Taking the leap away from relaxer and perm can be an exciting and fun experience, but also stressful and a little intimidating when you aren’t that familiar with how to look after your natural hair. The number one thing to remember about transitioning is that the process should be as comfortable for you as possible. There is no time limit, no “right way” or “wrong way”, all you need to do is find your way. For many women the transition to natural hair is an insightful experience, and can be an important step in their journey of self-discovery.

 

With that being said, we’ve put together 10 important tips to help you along in your hair transitioning journey. 

 

1. Choose Your Preference: Fast or Slow

 

Big Chop

 

This is totally down to personal preference, but it is something that you should consider at the beginning of your journey because it will determine the early stages of your transition.

 

The big chop entails cutting off most or all of your relaxed hair in one go. One of the pros of doing this is you can speed ahead the first few stops of your transitioning journey as you don’t have to deal with maintaining two different types of hair textures at once. The big chop allows you to start fresh, and experience all the stages of natural hair growth, it’s quick and can be quite liberating and exciting to immediately begin with a fresh start.

 

Slow Transition

 

The slower approach of the two is perfect for those that would prefer to adjust to their new hairdo over a slower period of time. It involves cutting relaxers and chemical strangers or perms out of your hair care routine. Although permed hair cannot return to its unprocessed state, slowly trimming your ends as your natural growth comes in allows you to retain your length whilst you’re transitioning.

 

To reiterate, there is no right choice, everyone’s hair is different; consider what your hair goals are, consider what you’re comfortable with and the relationship with your hair. Going short overnight may not be for you, and that’s OK! You may be ready to get rid of your relaxed hair, right now, and the thought of dealing with 2 different hair textures might seem like an unnecessary hassle, and that’s OK! Choose whatever makes you comfortable.

 

 

2. Deep Conditioning & Moisturising

 

The composition of permed hair differs from that of natural hair, and that means the hair products best suited to natural hair can differ also. Due to the tightly coiled nature of natural hair, it can take longer for the natural oil secreted by the scalp to make its way down to the ends of the hair. This makes natural hair with tighter curl patterns more prone to dryness than straighter textures. So, keeping it well moisturised is essential for preventing breakage, dryness and shrinking. It also allows the hair to be more malleable, making it easier when styling.

 

3. Get Your Wash Routine in Check

 

Perfecting your wash routine can be a lengthy process. How often you should wash your wash will vary greatly from person to person. You don’t want to overwash your hair which results in dry and brittle hair due to the stripping of natural oils from the scalp. You also want to avoid underwashing which results in a buildup of dirt and oil, leading to dandruff, tangling and potentially hair loss.

 

You’ll want to look for a gentle cleansing shampoo that also contains moisturising agents like shea butter, organic olive oil, or jojoba oil. These oils will add moisture to counteract the drying effects of the soap. Co-washing your hair is a great way to remove buildup whilst avoiding the harsh chemicals found in shampoo, because they are often less drying and gentler they can be used more frequently than shampoo without risk of drying out the scalp.

 

 

4. Verify Your Hair Potions

 

Try to get into the habit of checking the ingredients on your deep conditioners and moisturisers. Don’t simply take what the bottle says at face value, you’ll find a lot of products will spout that they are “suitable for all hair types” or “perfect for natural hair”, when they are nothing of the sort. Check for deep conditioners and moisturisers that use natural oils like, jojoba or olive oil as their primary ingredients. When it comes to conditioning natural hair you want oils that can deeply penetrate the hair shaft. Poorly selected conditioners will result in products simply coating the outer layer of your hair, weighing it down and making it oily. 

 

5. Experiment With Protective Styles

 

Protective styles can be great when you’re transitioning or simply want to give your hair a bit of a break. The great thing about them is that they are so versatile and convenient. They can help to protect your hair from abrasive weather and they reduce the need for heat styling. Protective styles can be kept in for several weeks and can be anything from clip ins to cornrows.

 

We have a great great blog post about protective styles that you can read here, if you want some inspiration!

 

 

 

6. Less Is More

 

With natural hair often times, less is more. It’s important to not bog your hair down with heaps of different products. Similarly you want to avoid using a product with a list of ingredients as long as your arm that you can’t pronounce, also. Apart from the negative impact on your hair, you’ll never be able to monitor what products are and aren’t working for you, because you’re using so many. Its super simple to make your own deep conditioners and moisturisers for your hair and in many ways can actually be the better option since you can have full control over what ingredients touch your precious tresses.

