Going Natural The Big Chop 2012
Big Chop Hair Journey
Going natural from a perm, considering doing the big chop, transitioning from relaxed hair to natural curls.
If you just made the big chop, what do you do next, or if you are still transitioning is the big chop necessary?
It is a big decision for many napptural women who have decided they want to wear their hair natural.
Styling hair and using the right products is crucial for your natural hair journey. When should you do the big chop?
This is the question asked once you start to notice all your new growth is now thick and coily while the rest of your hair or the ends are straight and limp.
No matter how long you wait for this to happen you will finally get to the point where your hair will start to break due to the different textures because they do not work well together.
Can I go to a natural hair salon to get my big chop?
You do not have to do your big chop yourself you can get it professional done, or if you are brave enough to do it yourself you can just get a pair of sissors and start snipping away.
It is a time to cut off all the damaged permed and chemically treated hair.
A styling gel used by many curly heads is IC Fantasia styling gel because of its hold and nice results from natural hairstyles.
It gave them a better appreciation for themselves and their hair because now they knew that they have beautiful curly locs.
big chop hair cut natural hair
Styling Natural Hair with a Headband
Using headbands on your hair while you are rocking a natural hairstyle is so fashionable and cute. It can take any style from twists, locs, afro puff or banti knots and make it look tight and right. Now the ones you want to use are the ones that are ouchless of course,
which just means they are made out of a stretchy and elastic type fabric. It comes in multi colors and adds that flare we all crave.
Headbands can be dressed up with flowers and barrets and mini clips. So you can accessories with your outfits and mood of the day.
Most styling gels will make thick unruly curly coily kinky hair wavy when you apply a generous amount in he palm of your hand and glide it over you hair working it from front to back then brushing it down for maximum hold.
Natural Hair Big Chop Pictures
Transitioning from Relaxer Do I have to cut my hair?
Many times you will find information on the web that talk about how you have to cut your hair and rock a twa tiny weeny afro in order to grow natural hair,
but what if you are transitioning from a relaxer and you do not want to cut your hair off? can you still manage to have natural curls?
The simple answer is that many have decided to retain the length of their hair as it grows out, the problem starts to occur when the new growth is strong and curly and the relaxed hair is straight and weak so it results in much breakage.
How to avoid breakage while transitioning from a relaxer
In order to minimize breakage you will need to first use a moisturizing leave in conditioner along with a protective hairstyle.
So this may require that you wear your hair up in twists, braids or secure buns for months at a time, and when you take your hair down to wash it or condition it,
pay special attention to the ends of the hair, use a wide tooth pick and use your fingers to detangle, try to protect the permed sections as much as you can.
Tru's Natural Hair Journey: The big CHOP
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Big Chop Hair Growth
Styling my hair after the big chop
Finding hairstyles for you new look is possible if you just look around at websites that have photo galleries of natural hairstyles,
some of the more popular looks is the straw set and the twists and locs.
Many napptural women are able to start rocking their natural hair soon after getting it cut just like Tru as she takes us on her natural hair journey she uses styling gel and castor oil to define the curls and bring out the shine, you can check out her look in the video.
Two strand twists can be easily done on short natural hair by parting your hair in sections and then using Clear Gel IC to lock the hair in at the ends.
To add a little style you can use a ouch free headband to go around the front and you are ready to go.
Using gel at first works with slicking down the edges and temples adding waves and manageability to your natural hairstyle.
What I like about two strand twists is the versatility of wearing you hair after you take them down, because they add texture curl and style.
While I was on Youtube looking at videos of many women who had the big chop one of the things they all agreed on was that after having such length in their hair it was a little shocking to see themselves with a TWA teeny weeny afro.
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Big Chop Thin Edges
Transitioning How long before the big chop?
Is it necessary to cut all off your hair when transitioning from relaxed hair?
It may depend on the person, if you are used to having long hair it could be a challenge, some have found that wearing protective styles helps while their hair grows out,
If you choose to keep your new growth blown out with straight iron or flat iron may make it easier to deal with the difference in textures.
Straight ends have a higher risk of breaking against the curls at the roots. Moisture is going to be your friend, it will also be best to wash hair and condition hair while it is still in plats, this will help keep the hair from tangling.
Cutting your hair is your independent decision, not everyone chooses to have the big chop when deciding to go natural, it will take an adjustment from long straight hair to short curly or kinky hair.
If you are growing out your hair the length of time would depend on your personal taste, as well as how long it takes for your hair to grow.
Some tips on growing your hair faster is to wear protective wig styles and eat healthy, with fruits and vegetables, also it is important to take vitamins like Omega 3 and Vitamin E.
Adding Hair Accessories
Wearing Headbands
Once you have achieved the look you want with a TWA or Fade Haircut now it is time to accessorize your hair.
My favorite is to use a variety of headbands that I make myself, you can easily create a new look to match whatever outfit that you have on.
You can choose from bows, beads or braided elastic bands.
How to Make a Headband out of Scarves
In this tutorial you will learn how to pick your favorite scarf and wrap it around a plain headband to add some trendy style.
You want to wrap the scarf tightly around the headband until you reach the end tuck it under and secure with a bobbie pin. (See video for instructions)
How To "Make" a Headband Using A Scarf :)
Comments
great styling tips....
i have just decided to go natural about 1 month ago, i feel liberated already.... this weekend im going to chop most of the relaxed length off. its so damaged and i cant wait to grow a natrual head of hair.. i will most likely wear sew in and braids until my hair grows out.....
In 2007, i went without a relaxer for 7 months and then decided to get a relaxer again. for some reason, that time seemed like such an emotional journey and having that connection to bone straight hair had me bounded. I decided to try again when July of 2008 was my last relaxer which was a mild affirm. I did not use cheap products while transitioning (carol's daughter, creme of nature and aveda products are great). this time, the transition was easier because i did not think of it. By the summer of 2009, i just decided to wash and go. It was amazing how much more my hair grew out.
Living in Alabama is humid in the summers,so in Aug, I returned back to work and I wanted to wear my hair straight again. Needless to say, naturally curly hair and relaxer hair does not look good together. I would have a curly fro on the top with straight ends by the end of the day! lol
Frustrated with my hair by this time,in October of 2008, I decided to go for the big chop. When I went in, my stylist blowdried my hair straight and my hair was in the middle of my back. Also being used to always having long hair, I had grown hesitant to take the chop. It did take over 2 hours to come to a conclusion! When she cut off the relaxed part, my natural hair had grown to the tip of the shoulders.
I'm loving my natural hair now. i do not regret the transition and getting approximately 7 inches of my hair cut off. I feel so free! No more hair problems and spending tons of money at the salon!!! Go for it!!! You can do it!!!You will be so proud of yourself for perservering through the transition. As I look back, I am so happy I endured those emotional times to be where I am today with my natural hair!!! HAPPY and FREE with $ in my pocket to do something else with besides paying for a re-touch! lol
RED PALM OIL WILL BRING OUT THE CURL. iF YOURE GONNA GO NATURAL, MIGHT AS WELL USE NATURAL OILS. I MIX RED PALM OIL WITH COCONUT OIL, SHEA BUTTER, AND A LITTLE OLIVE OIL. MELT DOWN IN A MICROWAVE, POUR INTO A BLENDER AND WHIP IT UP. POUR INTO A CONTAINER AND YOURE GOOD TO GO. WET YOUR HAIR AND PUT SOME OF THIS OIL ON AND YOU'LL HAVE THE SOFTEST MOST GORGEOUS CURLS.
Paula thanks for sharing such a great formula for getting the amazing curls that all us natural girls seek.
I loved TIA's comment. It just gave me the courage to do my big chop. My mom is pressuring me so hard to not cut my hair but I think it's my time to know what I! look like. She has grown to love my natural hair though. I'm pretty excited, but so nervous. I'm ready though.
I have had long hair most of my life. My sister did the BC when she was living in FL two years ago and I have grown to love her natural hair. So needless to say, it took me two years to come to terms with myself. I went eight months without relaxing my hair. I had my hair in box-braids, kinky twists and even wore wigs to cover grow out my natural roots. I decided to do the BC a month ago but I still wore wigs. I finally set myself free this past weekend and walked in the Memorial Day Parade with my new look....LOVE IT!!!
Vida what a liberating moment in your natural hair journey, you are an inspiration to all, thanks so much.
i have relaxed hair but its short(because i cut it for a change) this was in march. The last time i permed my hair was april. Now i really want to go natural. How long would you suggest waiting before i do the big chop?
where do i get red palm oil (is it organic?)
hey miki.. shoot i say big chop as soon as you are comfortable I've seen some women go as short as a crew cut or a fade and "rock it" then it grows out fabulous.. some people transition for months to year.. I say whatever you are comfortable with doing.. God bless ya. I've been transitioning for 6 months big chop 2morrow. Praise the Lord I am excited. Thank you everyone for your posts and God bless you all and your hair journeys
so, i've gone four and a half months without a perm because im pregnant and plan to continue without one, but my hair has been falling out more than i've ever seen before! its so hard to manage and most days i dont even want to comb it... so today im really thinking about just cutting off the relaxed part and rocking a TWA or getting braids, but is it too soon to get braids?
BabySig just like JaC mentioned having a TWA, crew cut or fade is going to allow your hair to stop breaking, it is hard to have two hair textures and the permed ends are weaker than your natural hair because the chemicals break down the cuticle. You will be glad you did the big chop when you start to see how fast your hair starts to grow back. Let me know how it goes.
My (caucasian husband, interestingly enough) persuaded me to go au natural and short. He loves it. I'm still getting used to it. I do feel liberated from the time, effort and expense of chemical treatments. I love being allowed to swim, walk in the rain and still go out the same evening. My hair does not control my social life! I now keep it short myself, and my husband and I shave each other's hair to our desired lengths or I should say shortnesses.
Tru's BC video made me realise how lovely it actually looks.
Michele that is great that you have found a natural style that works for you. Its true that the versatility of not having to worry about changes in weather is a big plus. Its nice that your husband is so supportive too!
I just did the BC three days ago. I was so unsure, but my husband was so sweet and supportive and often reminded me that I wouldnt know how I looked with my short natural hair until I tried it out. So...with much support from my husband and a dear girlfriend- I did it. I am SOOO happy I did!I love my hair and its texture. I work weekends as a nurse and returned to work after the BC. I have received mixed reviews, but the bottom line is that I love it and so does my hubby. I catch him looking at me a lot and his is constantly telling how pretty my face looks and how my hair compliments it. Showering the last few days has been wonderful! This is one of the best moves I have ever made!
Rae that is such a lovely story thanks for sharing your experience with the big chop, it is such a nice change and even nicer when you have support from your loved ones.
I'm currently growing out my hair for the BC. I have lupus and it's caused some balding and thinning spots in the back, and I know continuing to relax it isn't good, so I think it's time. I haven't seen my natural hair in over ten years! It is definitely a journey! I think the BC is going to be a Christmas present or New Year gift for myself as I've been growing my hair out for about two and a half months now. It's a hassle flat ironing so that the hair matches, but I am looking forward to having my kinky curls again.
i just did the big chop and i read that the people on here are talkin about growin out there natural hair wit braids and sew ins i cant do that i cut my hair real short so im wonderin what can i use to keep my hair moisturized
sapphire you can use a spray leave-in conditioner on your hair, also you may want to try using henna, it is made of clay and gives the hair a real softness.
hii,im 14 years old and have been going natural for about a year now, and my mom says i should just cut the rest of the perm out which is about 2 or 3 inches. Im really scared to do this because I have noticed my hair grows ALOT faster without a perm, i guess i have became too attached to the length, well its getting cold now and i wont be wearing my hair wet in the winter, i do have curly hair but with the perm still in it you cant tell, expecially at the ends, because the straight ends put weight on your hair. going natural is the best thing to do it makes your hair alot healthier. i love it :]
hi all..my last relaxer was done on august 5th so i am two months into growing out my natural hair. I am so very nervous because I plan to do my big chop on 01/01/2011. It means that my hair will be very short and i have never worn my hair this short before. But reading the above comments has given me the extra push. Wow, going natural is turning out to be one of my best decisions....lol.
I fear that my hair texture will not be what i thought it was and the short hair cut will look like a real bad hair do for me. I am going to be 30 this month and i first relaxed my hair at age 16. That's too many years ago and i honestly cannot remember how my hair looked. i tried to get some pictures of me as a little girl but was not successful.
When i first decided to transition, it was not to stay natural but to texturize my hair. But after reading all the above comments plus comments from other websites, i have decided to stay natural...yaaay me!
i need to know how to keep my hair healthy when i go fully natural. can you suggest some products i can use?
Justsweet, I am so happy for you, especially since you have decided to make this transition on the first of the year, what a great way to start a new beginning where you can learn new ways to take care of your hair.
It is truly a inspirational journey. Taking the step to the big chop can be scary, because it is hard to know how your hair will turn out as it grows. The good thing is that if you use the right hair care products you will benefit from years to come.
Picking products for your hair will change by the length of your hair, the longer it gets the less of some hair products you will need to use, but usually when you first start out with your TWA, it is important to keep your hair moisturized everyday. It will be really good for your hair to air dry and you can use gels to slick down your baby hair on the edges.
Carols Daughter makes some really good natural hair products and the reason I usually recommend her brand is because they do not use any chemicals or harmful additives.
Plus many who have used her products say that their hair grows and is soft and manageable. Some of her bestsellers are: Hair Milk Curl Boosting Trio, Marguerite's Magic, Hair Milk, Curl Defining Trio, Jada's Dynamic Duo, Lisa's Hair Elixir, Hair Balm, Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner.
