Keeping in line with the theme of transitioning, again, from the pages of NaturalHairGuide.com, here are some popular protective hair styles ideas that will keep your hair hands free and growing healthily!

Transitioning Styles

by Amy, founder of NaturalHairCareGuide.com

What makes a good transitional hair style? Good questions. A good transitional hairstyle keeps hair handling to a minimum. That doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t comb or brush your hair while you are transitioning. It just means that less in this case really is more.

Always remember to work with your natural hair and not against it. If you keep this in mind during your transition as well as when you hair is completely natural, you and your hair will be much happier.

Pressing it is NOT the answer
You may be thinking to yourself, “I’ll just press the roots so that they will both be straight while it grows out.”

Bad idea. For one thing going natural means that you are beginning to learn how to work with your hear. You will have to start [somewhere]. Why not now? The skills of tender considerate hair care that you learn now will help you when your hair is completely natural.

The other reason is that you will run the risk of snapping it of at the weakest point, the place where the relaxed hair and natural hair meet.

In general it is best to stay [away] from heat. You have so many other options that shouldn’t be a problem.

Transitional Hairstyles
When choosing a transitional natural hair style it is important to think about how you usually wear your hair. One of the biggest mistakes that many people make is thinking that there is a certain look or that their hair has to look a certain way to be natural. Being natural is being chemical free point blank.

Pick a style that suits you. If you are a conservative person you may want to go with conservative style. If you are daring the sky is the limit. Pick a style or combination of styles that are best for you.

Some good transitional styles are :

• Braids with extensions
• Two Strand Twists
• Comb Coils/Twists
• Straw Sets
• Cornrows with or without extensions
• Braid/Twist Outs

Braids with extensions
Braids have been a normal “in” style for a while now. There are lots of braiding gallery magazines that will give you ideas. Although many of the styles may be pushing the limits a little than you may be comfortable with you can get some good ideas.

When going to get braids DO NOT get micro braids or extra tiny individuals. They are not good for you hair to begin with. And they are an absolute pain to take out. Remember you are looking for styles that will require little handling. Tiny braids are prone to get tangled when you try to take them out. As your hair grows your hair will snap off more when you have to untangle it.

Try to stick with braids that you don’t need a tooth pick or pin to pick out. With the wide variety of extension braid styles finding a hair healthy size shouldn’t be a problem.

Cornrows with or without extensions
If you don’t like sitting for a long time to get braids, but want a style that will last for some time, cornrows are a good choice. Like braids they have been in for a while. Even though cornrows have now become associated with men as well as women there are many very feminine cornrow styles. Braiding books are a good place to look for ideas.

Although not as tedious to take out as tiny braids tiny cornrows especially with extensions can be a pain to take out both literally and figuratively.

Curled Two Strand Twists or Twist Out
I honestly think that two strand twists on relaxed hair only look nice if you curl them. I think that plain two strand twists look straight and stringy on relaxed hair. But that is just my opinion do what suits you best.

To do Curled Two Strand Twists you will need:

• Large tooth comb
• Metal free or Ouchless rubber bands
• Banana Clips
• Moisture lotion
• Curlers (optional)
• End papers (if using curlers)
• Bonnet dryer
• Spray bottle with water.

Directions:

This style is best done when your hair is with freshly washed, detangled, and still damp.

Apply moisture lotion generously through out your hair.

If your hair begins to dry out, mist it with the water in the spray bottle.

Depending on how much new growth you have and how manageable your hair is you may want to use the rubber bands to separate your hair into six or eight sections. Doing this will also keep your hair from drying out.

Starting from the back, part or pull of a small (half inch) square of hair from the rest. Clip the rest out of the way.

Separate that section into two parts and crossing one part over the other until you get to the end.

Put a piece of end paper on your hair, roll and secure.

I’ve found it easiest to work in rows left to right top to bottom.

Sit under a bonnet dryer until your hair dries.

When dry unroll carefully and style with fingers.

I’ve found that you can wear this style for a few days as is. The for a softer look you can un twist the twists. And wear it for a few more days.

Lightly mist your hair with a moisture spray or braid spray daily.

Remember to tie your hair up at night with a silk or satin scarf to preserve the style.

Straw Sets
For a straw set you will need:

• Large tooth comb
• Metal free or Ouchless rubber bands
• Banana Clips
• Moisture lotion
• Setting Gel (alcohol free)
• Drinking straws
• Bobby pins
• Bonnet dryer
• Spray bottle with water.

Directions:

This style is best done when your hair is with freshly washed, detangled, and still damp.

Apply moisture lotion and setting gel generously [throughout] your hair.

If your hair begins to dry out, mist it with the water in the spray bottle.

Depending on how much new growth you have and how manageable your hair is you may want to use the rubber bands to separate your hair into six or eight sections. Doing this will also keep your hair from drying out.

Starting from the back, part or pull of a small (half inch) square of hair from the rest. Clip the rest out of the way.

Take one drinking straw start wrapping your hair around the straw from one end of the drinking straw to the other. You are trying to cover the straw with your hair not roll your hair with the straw. Think tight Shirley Temple curls or long coils.

Secure both ends with bobby pins. Repeat until done

I’ve found it easiest to work in rows left to right top to bottom.

Sit under a bonnet dryer until your hair dries.

When it is dry take the bobby pins out of each end and then gently slide the straw off.

Arrange with your fingers.

Lightly mist your hair with a moisture spray or braid spray daily.

Remember to tie your hair up at night with a silk or satin scarf to preserve the style.

Braid Out or Crinkly Set
Braid-outs look cute curled or uncurled. I think curling gives you more options.

To do Curled Two Strand Twists you will need:

• Large tooth comb
• Metal free or Ouchless rubber bands
• Banana Clips
• Moisture lotion
• Curlers (optional)
• End papers (if using curlers)

Directions:

This style is best done when your hair is damp.

Apply moisture lotion generously [throughout] your hair.

If your hair begins to dry out, mist it with the water in the spray bottle.

Depending on how much new growth you have and how manageable your hair is you may want to use the rubber bands to separate your hair into six or eight sections. Doing this will also keep your hair from drying out.

Starting from the back, part or pull of a square of hair from the rest. The larger the section the larger the crinkle and vice versa. Clip the rest out of the way.

Braid that section to the end.

(optional) Put a piece of end paper on your hair, roll and secure.

I’ve found it easiest to work in rows left to right top to bottom.

(optional ) If you are curling, sit under a bonnet dryer until your hair dries.

When dry unroll carefully and style with fingers.

I’ve found that you can wear this style for a few days as is. The for a softer look you can un twist the twists. And wear it for a few more days.

Lightly mist your hair with a moisture spray or braid spray daily.

Remember to tie your hair up at night with a silk or satin scarf to preserve the style.

Flat Twists

Flat twist can be done straight back like cornrows. You can also flat twist the front and straw set or braid/twist out the back.

To do flat twists you will need:

• Rat tail comb
• Metal free or Ouchless rubber bands
• Banana Clips
• Moisture lotion

Directions:

This style is best done when your hair is damp.

Apply moisture lotion generously [throughout] your hair.

Depending on how much new growth you have and how manageable your hair is you may want to use the rubber bands to separate your hair into six or eight sections. Doing this will also keep your hair from drying out.

Use the back end of the rat tail comb to make straight clean parts.

Put a little bit of gel on the section to be twisted.

Starting at the beginning of the row, separate a small section in to two parts.

Cross one strand over another, pick up hair as you work your way back.

When you get to the end, secure your flat twist with a bobby pin.

###

Thanks again Amy and NaturalHairGuide.com!