 

Getting quality products to keep your hair in tip top shape doesn’t have to break the bank, try this 2 ingredient deep conditioner for healthy, happy locks!

 

• 5 tbs of extra virgin coconut oil
• 2 tbs of pure honey

 

The deep penetrating oil will provide moisture from the inside out and the honey can act as a sealant helping to keep the moisture in.

 

7. Heat Protection

 

By now you know black natural hair can be prone to breakage and dryness and this rings even more true if you are applying heat. In an ideal world you would avoid heat to your hair as much as possible, but we know there are times when you’re short for time or wanting to achieve a certain style that may require some heat styling. Therefore it’s important to get a quality heat protection spray, serum or oil for your hair. Heat protectants will add a barrier between the heat emitted by the styling tool and your hair, helping to seal in moisture, detangle and de-frizz.

 

Many people forget and think heat application only includes heat styling tools, but remember you should be applying a heat protectant when blow drying your hair too!

 

8. Don’t Skip Your Trims

 

We understand the reluctance to get a trim sometimes, especially if you have hair length goals it can seem like a major setback, but regularly scheduled trims are essential for not only hair health but optimum hair growth. Trimming your hair removes dead and split ends and helps your hair grow faster and healthier. How much you trim off will vary, and again you should go with what’s most comfortable for you. The trick is to keep a close eye on your ends as they will be the best indicator for when you need a trim.

 

 

9. Give Yourself Time to Adjust

 

It’s important to embrace the fact that this is indeed a transition in every sense of the word. That means you have to allow yourself time to adjust. You’re going to have to configure a new hair care routine, experiment with new styles and products and all of that takes time. Try not to compare your hair with others, or even compare it with your old/pre-transition hair. If you can embrace this new learning experience and try to see it as a fun opportunity to know more about your natural hair, you will avoid a lot of disappointment down the road.

 

10. Don’t Compare - Love Yourself, Love Your Hair

 

The most important advice we have to offer. Love yourself, love your hair. This is an amazing journey to embark upon; learning more about your hair, is learning more about yourself. Steer clear of those who put you down about your choices or bring negativity into your life. Seek advice and help from others, too. Remember you’re not alone on this journey, surround yourself with those who encourage and inspire you, and you and your hair will be beautiful!

 

Hopefully these helps have helped you to feel more confident, no matter where you are in your natural hair journey! If you have any tips to share with us, let us know in the comments below and help spread the word!

Ok, some of you may be thinking ‘what’s the L.O.C method?’ Well, you’re in luck because in this blog post we’ll break down the origins of the L.O.C method, what it means and how you can use it to revitalise your dry hair.

If you are a frequent visitor of natural hair blogs you probably would have heard of the L.O.C method. However, many do not know this technique was coined by the female entrepreneur, CEO and co-founder of Alikay Naturals, Rochelle Graham-Campbell. Before her product line Alikay Naturals became the success it is today, Rochelle documented her hair journey on her YouTube channel, Blackonyx77. It was on there where she shared the L.O.C method which was quickly adopted by many women as a way to moisturise and seal their natural hair.

Now, what does L.O.C. mean?

L.O.C is an acronym for:

L - Leave-in (or liquid)

O – Oil

C – Cream

It refers to the specific order you apply a moisturiser, oil and cream to your hair. Many women with curly and afro hair moisturise and seal their hair with a daily moisturiser/leave-in and oil but the L.O.C method aims to follow up with a creamy moisturiser or butter to acts as a second sealant. This helps by adding an extra barrier to maximise moisture retention which helps to slow down the rate moisture escapes from your hair. This is why the L.O.C method is popular to use during winter as the colder weather can have a harsh effect on our hair causing it to be drier than usual.

If you are interested in trying out this technique here are the steps to use it.

How to do the L.O.C method

• Step 1: Begin with your normal wash routine, whether that is cleansing your hair with a shampoo or conditioner. Although it is ideal to do the L.O.C method on clean hair, you can do it on dry hair.

• Step 2: Once your hair has been washed, using a moisturiser of your choice, apply it to your damp or dry hair. This can be your typical daily moisturiser, leave-in or your mixture of water and aloe Vera juice. CURLS Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner, As I Am Leave-In Conditioner, and Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioning Repair Cream are also good products to use as your liquid.