Keep us updated on how your hair journey goes in 2011.
I am 2 months into my transition. While I am ready to embrace the real me...the 2 textures are frustrating. I too was planning to BC on 1-1-11 but I'm thinking it may be sooner. I'm using castor oil, coconut oil and EVOO for moisture. Along with Shea butter creme. I'm taking Biotin, prenatal vitamins & Omega 3's. I had good growth thus far.
I was inspired by a lady at work whose natural short hair I admired. I had been wearing braids off and on and never felt brave enough to wear my hair natural. I decided back in August that I would start growing out the perm just enough for a big chop--I had no idea this website was here. My big date was 10/15 and I just did the big chop all on my own. This was a huge step for me, since I'm approaching 39 years old and have been getting perms since I was 10 years old. Now that I've seen this resource and Tru's great video, I have the confidence to keep going. Thank you so much!!!!
i have been in transtion for about 4months now and at first it was very furstating but now i love the progress that i have seen im still a little scared abouth the big chop but we will see how it goes i dont really want to do the big chop.
Well.. I cut my hair off on my birthday lol...Oct 12. I tried a comb through perm but ugh yeah it didn't work lol which is okay because I only did it for my mom sake. I was comtemplating cutting my hiar off for a while. My hair fall out alot I have eczema in my scalp. My edges are bald ;(..
So I decided what the hell. Tired of covering my hair with bangs, and getting these stupid relaxers. I looked in the mirror and chop chop snip snip. GONE!! Hello short afro. I washed and then conditioned with olive oil organic stimulator and popped on a headband and went off to school. I love having short hair.. some people look at me like ok? and some people love it. I'm glad I did it. When my hair grow I won't ever damage it again with that crap or over heat my hair but I will straighten it some days just not everyday.
mimi29 - I am glad that you made the decision and it will be a very rewarding journey. It is not easy to cut all your hair off when it has been such a big part of your styling routine all the years. You will learn new techniques as your natural hair grows. Glad you found the site useful.
bettyboop19 - as you transition you will not need to cut your hair all at once, you can start trimming a few inches off each month, that way you can retain your length. Let us know how it goes.
natasha - what a exciting new experience you are sharing with the world. You will start to notice that the more confident you are with your new look the more others will be too. You hold the key and people will be inspired by you for it. Thanks for sharing.
I'm going to be 18 in 3 weeks. I only had a perm for 5 years and decided to go natural during the summer and i love it! I always had long hair but now i'm deciding to do the BC. I guess my natural hair is about 2inches out and i'm really wondering how would I style it after i got the BC. I don't want braids or anything or a TWA because my natural hair is a nice curly spiral. Couldn't I just wear it like that with a headband?? please help!
Angel, that sounds like your best option.
I have relaxed, colour treated hair and the Shielo Hydrate Conditioner is fantastic to use after both of those processes. Nice smell. I use it with each shampoo. Love this product!
I thought about doing the BC for more that a year and I finally did it on 9/25/10 and I love it. I only had 6 weeks of new growth. My 1st natural day at work, I recieved many positive comments and a few negative ones. Some of the men kept telling me women should have long hair. I just told them it's a good thing I am not married to them then, huh? My husband love my natural hair. He encourged me to stop talking about cutting it and just do it!
I co-wash everyday w/ Suave Naturals Strawberry, apply Cantu Shea Butter leave-in conditioner and some Africa's Best hair oil. I shampoo once a week with Equate Pro-Vitamin shampoo and do a hotoil treatment, then put in the Cantu Shea Butter leave-in w/ a plastic cap for a few hours.
I have been asked several times if I have a texturizer and get skeptical looks when I say no. Most people don't know that my father is bi-racial and even though my hair texture is not like his, it has a nice kinky, silky curl to it.
Aynot502, thanks for sharing your experience with us, it is great you have a support system at home and that you are able to be confident with your natural hair because that will make all the difference.
You brought up an interesting point about hair texture.
What many black women find is that once they stop relaxing their hair with chemicals and start to grow out their natural hair they are surprised to find that they have a nice hair texture, and that all these years they had a misconception of what their own hair was supposed to be.
The chemicals strip out all the natural oils from the hair and it turns our hair into straw making it unmanageable and frizzy so we end up having to put more relaxer in it to get it to style the way we want it to.
It basically is just from not knowing how to take care of our hair and using the wrong hair products that has put us into thinking that we have bad hair, which in reality we have the most beautiful hair in the world.
