There’s no question about it! The time passed during the pandemic changed us profoundly. The need for authenticity brings us even closer to showing our true colors, inside and out. Our natural curls, hair color, and hair textures, no less! And if you can’t find yourself in your hairdo, it’s time for a change! Out with the old, in with the new by tomorrow? Then prepare to chop off the old! But maybe you want to train your patience some more and maybe you’re embracing the transition with all its imperfections. If you do, it will help a lot to know what the best shampoo and conditioner for transitioning hair are. 

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What does hair transitioning mean?

Here and now we are paying more attention to what needs to improve. We’re not avoiding change for the better simply to stay in our comfort zone. We’re putting more effort into becoming more attuned to the real us. Many of us are looking out to truly manifesting who we are and what we want. If you are one of us, you’re probably wondering how you can transition from a permie (be it curly or straight) to your natural, bouncy waves or curls, or maybe how to show off your gray hair, instead of aggressively dyeing it. 

And while there’s always the option of getting rid of what we don’t want to see, we’re advocating for another approach. One that helps you transition, while keeping your strands strong and moisturized. One that helps you prevent hair loss and that encourages you to fully embrace yourself one step at a time. There will be questions and it’s better to be prepared. 

• Does transitioning hair shed a lot?
• Can you keep your curls shiny and strong?
• Will you be able to keep the frizz away and maintain your strands healthy?
• Is it possible to prevent breakage while transitioning?
• Can you boost hair growth?

How do you transition from relaxed hair to natural hair?

Hair transitioning is about changing your routine and hair care products. It’s about protection for the hair strand and maintaining a healthy scalp. If you’re transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair, it’s important to keep damage to a minimal and to manage your current hair texture while also embracing your natural one. It’s about leaving harsh chemicals and procedures out of your hair and embracing natural ingredients. And it doesn’t have to be awkward! Your hair doesn’t have to be messy or look sloppy. But it will require some patience and the right hair care products.  

What are the dos and don'ts of transitioning to natural hair?

Is it better to go for the big chop or to transition? Well, it’s about your needs. If you have the guts to cut your hair, go for it. If you want to keep your strands, transitioning is key. Surely at some point (after about eight months), you’ll have to remove (at least parts of) your old hair and embrace your new texture or color. Until then, make sure to commit to change:

• Wash less to avoid drying your hair and scalp and invest in a high quality shampoo to keep the scalp healthy and avoid clogged follicles. 
• Don’t use a towel to dry your hair, as friction increases the odds of tangling, frizz, and breakage. Use a cotton T-shirt to absorb excess moisture from your wet hair and let your hair air-dry as often as possible, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology Association. 
• Condition more to nourish and moisturize the hair shaft and keep your hair smooth, elastic, and easy to manage. 
• Use protective styling products and get rid of the ones that weigh down your hair making it limp and brittle. 
• No more hot temperatures! No hot water, no hot tools on your hair! This way you avoid frizz and hair damage and you encourage your natural texture to manifest. Extra info: transitioning hair is often prone to breakage, so any way of reducing the stress on your locks is a plus. 
• Avoid hair products that contain sulfates since they unbalance sebum production. You need your natural oils to coat your scalp and hair in the right amount.
• Just like you should avoid scalp and hair dryness, you should also make sure that your hair is not too oily, otherwise you might end up dealing with bacterial and fungal overgrowth, irritation, and greasiness. 
• Don’t skip on hair trimming! Once every six weeks, it helps to trim those dry, split ends.
• Manage your expectations. As you transition, your treated hair will have a certain shape and type of texture, while your new hair may look completely different. Embrace the hybrid!

How often should you wash transitioning hair?

It depends on your hair type and the treatment that was done to it. Nevertheless, the transitioning process will require some adjusting. To prevent hair dryness, occasionally you can opt for co-washing, which, if you don’t know yet, means washing your hair only with conditioner. But don’t skip on shampooing altogether, as it is important in preventing scalp buildup. Just make sure you choose a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo. 

How do you keep transitioning hair moisturized?

As already mentioned, in transitioning phases it’s vital to keep the cleansing process as mild and delicate as possible. The goal: to avoid dryness, but also greasiness. It’s even more important to keep your hair moisturized and conditioned. Hair nourishment is key. Since transitioning hair is fragile, especially where new hair and old hair meet, a focus on conditioning will help boost elasticity and moisture, preventing breakage. With transitioning hair, it may be difficult for your natural oils to move down the hair shaft, because the textures are so different. So a boost in conditioning is a must. 

What is the best shampoo and conditioner for transitioning hair?

Do you need a special shampoo and conditioner for your transitioning hair? Well, permed hair and natural hair, for instance, just like gray hair and dyed hair, have different textures and porosities. At the point where they meet, as your hair grows, the shaft can become brittle and even break. So we can’t stress this enough: you should choose a gentle, parabens and sulfate-free shampoo. Also, opt for a conditioner enriched with natural oils instead of a conditioner containing silicones, which can create buildup and weigh down your hair. 

What are the best products to use on transitioning hair?

Seal in your hair’s natural moisture letting go of silicones, mineral oils, parabens, sulfates, alcohol, artificial fragrance, and other harsh chemicals. Instead, look for:

• Gentle shampoos and cleansing ingredients;
• Emollients and humectants such as shea butter;
• Moisturizing agents, such as aloe vera;
• Natural protein-enriched products to help prevent breakage;
• Protective styling products.

What is the best shampoo for transitioning hair?

Reduce damage, support hair regeneration, and strengthen the roots: these should be your main goals when choosing a shampoo for your transitioning hair. WOW Red Onion Shampoo & Conditioner is a great option to gently clean away impurities, strengthen the hair follicles, clarify and nourish the scalp, reduce frizz, and boost shine. This holistic hair due will invigorate your damaged locks and give you all the benefits of red onion for hair health, minus the stink. 

What is the best deep conditioner for transitioning hair?

We’ll say this one more time: a conditioner is highly important in keeping your hair healthy, while transitioning to your natural tresses. You will have to use a conditioner more often; however, finding the rhythm that suits your needs is up to you. You can apply conditioner before and after shampooing. You even try co-washing, from time to time. WOW Coconut/Avocado Oil Conditioner is one great option you can go for to deeply nourish your hair. It will prevent protein loss and leave your transitioning hair strong and deeply hydrated.

How about a leave-in conditioner for transitioning hair?

Transitioning to your natural texture can leave your hair fragile, so it will need all the protection it can get. WOW Revitalizer Spray is a leave-in conditioner packed with extra-hydrating ingredients. Extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil, Moroccan argan oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, Vitamin E, Shea butter, soy protein, Bhringraj extract, rosemary, and tea tree essential oils will tame frizz, strengthen the roots, prevent tangles and damage, and seal-in moisture in the hair shaft.  

You may have thought hair transitioning is just about embracing your natural hair. But it’s more than that. It’s a personal journey, a process that means exploration, self-acceptance, and embracing authenticity. It’s about sitting with your insecurities and everything that comes with “I’m not perfect, but I am me”. So, now, while you’re preparing to transition, you will be well taken care of.

Explore the WOW website for more natural hair care products.