04/ Hair transition: before and after, how to do it, products, cuts, tips... Definitive guide to go back to natural hair!
Are you going to make a hair transition? Check out this ultimate guide and learn all about the process. (Photo: Instagram @emani.marie)
The capillary transition is the period between the last touch of chemistry and the big chop. (Photo: Instagram @hermela)
Women with any curl curvature can make the hair transition. (Photo: Instagram @hif3licia)
You can bet on different haircuts during the transition or bet on a short haircut to speed up the process. (Photo: Instagram @jd_winters)
Hair transition is an enriching process in anyone's life! And knowing all the steps of this period helps a lot not to get lost with so much information. (Photo: Instagram @chelliscurls)
For many women, hair transition is an acceptance process. (Photo: Instagram @tach.j)
Making a hair schedule in transition is essential for curls and curly to grow healthy. (Photo: Instagram @freshlengths)
Going through the capillary transition provides a big change in the look. (Photo: Instagram @curlelia)
The capillary transition recovers the health and natural beauty of curly and frizzy hair. (Photo: Instagram @yorelis.c)
Seeing before and after hair transition photos is a secret to keeping motivated during the process. (Photo: Instagram @rosie_curlycrown)
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ExploreThe capillary transition movement to return to curly, frizzy and wavy hair grew very quickly among Spanish women. However, as it is a process full of doubts and nomenclatures, it is normal for beginners to feel very lost. And finding barriers in the search for more information does not help at all. And that's why stayed diva gathered all our knowledge on the subject, which was accumulated in almost six years on the air, to make this definitive guide to hair transition. No more jumping from site to site to piece together useful information about kinky and curly hair! Here you can find everything and more. Come with us to check it out!
What is hair transition?
The capillary transition process is nothing more than the time when you don't do chemical procedures so that your hair grows in its natural form. People who are dissatisfied with chemically altered strands go through the transition and want to go back to curly, frizzy or wavy hair. However, unlike what many people think, hair transition is a moment that goes beyond aesthetics. This period involves a lot of acceptance, self-love, self-esteem crises and a lot of self-knowledge.
The exaltation of hair with natural curvature came after centuries of a single hair pattern being considered good, that of straight hair. Going against the demonization of volume and frizz was a very difficult process, but it resulted in many good things, such as the growth of the product industry aimed at curly, curly and wavy hair. Another advantage is that even if one day straight hair is on the rise again, anyone who wants to have curly hair will not be deprived of access to information on how to take care of this type of hair.
How long does the hair transition last?
When the hair transition should end is a question that raises many questions, but it remains a very personal decision. Just as you choose when to start the transition, only you can know when it should end. There are no rules for when to do the famous big chop, which will remove all straightened strands, and there is no obligation to do so either.
Some girls prefer to leave the strands longer and cut gradually. Others don't have much patience to wait and opt for the big cut. There are even the most daring ones who choose to shave the locks at once and not go through the hair transition. Everything is allowed, diva! Whether you're going to wait six months or two years doesn't matter, what matters is being sure and not getting carried away by other people's opinions.
A post shared by Amina | Natural Hair & Beauty (@aminamarie)
How to speed up hair transition?
During hair transition, it is common for women to want to find ways to speed up the process. For those who are attached to the length and do not see themselves with a short cut, the tip is to invest in scalp care to encourage healthy growth from the root and cut the ends little by little. Another tip is to include a pro-growth treatment mask in your hair schedule, to give your hair that boost of strength.
Use your fingertips to massage your scalp for five minutes a day or three times a week. This will activate blood circulation and stimulate hair growth. In at least one of these massages, apply a little castor oil, a vegetable oil rich in vitamins and fatty acids and which is very famous for strengthening locks and aiding in growth.
How does the hair look after the transition?
A question that always arises among those who are going through the transition process is how the hair will look after the cut. Wanting to know this is very common because most girls who have chemically treated hair start procedures in childhood. And because of that, many of them don't know their own hair. But don't despair, diva!
