Transitioning to natural hair can be hard, long, and sometimes, down right frightening! Yet, it can also be very rewarding, and liberating. If you are deciding to go natural, there are tons of resources. Natural hair blogs, as well as Youtube, offers tons of tips for going natural, as well as maintaining your hair from the transitioning phases, to the big chop. The most important thing to remember is, that it is only hair. Your hair will grow back, and you will discover the joys and beauty of caring for your own, unaltered natural hair.

1. Transitioning

When you are transitioning to natural hair, you will have two different hair textures you are dealing with. One is your natural hair texture, that is growing from your scalp, and the other is your relaxed hair, which will be more of a limp, straight texture. When you hair is wet, you will easily be able to see the difference between the two. How long you choose to transition is a personal choice. Some women prefer to do a longtime transition, which can take them years before they have finally gradually cut off all of their relaxed ends. Some women choose to do a big chop within months of growing out their relaxer, getting rid of all of their relaxed hair at once. During your transitioning stage, it may be difficult to care for two totally different hair textures. It is best to avoid heat at this time. Using excess heat will destroy your natural hair texture, causing heat damage, and destroying your curl pattern. Instead, opt for styles that allow you to blend both textures. Braids, twist outs, and bantu knots will be your hairs best friend at this time!

2. Chopping it off

Once you are ready to get rid of all of your relaxed hair, you need to chop it off! If you are planning on transitioning for a longer period of time, this will require you to gradually get the relaxed ends trimmed. If you are ready to let it all go, this is called a big chop. It’s best to see a professional who specializes in natural hair to cut off your relaxed hair. If you are planning on keeping your hair short for a while it would be a good idea to get it cut in a style.

3. Start Experimenting

Tgin products are a great place to start. Our line features everything you need to cleanse, condition, deep condition, and moisturize your hair. You are going to have to try a few products before you find exactly what works for you, and your hair texture. The good thing about this is that there are so many women on youtube just like you, who have hair similar to yours and do reviews on products, oils, and hair techniques. Watch there videos! Don’t limit yourself to only watching the uber popular hair gurus. You might find someone with less viewers, with a hair texture more similar to yours. Try products out, see what you like, and what works for your hair.

4. Protect your hair

Now that you have found the products that work best for your hair, you need to protect it. You can’t walk around with fly curls all day then destroy your hair by combing it with a small toothed comb, sleeping on a satin pillow case, or applying color every week! You are going to want to find a protective style that works for you. If you have a twa, (teeny weeny afro) don’t worry about this just yet. If your hair is long enough to throw into a pony tail, you should have a few protective styles you can wear, such as up-do’s, braids, buns etc. The less manipulation to your hair, the less breakage. In addition to protective styling, you must make sure that your hair is protected at night. Sleeping with a silk or satin pillow case helps prevent breakage caused by the friction between your hair and cotton pillowcases. Make sure each and every night you are sleeping with a silk or satin scarf or pillowcase.

5. Regimen

In your busy day, hair might be the last thing on your list of things to worry about. Having a regimen can make caring for your natural hair a breeze. Know what days you want to wash your hair, do treatments, and style your hair. Having a regimen in place will make your life super easy when it comes to your hair. Finally, enjoy your hair! Try different styles, grow it out, cut it again, do what you want with your hair! Hair is not a job, it’s a compliment to the already gorgeous you! Now go out there and show the world your beautiful, curly, kinky, gorgeous, natural hair!

6. Education

After spending hundreds of dollars monthly, having her life practically  revolve around her hair, and not seeing any results in hair growth, tgin CEO, and author of, Thank God I’m Natural, Chris-Tia Donaldson, decided to take the plunge and go natural. Chris-Tia didn’t know much about natural hair care, but she was confident in herself, and her abilities to make it work. Donaldson then discovered at home recipes, as well as techniques for caring for her own natural hair. Thank God Im Natural, is a great book for any woman considering going natural. It is an Amazon best seller, as well as has been deemed the hair bible by Essence Magazine. Donaldson takes us on a journey of her own self-discovery, as well as provides page after page of helpful tips for the newly, and seasoned natural. In addition to reading this eye opening page turner, make sure you are watching youtube videos for tips and tricks.

Here are a few articles you need to check out!

• 10 Tips for Transitioning to Natural Hair
• Is Going Natural For Everyone 
• 10 Tools Every Naturalista Needs

Check out this great video with more tips on transitioning [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scdn-iS_14E[/youtube]

Are you ready to do the big chop?

Ashley Renee is a licensed esthetician, Mac makeup artist, natural hair enthusiast, writer and poet from Chicago, follow her on Instagram @Ashleyvsrenee!