Update March 2015: Unfortunately the Carol’s Daughter transitioning kit has been discontinued. But fortunately there are other transitioning kits on the market with the same benefits.
Are you experiencing dryness, brittleness and breakage with your transitioning hair? The solution might be below.
When I started transitioning in 2010, there were not many products geared toward the transition.
So I found myself just trying a lot of different ones, and I honestly wasted a lot of money in the process.
In 2012, Carol’s Daughter launched the first ever natural hair transitioning kit and according to many of my readers on this blog, it’s a hit. There have been lots of positive comments about it like the one below.
I have not used the kit because by the time it launched I was already fully natural.
However, I’ve contemplated buying it because even though it’s for transitioners, the products and system are just as suitable for natural hair.
So it certainly wouldn’t hurt. If nothing else, it would be a nice revitalizing/hydrating treatment for my hair.
Do I Need a Transitioning Kit?
Of course, you can transition successfully without a kit or buy the various products individually. However, the benefit of buying a system of products is they often work harmoniously, which may give you a better overall result — especially when used regularly.
Plus, the kit provides numerous benefits with the various products. Here’s an overview of each one.
1) Purifying Extra-Gentle Cleanser
What many transitioners don’t realize is that the use of sulfate shampoos can really strip the hair and dry it out.
When you become natural, retaining moisture is essential so you want to use gentle shampoos that won’t strip your hair of its natural oils.
This cleanser will keep your hair hydrated while removing product build-up.
Note: You don’t need a lot of lather to get your hair clean. We have a tendency to feel that we need suds to thoroughly clean our hair. Suds often come from harsh detergents that rob the hair of its natural oils.
Always, always, always use sulfate-free shampoos when transitioning and when you become fully natural.
2) Renewing Scalp Spray
You may not even know this, but your follicles could be damaged. Years of relaxing can take a toll on your scalp. Every time you feel that burn when a relaxer is applied, your follicles are being harmed.
How lasting the effects are will depend on the head, of course. It varies.
Your follicle health impacts how your hair grows out. Damaged follicles will produce hair with a protective coating that feels dry and brittle. That’s why transitioners in the early phases often experience extreme dryness and breakage.
You may wonder if this is how your natural hair will feel long-term, but sometimes you are experiencing “scab hair” as a result of the relaxer damage. This is only temporary.
The scalp spray will help nourish your follicles and nurse them back to health.
When taking care of our hair, we often focus on the roots and ends, but having a healthy scalp is just as important for healthy hair growth.
3) Restoring Anti-Breakage Treatment
Breakage is common with transitioning. In fact, you should expect it. The demarcation line where your two textures meet is very fragile.
So while you cannot transition with absolutely no breakage, you can definitely minimize it. This starts with keeping your hair hydrated, preventing split ends, and frequent trims.
Carol’s Daughter’s Anti-Breakage serum will help you keep breakage and shedding under control.
Results May Vary
Even though the benefits of the transitioning kit sound great, you have to understand that different heads may experience difference results.
However, I have heard very few people say that it didn’t work for them. Most comments have been nothing but positive.
It’s also important that you follow the instructions when applying the products because that will have an impact on how well they work.
Water, Water, Water
One thing I love about the transitioning kit is that all products are water-based. If you haven’t figured it out already, you will learn as a transitioner and naturalista that water is the foundation for moisturizing your hair.
If a product claims to be moisturizing and doesn’t list water as one of the first ingredients, it’s probably not the best product for hydrating your hair.
I was pleased to find that every product in the transitioning kit has water listed as the very first ingredient. The first product listed means there is more of that ingredient than any other.
So keep that tidbit of info in mind when you are shopping for moisturizers for your hair.
Quick Warning About Products
One thing I love about supporting companies like Carol’s Daughter is they are owned by people who actually have and understand ethnic hair.
A lot of well-known brands that sell products in popular retail chains, claim to make products for “our” hair, but they are laced with sulfates and other drying ingredients.
