So, it's been a few months (or maybe even years) with relaxed hair, and you are finally ready to transition to your natural hair. The natural hair transition process can be a long one, but it is possible to get back to your natural curls and allow them to thrive.<br />Learn a few helpful tips below that can make transitioning hair back to its natural curls easier, stylish, and even fun!<br />Transitioning to Natural Hair<br />First off, what does transitioning hair mean? The term refers to the process of letting natural hair replace relaxed or permed hair by fostering organic hair growth. <br />How can you see the natural hair transition process through to the end while maintaining healthy hair? <br /><br /><br />Use the right products: Building an arsenal of curl products is the first step to making a successful transition. A good shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, and detangling brush are the best places in your hair routine to start. <br /><br /><br />Befriend your hairstylist: A good professional who can show you how to transition to natural hair is invaluable. He or she can help you manage the relaxed part of your hair and give you natural hair tips for beginners to help you manage emerging growth. <br /><br /><br />Keep a hair journal: A hair journal will save you from repeating a lot of mistakes during the transitioning months. Write down which products and methods worked for your hair, and which didn’t. Your hair journal can be a great tool for your hairstylist to use when working with your hair. It can also be invaluable when you undertake future natural hair transitions. <br /><br /><br />Adopt a positive attitude: Transitioning to natural hair is a journey, but rather than seeing it as a chore, try to view the process as a form of self-care. Developing a positive attitude will help you through the panic of shedding hair and the frustration of not knowing how to style your transitioning hair. <br /><br /><br /><br />Top Transitioning Hair Tips <br />Wash Less<br />Transitioning hair is prone to dryness and washing it often may only worsen the situation. If you have an oily scalp, switch from washing your hair every day to once every two days. People with normal-to-dry scalps can wash transitioning hair every two weeks. Ouidad’s Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Oil Shampoo is a good choice for transitioning hair since it doesn’t strip it of natural oils and moisture.<br />Deep Condition More Often<br />Regular deep conditioning ensures hair retains moisture, and it can help stimulate new growth. Get a deep conditioner like Ouidad’s Coil Infusion® Triple Treat Deep Conditioner or hydrating hair mask like the Ultra-Nourishing Intense Hydrating Mask, both of which help in the transition process. <br />Detangle Often <br />Transitioning curls tend to form knots where natural and relaxed curls meet. If you let the tangles build, you could end up losing a lot of hair. Use Ouidad’s Double-Row Detangler to gently work through curly tangles when they are saturated in conditioner (this will help it glide more smoothly). <br />Trim Frequently <br />Your hair will seemingly get longer as new growth increases, but you will also shed a lot of relaxed hair. To reduce this, it’s helpful to trim at least an inch off the ends of your hair every 6 weeks for healthier, more easy-to-style curls. Seeing a professional stylist can also help you identify the best styling products for your specific curls. Our three Ouidad Flagship Salons and certified salons all over the country (and globally!), use our products that are formulated with your individual curl type in mind, so you get the right amount of moisture, protein, or whatever you need for your unique hair. Visit our Salon- Locator to find a salon near you. <br />Moisturize <br />Since transitioning hair is drier than usual, moisturizing should become an important part of your routine. Use moisturizing products like Moisture Lock® Leave-In Conditioner , which keeps your new growth supple and easy to manage. <br />Reduce Heat <br />Transitioning hair can be more prone to heat damage, so limit heat usage as much as possible during this time. <br /> <br />Try These Transition-Friendly Hairstyles <br />Transitioning your hair can lead to some awkward grow-out and styling challenges. Try these curly hair hacks: <br /><br /><br />Wigs and weaves: These might be the easiest and most preferable option for transitioning hair. A good wig or sew-in protects your hair while it’s in a fragile state and gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to styling. <br /><br />Buns: High buns, low buns, and chignons are ideal for transitioning hair since they blend your new natural growth with relaxed hair. They’re also low maintenance and easy to achieve for any curl pattern, even when you’re in a rush. <br /><br /><br />Natural Hair Tips for Beginners <br />Just because you have fully transitioned to your natural curls doesn’t mean you should abandon the good habits you developed during the process. <br />Here are a few extra natural hair tips for beginners that you can use in your natural curls journey. <br /><br /><br />Pre-shampoo: Pre-pooing is a great method for detangling your hair before a big wash. It also reduces the number of natural oils your hair loses when shampooed. Cover your hair with coconut oil or a specially prepared pre-shampoo mask for 30 minutes every week before washing it. <br /><br />Oil it up: Frequent massaging of hair oil on your curls helps improve blood circulation, which in turn boosts hair growth. Coconut oil, olive oil, and castor oil are good options for your natural curls. Another good choice is Mongongo Oil Multi-Use Curl Treatment which is rich in omega-6 fatty acids and contains seed oils that moisturize and soften curls. <br /><br />Wrap in satin: You’ll have healthier curls if you retain a lot of moisture and natural oils. Satin has less friction than cotton, improving the retention rate. Cover your hair in a satin bonnet or sleep on a satin pillow every night. <br /><br /> <br />Now that you know how to transition to natural hair, you can start the process with more confidence. And with the right products in your arsenal, transitioning to natural hair can be a walk in the park.