Your hair will be beautiful coming in any curvature and type of curl, from the most open to the most closed. So, no more comparing your hair with other people's or focusing on the curl chart rooting for a specific type. Think about how far your hair has gone to fit patterns and leave that kind of thinking behind. It's time to let your curls free to be wonderful naturally!
See before and after photos of girls who have already gone through the hair transition
Hair transition is a unique moment in the life of those who go through the process
Abandoning chemistry to start the hair transition can be the opportunity to let your curls free
Curly hair growth is much better when the strands are 100% natural
The capillary schedule helps in the transition by making the hair stronger
The hair transition process goes far beyond aesthetics! The period messes with self-esteem, self-knowledge and self-love
Betting on natural hair can also be the kick to play with new styles, such as big earrings, vibrant lipsticks and prints
With the right care you can give more definition to curly hair
There is no set time to finish the hair transition, the important thing is that you feel comfortable with the length of the hair before cutting it.
Texturing can help curl the straightened part during the hair transition
The big chop puts an end to the capillary transition and can be done at any time during the capillary growth process.
Hair transition isn't always simple, but it all pays off in the end!
Take advantage of the hair transition time to rethink who you really are, question your style, your choices and clean up everything that doesn't represent you in your life
Everything changes with the end of the hair transition, this process is transformative from the inside out
Even self-confidence changes after hair transition! It was never just about hair
It's not just the straightened ones that go through the capillary transition, chemicals such as relaxation also change the shape of the strands and can be removed with the transition
Bet on hydration, nutrition and reconstruction treatments during hair transition to repair damage caused by chemistry
There is no need to spend lots of money on hair transition products and homemade recipes are also very welcome for deeper treatments.
Materials such as aluminum foil, straws and even magazine sheets can become accessories to texturize curls
The most open curls can also shine again after the hair transition, the tip is not to opt for such heavy products to finish
The big chop can be done at any time during the hair transition, as long as you feel comfortable with the cut.
The curls are much more defined after the big cut and taking care of the highlights also ends up being simpler and faster
Have fun with your new identity after the hair transition and take the opportunity to love yourself even more!
Don't pay attention to the comments or looks of those who don't support you during the hair transition, the end result will surprise them
There is no moment and even less the right time to start the hair transition, it all depends on you
Volume and frizz are not negative characteristics, they are part of kinky and curly hair and help to make this type of hair much more beautiful and different.
If you don't feel comfortable doing the big chop, you can cut your hair little by little until all the chemicals are gone.
The round cut is a good option for those who want to bet on black power at the end of the hair transition.
With patience, care and time, all hairs can return to the original length at the beginning of the hair transition.
Getting the finalization right is a part that makes all the difference in defining the curls before and after the hair transition
Curly hair needs care aimed at nourishing the locks, so the strands are free from dryness.
Types of curls: know the differences between curls from 2A to 4C
Understanding the different curvatures of curls and finding out which one is yours is one of the biggest challenges in hair transition. Also because it is quite common for the same person to have different types of curls in different parts of the head (eg people who have more defined curls on the fringe and less definition on the nape of the neck).
But why is it important to know the curvature of my curls? This helps you better understand what your hair needs are and which treatments you should invest more in. Check out this mini table:
Curls 2A to 2C - Wavy:
In the middle ground between straight and curly, wavy hair has little volume and can be greasy at the roots and dry at the ends. Therefore, they need plenty of hydration, shampoos to control oiliness and light texture combing creams, so as not to weigh them down.
2A: it is hair that grows straight at the root and forms open ripples at the ends.
2B: it has more apparent waves, in the shape of an S, throughout its length.
2C: it has well-marked ripples from the roots and is usually voluminous.
Curls 3A to 3C - Curly:
Type 3 curls have a well-defined spiral shape and are usually quite voluminous. Due to its curvature, the oiliness of the scalp does not run along the entire length, which facilitates dryness and frizz. They need plenty of hydration and nutrition, in addition to consistent styling creams aimed at definition.