Many of these ingredients are cheap and have a long shelf-life, so companies often use them in abundance.
Then they just slap a “For Ethnic Hair” label on it and put it in a brown bottle to attract their target audience, but many of these products aren’t really best for our hair.
That’s why I buy a lot of my products from smaller companies that specialize in ethnic hair care.
You can buy the transitioning kit online at Carol’s Daughter’s website.
Hi Lisa
I’m a 51 year old mixed race lady with naturally coily hair. I’ve been transitioning for one year now after relaxing my hair from the age of 18, every 3-4 months. The reason I stopped relaxing was because my hairline was receding at the temples. I have fine hair but very thick. The transitioning was going well until about 2 weeks ago when I decided to use my blow dryer on the highest setting. Up until then I had always used it on the lower setting. As a result my hair now seems very dry and frizzy even after using moisturiser and oils. I’m pretty sure the blow dryer was to blame. I also deep condition my hair every week and I’m now going to try just roller setting. My aim is to eliminate the blow drying and flat irons but I have a feeling its going to be very difficult.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Best wishes
Gina
Hi Lisa,
I love reading your page! I last got my hair permed in October 2013, and had twists since then. I went to my hairdresser to get it relaxed again, as I was sitting in the chair and he was getting the relaxer ready, is when i decided that I was tired of living my social life around my hair (needing a touch up before a big event or going out with friends), and wanted to go natual (have been since i was a child ~ about 30 years ago). I have approx 3 inches of new growth and find that my scalp is dry and I get sores. I have been reading your page and just wondering if you have videos on how to style, as I have continued to pull it back in a bun, (as i still have a lot of permed hair), and would like new styles.
Thank you!
Where do I begin? I’m tired of the relaxers and all that comes with it I want to be natural. I made the decision when I looked at my daughters hair while I was combing it her natural hair is beautiful and I didn’t like her hair straightened. My hair breaks as soon as it grows. I cut my hair in 2004 and it seems to have not grown back yet I know this is due to the split ends I don’t want to do a chop because I don’t like that look on me.
Have you tried doing no-heat styles lot rod and straw sets?
Hi Lisa!
I love you site and I have made it my site of choice for natural hair. Quick question- I have been transitioning for almost 3 months and I’m very excited about it. My roots are natural but I still have bout 3 inches of relaxed hair. I was getting rods from the beauty shop, but I’m doing my own hair now. I need to wash tonight, but I have sort of a fro and a a relaxer. I havent learned how to do twists yet but im gonna watch the videos. I have short to mid-length hair, and I would like for it to curl on up…so I can put some clips in it….but my relaxed ends wont let it curl up yet. I’m thinking im gonna do wigs and then braids. Do you have any suggestions on what I can do with my own hair with these two textures?
Thx!!!!!!!!!
Hi Patrice
Have you tried a rod set yet?
I was reading the ingredients for Carols daughter anti breakage serum and it has a lot of alcohols added. My understanding is that alcohol is a drying agent. Isn’t that a major cause of our hair being so dry in the first place. If I’m going to go natural i don’t want to use products that are alcohol based.
How long does it take for the hair to fully transition with this kit?
Hi Brittany
No kit is going to change how fast your hair grows. That ultimately determines the length. The kit simply makes the process more manageable.
Hi I had my BC two weeks ago because my hair been breaking very badly, since I’ ve rid myself of the chems my hair has stopped breaking off.. I am very excited and and ready for the journey ahead. My teen’s decided the she doesn’t want her hair relaxed any more, but she doesn’t want to cut her long hair, don’t want to either .. So we have decided to go the transitional route, pray for us, I am so glad I came across your website just might give the kit a try also once we do a bit more research .
I’ve been post perm for 3 months now. The reason why I’m transition is because my hair was thinning. I have been taking the hairfinity vitamins. My question is… Is it normal for my hair to fall out so much? I’ve lost about a good 1 1/2 inch of my permed hair within these last few months.
