As we have seen before in our Introduction to the Curly Girl method BLOG , there is what is called TRANSITION PHASE.
If you are here it is because you have heard about this phase and you want to know everything!
What is it? What will happen during this stage? how to overcome it? when it ends?
This blog will help you answer all your questions!
Stay here and discover everything you need to know before diving headlong into the curly method
WHAT IS ?
The transition stage begins when you have decided to stop using products with sulfates and silicones, irons, dryers, keratins, colors, botox and other chemicals to give way to the natural texture of your hair.
We do not want to lie to you, this stage is not easy or beautiful and many times you will want to leave everything, your hair will look dry, opaque, it will be difficult to manage and you will want to iron it again, wash it with chemicals, to feel more beautiful and soft.
But take heart! This is just the beginning of something big, a change in your lifestyle to move on to a conscious self-care routine, respecting your style, your naturalness and the environment.
WHY IS OUR HAIR DAMAGED?
Over the years, fashion, society and the pressures we receive to meet beauty standards lead us to modify our natural hair to "belong" and "be part" of what they want to sell us as "pretty". ”, “natural”, and so instead of trying to understand our hair, what it needs and what products would highlight all its qualities, we began to try to change it, and that is when we started with chemical treatments, aggressive routines ( such as ironing your hair daily), dyes, harsh chemicals, etc.
These routines added to the use of cosmetic products with sulfates, parabens, silicones, etc... causes the natural pattern of the curls to be lost or simply to disappear, so to recover natural hair you will need a lot of patience, this is the main thing you must to have when starting the Curly Girl method because it is a long road.
SHALL WE START?
The first step is to remove all chemicals from the hair, and unaccustom it to the use of these products and this is where the first question arises, how to do it?
Well, we have two paths, or a mixture of both!
Big chop is called the most drastic and also fastest method, we mean a haircut to remove all the damaged part of your hair, so you can remove all chemicals quickly and without dealing with the transition from one to the other.
If you are more conservative and prefer the slower path, you can opt for the transition to natural hair, it is a more gradual step of adaptation, but also longer to see results. You must be clear that at this stage you will let your hair grow naturally, without the use of irons or treatments, cutting the ends regularly until all damaged hair is eliminated.
That is why, during this stage, your hair will deal with 2 textures: natural and relaxed. To this, you must add the time necessary for your hair to eliminate 100% of the accumulated residues and get used to the free use of sulfates and silicones.
HOW LONG DOES IT LAST?
The transition can last from 1 month to 1 year, and this will depend on the method you choose, if you choose the Big chop, it will last much less, because you have removed the greatest amount of hair from one cut, if, on the contrary, you also choose the transition It will depend on the type of hair and the previous damage that it has suffered, but without a doubt the process will be longer.
When will you realize that the transition stage is over? When you realize that you got your curls back, and with each passing day you will feel better and you will like your hair more.
WHAT WILL OUR HAIR LOOK LIKE DURING THIS STAGE?
In this stage of getting used to, your hair will be trying to adapt to the use of products free of sulfates and silicones, and in turn, completely eliminating accumulated chemicals. This process will be different for each person.
It will also depend on the type of method you choose, but mainly the damaged hair that you do not remove will not be able to "disguise" it with anything and you will have to be patient because depending on the type of hair and each person in particular you will be able to go through various situations.
-
Increase in sebum: The increase in sebum is generated as a consequence of the lack of hydration produced by products that do not contain sulfates, which is why until your hair gets used to these products and regulates the production of sebum, you may experience some increase in scalp oiliness.
-
Increased frizz, dryness and weakening: The part of your hair that is most damaged can look and feel drier than usual, and as a consequence weaker and more fragile. You may also notice during the transition more frizz than before. This is due to the lack of silicones in your products, but little by little, thanks to the use of products without sulfates or silicones and the moisturizing action of conditioners and masks, this excess frizz will disappear in just a few weeks.
-
Mood swings: How many times have we been upset for not feeling comfortable with our hair? Well, we will surely experience this in this process. That is why it is very important that you trust yourself and your decision, you are changing your lifestyle, you are giving priority to your health and well-being, will it be difficult? Well yes, but come on, you are going to be blown away by the results!
CHOICE OF PRODUCTS
The first thing you should keep in mind when choosing the products that will accompany you during this process is that you should not use all the products and not all of them are ideal for any type of hair.
Try products until you find the right one for you, many times the products that other people like are not worth it to you, sometimes simply modifying the use of a product, more or less, can make a difference.
The first thing you should do is try to know the characteristics of your hair (porosity, density, thickness, elasticity) in order to choose the products that benefit you the most and how to use them. For example, if you have very fine hair and you use very dense products, you will be overloading your hair strand, in these cases it is better to opt for lighter products, regulate the amount of product, do not abuse masks and do without co-wash.
Even during the transition, these characteristics can change and you must modify your routine.
But calm down! You will discover this little by little, this method is trial and error
At the beginning of the transition, hydration is vital, moisturizing products work by penetrating the strand, providing active substances such as vitamins, salts and minerals. Choose products with ingredients derived from: Honey, Shea butter, coconut and olive oil, Aloe Vera.
Masks, conditioners (with rinse, without rinsing and deep) and styling creams will be your best allies to provide your hair with the nutrients and water it needs.
TIPS to overcome the transition stage!
-
Patience: Fundamental to achieve the success of the method, do not give up, although we know that it can be difficult, you have to be firm in your decision.
-
Motivation: to motivate yourself you can read about the method, find out about the harmfulness that some ingredients present in our cosmetic products can be, seek inspiration from people who have done it and see what their results have been, etc. Interact on your social networks with people who accept and promote natural hair.
-
Avoid daily washing: Excessive washing only causes more dryness and frizz, at most you should wash it twice a week with the products allowed by the method.
-
Play with your look: If you can't see your loose hair, have fun inventing new styles, collected hairstyles, turbans, hats, think it's just a stage and then you can show off your perfect natural curls.
-
Do not brush: Use brushes as little as possible, remember that if you damage your hair you will only get more frizz, use your fingers to detangle the hair at the time of the conditioner.
-
Avoid handling your hair excessively: Since your hair will be fragile, it is important that you handle it as strictly as necessary.
-
Be Flexible: the process is not the same for all hair types. So if you set goals try not to be so strict as hair generally goes "at its own pace" and there is no way to predict what transitioning hair will look like after 3, 6 or 9 months.
-
Healthy Life: our body is a system, everything is related to everything, if you maintain healthy habits you will see it reflected in your hair.
Play sports, eat a balanced diet, drink water, spend time for yourself every day... your body and hair will thank you.
The transition stage is a difficult process but you must remain calm and trust yourself.
Focus on your PROCESS, because each person and each hair is different
Have you seen those curly girls wearing those splendid long hair that make you envy? Well, they have also had to go through the transition to show off that long hair that they boast today.