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7 Tips for Transitioning From Relaxed to Natural Hair
Celebrity hairstylists offer professional advice
JGI/Tom Grill/Getty Images Transitioning from relaxed to natural hair at 50-plus is a glorious time in your hair journey. Much more than simply switching up a do, going natural is a deeply personal experience that is unique to every woman. Read on for tips on how to maximize the process. 1 Be patient
Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. First thing's first: Be patient and kind to your strands during your transition and determine what your end goal is. “I transitioned just because I wanted a healthier way to live with my hair,” says celebrity hairstylist Whitney Eaddy, whose clientele includes SZA and Priscilla Shirer. You also want to think about what hairstyles you're likely to wear once you're fully natural, and how they will align with your lifestyle and personality. 2 Don t compare your hair to others
Understand that your journey to natural is unique to you. “The big chop, [cutting off all your relaxed hair and growing out your natural texture], is not always the answer for everybody,” says celebrity hairstylist Tamara Johnson, whose clientele includes LisaRaye McCoy and NeNe Leakes. For women looking to ease their way through the process, Johnson suggests the “little trim off,” where one to two inches of relaxed hair is trimmed every four weeks. In some instances, the condition of the hair will determine how much needs to be cut off. “When you're transitioning from a relaxer, there is a point of demarcation, and at some point you're going to experience high amounts of breakage and shedding from the demarcation line where the natural and relaxed hair meet,” explains Eaddy. Work with your stylist to determine the right trimming schedule for you. (Left to right) Macadamia Natural Oil Deep Repair Masque; Juices & Botanics Juicy Smooth Hydrating Detangling Conditioner; Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask Sally Beauty; Juices & Botanics; Target 3 Nurture your new growth and your relaxed hair
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Dealing with multiple textures can take some getting used to. And if you've been relaxed for most of your life, working with your natural curl pattern may seem intimidating at first. But having two or more textures is quite common in the natural hair community, according to Johnson. To make this awkward phase of your transition a bit easier, scope out a styling product that can handle various textures and curl patterns. Three styling products to try: The Mane Choice Manageability & Softening Remedy Moisturizing Styling Cream ($12, SallyBeauty.com), Cantu Coconut Curling Cream ($6, Target.com) and Taliah Waajid Green Apple & Aloe Curl Definer ($11, SallyBeauty.com) KeraCare Hydrating Detangling Shampoo; Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Sulfate-Free Shampoo; Mizani True Textures Moisture Replenish Shampoo Sally Beauty; JCPenney; Sephora 5 Be choosy with products
Consider adding a sulfate-free shampoo to your hair stash. Sulfates are a type of preservative used in many hair products that makes shampoo sudsy, and often strips moisture from the strands. Additionally, you can optimize your moisture levels with the LCO (liquid, cream and oil) method, or what Eaddy refers to as the hydration method. “It's basically the process of using a leave-in conditioner that is water-based, locking in the moisture with a cream product and then sealing it in with oil,” she explains. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe is inevitable. The good news? The health of your hair can always improve with proper nutrition, balanced hormones and lifestyle changes, so cherish the hair you do have. Additionally, knowing how your medications might counteract your transitioning journey is important, so always consult with your doctor. Anissa Gabbara writes about beauty, health, lifestyle and pop culture. Her work has appeared in Sisters From AARP, Sesi magazine and Maple City Our Town magazine. More on entertainment AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS