Doing the BC after transitioning

Hi ladies. First thank you sooo much for your insight and advice. It is how I've managed to stay relzer free since September 2008. I am concerned about when I finally do my BC. I have had 2 mini chops. Originally my hair was Mid back length and now when it is curled up it just barely touches my shoulders. Anywho I wanted to know how you would recommend I do my BC (hopefully in april at the 18 month point). I see some of have cut it themselves but how did you know how to cut it or that it wouldn't look like your head was destroyed by scissors? I'm afraid of going to a salon as I dreaded/avoided the place even with relaxed hair. I'm also afraid because people get scissor happy. My relaxed hair has a looser curl pattern than my natural hair and is why I've been able to transition so long. Not many people can tell the difference in the 2 textures. Please help me figure out how to do this BC. I want to let go of my relaxed ends but dont want to look a crazy mess afterwards. Thanks in advance! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

PS The link below shows some of the styles I've tried, mini chops, etc...

https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2080940&id=33700061&l=33bca5c114

I have been growing it out since septemeber 2008. It started kind of by accident. I wore my hair big and curly for halloween last year & I was getting so many compliments and I started wondering what my hair would be like without a relaxer and so the journey began. Honestly I don't really know what is helping it grow. But I stopped using heat and just a month or 2 ago I stopped using shampoo. I am definitely a product junkie and as soon as someone suggests hair products I go out and buy them (its a problem!) [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] . I'm starting to get frustrated with the relaxed ends in the front part of my hair because that is where they are the longest and where my hair seems to refuse to grow. As far as the bantu twists & even a twist & curl (TnC) I find that when I don't let it dry completely it comes out better. When I do those styles I have used Mixed Chicks leave in conditioner.

No only all the way in the back its pretty much all natural. I didn't get a really strong relaxer the past few years so I guess that's why my curls stayed there as they show in the picture. I wash with 2 conditioners. I almost always use herbal essences totally twisted. The 2nd conditioner depends on if I'm experimenting with new things. I just tried aussie moist 3 minute deeeep conditioner last night and omg it was amazing how my hair felt as soon as it touched my hair! I also like suave humectant and mixed chicks conditioner. I havent settled on anything yet other than the herbal essences totally twisted. I find it easier to detangle my hair now than when I was completely relaxed. If i have been putting too many things in my hair I may wash it out with a little bit of shampoo but that is only once in awhile. I have a bottle of Organix Hydrating Teatree Mint Shampoo that I use since it has no sulfates... I dont know if it is the best one though.. I'm on a budget so I'm not trying to spend ridiculous $$ on shampoo or conditioner

The following blogs are what have inspired me, given me plenty of style and product suggestions too..hope they help you!!

http://maneandchic.blogspot.com/
http://kyaras.blogspot.com/
http://www.curlynikki.com/
http://www.honeybrownsugar.com/
http://naturallyyantan.blogspot.com/
http://formermushroomhairedchild.blogspot.com/
http://tightlycurly.com/Welcome.aspx
http://www.urbancurlz.com/feeds/posts/default
http://thenaturalhaven.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://coarsehair.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default
http://naturallyleslie.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default

Both of you alls Bantu Knots are Spectacular!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

You know I've never been jealous of anyone's bantu knot out until today when I saw both of you ladies hair,OMG that is just hair porn.

But to answer your question Bevy... I cut my hair myself. I have some pics in my fotki. http://members.fotki.com/wildcurlsraquelle/about/ I did pretty much what you did which was mini chops (3 total). I couldn't do anything shorter than top of my ear. The first cut was done professionally but since I did that with straightened hair I got heat damage. I actually wet my hair so I could see the line of demarcation for the 2 final cuts. I cut just above the line of demarcation (every little bit counts) I wanted to do it myself because I didn't want to go into a salon and some one try to persuade me to relax or straighten. I was very self conscious but happy with my decision. I twisted it immediately because the same curl I had when growing it out didn't magically appear when I cut it and that made me super nervous. I say it's better to cut in warmer weather so you can do the wash and gos and not freeze. I wish I would have cut a bit later so I could at least bun my hair now. I digress but it was the best decision because it was truly liberation and I'm actually scared of getting my hair cut. You feel like you have a new level of control and confidence I can't even explain it. When I walked out the bathroom, I wanted somebody to say something bad about my hair so I could remind them that this was my hair. I was so empowered. I think that's what has helped me not use heat since then. Have I been to a salon since? No I'm scared but I have plans to go for a trim in April or whenever I reach apl. My hair has been healthy so far and growing great.

Thanx soo much wild curls raquelle!! I'm trying to be patient and not just chop it off. I plan on cutting it in April if I can wait that long... I mean how did you know how to cut it. The actual cutting is what I'm afraid of cuz I think it will end up super uneven and crazy

Oh ok I see what you see what you're saying. If you look at your curls, you can see where the curls change direction or pattern. You want to cut right above where the damage is. Depends on how defined it is in your hair. The link below is my hair before I cut it off. I just cut everything straight. Now the front of my hair just kind of waved up where it was damaged. And the hair from the root was curly so it curled then got wavy. I cut all the wavy hair. Also the damage portion of the curl tends to be thinner than the natural hair. I would just cut curl by curl to make it easier. Also google some bcs on youtube.

http://public.fotki.com/wildcurlsraquelle/the-curly-path-2008/2009/may/dsc02386jpg.html

thanks so much again!! by the way your hair looks great in that avatar!!

My problem is after I take the Bantu knots or TnC out perhaps I "unravel" or separate the hair wrong or something and then it looks TERRIBLE! LOL
Wild Curls - Your hair in your Avatar looks AMAZING!!!
Bevyboo- Your Bantu knot out in your pics is on POINT!! How are y'all doing this! LOL

I used mixed chicks leave in conditioner on my Bantu Knots and on the TnC and i dont let it dry completely so that they can separate/unravel better and give me the look I want. I'm way over due for trying either style soon...

thank you hays. It might be your products though. You do need something with a little bit of hold if you do either of though styles. The level of hold varies by head of hair. Also I like to do mine wet so it defines the style longer. I does take hours to dry, for me about 10-12 hours, so I try to leave it in for at least 10 hrs. If it feels a little wet I will get the hair dryer flash the roots on lows.