what i wish i knew before transitioning without a big chop.. 

Hi just know that God loves you all and has a plan for you.

You do not have to big chop, clipped ins and patience goes a long way

i'm so frustrated as well the process is real 👸🏾

Omg, after about a year and a half I couldn’t stand my new growth and my old damaged hair being together. I big chopped at 19 months! Your hair is going to be 👄👌🏽 *chefs kisses*

I'm transitioning now and aggravated but I want the relaxer off. I have no clue what I'm doing but I'm trying to keep my hair moisturized. Lord help me on my hair journey. 🙏🏽🙌🏽

Bro when I started my relaxed ends fell off and the back of my head was just short curls...I felt so sad but its growinnnnn

I never big chopped. Just did protective styles to protect my transitioning hair. But everyone's journey is different. Some tips for you are try to detangle your hair with a wide tooth comb and not a tangle teaser and ALWAYS comb starting from your ends and move your way up. this will minimize breakage. I would recommend to detangle your hair in the shower with some sort of conditioner or leave in. This provides slip and can also help minimize breakage. To prevent you edges from thinning or breaking at the transition point, try not to pull it up in a bun too much. Let your hair follicles breathe and relax. You got this girl!!

i would also recommend cutting off little by little instead of chopping it all off at once. i had heat damage at the beginning of my journey and so i had to transition. i was so excited for my new growth that i just started cutting off a little at a time because i wasn’t quite ready. but then one day i just got tired of waiting and chopped off the rest & it felt so good for the dead ends to finally be gone 🥰 go at your own pace !

I resonated with everything you said, I’m also in the beginning process and hate looking in the mirror when it comes to my hair, we will get through this!!

Hey Girl! This is my take in whaat you should do based on my own experience from transitioning from permed to curly hair. 1: focus on moisture! You've already nixed over shampooing your hair, but I would get a deep conditioner that your hair would like. (Personally love the Manuka Honey collection from shea moisture. 2: Limit got2b Its main ingredient is a drying alcohol that leeches moisture from your hair 3: Limit the amount of times you wear your hair in a bun! I know its hard, but constantly pulling your wet hair into a slick backed bun and layering a gel on top can cause breakage within itself. Especially on edges and back perimeter of your hair. I would instead do a flat twist or crown rows when not on camera to limit the stress a bun can cause. 4: Not necessary to cut all of your straight (damaged) ends off at once. Personally I didnt just because I still wanted length and only went every 3-4 months for a trim and to keep an even length overall. 5: Youre already eating clean and you drink a ton of water, so keep doing it! 6: Embrace these frustrating days, its hard and it sucks, but youre doing your best and its worth it once you get to your end goal. Based on what your roots look like your definitely in the 3 family you could be a mix of all three but I believe youre a 3b-3c also realize that as your hair becomes longer and weighed down the curls while still being 3b-3c will look slightly different compared to charts. So proud of your girly for staying on your journey! ❤️😊

I think your curl pattern is mostly 3C too. A short look would look good on you! Im getting Raven Elyse modelesque vibes

I am so proud of you because I know how hard it is to transition. I only made it 6 months transitioning before I big chopped and my hair grew way faster after I cut it.

Kayla, you have such beautiful curls! I love them so much. This curl journey is hard but it is so worth it at the end. Don’t ever give up you’re doing amazing! One tip I can share with you is that you should deep condition at least once a week and it will change your curl pattern to the way you love it or better. I have done it with my curly journey and it has helped!

I big chopped on the 7th of this month and I love it. You have wigs and enough growth so its not like you will be bald. Take a leap of faith.

Omg. I’m soo glad I come across your video. I remember when my hair got to this stage in transitioning a few years back and the two textures was a totally NIGHTMARE to work with. My hair in its natural state is identical to yours, requires soo much hydration. I couldn’t agree with you more, I’ve learned that less is more. I’m currently 7 months into my transition but I’ve used heat 4/5 times, I could cry just thinking how much it has set me back.