• Step 3: Apply your hair with your oil, of choice, which will act as your first sealant. Examples of typical oils are Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, Sweet Almond oil and Grapeseed oil.

• Step 4: Apply your creamy moisturiser or butter. Butters like Shea and Mango Seed are great choices as well as styling and curl defining products such as Aunt Jackie's Curls & Coils Flaxseed Recipes Seal It Up Hydrating Sealing Butter, Soultanicals Can't Believe It's Knot Butta, and Curls Dynasty Icing On a Curl Whipped Hair Butter.

Who can benefit from the L.O.C method?

The L.O.C method is commonly mentioned in the natural hair community as natural hair tends to be drier and has difficulty retaining moisture, especially in the colder seasons. To see this method in action watch how Shanique uses this layering effect on her natural hair.

If you have chemically treated or relaxed hair there are also advantages to adopting this moisturising technique as Charisse demonstrates in the video below. 

Alternatives to the L.O.C method

If you have tried the L.O.C. method but feel you want to use a different combination you can change the order by applying a Liquid, Cream and Oil (e.g. L.C.O).

You can experiment with different oils and creams as different combinations may retain moisture better for your hair. Also, if you have fine or thin hair you’ll want to use lighter oils and creams instead of butters to prevent product build-up.  

If you are suffering from dry hair, give this method a try and watch it revitalise!

Yes, that’s right. We think clip-in extensions are the best protective hairstyle to help you transition to natural. We know this is a bold statement and of course we are biased as we adore clip-in extensions. However, bear with us while we tell you why we think this is true, and then you can decide whether you agree with us or not. We believe we have compelling reasons that will make you consider trying clip-ins if you are thinking about going natural or currently transitioning to natural.

Now first things first…

WHAT ARE CLIP-IN HAIR EXTENSIONS?

In short, clip-ins is essentially removable hair extensions. A set of clip-ins has multiple wefts with small clips that are applied to your hair to instantly add length and volume in a matter of minutes. They can be washed and styled like other hair extensions and cause no damage to your real hair. They’re probably one of the few hair extensions that are easy, fast, and affordable to use.

Although clip-in extensions aren’t new, natural textured clip-in extensions for afro and curly hair have just started to gain popularity in the last decade. Therefore, it’s not surprising that most of us with curly or afro hair haven’t heard about them yet.

BROWSE CLIP-IN EXTENSIONS

 

THE BENEFITS OF TRANSITIONING TO NATURAL WITH AFRO AND CURLY CLIP-IN EXTENSIONS

Transitioning to natural is when you decide to stop chemically straightening (i.e. relaxing) your hair to grow out your natural hair while you slowly cut off your relaxed hair over an extended period. It’s a perfect option if you want to gradually ease into growing out your natural hair.

The first few months of transitioning are usually the easiest since there isn’t a lot of new growth to manage. However, as you progress into your transitioning journey managing this new growth with your relaxed hair can be tricky.

It’s at this stage where we think clip-ins can help, here’s how.

1. CLIP-INS CAN HELP DURING THE ‘AWKWARD’ STAGE

If you decide to transition to natural you probably want to retain your length for as long as possible. However, as your new growth gets longer you may start to experience more shrinkage then you are comfortable with (at first). This is easy to overcome by simply popping in a few clip-in extensions to gain back some of that lost length so you can feel more confident while your hair grows.

2. CLIP-INS GIVE YOU TIME TO GET USED TO YOUR NATURAL HAIR

It’s not uncommon for us to reach our 30s, 40s, 50s or even 60s and have little experience with dealing with our natural hair. This is nothing to be ashamed of and is to be expected, especially if you relaxed your hair for many years. For that reason, it’s not surprising when faced with looking after your natural hair you become confused, frustrated and overwhelmed. However, we urge you to not throw in the towel yet until you’ve heard this next point! 

Since afro and curly clip-in extensions are steam processed to replicate our curl pattern they require similar care to our natural hair and some clip-in textures are even similar to transitioning hair. This is great because while your natural hair is growing you can start getting familiar with your curl pattern by using clip-ins. Therefore, by the time your hair is longer, you will have a better idea of how to care for and style your natural hair which will make your transitioning hair journey more seamless and stress-free.