Once natural, many black women who are not bi-racial and who do not have a texturizer or any such thing in their hair get many looks of disbelief when they tell people that all they do is add water, conditioner, oil and let their hair air dry or that they put twist outs or braid outs to get any look they want.
It just comes from not knowing the truth about our hair, it is all good hair and it is all manageable once we learn the right products and methods for maintaining our natural hair. Plus it is great to see so many natural hair girls growing long strong healthy hair because they no longer use harsh chemicals that damage their beautiful crown of glory.
Well, I am 15 years old and I've been getting perms for as long as I can remember. My hair is short and uneven. The middle seems as though it doesn't want to grow. I keep weave in my hair and when I take it out, it seems more damaged. Sew-in is the only thing that makes my hair grow. In 2 weeks, when I take the sew-in out, I plan on doing the BC! My mother told me when I was younger I had long, soft, curly hair, so that's what I'm hoping to go back to. The comments above are really helping me out with this BIG decision. Good luck to others and myself!!
My hair used to be natural when i was 13. I hated it because i didnt know how to take care of it. So i texturized my hair later that year and LOVED it. Until it started to shed terribly. My hair dresser said that i needed a perm because the texturizer wasnt working out so i relaxed it a several months after i got the texturizer.
My hair is relaxed now and it is gross. Its short thin and is frustrating to style. So i want to do a BC in the summer. I figure id wait until my new growth is longer than usual, cut the perm off and put braids in for the summer. Im in the process of growing my roots out now.
Yet, i couldnt help but wonder what i will do after my big chop. I dont want braids. But, i dont want to wear a tiny weeny afro.
Should i do sew- ins? I never had weave before so i dont know how that will work. Dreads?
So Confused...
Should
Linsay you could either one, braids or a sew in each would work while growing out your new growth and then in the summer you can try a new style with your natural hair.
i am 17 my mom wouldnt left me get a perm once when i was in 6th grade an then she chopped off the straightened ends my 8th grade year so never being allowed to experience straight hair fully then the past 4 years i have thrown myself i into having that experience now but as of recent i decided it was time to go back to what i loved so agust was my last perm and i made the chop in octtober myself its not extremely long ive got maybe 2 inches i was wondering if there where some styles to do for my hair at its current length
chande thanks for sharing your story with natural hair and relaxed hairstyles, there is a big difference in the way you will maintain and take care of your hair at various lengths. The great thing about your hair now is that it will be quicker to do, for co-washes and letting your curls airdry, you can also slick down the sides or use headbands to show some added pizzazz.
Enjoy your length and as it grows longer you will come up with more ways to rock your natural look.
11/29/10
I did the BC yesterday and I'm loving my very short hair. I had been relax free for about 6months and woke upon Saturday and decided I just couldn't take it anymore and that night I just took the scissors and start cutting,so that way I knew I would go ahead and do it, and it was sunday and called my sons barber and went in and cut it all off.And I might get a lot of negativity from friend and family but I'm doing me and loving it!!!! I just tell them I am not my hair CLEARLY!!!!! Cuz BLACK GIRLS ROCK
About exactly 14 months ago, I decided to make the Big Chop, but continued to rock the short hair cuts with perms and weaves. My whole family was totally upset with me, for cutting my hair so short, but I didn't care. Up until a month ago, I finally decided to make the transition from permed to "au natural", and I love it! Freedom, I am here! But with one thing, my hair on top is about an 1" or a bit longer which stays curly & soft, and the sides which is a bit shorter, but tends to appear straightened and dried out! When it is damp, it may curl up a bit, but not that much, and it irritates me to see the sides look so fuzzy and the top looking curly! I figured it is from the way I sleep (on my sides). Is there any suggestions to help reduce the fuzziness, or is this just the way it is. Thanks:)
missy thanks for sharing your experience and you have inspired many others who have been on the fence about going natural. It is always best to take the steps for change especially when it comes to your hair. You Rock!
lenaj you will notice that your hair has different lengths and even a variety in hair textures, to help with the dryness and frizz on the sides of your hair you can add more moisturizer such as a cream leave in conditioner and a small amount of essential oils such as coconut oil, olive oil or even melted shea butter, make sure to add to hair while damp and you will notice the difference once your hair air dries.
I love the title on this Hub! Being a dad of a multi-racial family over the years, hair is always a big topic in our house. During the past year, I discovered cholesterol as the only way to effectively tame my own hair. I wrote a Hub on it. Le Kair Cholesterol. There are so many styles and ranges of prices for going to stylists as well. Thanks for writing.
Thanks Don, glad you like the hub, it seems to be a popular topic among woman looking for alternative ways to take care of their hair to maintain healthy locs.
