Natural Hair Transition

I've been a slave to the creamy crack that is a relaxer for far too long!

I have been back and forth about going natural for the last 2 years. 2 years!!! Do you know how much I regret not doing this 2 years ago right now? How healthy and long and beautiful my hair could be? Big regrets. Huge. 

I love the "funkiness" of having both of my sides and the back of my head shaved, so I won't be changing that. So that just leaves all this hair on top. Should be an easy transition right? Hmm...

Well, I finally made up my mind and jumped in head first. or should I say hair first, ha ha! Many videos watched and blog posts read. But where do I start? Not sure. My last relaxer was November 14 2012. This is my beginning. 

I purchased the Shea Moisture Repair & Transition kit from Walgreens for $20. 

The first time I used this kit. I could already "feel" the difference. My hair seemed cleaner after the very first use! The Moisture Retention Shampoo is perfectly named. It definitely left my hair feeling very soft and manageable. And not to mention, it smells wonderful! 

The Restorative Conditioner was a different story. I have very thick, thirsty hair, so I expect big things out of conditioners that claim to restore moisture and also label itself as a "leave in" conditioner. I expected detangling to be effortless, especially after using that heavenly shampoo. Foul. Fail.

As far as the Deep Treatment Masque, I used it to do the braid out below. It left my hair very soft, but not very manageable, if that makes sense. 

The Strengthening Elixir is very silky and slippery. I sprayed it on my hair and my hands slid right off when trying to rub it in. So I tried using it again on my wet hair & it worked a little better. The more I use it, the better I like it. My hair has been so dry for so long that every thing I put in it gets sucked up immediately!

On the flat twists below, I washed with the retention shampoo, then followed with the restorative conditioner, and while my hair was still wet I sprayed it with the strengthening elixir. Then twisted it after it was completely dry. I wore them for 4 days, and sprayed them everyday with water to hydrate them. And if they looked dull, I would use a small spray of the strengthening elixir.

I haven't given up on this kit or this brand yet. I have a long way to go. Once I am completely natural I will be trying the Shea Moisture Organic Coconut & Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie Kit so that maybe my hair will naturally curl like the straw set I did here.. 

At this point, 9 or 10 weeks post relaxer, my hair is very thick, tangly, dry, and did I say thick? I hate it. It's itchy and sweaty all the time (I'm a gym rat) and I find myself washing it 2 or 3 times a week. My friend Arlisha says that it's "scalp hair" that's causing the dry itchiness, and that we don't realize when we relax our hair that the relaxer is in your skin, pores & cuticles, and it just takes a while to grow completely out. I love her! 

So somebody tell me? Am I off on the wrong foot here? What direction should I be going? Any tips, suggestions, or ideas on products I should try, protective styles etc., please please let me know! Thanks for reading!!