3. CLIP-INS ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR NATURAL HAIR

At Curly & Wild, we are all for protective styling. Clip-ins can be used as a protective style; however, there is a difference between low-maintenance protective styles and no-maintenance protective styles which come with their pros and cons.

Now, say you transition to natural with no-maintenance protective styles (e.g. weaves and braids); it’s very easy to leave your hair and forget about it. The risk of this, however, is after you take out the protective style you may have no idea how to care for your natural hair because you have no practice at doing it. So now, it’s very easy to lose the length you’ve gained because you lacked experience in adopting good hair care habits while using this form of protective styling.

Clip-in extensions are a low-maintenance protective style as they are easy to install, but still require you to handle and care for your real hair at least every other day. Therefore, you naturally gain a better understanding of caring for your hair compared to if you were wearing a weave or sew-in. This will increase your chances of maintaining healthy hair and retaining length for long natural hair.

4. CLIP-INS PROVIDE LENGTH, VOLUME AND MORE STYLING OPTIONS

When you transition, your hair is at a fragile state because you are managing your chemically straighten and curly hair. This can limit your styling options since you want to avoid over manipulation while your hair is growing out. This is where clip-in extensions shine because you can transform your hair in minutes without having to compromise your natural hair journey. So the next time you have work events, parties and social gatherings, with clip-ins you will instantly have length, volume, and more styling options at your fingertips.

5. CLIP-INS CAN HELP CONCEAL BREAKAGE

As we mentioned, your hair is naturally fragile when you transition because your relaxed ends are more prone to breakage. When you continue to transition, you may find your hair starts to look uneven as your relaxed ends start to break off. This can leave you with thick new growth at the top and thinner, broken hair towards the bottom making your hairstyles look thin at the ends. Clip-ins can offset this by filling out the areas of your hair where you lack volume making your styles appear natural and flawless.

 

Going natural is an exciting journey and although it can be a little daunting, we hope we've shown how you can successfully use afro and curly clip-in extensions to make this experience more fun and effortless.

Let us know in the comments whether you would consider using clip-ins to help you transition to natural. Have we managed to showcase the benefits of clip-ins or are you not convinced? We’d love to continue the discussion with you so please share your thoughts below.

BROWSE CLIP-IN EXTENSIONS

No two curl patterns are exactly alike and figuring out your hair type and curl pattern is one of the most essential steps in tailoring a great hair care routine that works for you. With the correct information you’ll be able to make product selections most suited to your hair, as well know how best to handle, moisturise and protect your hair from damage. We know determining your curl pattern can be a difficult and confusing process; many women are overwhelmed with the amount of information and are simply at a loss with where to begin.

So without further ado: Curly & Wild’s Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Curl Pattern. We hope this guide will give you the help and tools you need to fully embrace the beauty of your natural hair.

Why It’s Important to Know Your Hair Type

Knowing your hair type and curl pattern is the key to understanding your hair’s unique characteristics and administering the correct care which will help you maintain strong, healthy and well-nourished hair.

Understanding the Hair Type Chart

The hair type system was modeled after famous celebrity stylist Andre Walker’s definition of hair types; the chart ranges from 1 – 4, with subgroup classifications from A – C. 1 is straight, 2 is wavy, 3 is curly and 4 is coily. The subcategories A-C are based upon the density and depth of the hair pattern. A is fine/thin hair, B is medium/thick and C is dense/very thick.

However, it’s important to note that many women do not fit perfectly into just one category, and it’s common for most ladies, particularly with textured hair, to have a combination of multiple hair types on their head.

The curly and coily hair types begin at 3a and range all the way up until 4c. These tend to be the hair types most common amongst black women. They are the hair types that are described to have the most defined curl and coil patterns.

Type 3a

3a marks the first of the classified ‘curly’ hair types and is recognised by the lightweight appearance of its well-defined and loose curls.  The curls have a wide “S” shaped pattern and tend to be smooth with a fine to medium texture. The ringlets are compact with a shiny appearance and lots of body and buoyancy. The curls are on the wider side with a circumference that’s about the size of a piece of chalk. Due to the looser curl pattern, type 3 hair doesn’t suffer from as much dryness as type 4 hair. However, 3a hair can still be quite prone to dryness, as well as fizziness and lack of volume.  

