Long term transitioning, will this work?

I started getting straighteners done about a year ago after my stylist said that it would be easier for me since I spent so much time flat ironing my hair. I last got one done about 6 months ago. Once I started getting regrowth I decided I hated having super straight hair and I wouldn't get the process done again, and found different websites about transitioning.
After finding a lot of information i've noticed that everyone eventually does a big chop, but I know that I wouldn't like having short hair (i've been growing my hair out since getting a cut that was between chin and shoulder length with tons of layers for 2-3 years now). I was hoping that as my hair continued to grow I would get bits of the straightened parts of my hair cut off at time keeping it fairly long, but not reading about anyone else having done this i'm wondering if it's possible?
After finding a lot of information i've noticed that everyone eventually does a big chop, but I know that I wouldn't like having short hair (i've been growing my hair out since getting a cut that was between chin and shoulder length with tons of layers for 2-3 years now). I was hoping that as my hair continued to grow I would get bits of the straightened parts of my hair cut off at time keeping it fairly long, but not reading about anyone else having done this i'm wondering if it's possible?
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http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/transitioning/111539-100%25-natural-after.html
^ this is my long term transitioning post . . I transitioned for almost two years before I did the BC . . I had enough length at that point to feel comfortable cutting off the rest of my permed ends.
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/transitioning/118089-20-month-transition-over.html
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/transitioning/114489-100%25-natural.html
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/transitioning/114374-totally-just-bcd-after-1-yr-transition.html
http://www.naturallycurly.com/curltalk/transitioning/111929-long-term-transitioner-did-big-chop.html
YTChannel: http://www.youtube.com/user/papiermachecurls
I've read just about every thing that went about 15 pages or so back including those, but I was wondering if it's possible to avoid a big chop altogether and just trim it over time and if anyone had done that/heard of that since I haven't found anything about someone transitioning that way, or if that's unrealistic
I understand that you want to keep it as long as possible, but trust me, when you reach a certain length in your natural hair (about when 40-50% of your length is natural) it will start looking really funky at the ends unless you keep it straight, and you will probably just want to cut that part off. I don't consider that a "big chop," but it seems like you do? Like I said, when I did that, what I had left was about shoulder length straight, and ear-lobe length curly.
I believe avoiding the big chop is possible with trimming over time. Question is, whether you can/ want to maintain the 2 textures. It is totally up to you
I think it's possible. I follow this blog: Black Hair Care Blog --she's been doing a long term transition for over two years, or close to it, and still going. Check her out!
BC: 9.6.11
when will your favs?
Thanks for the link!
So I guess I'm a long term transitioner bc I never did the big chop and at the current state my hair is 90% natural. I only have a few straight ends at the front of my head but everywhere is is very curly/kinky. I did a pre-chop back in July and I have not cut my hair since then. I'm thinking about cuting my remaining straight end off in April though so I can say I'm 100% natural. Hopefully by then my hair well have grown 2 inches or so. But that's pretty much my story, I didn't believe in cutting my hair off so I chose an alternative route, like they say different strokes for different folks!:glasses1:
Still loving my curls and kinks!
Products I love:
Ion Dandruff/Seborrheic Dermatitis Tar Shampoo
Suave Shea Butter Conditioner
Biolage Scalp Therapy Shampoo
Biolage Fortify Therapy Shampoo
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner
Shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, apricot oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil
I'm about 5 months into it and I'm nervous about having short hair. Soooo I'ma wait until my natural hair grows to a comfortable length, like everyone else has said. Handling the two textures is somewhat difficult, but imagine once I'm a year post!
It's up to you what you wanna do. It is YOUR hair. :thumbup:
BC: April 2012
Staple Products: (Anything Shea Moisture) African Black Soap Deep Cleansing Shampoo, Organix Coconut Milk and Cherry Blossom conditioners, Shea Moisture Curl and Style Milk/ Curl Enhancing Smoothie/ Curling Souffle.:blob7:
It's fine. It's divine. It's all mine
I'll be 24 month post come October, I'm so excited and nervous at the same time. Hopefully bout time October roles around my severe breakage (bald spot in middle of my scalp due to a sew it) will have grown back (hoping with all my might) and I may do a BC then, who knows, I may just wait until the end of the year!!!:thumbleft:
Still loving my curls and kinks!
Products I love:
Ion Dandruff/Seborrheic Dermatitis Tar Shampoo
Suave Shea Butter Conditioner
Biolage Scalp Therapy Shampoo
Biolage Fortify Therapy Shampoo
Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Conditioner
Beautiful Textures Rapid Repair Deep Conditioner
Shea butter, olive oil, coconut oil, apricot oil, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil
I too have always had long hair and didn't feel comfortable chopping it all off. So, what I did I went once every six weeks to get my hair braided in the front, and flat ironed in the back, and I would get about two inches cut off every time, so I would retain my length. So every time I went, I would have more about 2 inches worth of new-growth and I would cut off 2 inches of relax ends. My hair was the same length my entire transition.
After about a year and a half I had about 6 inches left of relaxed ends, but I had plenty of new growth, so my final trim was 6 inches. So my hair was about 4 inches shorter than normal, but I was all natural. I got that length back in no time.
So yes, long transitioning is possible. I did it once, and I'm doing it again (made the mistake of getting a Brazillian Keratin Treament). You just have to be patient and understand that your hair will have two very different textures for a while. Keep it healthy and moisturized and find a transitioning style that works for you.
The Big Chop August. 2006 :nike:
Natural Diva since 2005.
Tracklete Star!