I did the big chop Nov. 13, 2010. I kept my hair in braids fro about 6 months prior. My natural hair is continuing to shed alot, how much longer will this happen?
Antoinette from what I understand our hair sheds 50 to 100 strands per day as it grows, so if you have had your hair in braids then your hair is shedding the old strands to replace new growth, which happens in different stages on our head.
So it is not much to be worried about, as long as you are moisturizing your hair and avoiding wearing your braids or hairstyles too tight.
Other causes of shedding can be due to medications or a vitamin deficiency, check with your doctor or dermatologist.
You look absolutely beatuiful. It took courage to do the big chop. I am going natural and recently did the BC it was wonderful and really really hard at the same time. Thanks for the video it was GREAT!
Like many I have had long hair my entire life and for a majority of that it has been relaxed. I stopped getting relaxers in Oct. of 2009 but I would still straighten my hair every 2 weeks with a flat iron. I made an appointment for this March to cut 10 inches of my hair and donate to Locks of Love. However, I am completely nervous about how I should have it cut after the BC, how I will look, how to take care of my hair, just the entire process. It's comforting to know that the anxiety is normal. Thanks!!
Detra that is wonderful news, let us know how it goes on your natural journey.
Kim that is amazing how you are donating your hair to locks of love what an inspiration you are to everyone.
I decided to go natural. I am 35 years old and I had really wavy hair when I was young. I have had a relaxer since I was 8th grade. I went and had most of my relaxed hair cut this past Saturday. My hair is really short and I plan to continue to cut the relaxed hair off as my natural hair grows. I had my last relaxer only 6 weeks ago. I am really excited about my decision. Should I go ahead and begin moisturizing my hair as if it were completely natural? Do you think my texture will be what it was or does hair texture change? Did I already do the Big Chop?! :)
Phae you will notice that your hair will change as it begins to grow longer, your natural hair texture will not stay the same either, due to genetics, the hair products you use, your age, hormones, and lifestyle and climate all play a part in how your hair will be while going natural.
The big chop is different for each person and it is always recommended to keep the hair moisturized as much as possible to avoid breakage and damage.
Also do not forget your diet, what you eat can have a drastic effect on skin, hair and nails. So eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and lots of water.
Take vitamins or a multivitamin such as flaxseed oil tablets, vitamin E and B12 complex. Have a regular exercise routine to keep your immune system and cardiovascular active.
I am 17 years old and have been relaxing my hair since i was 5. 3 years ago i decided i wanted my natural hair back, but seeing the two textures irritated me so i put the relaxer back in :(. I have been relaxer free for 5 months and think i will go ahead and do the big chop tomorrow. I have been looking on youtube and checking blogs to see what other women did, everyone i asked have told me not to cut my hair so i'm feeling sceptical about it, but my hair is weak and thin so the BC will be the best thing for me and my hair. Having a big forehead doesn't realy help either!! so i'm thinking about colouring it a bronze colour and adding gel to style it out.
Thanks for sharing Renelle.
You have the option to do the big chop or to continue with protective styling, but eventually as you have noticed you will need to make a decision to cut the ends.
You could trim a few inches off each week so that it is not such a shock all at once.
Either way it is worth the effort, the end result is healthy hair.
im 20 years old and i have been wearing relaxed hair since the age of twelve and its been quite a long time that i want to let them go natural.but im just too scared to try it.i feel like i cannot assume my natural hair and i don't have the patience to do the transition ive tried it but then get my hair relaxed as i could not manage them.i want to do the bc and let it grow natural.but i just get scared when i start thinking about what i will look like with short hair!!!i need help please....
Stephie, short hair is not for everyone, the fastest way to do a transition is to put the hair in protective hairstyles, twists or braids, trim the ends every few weeks and once you have enough length you can find new hairstyles to try.
I did a big chop in November 2010. I did it myself with my husband's clippers and it was a really liberating experience. It is going really well and as I am using natural hair products my hair is in great condition compared to the over-processed mess I had with the relaxer. I had a really stressful experience last year and my hair took the brunt of the stress. It had to go. Check me out on youtube.com - Queenofsheba66 where I am documenting my hair journey. The first video is of me before and after the BC (Big Chop).
I do not want to ever go back. I am learning so much about how my hair behaves and how to handle it. My 2 daughters too are benefitting from the knowledge I am receiving.
If you are thinking about it? Give it a try
Thanks for sharing your experience it is encouraging to all of us. Sharing your hair journey is a great way to help those contemplating the natural hair movement.