When I had a relaxer I hardly ever put heat in my hair but now I use heat once a month. My hair is a mess right now too. I work out 4 times a week and I have no idea what to do. I’ve been transitioning for a year now. I just don’t know😂😂😂

So pretty! I say big chop girl. The breakage can damage the new hair and split higher. Be careful with that hairspray. All the alcohol can be dangerous! Your hair is sooo gorge!

Rice water is a game changer. It’s good for hair growth. Enjoy your transition. I also think that if you did a big chop. It would look good and you’d love it.

Keep at it girl, you’re doing great. Your curls are so cute

I'm just now starting the transition phase for the 3rd time. I'm currently 16 weeks post relaxer. Several years ago, I did the big chop the first time I transitioned and I hated that I cut off all my hair. My hair was past my shoulder blades. I wasn't patient enough to allow the relaxer to grow out and thought the only option to getting rid of the relaxer was to cut my hair. I cut it really short and was so frustrated because I could not style it. I was tired of the headband with puffy pony tail look. So after it grew to my chin I went back to a relaxer which was about 6-8 months later. About 3-4 years past and I decided to give it another try. The second time I just tried to let the relaxer grow out but my hair was shedding so much I was afraid I would go bold. About a year later, I gave in and got another relaxer. This time makes my 3rd time transitioning. My hair is the same texture and about the same length as yours. I have more knowledge on how to care for my hair without doing the big chop. I wear a lot of protective styles and keep my hair really moisturized. It seems to be working well because I hardly have any shedding or breakage and my hair is growing fast. Hopefully this time around I will not give in to relaxing my hair!!!! You have some beautiful hair!!!!

I know this sucks to hear ...... but you need to stop slicking back your hair . It’s breaking the curls and not allowing them to grow . My curly hair stylist gets on my case for this all the time so I feel for you but it has made the biggest different . I French braid my hair now and it helps a lot with growth . Also try using uncle funkys daughter hair product , I think you would love it .

Your natural hair is so 😍 ! I think you’re a mix of 3B/3C. I didn’t chop until my natural hair reached my shoulders. It was a lot of braid/twist outs for me during transitioning. Didn’t need/buy a diffuser until after I chopped. It’s just no need. It won’t do what you want it to until then. Also I can relate to feeling “ugly” & when it became too much I did a protective style! Have patience & love yourself a little more at this stage. Happy transitioning 🤎

i LOOOOOVE the JBCO leave in ! it’s been such a staple in my natural hair journey !

I think you should just cut off those straight ends. You will feel so much better and that’s when you’ll truly know and understand your hair. And you’ll love it!

I know it can be hard, but you would look so beautiful with a big chop! I just know you would rock it!

Something that helped me while transitioning was applying product to soaking wet hair, and not too much product either. I’d take all of my hair in between my index and thumb, like 👌🏽 that and drag it from root to tip. Whatever size the 👌🏽 was at the end was the amount of product I’d use to keep me from weighing my curls down. Hope that made sense & is helpful! Also Mielle organic edge control is dope af, and using their babassu deep conditioner on a biweekly routine (with a shower cap and heat to penetrate) in conjunction with my macadamia did wonders for the frizz! 🤍🤍🤍 Good luck boo, we’re all rooting for you and your curls are POPPIN!

Your hair has come in nicely. Beautiful healthy natural locks!

3b/3c mix is my best guess. You may want to trim every other month to gradually chop, rather than a big chop. I have been natural for 11 years and transitioned for 10 months. I only suggest the bimonthly trim to prevent breakage and splitting. But definitely make the journey your own!

Your curls are so cuuute!!