3A: it is a curvature that forms open, large and well-spaced curls.
3B: this hair has more closed curls and well defined and close to each other.
3C: it forms narrower and more voluminous curls, in a format that resembles a telephone wire.
Curls 4A to 4C - Curly:
Type 4 curly hair is characterized by tighter, less defined curls. In addition to being quite voluminous, they are more prone to frizz and shrinkage and, like curly hair, are naturally dry at the ends due to the lack of natural oil. Therefore, nutrition and moistening with vegetable oils are your best friends.
4A: its shape resembles 3C curls, however the curls are denser and narrower.
4B: they are more voluminous and less defined, with narrow and almost imperceptible curls.
4C: the structure has a zigzag shape, has very little definition and does not form curls.
A post shared by GABYSANTANA (@thecurlybella)
Understand what the capillary schedule is and how it influences the transition
Anyone who starts researching about transition has certainly come across the term capillary schedule out there, right? And this happens because one process complements the other. The schedule is a care routine that involves hydration, nutrition and reconstruction. These steps represent the replenishment of nutrients that all hair needs, including straight hair.
Hydration restores water, nutrition restores lipids or oiliness, and reconstruction restores hair mass. With these treatments you get healthy and beautiful hair. Because of this, you need to maintain a schedule during the transition. Such a care structure will help strengthen the strands, correct damage and make the locks grow in the best way.
What do I need to have to go through the hair transition?
Before getting lost in stores buying a thousand products, it's important to know what you really need. The product kit to make a good capillary transition includes moisturizing shampoo, moisturizing conditioner, a good hair oil - such as coconut, castor and argan oil - and hydration, nutrition and reconstruction masks to carry out the treatment schedule. However, this list can get even smaller if you choose to use the oil in the nutrition stage, not necessarily needing the mask.
Texturing: the ideal procedure to disguise the two textures
Even with all the benefits of hair transition, it is very important to keep in mind that this is not a simple process. Waiting for the chemistry to completely come out of the highlights can take a while and ends up messing directly with self-esteem. Another sensitive issue is the opinions of other people, which can hurt even without intending to. But none of that can change or stop a woman determined to leave straightening behind!
And a technique that helps a lot to disguise the two hair textures in everyday life is texturing.
This method is a way to curl the straightened part with hairstyles or accessories suitable for this, such as curlers and mustaches. But don't think that you will have to buy the accessories to get a good result. There are several ways to do texturing with materials found at home. Magazine sheets, straws and even aluminum foil are some examples of items that can help you disguise the difference between the smooth part and the curly part.
Textures are better than heat tools for those in transition, as they don't damage the strands.
There are several accessories to texturize the curls, the flexi rods are rods that provide a more open curvature
Curlers stopped being grandma's items a long time ago! Using them correctly it is possible to texturize hair of all lengths.
Hairstyles made with twists and buns can be left in the hair overnight to texture the curls.
You can also use bobby pins to keep your textures in place during a night's sleep.
Bantu knots are such a famous type of texturing that they started to be used on a daily basis, which makes it much easier for those who can't sleep with their hairstyles
Can I use flat iron during hair transition? Know the negatives and positives
After all, can you or can you not brush and flat iron during the transition? This is one of the resources that many women use at this stage to disguise the two hair textures and endure the transition without having a relapse with chemical straightening.
But while it has these good points, brushing and flat ironing your hair too often can damage your hair, causing dryness and even breakage, which can hinder the healthy growth of your natural hair. For divas who have a more open curl curl, such as 2B, 2C and 3A curls, too much flat ironing can also undo the curls and prolong the transition even further.
So, if you really feel the need to use these heat tools on your locks, try to do it in spaced periods and always use a finisher with thermal protection before brushing. Also, keep hydration and nutrition up to date to prevent dryness, and don't forget reconstruction, to replace proteins and avoid weakening the wires.