Hello, I am currently transitioning from perm to natural. My hair is long. I took my braids aloose and I did not comb it out. Now my hair is tangled in knots. Will I have to cut them out. I keep my hair deep and leave in conditioner with lots of olive oil moisturizer around the edges and scalp when braided. Help!
Sonia getting knots out of hair is a challenge especially if they are really small. Some helpful tips are to use the moisturizers you mentioned along with a wide tooth comb or pic, then start from the bottom of your hair and gently work your way up the hair to remove tangles and knotting.
Always comb in the same direction and remember that you may have to cut out knots that get worse after you try and remove them with a pic or comb.
I haven't had a perm in 6 months, have 2-3 inches new growth and 6-7 inches of damaged perm hair. When I went to wash and condition it this past Saturday, the perm hair formed a huge knot that wouldn't bulge. I tried olive oil, detangle sprays, etc. So I had to cut off a huge chunk. It hasn't been this short since I was a baby and I am 52 yrs old. I have an appt with a new natural stylist who charges $15 and up to do the big chop. Is that reasonable? If I tried to cut it myself would it be important to get it 100% perfect? Also my sister says sew-ins are better than wigs because the regular wig have combs that scrap your scalp and thin hair out. My hair I think is 4a 4b with grey at the front. I am a school nurse and I have to look professional at all times so wide headbands are out of the question. Any suggestions?
glolilly,
It may be best for you to see a professional beautician at this stage. They will be able to give you helpful tips on what will work best.
The goal is to grow healthy hair and most natural stylists have the training and the knowledge to help you with the big chop and other maintenance methods.
Let me know how it goes.
My hair is cut short already and I have been growing out my perm for a few months now, but I am so ready to do the BC. I know that I do not want to do it on my own, but trying to see if I should let my hair stylist or a barber do it. But I will probably just go with my hair stylist since she is just cutting off the rest of my perm. I am excited and nervous at the same time. My hair is the really coarse texture type. I saw Tru's video. So I'm wondering if I should go home after the cut, wash my hair, and put some of the gel on it that Tru used. What about Miss Jessie's products? Has anyone tried her products and if so, which worked best to give the natural curl look?
tkena
that is good news and I have heard that Miss Jessie's products work really well, especially on 3c/4a/4b hair types to get great definition of curl patterns on natural hair textures.
Each person will experience a different result, the key is to try out different hair products to see which one will work better.
some have stated that using the shingling method works best when seeking a cheaper alternative to miss jessies products can get expensive.
So you might want to try getting extra virgin olive oil, creamy based leave in conditioner and eco styler gel, after you wet your hair apply all the ingredients and rake in the conditioner,let air dry and the effect is you will have frizz-free curls.
i want to grow my natural hair after doing research about the big chop. when i was little my hair was very puffy and i would remember begging my mom to perm my hair and looking back at it i wish i never got it. the perm has really damage my hair,give me bad split ends, and made my hair fall off so i want to get the big chop but scared of what people would think. i really want my natural hair back but i dont know what im suppose to do with my hair i havnt had a perm for 2 months and dont no what else to do please help
I haven't had a relaxer since July 2010. Right now my hair is 2 textures with the back being completely "natural". Braidouts have stopped working because the back doesn't "wave" anymore and my hair looks close to a "hot mess". I am really thinking about doing the "big chop" and starting fresh, but I am just a little nervous about the outcome. I know it's just hair and it will grow back. I am being to think that doing the "big chop" will make my hair easier to manage, you just wash and go and things like that. My thing is, should I just do it and get it over with? Do it myself or have a professional do it? If it doesn't turnout I can always get braids or something. I just need some advice!
Wow, you have to be pretty brave to wear those short looks but some of the girls in the pictures really pull it off. Wouldn't have the courage I'm afraid.
I just had my 25th birthday and I am doing the BC tomorrow I cant believe I finally got the courage to do it!! my boyfriend went natural and got his hair locked last yr and he has been supporting me on my decison ever since!!
I wore a relaxer for two years after i cut my locks. My hair grew almost shoulder length then I started wanting to be natural again. Any type of relaxer (mild or regular) burned my scalp I gradually started cutting my hair. Last week I finally did the big chop. My hair only about 2-3 in long but I love it. It was shocking to see my hair so short at first. Because I transitioned 8 mos for my locs. But I love my twa just waiting for growth & enjoying my nappturality!