Braids are such a good transition/protective hairstyle. I think you would look so good with goddess locs or micro braids. You seem to be 3c

your curls are so cute! id cut those ends- you'd look so good

The best thing for me was learning protective styles . I didn’t have to look at it everyday and I wasn’t touching it as well

I have been natural for over 14 years and I my journey was very challenging up until the last two years. I dealt with crazy mid-shaft splits although I followed the remediation which were meant to to avoid split ends and breakage. Just as I though my hair was turning the corner two years ago my hair fell out like tinsel. However, since that time my hair has been flourishing and I noticed that my texture has changed... And their are two things that made a difference. First, I realized that my hair is very protein sensitive (and it’s in a lot of haircare products). Which means I need to really read to see what is in haircare products. My hair doesn’t do well with a lot of the ingredients and products that are often promoted in the natural haircare industry because they to have protein/ingredients that eat away at my hair. I can’t use products with coconut oil, wheat (which is used as a protein source and filler), rice water etc. What I found is that going natural is an individual journey. There were people that look down on my hair, just to go natural years later. I don’t compare my journey, hair growth or length to anyone else’s. Also I was able to address standards of beauty and I became educated on where most standards come from, the problematic history these standards have had in the black community (and specifically how black women have been viewed and treated as it relates to those standards) and are measured by. At the end of the day, I believe that healthy hair is beautiful hair! And I love my hair because it is my glory and it has protected my head through various stages of life! It is healthy, think, strong, and growing! I don’t judge other people’s journey I just hope that each person would learn to love their whole self spirit, soul, mind, and body (which includes one’s hair)!

I love the shes moisture repair and hydrate mask!! It’s in the blue packaging and it smells good

I feel like you can rock a short hair cut ! You have the perfect face go for it girl 🙏🏽

I just did this yesterday, heat damage (from blow drying my natural hair instead of naturally drying it) and my hair is so short but I love my curly hair so much can't wait for it to get longer

A big chop would be the best option. Because when you have that big of a texture difference and the difference in the construction of the hair your going to have breakage unless you really really really take care and spend time on your hair. You have a beautiful texture and I think you would look amazing with a short cut. It can be done without a big chop but it’s going to be more time consuming and your probably not going to see growth at the same rate you would if you just cut the permed ends off.

You don't need a big chop sis just gotta be patient. when I was transitioning I did lots of twists and braid sets and used perm rods on the bottom to at least have a consistent curl pattern from root to end.

I recently did my “ 2nd “ big chop after being natural for about 7 years on my channel . I chose the transition method the first time and gradually cut off damaged hair little by little and it felt like it took forever to get my hair to grow and finally be healthy but then I got heat happy and had so much heat damage that I decided to just cut it off again. At first I regretted but now I’m glad I did because my hair is growing so much faster this time around .

Congrats on your journey! I’ve been natural since 2008 and big chopped but protective styles are your friend when trying to grow your hair. I do caution anything tight or excessive bun wearing (for me it caused breakage but just moving my bun placement around helped). As far as curl pattern, I honestly feel like you really won’t know until most of your ends are gone. Relaxed hair weighs down your curls. I feel finding out your porosity is more effective in letting you know what products may work for you tho.

You need a Denman brush. It really helps with defining your curls.

Your curls are so beautiful!😍😍

OMG girl I think if you cut off the straight parts at the length your hair is now and how much your curls have grown in you would look fire!!!

You gotta cut the ends not a full bid chop but a professional hair cut to help with your hair. Try shea moisture Manuka honey and mafura oil leave in milk

Your curls are beautiful ❤️❤️

Kayla, step out of your comfort zone & BIG CHOP! I promise you won’t regret it. You might be uncomfortable with it at first, but your hair will flourish & you’ll learn to love yourself even more. Remember if you’re not fond of it, you can always wear wigs, get braids, etc. Can’t wait to see you continue this journey!

I am where you are with transitioning. The two textures are driving me crazy. My ends have some wave at the top and 3A with some 3B underneath but my roots are 3C. I have gone about 8 months without straightening it and about a year since my last keratin/Brazilian blowout. I am contemplating cutting off most of the ends - not a full big chop - but I would like to take off a lot of the ends. I have already cut it once and it made a big difference in the curl pattern. Before cutting it, I was only seeing waves in some places with very curly roots.

