New transitioner..tips please

I had my last perm in Mar 09 but just decided really in December to start transitioning to natural hair. I thought I did all the research I could to educate myself about transitioning but I still feel lost. It's ALOT of info and dos and don'ts to remember. I've been washing my hair once a week, using CD smoothie as a deep conditioner and know this is WRONG and why my hair is so dry, dull, brittle and tangled all of the time.

Can someone PLEASE help me to at least start a simple regimen of what I need to do to get on the right track. I had a bob cut so almost all of the relaxed hair is gone in the back (have about an inch left), the middle and front of my hair has about 2 inches of newgrowth.

I washed my hair last week so I wont be washing it again for another 2 to 3 weeks. Here are a few questions I'm not sure about


1. When you co wash do you rinse the conditioner out or leave it in? I see that some people say they wash it out and then apply more after but some say they leave it in.

2. Is a co wash, moisterizing and seal with a deep condish once a week they way to go for someone new starting off?

3. What products/supplies are must haves starting out?

Thanks in advance

The transitioning journey is a lot of trial and error, but you leanr a lot along the way. A lot of my transition, I had my hair braided or in a weave so I wasn't dealing with it a lot because I didn't know how to deal with it. I bought this book Grow It! By Chicoro and her information really helped my hair a lot. First off, you need to be washing your hair in braids and in sections and detangling it the same way. Don't use shampoos with sulfates. I personally use baking soda and water. You should be deep conditioning at least once a week. I just recently started cowashing with a regular conditioner. I usually just leave it in. You must moisturize your hair at least once a day with a water based moisturizer, meaning the first ingredient is water, then seal with an oil or butter. This has helped transform the condition of my hair and made it so much more manageable and stronger.

unfortunately it's alot of trial & error. the best thing i learned is condition, condition, condition! before i started transitioning conditioning was a take or leave it, & i definitely never did a leave in...left too much build up in my hair. now it's mandatory.

use a clarifying (sulfate free) shampoo
LOTs of conditioner to detangle
deep condition wkly
apply a leave in
comb gently when wet to eliminate breakage

some ppl don't shampoo often & just cowash. i still shampoo wkly & cowash if i need to in between shampoos. it depends on your hair. if you feel it's just too dry, i would stick w/cowashing.

my supplies - shower comb, head bands, satin pillowcase & scarfs, hair twisties (the kind that don't snag your hair).

good luck!

1. When you co wash do you rinse the conditioner out or leave it
in? I see that some people say they wash it out and then apply more
after but some say they leave it in.

I wash out my co-wash conditioner

2. Is a co wash, moisterizing and seal with a deep condish once a week they way to go for someone new starting off?

That's what I do, but I have really dry scalp, so I can't go too long without having to wash it (at least once a week), if I wash more than once I only DC once but I always do my moisture sealing routine anytime I wash my hair.

3. What products/supplies are must haves starting out?

Castor Oil (I LOVE this stuff), also wide tooth comb, satin bonnet, satin pillowcase, and lots of patience. You'll have to figure out which products work best for you on your own.

1. When you co wash do you rinse the conditioner out or leave it in? I see that some people say they wash it out and then apply more after but some say they leave it in.

Either method works, it depends on what style you're going for. For wash-n-go, I use leave-in with gel. For twists or braids, I generally rinse the conditioner out. This may differ for other people, it all depends on your preference.

2. Is a co wash, moisterizing and seal with a deep condish once a week they way to go for someone new starting off?

Definately! The key to natural hair is to keep it hydrated and conditioned!

3. What products/supplies are must haves starting out?

Natural oils, conditioners, sulfate-free shampoo (I'm now learning my lesson!!), alcohol-free gel (I love aloe vera gel), AVOID HEAT!!!!


Hope this helps [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] I wish you the best on your journey

Congrats on beginning your natural journey. This transition require a lot of patience and its success will be based on trial and error. Always remember to treat your entire head of hair as if it were completely natural during your transition and that no two manes are alike. You have to use what is best for your hair and not the next.

I cowash weekly but I shampoo monthly. When I shampoo I add baking soda to clarify my scalp and strands. I only wash my hair in braided sections because this is easier for me to detangle. Use products that are sulfate and cone free. I will admit that I don't DC like I should but I do baggy when I prepoo. Conditioning and moisturizing is so essential to maintain healthy natural hair.

Less manipulation is key when styling natural hair. Use less heat as much as possible and wear protectives styles to protect your ends. Since I'm working with two textures I only wear TnCs and bantu knot outs. Protect your hair and style by either investing in a satin pillow case, bonnet or scarf.