It’s very normal. The line of demarcation (where your permed and natural hair meet) becomes weaker over time. That’s why having a product like Carol’s Daughter’s Transitioning Kit can be helpful. It may strengthen your hair to keep it from breaking as much but breakage is inevitable the further you get into the transition. My 3rd month is when breakage accelerated for me too. 🙂
I’ve been going natural for 9 months now, and for the most part, I’ve been rocking protective styles like weaves and braids. This has been the first time that I’m actually wearing just my hair and I’m having a hard time maintaining hairstyles. Whether I do the Bantu knots or the flat twist out, these styles only last a day in my hair. How do I keep my hairstyle fresh???
I am almost 3 months post relaxer, and I don’t know when to start moisturizing my hair to begin my transition.
I use Carol’s Daughter Transitioning Kit and it is great! I wish the bottle where bigger for the cost, you can get at least 4 washes out of it. I give it 5 stars….. I also use Hydratherma Naturals which is also excellent. I used this before Carol’s Daughter came out with her line. Hydratherma Naturals receives 6 stars from me!! I live and love the entire product line and it last for 6 to 7 months because a little goes a long way!
Hi I am transitioning and this is in fact an emotional jpurney I find wekends are the most difficut I want to relax my hair 🙂 My biggest problems are styles I am so use to “straight” hair.
I understand. It definitely takes some getting used to so hang in there. You can do it. You just need options. Go to my forum https://napturallycurly.com/forums and meet other transitioners so you can stay motivated!
thank You I will stay strong i need styles i have thin hair so bantu twist (which is a style I would love to wear _probably will not look good but i’m gonna experiment this weekend i will let ya know how it goes….but for now ponytail and my old lady french roll …man……. 🙂 ( I know it will get better …I am headed to your forum now ….take care!!!!
My hair is naturally curly. What products would you recommend for a good moisture, shampoo, hairdress?
Donna
I am using the Carol’s Daughter transition kit, and it is amazing. I can feel a big difference in my new growth and also relaxed hair. I have used the product twice so far and would definitely recommend! I can’t stop touching my hair because of how clean, soft, and nourished it feels, lol. I love your website! Thanks for the tips and inspiration!
That is GREAT! So glad you love it. 🙂 I wish that had been around when I was transitioning. I keep hearing great things about it.
I think my hair is changing because I an going through menopause. My texture is very soft and I began to notice about 6 months ago that perms were not lasting and my hair began to feel and look like straw. My front edges on the right side is where most of the grey is and gets very nappy like quicker than the rest of my hair. I did not do my last touchup and my hair feels better and does not have that straw feel or look. I run a hot comb through the edges and in the back since that is where I keep my hair cut short but I am not getting it cut anymore. I never really thought about going natural I just need to know what to do since my body is changing and I really am tired of perms.
I love this!
Hi, I started the transition one year ago. I’m sorry I find your website today, two weeks later that I did the BC. I did not want to do it but my hair looked terrible. I could not find the right product for my hair. I tried different products. Now I started using product of Aunt Jackie and it better but my hair is still harsh after a while. I read on your website the reason is that I’m not moisturizing enough but I give my self till the end of the year with this transition otherwise I will go back to relax my hair. I will keep looking on your website for advices and to go on with the transition.
Hi ! I like what I have read thus far about hair care.I have been transiting for one year now and still have perm on the strands of my hair. I trim every six weeks. i just stopped going to my stylist after 18 years , because I noticed that once I started going every two weeks my hair care became less important.. I had my my straw set and after four days I washed it there was so much semi color that my hair was coming out in clumps. i said maybe it was just shedding because my hair does shed a lot during the Summer. So I washed it after a week again and still so much color came out of my hair ,I washed it this past week again color came, I am doing my own do now. I use egg yolks, mayonnaise, avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, and banana with an apple cider vinegar rinse. My hari is not breaking as much or coming out. i just don’t like doing my own hair but am getting back in the routine.
