Dove How to transition to natural hair by women who've been there

Transition From Relaxed To nartural Hair: 2 Real Hair Stories

Victoria’s first taste of relaxing her hair came as a way of taming it. “At 14, going to school with frizzy hair was definitely not ‘in’. I didn’t know what I was doing with my hair. It was just about being able to manage it more easily.” But when she was 25, she stopped. “My hairdressers closed down,” Victoria shares, “It was kind of out of fear of finding a new one, which sounds ridiculous out loud…” Sareta began relaxing her hair at 14 too. “I begged my mom to let me,” she told us. And then, three years ago, Sareta decided to look into how to transition to natural hair. “I don’t think relaxing really suited my hair type. But there are temptations all around to have processed hair,” she told us. “I watch a lot of TV and the ladies with straight hair… it’s beautiful and glossy and glamorous. I had to pinch myself and be like, this is not reality.”

As Victoria and Sareta embarked on their natural hair transition, they discovered that the secret to beautiful, frizz-controlled hair isn’t chemicals – but just getting to know it. Victoria’s first piece of advice? Just go for it. “There is joy that comes with embracing your naturally curly hair – just know that it is a bit of a journey.”

Victoria and Sareta’s natural hair transition tips:

1

Don't fear the Big Chop…
"Lots of girls who go from relaxed hair to natural hair are so brave and just go for the big chop: chop all their processed hair off and wait for their natural curls to emerge," explains Victoria. "I let my hair grow, but I had these damaged straight bits at the end. So one day I just chopped them off. That really made a difference, getting rid of those ends"
2

…But there are ways around it.
Not ready to reach for the scissors? "I didn't go for the big chop," says Sareta. "I waited – I needed hair! Instead I just put in braids for the first six months, to give it a break and let it grow and do its own thing"
3

How to stop frizzy hair? Silk.
"The one tip I'd give to someone with natural hair would be to buy a silk scarf to wear at night," says Victoria. "Going to bed and your hair rubbing on a cotton pillowcase just creates so much frizz"

4

Prepare for some awkward phases.
"The awkward stage for me was when I finally got rid of all the relaxed bits and my hair was about probably, maybe about 4 inches?" Sareta explains. "It was an awkward length. I couldn't put it up, and wearing it down I had to stretch it out by doing twists at night"
5

Work on your routine.
How to get rid of frizzy hair? Sareta's got her hair care routine perfected now. "I co-wash my hair (wash it with only conditioner) and use shampoo less - because I don't use that many products, so it doesn't need a cleanse as often." Your hair routine should be all about what works for you. Need more nourishment? If keeping your hair as hydrated as possible is your biggest priority, try a hair mask: our Nutritive Solutions Anti-Frizz Oil Therapy Hair Mask helps to manage frizz, and moisturize your curls to leave them soft and manageable
6

Search for a good stylist.
Just like with all hair types, finding the right stylist is important. "One of the most important things is to find a good hairdresser, someone who is willing to work with you and your hair," says Sareta

7

Go online.
Sareta's biggest tip if you're thinking about going natural? "Look online!" she told us. "I have so many Pinterest boards of different hairstyles, different curl patterns." Victoria agrees. "I think Instagram is a great for basic information about what your hair is like, what kind of products might work, routine - even the fact that we need a diffuser rather than a normal hairdryer." Still not sure how to care for your curls - or even what type you've got? Check out our guide to curly hair, from 2-a to 4c

8

Use a good conditioner for natural hair.
"The one product I need on a regular basis is conditioner," explains Sareta. "Any conditioner that's moisturizing is great for my hair!" Finding the right care for your hair type is the best way to keep it looking beautiful. If your hair is dry like Sareta's, try something like Dove Nutritive Solutions Absolute Curls Conditioner. Designed to moisturize and strengthen curly hair, it penetrates each strand to help quench dryness