ok ya'll. Hi i just subscribed. My story.. AGE 10-24 RELAXED ON AND OFF. WOULD RELAX WOULD GROW, THEN FROM 6 MONTHS ON INCUR BREAKAGE, SO WEAVE AND REGROW AND START AGAIN WITH ANOTHER RELAXER. You name the relaxer, i have used it.. Age 24 i had enough and did the big chop. My hair grew the strongest and longest i have ever seen it grow but yes it was depressing seeing the change. I don't feel i have the face to pull off the natural look? i hate my forhead and love a fringe but my ntural hair won't lie flat! It grows up to the lord giving him thanks-haha. But anyways, MY DILEMA, AFTER 7 YEARS OF HEALTHY HAIR! I GET INSECURE MENTALLY AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO LOOK AFTER MY NATURAL HAIR. IN MY EYES I LOOK UGLY NATURAL AND WORRY THAT PEOPLE WON'T SEE ME AS 'PRETTY MODEL' ANYMORE. IN MY EYES, MY HAIR NATURAL IS DULL WHICH IN RETURN MADE ME LOOK DULL. I DO NOT KNOW MY HAIR TYPE, ALL I KNOW IS IT GOT FLUFFY OVER THE LAST YEAR AFTER I INTRODUCED LONG DEEP CONDITIONS TO IT, AND HAS ALWAYS SHRUNK 75% ONCE WASHED-HOW ANNOYING SO I ALWAYS BLOW DRY.. I LOST IT AND RELAXED GUYS WITH A MILD..YEAH YEAH, BOOOO! I'VE-NEVER USED A MILS BEFORE-yes 7 years later-silly. (sad face)MY HAIR DON'T LIKE IT.. 10 WEEKS POST AND A TEENY WEENY BREAKAGE BUT EVEN SO IF THIS IS WHAT RELAXERS CAN DO IN A SHORT SPACE OF TIME, IMAGINE LONG TERM!! I GIVE UP, I THINK IT WAS A SHOCK TO THE HAIR. AND YES I WAS LOOKING AFTER IT LIKE GOLD-B4 U START..UMM HM. I WISH I SAW THIS SITE FIRST AS I NOW KNOW YOU NEED TO air dry and twist which funny enough is what i was doing whilst relaxed this time round.. ANY WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT ANYONE? DON'T KNOW WHETHER TO B.C OR GO SLOWLY. CURRENTLY IN A PROTECTIVE WEAVE. JUST RELAXED ONCE IN THE 9 WEEKS. heeelp! my hair is the longest it's ever been and i don't wanna say bye bye. my fringe is up to my lips!!! never been that long! SO MAD AT ME. HOWEVER HAIR LOOKS TEXLAXED-NOT BONE STRAIGHT, NUFF BODY AFTER WEEKS OF WASHING SO I WONDER IF I'LL BE SAFER TRANSITIONING AS IT REALLY CAN PASS AS NATURAL. OR DID MY HAIR JUST REJECT IT.. Oh boy?? Someone please reply..and be nice. Stay bless you naturals. You're my inspiration
why was my comment only allowed open for 5 minutes? Was it because it was too long? i'm confused and was really hoping it'd stay up
I will soon be doing the big chop so my hair will be in the style of a fade. I believe I have rather kinky/nappy hair so I am looking to transition it from kinky/nappy/relaxed texture to a natural curly texture. I've taken into consideration paula's previous suggestion to use RED PALM OIL, OLIVE OIL, COCONUT OIL, AND SHEA BUTTER to obtain the curls, but I also needed some more suggestions as to what other products to use to wash and condition my hair and how often is necessary to wash and condition my hair now that I don't have as much hair. And will the remedy to obtain the curls work for my hair type and will it also help my hair to grow.
I did my BC 24 days ago. After struggling for 3 years about when to go natural and the best way I felt comfortable, I came to realize that I wanted to do this for me and no one else. Iver those 3 years, alot of courage and confidence was so built-up inside of me that I didn't care how people perceived my look. The compliments will not stop coming. I think i have one person who does not like that I cut it, but their thoughts don't phase me. Once you get to the point where you understand yor reason for doing it, whether its a liberating act or just for a new look, that's when you can truly say its about me and I'm ready. Now, I'm experimenting with different natural oils and thinking about some color. I want to thank you for this article and the video was very inspirational!
hey, my name is Tiana and I'm 18 years old. Today I cut off the relaxed ends of my hair, though it isn't exactly the big chop (its more the length of a crew cut) I am proud of myself. I guess I'm in transition because all the perm isn't gone but as it grows longer I'll cut the relaxed tips until its all gone. It started with my cousin now most of the women in my family are going natural so I have plenty of support,my mom is jealous of my tiny bush and now wants to cut hers off lol. I wanna know if you guys can recommend any affordable products I can use?
Cris A 3 years ago
It's summer in my part of the world and I'm planning to go au naturel - or at least a skinhead :D