Characteristics: Well-defined loose spiral curls, fine to medium texture, lots of body and buoyancy

Type 3b

3b hair is distinguishable by its loose “S” waves with a spiral to corkscrew-like appearance and has a diverse curl pattern that ranges from loose corkscrew curls to tight waves. The curls are well-defined, with a circumference similar to that of a large marker or sharpie and have a fine to medium texture.  Similar to type 3a, this hair type benefits from lots of body and buoyancy and is also prone to frizzing and dryness.

Characteristics: Spiral bouncy curls, loose curl pattern, fine to medium texture

 

Type 3c

3c hair is made up of defined, tight corkscrew curls, and is the tightest of type 3 curls. The circumference of the curls wrap snugly around a pen or pencil and the hair strands are densely packed together. Just like 3a and 3b, it has an “S” pattern when stretched. Unlike the previous types though, 3c curls are unique in that they can grow outwards instead of down, meaning that it grows in the same direction the hair shaft points to. This means when 3c hair is grown out longer it tends to form a “curly fro”. 3c hair generally has a medium texture and can be prone to dryness, tangling and a lack of curl definition.

Characteristics: Tight curls, dense, medium to thick texture

 Common Concerns of Type 3 Hair: Tangling, frizziness, dryness

 

Type 4a

Type 4a hair marks the beginning of the ‘coily’ hair types and is full of tight coils. Like 3c hair, it often takes on an “S” pattern when stretched out, which makes it easy to identify in comparison to the other type 4s. The hair has a visible curl pattern with spirals and a circumference close to that of a knitting needle. The texture is often fine or wiry, but its high density can make the hair appear thicker and darker. 4a hair has fewer cuticle layers than the other hair types thus far, making it quite fragile and prone to breaking.  

Characteristics: “S” pattern when stretched, thick appearance, visible curl pattern, dense, fine or wiry texture, shrinkage

 

Type 4b

4b hair is the second coily hair type, to determine whether you have 4b hair you should observe the pattern of your coils. 4b coils take on an angular “Z” shape, are usually as wide as a pencil or pen but are not very well defined. The texture of 4b hair is diverse, ranging from thin and wiry to rough and coarse. This hair type is prone to shrinkage, meaning that the coils can become quite tightly packed together. This can be frustrating for many women, as it means the hair length looks much shorter than it actually is. Like all type 4 hair, 4b hair also has a propensity to drying out and breakage.

Characteristics: “Z” coil pattern, undefined coils, dense and tightly packed, thin to coarse texture, shrinkage

Type 4c

Type 4c is made up of fluffy strands with a similar “Z” shaped curl pattern to type 4b hair, but it has tighter coils. The coils can range from defined to not very defined and are very densely packed together. 4c hair requires lots of moisture due to the tightness of the coils and is the most susceptible to shrinkage. It is not uncommon for 10-inch 4c hair to shrink down to 3-inches or less after washing. 4c texture can vary from fine and soft to thick and coarse, meaning the appearance of 4c hair can be quite diverse. It is considered to be the most delicate of hair types due to its tightly coiled curl pattern and succumbs easily to breakage when dry.

Characteristics: Fluffy strands, “Z” coil pattern, tight coils, dense, thin to coarse texture, shrinkage

Common Concerns of Type 4 Hair: Fragile, dryness, breakage.

 

🔥HOT TIP 🔥 If you are still having difficultly identifying your hair type a good trick is to see what your hair looks like after it has been freshly washed as there is no product in it allowing you to see your hair in its natural state.

We hope with guide you’ve been able to correctly identify your hair type and are now armed with the knowledge you need to confidently embrace and take care of the natural beauty of your hair. It’s no secret that natural hair can sometimes require a lot of maintenance but with a better understanding of your hair type, you’ll be more equipped to find the products, treatments, and styles best suited to your unique hair type and curl pattern. Taking a break with a protective style also becomes easier once you’ve determined your hair type and can correctly identify your hair’s texture.

Here at Curly&Wild, we have a diverse range of 100% virgin human hair extensions uniquely tailored for type 3 and 4 natural hair. With the help of this guide, you’ll now be able to confidently select the clip-ins that best match your hair texture for a flawless and seamless look.

Always remember, be it curls, kinks or coils, rock your locks with pride!

*If you are still not sure what your curl pattern is take our quiz here to help you decide*