• Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty News
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
  • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love & Sex
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle News
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your legacy
  • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence

Follow Us

Skip to content
  • Essence Studios
  • Girls United
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Shop Essence
  • Celebrity
    • Celebrity
    • Celebrity News
    • ‘Yes, Girl!’ Podcast
    • Entertainment
    • Black Women in Music
    • Black Celeb Couples
    • Celebrity Moms
    • Red Carpet
  • Fashion
    • Fashion
    • Fashion News
    • Street Style
    • Accessories
    • Fashion House
    • Fashion Week
  • Beauty
    • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Makeup
    • Color Files Podcast
    • Nails
    • How-To
    • AVEENO® Skin Health Startup Accelerator
    • Beauty Carnival-Archive
    • Dope Stuff On My Desk
    • Girls United: Beautiful Possibilities
    • Beauty News
  • Hair
    • Hair
    • Hair News
    • Natural
    • Relaxed
    • Transitioning
    • Weaves
    • 4C
    • Spring Hair And Beauty
  • Love
    • Love
    • Love & Sex News
    • The Solve Podcast
    • Weddings
    • Parenting
    • Relationships
  • Lifestyle
    • Lifestyle
    • Coronavirus: Everything You Need to Know
    • Health & Wellness
    • Lifestyle News
    • Holiday Gift Guide 2020
    • Netflix’s Jingle Jangle Gift Guide
    • Unbossed Podcast
    • ESSENCE Eats
    • Money & Career
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Travel
    • Food & Drink
    • Black Travel Guide
    • Currency Conversations
    • Your Legacy
  • News
    • News
    • BLACK VOTES MATTER
    • Essence 50th Anniversary
    • Latest News
    • Raise Your Voice
    • Culture
    • Politics
  • Videos
  • Events
    • Events
    • WELLNESS HOUSE: YEAR OF RENEWAL
    • LEVEL UP: Entrepreneur Summit (DEC 2020)
    • Power Tools
    • SHE GOT NOW
    • Girls United Summit
    • Making Moves Now: Virtual Bootcamp
    • #EF SESSIONS
    • Dear Black Men
    • Cares Act
    • News & Announcements
  • Festival
  • Subscribe
Home · Transitioning

Ask The Experts: Transitioning 101

Celeb stylist Anthony Dickey tells us everything we ever wanted to know about transitioning from relaxed to natural hair.
By · February 10, 2015October 27, 2020
01
Tip #1: Just Say No!

According to celeb stylist Anthony Dickey, you must go cold turkey. “Stop all chemical enhancers, texturizers, relaxers now,” says Dickey, who also owns Hair Rules salon and product line.

02
Tip #2: Get Educated

“Seek out information about your hair’s unique texture,” says Dickey. “Talk to professionals that can educate you from a texture-specific approach — not an ethnic-specific approach.”

03
Tip #3: Reconsider the ‘Big Chop’

“Don’t do the “Big Chop” unless you’re comfortable with short hair,” he says. “In the meantime, smooth your roots with a comb attachment on your blowdryer, and style the relaxed hair however you like!”

04
Tip #4: Choose Products Wisely

“Just because a product is ‘all-natural’ doesn’t mean it’ll deliver great results,” he warns. Experiment until you find the perfect product cocktail for your tresses.

05
Tip #5: Avoid Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

“Avoid shampoos containing sodium lauryl sulfate, ie soap; they dry out your curls,” he says. “Instead, use a cream-based shampoo like Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream ($22, hairrules.com).”

06
Tip #6: Don’t Pre-Judge Your Curls

“Don’t judge your natural texture until the relaxed portion is totally gone,” says Dickey. Be patient — while transitioning, your God-given curls haven’t had a chance to shine yet!

07
Tip #7: Avoid Roller Sets

“If your natural texture is kinky, avoid roller sets,” he says. “They require too much blowdrying afterwards to smooth out, resulting in breakage.”

08
Tip #8: Try 2-Strand Twists

“Try 2-strand twists to marry your natural roots to the straight ends,” he says. “Apply Hair Rules Curly Whip to wet hair, twist, and sit under a dryer or dry overnight. Unravel, fluff and go!”

09
Tip #9: Go for a Curly Weave

“Try getting a transitional weave with a kinky or curly texture,” says Dickey. “This way, you can become familiar with a texture similar to your own.”

10
Tip #10: Do You!

“Not all Black women experience the same transitioning process,” says Dickey. “We come in many shades and hair textures. Its your journey, find out what works for your specific texture.”

Read More

News
My VP Looks Like Me: These Inauguration Day Tribute Photos W...
Entertainment
‘Bridgerton’ Is Getting A Second Season
Health & Wellness
Tiffany Haddish Unveils Her Slimmed Down Figure After 30-Day...
Travel
10 Caribbean Resorts That Will Offer COVID-19 Testing In Res...
Op-Ed
Is America’s Racist Nightmare Over?
COMPANY INFORMATION
  • Our Company
  • Customer Service
  • Essence Ventures
  • Change Your Address
  • Contact Us
  • Job Opportunities
  • Internships
  • Media Kit
  • tag
SUBSCRIBE
  • Newsletters
  • Give a Gift of ESSENCE
  • Magazine Tablet Edition
FOLLOW US
MORE ON ESSENCE
  • Home
  • Love
  • Celebrity
  • Beauty
  • Hair
  • Fashion
  • ESSENCE festival

ESSENCE.com is part of ESSENCE Communications, Inc.

Essence may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

©2021 ESSENCE Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Essence.com Advertising Terms

Get The ESSENCE Newsletter and
Special Offers delivered to your inbox

By clicking Sign Up, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Get The ESSENCE Magazine
by subscribing below
subscribe now