with twists set on curlers in the back
166. Flat twists in the front with twists set on rods in the back
167. Flat twists in the front with twists set on straws in the back
168. Flat twists in the front with wet curler set in the back
169. Flat twists with scarf around the hairline
170. French braid outs
171. French braids
172. Pin curl outs
173. Pin curl outs with scarf around the hairline
174. Pin curls
175. Pin curls with scarf around the hairline
176. Ponytail
177. Rod set
178. Rod set with scarf around the hairline
179. Single French braid straight back
180. Straw set
181. Straw set with scarf around the hairline
182. Twist outs
183. Twist outs with scarf around the hairline
184. Twists
185. Twists pin curled
186. Twists pin curled with scarf around the hairline
187. Twists set on curlers
188. Twists set on curlers with scarf around the hairline
189. Twists set on rods
190. Twists set on rods with scarf around the hairline
191. Twists set on straws
192. Twists set on straws with scarf around the hairline
193. Twists with curls
194. Twists with scarf around the hairline
195. Two French braids on either side
196. Wet curler set
197. Wet curler set with scarf around the hairline
198. Wet set your whole head part it and clip back the part with pretty hair clips
199. Wet set your whole head pull it back with a pretty scarf
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(¸.•´ (¸.• tia¸.•*´¨)