I never big chopped. I protective styled my way though my whole transition. Also products before, during and after my transition changed consistently. As my hair changed and became more healthy different products worked for me. But your curls looks great!!

perfect video for this quarantine 2020♡♡

I cut mine at the year mark. I called in sick from work and grabbed the shears. Lol A couple of months prior I had most of my length cut. I wasn’t used to short hair but it was so much easier to do once I was fully natural.

It’s coming along!! The curls are poppin! I went through that stage... buns, buns, buns lol. You should add aloe vera juice in your regimen. It’s a great moisturizer, pre-poo Treatment. You can also buy the leaf and make gel, or oil. The oil is amazing!! It’s grown my hair a lot. I’ve been doing Ayurveda regimen.... green tea rinses (lessens shedding, and it works!!!) , different types of masks using different powders like hibiscus, Alma, MSM, fenugreek seeds etc. I also use different essential oils like peppermint, lavender, rosemary oil to increase circulation. I’m less of product junkie, and more into natural ingredients from my fridge like avocado, bananas, honey, ginger, onions, garlic. (Stimulates blood flow and adds moisture) I watch Curly Proverbz on youtube. You should check her out. My hair went from dry and brittle to moisturized and soft.

I transitioned from a relaxer to curls without a big chop because I have short hair and I didn't think my self esteem would survive a big chop. Protective styles and lots of trims did the trick for me. I did everything you are doing with protein and oiling my scalp. Lots of Diy things geared toward hair growth. My routine was to get a new style with a trim every three weeks with a week of letting my hair just be (not styled) If you don't want to big chop I don't think it's necessary but if you do I think you'd look good with short hair. I can see you rocking some cute finger waves

You have a gorgeous natural texture!

It will be 5 years in December since I did my big chop (I did not have the patience to transition). My hair is past my arm pit and would probably be much longer if I actually tried to care for it. Lazy problems.

I big chopped in November 2018 and had less growth than you have rn. I just kept my hair in braids most of the time. It’ll be two years next month and my hair is about 16 inches long (when straight).

use rice water its so good for growth

speaking from personal experience your hair grows faster when you big chop vs transition

I have the same pattern as you like the exact same except my hair is thick and I’m thinking of doing a big chop

My curl pattern is like yours im 7 months in. It's getting so difficult dealing with 2 textures I look a mess everyday but im not ready to big chop

tiktok hack for gel, add some water to it and mix, it makes more gel for you! it works

You’re hair is looking so healthy! I love the leave in its def a staple of mine as well as the hair mask I love how it smells. Just stay away from the hairspray it’s so bad for your hair the ingredients are terrible. Try and avoid tight up-dos and leave your hair down a little more to avoid the pulling. Also try wearing turbans, hair scarves which helps in letting your hair breathe a little. You’re doing great though❤️

Lol I wish I seen this video before I just got my hair cut on Tuesday 😭😭

Girrrrrrrrrrl I don't know how you do anything with them long nails lol...love u girl

Hoarding products has definitely been my issue! I have been so lost and overwhelmed. There is so much conflicting information out here. 😔🥺 Meanwhile, I’m still trying to get to know my hair and sort out what makes it happy and healthy. I’m clueless.

I had a lot of postpartum shedding so I’ve decided to just leave my hair for a while and just use wigs. I’ve been natural for 10+ years

I really just wanted to see how you cut the hair to leave those beautiful curls- I watched the whole video and no show on the cutting technique 😭

How lond did it take fir the transition ?

My hair is relaxed but it's still very thick. I just don't have the curls at the tips. Please help.

Ill be 10 months post relaxer in 2 weeks😱

Great video!

I don’t personally think you need a big chop since it looks like you have a lot of new growth and just simply need to cut the dead ends and continue conditioning and using rice water. Your hair appears to be 3b-3c type.

