23 mths post relaxer - anyone else? Updated w/photos

I haven't been around in a few mths, but I'm back
Just realized I'm coming up on 2 yrs since my last relaxer. I did not think I'd still be transitioning at this point, but I just kept going (because I've always had long hair & like length). I did a mini chop last mth, but still have some relaxed ends left. My hair was at my bra strap/mid back when I started transitioning...now it's just past my shoulders, significant difference but I still have enough length for a bun.

Anyone else transition this long?

Congrats Renaissance! You are my role model. I recently passed 13 months post relaxer. February of next yr. I hope to be where you are now

23 months!?!? That's wassup!!! I'm hoping to get that far! You're my hero!!!!!!!! Lol

Aw, thanks ladies! There were times when I got anxious & wanted to just chop it off (this was at maybe 18 mths) but I knew deep down inside I didn't want too. And I have a great stylist who isn't scissor happy. I just go every 8 wks or so for a cut.

April 1st will be 2 yrs!

Hang in there!

Oh my goooosh! Congrats! I doubt I could do it. I just really hate the two textures. Also, my hair never went past shoulder length, so i'm not too fussed about having short hair. I'm not allowing myself to chop until I learn to style better though. I have to have flat twists or cornrows (unlikely) down before I reach for the scissors!
Can we have more pics pleeeease?!

Let me clarify, that just past shoulder length is stretched or flat ironed. Wet...I have a bob

I admit, I'm terrible w/photos (getting the angle right & I also haven't documented growth every mth) but I'm shampooing this morning so I'll try to take some good ones & post later. My avatar pic is from last June, just sorta out-dated lol

Round 1
Never posted pics before, hopefully this works. Apologizing in advance..like I said before, I wasn't very good about documenting I really only took pics to check my growth every few mths (that's why most of my pics are of flat ironed hair but I only flat iron when I get it cut). My 2 staple styles are buns (75%) & braid-outs (25%).

The beginning May 2009, 2 mths post relaxer, roller set
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Oct. 2009, 6 mths post relaxer, visible postpartum shedding along my hairline. This was 3 mths after I had my daughter & I was nursing. This was also a roller set, could still get away w/them at this point.
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Nov. 2009 I got it flat ironed for the 1st time & trimmed (sorry, no photos)

Jan. 2010, 9 mths post relaxer. No more rollersets Weren't worth the effort & time. I started working out alot & my hair would get very sweaty. I had to shampoo alot more often so I started bunning. This is my hair wet, still mostly relaxed, but the shedding had stopped along the hairline & was starting to grow back
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I seriously bunned my hair for the next 6 mths When the weather got warmer I started experimenting w/braid outs, which became my other staple style.
June 2010, 14 mths post relaxer braid out. This was before I started cornrolling at the hair line, that's why the roots are "just there"
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Oct. 2010, got a real hair cut (not just a trim) & flat ironed. 2nd pic is in Dec. 2010
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Round 2

Jan 2011, 21 mths? Mini-chop. Probably doesn't look like much, but everyone I know noticed! Significant cut, but I still have enough length for my bun
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March 2011, 23 mths (today when I shampooed, ie big hair, before I detangled & pulled it into my infamous bun ) Lots of new growth, but still some straight ends left.
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That's it for now! I know I'm not very much help style wise since I only do buns or braidouts, but hopefully I've inspired some...it is possible to transition long term!

Yeah I made it to 22 months and just chopped this weekend. APL in the back and about SL in the front. Happy to be free of the relaxed ends. When the braidouts stopped working I had to say buh bye.

Beautiful growth. I def need to have at least that much length to cut it all off.
Don't feel bad I haven't been documenting much either
Were you experiencing any breakage from bunning so much?

@jenerett, congrats on the chop! Where's the pics!?!?

mrsrenaissance wrote:I haven't been around in a few mths, but I'm back
Just realized I'm coming up on 2 yrs since my last relaxer. I did not think I'd still be transitioning at this point, but I just kept going (because I've always had long hair & like length). I did a mini chop last mth, but still have some relaxed ends left. My hair was at my bra strap/mid back when I started transitioning...now it's just past my shoulders, significant difference but I still have enough length for a bun.

Anyone else transition this long?

I am also in the two year transition boat. I am a bit past two years now. Most of my straight pieces are in the front section of my hair. The back is all natural. I straighten for trims which is approximately every four months. I have had minichops along the way but for the most part the trims have been minimal. I am at APL right now. I have decided to remain at APL until all the straight ends have been trimmed out. Yes, it is possible. I do agree. Congratulations on making it this far.

Thank you! I actually did have some breakage in the beginning, so I stopped bunning so tight. Now I make sure they're loose & move them around (higher, lower, side, etc).

My old stylist freaked me out about the damage I could suffer so I also take it down every night & wear a scarf. My new stylist did mention that my curls aren't as tight in front because my hair is pulled back so often. Once the weather warms up I'd like to cut off the rest of the relaxed ends & not bun so much. I love it though! lol

I also think the back of my hair is basically natural. When I detangle I don't see the random straight ends like I do in the front.