By Lady Summerset | Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks

Ladies, can we talk?

There comes a moment in almost every natural hair journey when you stand in front of the mirror, examine those roots, stretch out a curl, look at those ends, and wonder, “Now, what in the world am I supposed to do with all this hair?”

Perhaps you’ve decided to stop relaxing your hair. Maybe you’re noticing that your texture isn’t quite what it used to be. Or perhaps you’re simply tired of fighting with your strands and ready to discover what your hair can actually do.

Whatever brought you here, welcome to the journey!

And before somebody comes running with a pair of scissors, let me say something.

You do NOT have to do the Big Chop to begin embracing your natural hair!

Yes, I said it!

Some women love the freedom of cutting everything off and starting fresh. Others would prefer to transition gradually, holding on to their length while their natural texture grows.

Neither journey is more authentic than the other.

After all, it’s your crown!

Two Textures, One Head, and a Whole Lot of Patience!

One of the biggest challenges of transitioning from relaxed to natural hair is learning to manage two completely different textures.

At the roots, you may have tightly coiled, beautifully textured new growth. Meanwhile, those relaxed ends are hanging on, seemingly determined to remind you of your former hair routine!

And somewhere between those two textures is what we call the line of demarcation.

That is the point where your natural hair meets your chemically relaxed hair.

Ladies, that little meeting place deserves some serious TLC!

Why? Because it is often the most vulnerable part of transitioning hair. The differences in texture and elasticity can make it especially susceptible to breakage when you’re detangling, manipulating, or styling.

The goal is not to force both textures into submission.

The goal is to learn how to care for them together until you’re ready to let those relaxed ends go.

Moisture Is Important, but Technique Matters Too!

Now, if you’ve been following Crowning Glory, you already know how much I talk about moisture.

However, transitioning hair requires more than purchasing every moisturizing product that promises to transform your strands overnight.

It requires consistency.

Here’s where I would concentrate my attention:

• Cleanse regularly. Keep your scalp clean and your hair free from heavy product buildup.
• Condition generously. Look for a conditioner with good slip to help your fingers or detangling tool glide through the hair.
• Detangle patiently. Work in sections, starting at the ends and gradually moving toward the roots.
• Use a leave-in conditioner. Focus on keeping your natural growth and relaxed lengths manageable.
• Deep condition when needed. Pay attention to how your strands feel rather than following every trend on social media.
• Protect your ends. Those older strands have already been through quite a bit!

And please remember: adding more oil does not automatically mean you’re adding more moisture.

Oil can help lubricate strands and reduce moisture loss, depending on your hair and the product. But it doesn’t replace water-based conditioning.

Sometimes the answer isn’t another product.

Sometimes it’s simply a better routine!

Protective Styling Without Hiding Your Crown

Let’s discuss another favorite subject: protective styles.

During the transition, the right hairstyle can reduce daily manipulation and help you manage two textures.

But protective should actually mean protective!

If your scalp is aching, your edges are being pulled, or your hairline feels like it’s holding on for dear life, something is wrong.

Some beautiful options include:

1. Flat-Twist Styles

These are wonderful for creating an elegant, polished appearance while keeping much of the hair tucked away. They can also help blend different textures.

2. Two-Strand Twists

A favorite for good reason! Twists can be worn as a style or released later for a soft twist-out. Depending on your hair, setting products or rods on relaxed ends may help create a more uniform finish.

3. Bantu Knot-Outs

When properly set and completely dry before unraveling, Bantu knots can create lovely curls that help disguise the difference between natural roots and relaxed ends.

4. Loose Updos and Low Buns

Perfect for those days when you want something simple, sophisticated, and practical. Just remember not to pull those edges too tightly.

5. Braids Without Excessive Tension

Braids can give you a break from daily styling, provided they aren’t too heavy or tight and you continue caring for your scalp and hair underneath.

And ladies, protective styling doesn’t mean leaving your hair unattended for weeks and simply hoping for the best!

