Transitioning Curl Traits
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Curl shape
Transitioning curls are unique as there are multiple curl patterns involved. Coming out of the root is your natural hair type (whether it be loose curls, classic, tight or kinky), and as you go down the hair, it will straighten out from the chemical relaxer.
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frizz factor
As there are at least two curl types and patterns involved with transitioning curls, the frizz levels vary. Well maintained relaxed hair shouldn't be too frizzy or difficult to comb through.
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maintenance level
The main difficulty with maintaining transitioning curls is finding a way to balance two very different hair textures: not just in curl pattern, but also its porosity and thickness. What may be good for one texture, may not be good for the other and vice versa.
Tips for care
Embarking on a drastic hair journey such as transitioning from relaxed to natural curls can be daunting. Not everyone feels comfortable with a big chop and would prefer to take the journey slow. When transitioning your hair, it's important to keep both the relaxed and natural parts of your hair healthy as this will make the process smoother.
Trimming the hair every 8 weeks is very important when transitioning your curls. It helps remove straggly split ends as well as gets your closer to your goal of fully natural hair. If you continue to use heat styling when transitioning (which isn't advised), you may need to have more frequent trims to account for the heat damage.
Protective styles like braids, twists and wigs are one of the best ways to protect your natural hair while transitioning. They don't require a lot of time or money to maintain, and are excellent at hiding new growth. When wearing protective styles, make sure to not put too much strain on your head as this can lead to breakage. The crown of the head is a very sensitive area, and any fallout or damage as a result of traction alopecia will be more noticeable with transitioning curls.
