Transitioning definitely has its highs and lows but add maintenance in the mix, and the highs seem to disintegrate into thin air.
The beginning of my journey was a tricky one. I was stuck in a weird stage of trying to figure out how to exactly manage my tresses, while simultaneously trying to pin down what products and techniques worked best for me and my lifestyle.
My high maintenance hair journey consisted of over usage of hair products and heat to achieve a certain aesthetic that looked healthy. Naive to what moisturized hair actually felt and looked like for my specific texture, I thought my strands and scalp needed to be coated excessively in oils daily. Not only did I experience more shedding than usual from the accumulation of products on my scalp, but my fragile strands were screaming for mercy! Somehow I thought my natural hair had Superman’s strength, and sans chemicals, my hair could withstand any type of treatment. In reality, my strands were an oxymoron of sorts; strong yet fragile, and frizz did not always equate to unhealthy tresses. Excessive product coating and heat helped me maintain a more controlled appearance, though in return it only masked the damage I was unknowingly creating.
Sometimes transitioning boils down to trial and error. It took me over 10 years to finally become my own hair whisperer. Now I am not saying eliminate every product from your hair console, heaven knows what I would do without my preciously coveted oils and butters, but understanding the basics of good hair care could help you downsize your maintenance routine!
Cipriana Quann is a former model who transitioned 10 years of fashion industry experience into UrbanBushBabes.com, where she is Editor-in-Chief.