In this post, you learn how to “Transition to Curly Hair”.

One summer afternoon I decided to use a Brazilian chemical product to straighten my hair – by myself at home. At that time, I was getting extremely tired and frustrated with my hair routine. I’d wash it 2-3 times a week and spend about 1h + blow-drying and straightening it. So anyways, because of that, there I was putting a temporary end to my suffering. Or was I!? In the middle of the process, my hair got BURNT! Strands got tangled in the brush, falling out. – I was absolutely shocked and scared. I wanted to cry.

I know. My experience is quite traumatic and that should not be your case. If it is, well, don’t worry!!! We can get your hair back on track and even better than once it was. Only will you need to be patient with the process and kind to yourself, Sound good?

So before jumping into the step-by-step curly hair transitioning process, I want to show you some of my own hair evolution throughout the years. And yes, friend! I will show you the bad and the ugly and keep it real but I will say it right now, it’s worth it and you will absolutely thank yourself for making this decision.

I want to share these photos with you because maybe you’ve…

…dreamed about your well-defined curls, but you’re too afraid you won’t like the results.

…never met anyone who could be the living proof that this is a worthy journey.

…tried it before, and you are afraid to try again.

It’s absolutely natural to have questions and be hesitant. Although I’d love to tell you that transitioning to curly hair is easy, I would never lie to you! It can be challenging at times, and you may even have to deal with low self-esteem at times too, but this journey is all about the celebration of authenticity and self-love.

2016 At the very beginning of the process

2017 I was still going back and forth using hot styling tools because I had a mix of different curl patterns (including waves) and that bothered me a great deal!

2018 A big chop (not really)! I went home to Brazil and told my hairstylist I needed a cut that’d bring my curls to life. And he said we could chop the ends. As I said, I’d never lie to you…I hated it. But am glad I did it!! Also, if I am being honest I’d still use hot tools to style my hair sometimes, especially if I was going out. I could definitely notice the difference though. My hair was fuller and with much more volume. Plus, I was much better at styling it and yes, I tried different types of hair creams.

2019 Are we there yet?

2020 The transformation. Whose hair is this??!!?

2021 – I was in love with my hair at this point. Side note though, I had the most horrible hormonal acne at this time – which greatly impacted my self-esteem as well! 🙁

2022-2023 All love and curls and length!!!

Now trust me, I learned a lot on my own by watching online tutorials and reading about products and curly hair best practices. At some point, this became natural to me and I feel much more confident taking care of my curls nowadays! I truly had zero experience when I first decided to embark on this journey. So if I am sure of anything is that If I can do it, you absolutely can too!!

Why transition to curly hair?

As I mentioned before, I decided to transition to curly hair because of the burden of my straight hair routine. I was tired of straightening my hair and in turn, the health of my hair was compromised due to so much heat. My hair had always been long and healthy but at that point, I thought I was losing way too much hair. So of course, people choose to transition to curly hair for different reasons, and the decision is often deeply personal, but let’s break those reasons down.

Healthier Hair

Majority of the hair care practices, such as excessive heat styling and chemical treatment, can deeply damage the hair. So, once you start transitioning to curly hair, you’ll likely adopt more natural and gentle approaches to hair care which will result in overall healthier hair. Nurturing your hair will allow it to grow healthy and long.

Natural curls equals Natural Beauty

That’s right and please, do quote me! Curly hair comes in a wide range of textures and patterns. Naturally (pun intended) embracing your curls will allow you to express and celebrate your unique beauty. It’s all about transitioning into your authentic self!

Reducing Chemical Exposure

This was definitely one of my main reasons. Chemical straightening treatments and relaxers are very powerful products. Transitioning to curly hair means avoiding these chemicals and opting for more natural and less damaging hair care routines. Doesn’t that sound great!?

Time and Convenience

Now, if you read it all up to here, you know I was spending 1h+ styling my hair. I now spend 15 min max!! Embracing my natural curls simplified my haircare routine. Don’t be shocked but I do not brush my hair every day, and I LOVE IT!! So no more frequent styling, straightening, or chemical treatments. It saves me time and makes my hair routine much more convenient.

How difficult is it to transition to curly hair after chemical treatments?

It truly depends on how you define “difficult” and damaged your hair is. When I decided to transition to curly hair, I had very little chemical product left on my hair, but it took a couple of years for some of the mixed patterns to go away. Still, I have a mix of 3a/3b curls. So though it’s not difficult, transitioning to curly hair does take time and planning.

How can I better prepare for curly hair transition? Let’s cover this topic step-by-step

Preparing

1. Do your research! Understand your hair type, porosity, and overall needs
2. Gradually introduce curly hair products into your routine 
3. Identify incremental adjustments needed

Finding your natural pattern

1. Avoid heat tools to prevent damage – trust me, I know this is a hard one as I would use heat tools for my hair when I was transitioning. But I learned that was not good for the health of my hair, and the split ends were definitely not worth it. 
2. BE PATIENCE!! Give your hair time to process the process. Again, it takes time and you will see your curls reveal their natural pattern. So enjoy the journey!
3. Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate!! Invest in a nice hair mask and keep your hair moisturized with deep conditioning treatments.

Also, dealing with the in-between phase and mixed curl patterns can be frustrating. So have fun with it! Experiment with styles and try to manage different curl patterns. I remember people would compliment my hair and I’d just scoff because I did not feel the same way. Why am I saying this?! Well, beauty is subjective! The goal is to feel good, so allow yourself to enjoy your current curl pattern, because that too shall pass. I remember having fun with my natural waves and I kind of miss it, I unfortunately can’t get to that pattern any longer so yeah, enjoy each phase.

Build your Curly Hair Routine

Have you checked my wash day routine?? Well, you should. This tutorial is for both beginners and those who have been styling their curly hair for a while. Check it out!

1. Wash day basics: make sure to invest in a good clarifying shampoo, especially as you start to introduce more hair styling creams to your hair. Make sure to also pick the appropriate shampoo and conditioner for your type of hair.
2. Moisturize!! It is absolutely important to pick products that provide hydration for your curls!
3. Take some time to learn styling techniques and adapt them to your curly hair routine. Curl definition is all about a hair cream that gives you good hold. Along with hydration of course.

Big Chop vs. Gradual trimming

I never really had a big chop. Though I do call it that way because it is indeed how it felt. Before making a decision make sure you understand your options. Consider the pros and cons of a big chop or a gradual trimming. I have met people who had really damaged hair and the big chop was their preference as it allowed them to bring their curls to life. I started with gradual trimmings in 2016, and then finally got a hair cut eliminating the more damaged parts of my hair in 2018. I’d definitely advise you to choose the method that aligns with your style and comfort level. Also, I believe it’s worth it to have conversations with curly hair specialists so that you understand more about your hair.

Transitioning to curly hair is a process that will require your patience! I remember this one instance where my hair was just not manageable and I did not recognize myself because truly, I thought my hair changed the shape of my face and my overall appearance. A person who used to be in my circle of friends told me that she did not like my hair and it did not look good. I was already feeling bad about it, so her comment definitely did not help. HOWEVER, I was committed to follow through with my decision and am absolutely happy with the results. The confidence boost is real! The journey is not about others but YOU! Prepare yourself for the transition, allowing your hair to find its natural pattern. Make sure to establish a curly hair routine that works for you and have fun navigating the in-between phase.

By preparing for the transition, allowing your hair to find its natural pattern, navigating the in-between phases, establishing a curly hair routine, and making decisions about the big chop or gradual trimming, you can embark on a journey that celebrates and enhances the beauty of your unique curls.

Got questions? Drop them in the COMMENTS BELOW!

With love,

Eve