I have a question when I oil my scalp with coconut oil my hair absorbs it all and my scalp is still dry and itchy .What do you recommend?
Hi!! I just recently cut my hair after a year & a half of procrastination. Its curly just like I like it but I have this feeling that I’m not all the way natural. I will give this transitioning kit a whirl & if it gives me the results I’, looking for I will be so happy. I don’t know how to determine my hair texture so I will try those styles and see if they work, hopefully they do!!
whr can i buy the transitioning kit
I put the link in this post.
I am trying to transition and it is the hardest thing I have ever done in my life I had my hair dyed red and cut in a bob to minimize the differences between textures. now I feel even worse because my hair is extremely short(even though it was already breaking off in the middle) and I do not know what to with my hair everyday. I really need help. I keep blow drying it to be able to manage it but I am aware that is not good for my hair. what is a good protective style I can wear on my hair and how can I continue this journey. I have had a relaxer I have been looking at for two weeks dying to put in my hair, but my desire is to really go natural!
Hi Brigitte, Don’t give up! It takes time to transition, it is a process. I started at the beginning of the year. I had to throw out my relaxers to avoid falling back into relaxing. I had 1″ of new growth when it was time to touch-up and that’s when I decided to go back natural. For me, I’ve done it before, I was natural for over 5 years. Actually the move back to relaxer was a dramatic event for me. I missed my natural hair immediately. So after 2 years being relaxed (the first year was all about transitioning to relaxer), I just couldn’t do another touch-up.
To make it easier, you did the right thing by cutting it. I just cut 2″ off last weekend to get rid of the thin ends. I now have about 3-3 1/2 inches of new growth. With the recent cut, at places in my hair, I’m about half and half. Notice I said at places in my hair…my hair doesn’t grow evenly all over so some places have a lot of new growth and others do not. That is what is making it difficult for you. TRY a textured style with some soft curls on the ends. One that I do is the flat twist where I twist instead of cornrow while my hair is semi damp, not too wet and not completely dry. You can add a setting lotion (non alcohol) for hold. And I use olive oil on my hair when I’m natural, so I add the olive oil to my hair and then set it. For this style, it is not a loose twist, do them flat to the scalp instead. Curl the very ends on a small rod. Let it dry. Take them out and gently separate each one until you have the fullness you like in the places you want. Then add a high gloss spray, no hold, like the pink sheen. This style will last about 2-3 days depending on your activity. The key here is not to be hard on your hair, because of the breakage, never comb these twists out, when your done just wash your hair. Depending on how long you stay twisted up, you’ll notice the shedding when you wash, that is natural, it does not mean your hair is breaking.
Good luck! I hope you have not given up, I almost did myself recently but I know what I have to look forward to so I am giving myself a year to fully transition and this time I hope to never see another relaxer lol!
Hello Patricia,
You are on the right track. To help with your scalp roots being dry, mix organic coconut oil, olive oil (first cold pressed, jojoba oil, and vitamin E oil (preferably organic). I use this mix to base my scalp prior to shampooing.
Ok
Add me to u email list thaks
I would like to be added to your e-mail mailing list.
Thank you,
Beatrice Jones
PLEASE ADD ME TO THE EMAIL MAILING LIST, I DEFINITELY NEED HELP WITH THIS TRANSITON LOL!!!
Hi Angela, there’s a form on the homepage napturallycurly.com. You have to add yourself because there is a confirmation required.
First I want to say that I absolutly love your website. I am so serious about going natural but definately do not want to do the big chop per promise to my husband that I will never chop my hair ( i did it before in attempts to get the kerri hilson look, which I looked great in but it took alot more work to keep) My question is…. How often should i wash my hair during the transition phase. Currently I wash my hair probably 2-3 times a month . I feel my relaxer last longer by washing it minimumly. My other question is how do you maintain the roller set . Is there a special way to cover your hair at night or do you put the rods in each night. It feels like a dumb question but unfortunaly when i done a set it didnt make it through the night .