Natural hair tip* find what works for you hair and stick to that product, it’s so easy to get sucked into all these different products.

Real talk my hair got thick and full as I began the transition. Then it started to break off at the tip so it’s no longer retaining length. 😢

I would trim off a few inches first. You will love the results. Your hair grows like crazy when you cut the ends.

Try ouidad leave in conditioner. Available at Ulta. It’s a great overall line

Catch these waves ok 🌊 🌊 🌊 absolutely miss mam and be patient it’s worth it I transitioned and big chopped at ear length no regrets after just scary leading up to the decision.

My pattern got tighter a few months after I was fully natural but Ima not sure If a lot of people dealt with that

3a-3b. But your texture will change because your relaxed hair adds weight. Once you chop, you might be a 3b. I transitioned for a year, my only regret was not chopping sooner.

Im transitioning as well..around 7/8 months in my journey as well...so excited to see you doing this too...your curly pattern looks about 3b?

Hey I don't know if you will get back to me but do u have any cute hairstyle ideas for the transition hair (the ugly part😭)

When I wet my hair it's just that way how can I control the puffiness and how do I see my curls because it's real curly

I advocate for the big chop! I did it in 2018 and this is the most I’ve ever loved my hair. I was nervous but once it was done it’s like an aha moment of remembering you can deal with anything especially hair which grows back. This awful pandemic is weirdly enough a perfect time to do so also cuz....where tf are we going kml. Blessings from The Bahamas💙

Would you ever get braids? Also, I’ve found the liquid Biotin works so much better than the pills

What I’ve been using in my hair for growth is this product called Monat Rejuveniqe Oil. I definitely see a HUGE different in my hair and it’s only been 3 months. I never thought my hair would grow. I wish I could show and send you a pic of my results and the oil 😭 I think it will definitely give you the results you are looking for. It’s for any hair type. I’m not sure what my hair type is but I’m pretty sure I’m between a 3c-4c texture. I hope this helps! :)

Look in the mirror and watch your progress it will be so rewarding when you finally get it where you want it. I transitioned for for four years started in 2014. Now I don’t even like my hair straight.

Your curl pattern seems to be 3b with some 3c. But it will change once the ends are gone. Might be 3c all the way. I don’t like hair typing because porosity type and density type matters more. Brushing hair with a boar bristle brush breaks it off 😫 so I would try not to do that. Focus on moisture weekly and then protein once a month. You’d look cute with a short cut but do what’s comfortable to you!

Kayla I think you would look amazing if you did the big chop, And ur hair still grow back so much healthier (also you don’t have to deal with stringy spaghetti pieces) and you have an amazing curl pattern, hair is just hair , it will grow back! Just wear wigs until you are comfortable with the length.

Perhaps you need to get to the deeper issue of your “fear.” It’s hair! It WILL grow back! Have some fun! It’s starts with loving yourself first! YOU are not your hair! 😊

Your hair is more of a 3a towards the ends then the roots are def 3b. As we get older it starts to change, my roots have become more manageable they used to be so thick 😩

You are doing amazing!!! Keep it up! 💜 I would try to not put your hair up, especially when its wet, it's really damaging. And it can actually cause more breakage!

Girl you are beautiful U should do big chop 🥰 you won’t regret it!

Hello Kayla!👋❤️

I’m transforming as well. It is getting frustrating 😩

I don't understand why you don't just cut it and start from the beginning

3b-3c

I thought the same ! & natural is a full time job plus a part time job too .. you definitely will waste alot of money on products

Cut it, your hair would look bombbbb

Girl I love you, but I am mad salty you were texlaxing that. You got what our folks like to call 'good hair' You are looking to be around a 3C, but once you loose all those straggly ends and it grows some more your texture may change a bit. You wear a lot of wigs and weaves so just big chop and do protective styles until it gets to a length you are comfortable with. Also, the rice water maybe drying your hair out more, find out what your porosity is before continuing to use so much protein.