Your hair still needs care.

Do I Have to Cut My Relaxed Ends?

Eventually, if your goal is completely natural hair, those chemically straightened ends will need to be removed.

A relaxer permanently changes the treated portion of the hair. No cream, oil, or deep conditioner can turn those relaxed strands back into their original curl pattern.

However, you get to decide how quickly that transition takes place.

Some women trim a little every few weeks or months. Others allow considerable new growth before making a larger cut.

There is no universal deadline.

The important thing is paying attention to splitting, tangling, thinning ends, and breakage.

Sometimes holding on to length that is severely damaged isn’t helping us retain healthy hair.

And that brings me to something else.

What Happens When Our Hair Begins to Change With Age?

Ladies, let’s not pretend our hair remains exactly the same throughout every season of our lives!

As we mature, some of us begin to notice changes in density, texture, dryness, and even the way our curls behave.

Hair that once felt thick may become finer. Gray strands may seem coarser or more resistant to certain styling products. And a routine that worked beautifully ten years ago might not give us the same results today.

That doesn’t mean our beautiful hair has suddenly become unmanageable.

It may simply mean we need to make adjustments.

A lighter leave-in, gentler styling techniques, less heat, or a different conditioning schedule may work better than what we’ve always used.

And if you’re noticing sudden shedding, bald patches, or significant thinning, please don’t dismiss those changes as simply getting older. A dermatologist can help determine whether something else is going on.

Healthy hair care is about responding to the hair you have today, not fighting to recreate the hair you had yesterday.

Stop Comparing Your Crown!

Can we address something that I believe has discouraged far too many women?

Hair comparison!

You watch a video of someone effortlessly separating a gorgeous twist-out, and those curls fall perfectly into place.

Then you try the same technique, the same product, perhaps even the same twisting pattern.

And your hair has an entirely different opinion!

Listen, ladies!

Your 4C hair does not need to behave like someone’s 3C hair to be beautiful.

Your coils do not need to hang to your shoulders to be healthy.

And shrinkage does not mean your hair isn’t growing.

Natural hair has its own character, and learning its behavior is part of the experience.

We spend far too much time trying to make our hair imitate somebody else’s crown instead of appreciating the beauty of our own.

A Little Crown Check for This Week

Before you purchase another product or attempt another complicated hairstyle, take a few minutes to examine your hair.

Ask yourself:

• Where am I experiencing the most tangling or breakage?
• Does my hair feel dry, or is it simply covered in product buildup?
• Am I giving myself enough time to detangle gently?
• Are my hairstyles protecting my hair or placing tension on it?
• Am I being realistic and patient with my transition?

You might be surprised how much you discover just by paying attention.

My Final Thoughts: It’s a Journey, Not a Race

Whether you’re transitioning from relaxed hair, embracing your first natural hairstyle, or learning to care for your changing hair in a new season of life, I want you to remember something.

Your hair journey is personal.

You don’t have to cut it all tomorrow.

You don’t have to buy every trending product.

You don’t have to prove that you’re natural enough.

And you certainly don’t have to apologize for the texture God gave you!

Learn it. Nurture it. Be patient with it.

And most importantly, enjoy the woman looking back at you in the mirror.

Because, ladies, your crown was never supposed to look exactly like anybody else’s.

Wear it with confidence!

Until next time, keep those coils moisturized, those edges protected, and that crown held high!

Lady Summerset
Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks

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Let’s Talk, Ladies!

Are you currently transitioning from relaxed to natural hair, or have you already completed your journey?

Which was your biggest challenge: managing two textures, finding the right products, or learning to love your natural curl pattern?

Share your experience in the comments. Your story might encourage another woman just beginning her journey!

© 2026 Crowning Glory — Coils & Kinks by Lady Carolyn M. Summerset. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or republished without prior written permission of the author.

Coming Next in Crowning Glory: The Truth About Hair Porosity — Why Your Hair Loves Some Products and Rejects Others!