As I'm sure you have experienced, transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair without trimming isn't always the easiest feat. It can be difficult to maintain the portions of your hair that are still relaxed while trying to upkeep and style the parts of your hair that aren't. Here are some tips that we recommend when beginning your transition journey.

Utilize protective styling.

Depending on how much of your hair you have already let grow out, it can sometimes be difficult to maintain roots that are not relaxed if you still have a large portion of your hair that is. Protective styling allows your natural roots to grow in without the hassle of having to maintain your relaxed ends. Many naturals use this time to grow their roots out to a length that they desire, and once grown, slowly begin to trim off the relaxed ends a little bit at a time. Protective styling helps with this process and puts less stress on the hair.

Deep condition your unrelaxed roots and relaxed hair regularly.

The point where your unrelaxed hair meets your relaxed hair, also called the point of demarcation, is an extremely delicate and sensitive part of your hair shaft. It is extremely prone to breakage and requires lots of hydration, moisturizing and sometimes a bit of protein to stay in tact. Deep conditioning weekly helps your hair to receive this necessary moisture, especially because your natural roots are going to require even more moisture than the rest of your relaxed strands. If you are utilizing protective styling as mentioned above, ensure to deep condition between styles and utilize the Taliah Waajid Protective Styles Leave-in conditioner to condition your strands and scalp during.

Pay close attention to the products you use.

As your hair changes texture from relaxed to natural, you might find that some of the products you used before just don't work as well anymore - or maybe not at all. Take this opportunity to explore different products and ingredients that work better for your new texture. Products used for on relaxed hair don't necessarily have thick consistencies as they are aiming to hydrate without weighing the hair down. As your hair becomes more natural than relaxed, your hair is going to need higher levels of concentrated products to deliver the moisture that it needs. Try using lightweight but moisturizing mousses like The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam to satisfy the light-weightedness needed for your relaxed strands and the hydration and moisture level needed for your natural ones.

Get regular trims.

Although it may seem counterproductive to get trims when you are trying to grow your hair out, it is actually very beneficial for the health of your transitioning hair. When you get rid of those damaged and split ends, you are reducing the amount of breakage that can travel up the hair shaft - which in turn can hurt your progress. Removing the relaxed ends puts less stress on the hair shaft overall due to the weakness of the point of demarcation (mentioned above), and can help your journey progress.

Seek help.

Natural hair and curly hair stylists can help with your transition by giving you regular trims, treatments and advice that you can follow during this time. You don't have to go it alone and we're here to help you along the way!

Are you transitioning? Let us know what questions you have or issues you're facing with it in the comments below!