So, I’ve been hearing a lot of conversation about this whole theory of relaxing your edges while transitioning because it will supposedly make the hair appear more ‘laid’ and easier to manage.
This has me totally confused because even though your edges will appear a little bit more tamed, the middle of your hair and the rest of your head for that matter is still in the grow out phase and will not match your controlled hairline.
If you do decide to relax your edges while transitioning or after you become fully natural you will experience breakage caused by the relaxer. Your hairline will eventually get thinner and you’ll have to tame it with gel, or another type of styler. Because the hair isn’t strong enough, it will inevitably begin to break and thin.
Once your natural texture begins to grow out, how will you maintain the front of your hair to match that curly, kinky texture? It will be almost impossible (even if you try to fake it with a twist out.)
Want smooth edges during your transition? Try some of these things:
1. Eco Styler gel/Gorilla snot gel with a scarf BUY HERE
This is one of my favorite tricks in the natural hair book. I try not to use gel too much, but when I do, I use a finger tip amount and smooth my hairline with the gel. Then I set my hair with a satin scarf. I leave the scarf on for as little as 2-3 minutes. You will notice a world of difference when you take the scarf off. Hair will be shiny, smooth and most importantly LAID!
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| Exhibit A |
2. Moisturizing Styler
If you’re not a gel person; which I know not every one is, try a creamy based styler such as Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie or Hair Rules Curly Whip. Both these products give me the same outcome by using the above technique.
In closing, please do not be tempted to relax your hairline when you start to see new growth. Instead, embrace your new texture, train it and make it work for you. Making the decision to go natural is a tough one, and the process of going natural is even tougher, but you can do it!!! Trust in the struggle… in the end you will be happy that you didn’t succumb to the temptation of the creamy crack!
culled from Asiliglam