Haircuts for the transition phase
It's okay not to want to do the big chop and cut all your hair at once. But that doesn't mean you have to stick with your tresses all through the transition phase. There are several cuts for hair in hair transition that, in addition to reducing straightened ends, still make the look more modern.
A good option is layered cuts, as they distribute the volume of the hair without taking too much length. The pointed bob is also a good choice: the shorter nape and the longer front tips create a stylish, movement-filled look. Also, it will remove a good amount of straightened ends without you having to make a radical change. To disguise the two textures, layered cuts, such as the shaggy haircut, are a great bet.
Maintenance cut accelerates the hair transition
Cutting the ends of the hair in transition every three months at most makes the process end faster. This is because the maintenance cut removes straightened and undefined locks, causing the hair to lose its heavy appearance and the root to become lighter to define the curls. Cutting the ends also takes away the blunt, pyramid effect from the length.
A post shared by DAPHNIE (@creolenaturelle)
Big chop: what it is, how to do it and which cuts to bet on
The big chop (big cut, in English), is nothing more than that definitive cut to remove all the straightened ends of the hair at once. While some women choose to cut their locks gradually to wait for the natural curls to grow, others prefer to do the big chop right at the beginning of the transition. Remembering that there is no right or wrong, ok diva? Whatever is best for you counts.
When it's time to do the big chop, you can do it at home if you're skilled with scissors, or go to a salon that specializes in natural hair. As for the cuts, it is worth betting on cuts for curly and frizzy hair, such as a color cut or a rounded cut. Divas who decide to play with the short look can bet on the tapered haircut, a look that is smoothed at the back of the neck and with volume at the top that was a hit in the 90s and has recently returned to fashion.
A post shared by Nic (@modelesque_nic)
Get to know the dictionary of terms related to hair transition and hair with curvature
Before considering yourself an expert on the subject, we separate some nomenclatures that may be related to the topic of hair transition. So, whenever you search elsewhere, or even here at stayed diva, you'll be able to understand the first thing. Check out:
- Afro puff: It is a type of hairstyle for curly hair that consists of tying the hair together with a ribbon or string.
- Bad hair day: a day when the hair does not wake up very well and the task of fixing the highlights is not easy, it is also known as a bad hair day.
- Co-wash: hygiene method that uses a specific cleaning conditioner to clean the locks and there is no use of shampoo. Reduces the action of sulphates, petrolatums, parabens and silicones that dry the hair.
- Wetting: treatment that integrates the nutrition stage of the capillary schedule and is like an oil bath on the hair to replace lipids. It can be made with any vegetable or industrialized oil.
- Day after: is the amount of days you go without washing your curls after a hygiene routine. The day after is nothing more than the period between one wash and another.
- Finalization: process that activates the curvature of the curls after cleaning, also popularly known as the act of combing the hair.
- Fitting: separating the hair into ribbons at the end, it leaves the hair with more definition.
- Low poo e no poo: cleaning techniques with little or no sulfate. This agent is extremely clean and ends up removing nutrients and natural oils from the hair. Therefore, washing without the use of sulfate leaves the locks softer, silkier and healthier. But it is worth bearing in mind that these techniques have some restrictions, so it is necessary to do a lot of research before starting.
- Revitalization: name given to the practice of redoing the curls the day after when they have been kneaded during the night.
- Scab hair: it's the strands that are born with a lack of nutrients as soon as the break in the use of chemical procedures occurs. They may be rough, brittle, dry and without definition. Not all people suffer from the scab hair process during hair transition, but it is a phenomenon that can happen to hair that has not yet gotten used to the new curvature.
- Curvature table: relates the hair from the curvature of the curls, from the most open to the most closed. The list has types 2ABC (wavy), 3ABC (curly), 4ABC (curly) and 5 (curly).
Updated article at: February 04, 2022.
