Thanks so much for stopping by to read today's blog tale. For those of you who don't know what Big Chop means let me break it down for you. Big Chop is when you cut all of your p relaxed or processed hair off only leaving your natural hair. Prior to my Big Chop I definitely relaxed my hair and enjoyed changing up my look as I saw fit. Like many of the ladies out there I enjoy options and still do.
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| Pre-Natural Days |
Saturday, September 24, 2011 was a beautiful and warm fall day. My mom had come up from Philadelphia to visit me for a mother daughter weekend. I had planned spa treatments, a visit to the hair salon, and an "early" night on the town. Prior to her visit and actually months before I had been debating going natural. At this point I was actually faking natural. ooooh, I don't like how that sounds...scratch that. Let's just say that me and natural were dating. *wink* lol. I was wearing wash and go styles and even tried twisting.
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| Dating Natural! |
I had been discussing going natural with other natural diva's and thought to myself...just do it already! I loved the natural coil that the new growth was making so why not. All morning long I had been telling my mom that I was going to do the "Big Chop" that day. I was trying to persuade her to do the same since she's going through the change. (Those night sweats are no joke!) She looked at me and said "If that's what you want to do....do it! But I will be opting for a perm and sharp hair cut!" After the spa and breakfast we make our way to the hair salon. I had spoken with my hair stylist the day before to let her know the deal. We discussed adding color to spice it up and I agreed. My mom went first since she opted for the perm. I think I said something like "say no to perms" and she replied "hell no!" smh. After she was washed, cut, and wrapped she sat under the dryer across from me. I sat in my stylist's chair picking out hair color and waiting for the Big Chop to begin. The cutting began and my mom sat across from me in HORROR! *screeching scream in the background* The look on her face read "baby why are you doing this". I was confident in my decision and smiled back at her. An hour later I was done and totally in love with the outcome! Ironically, my mom loved it too. When Vanessa (my stylist) spun me around after she was done there was relief written on her face.
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| 1. The Day I Big Chopped. 2. Twist-Out at 5 Weeks. 3. Wash & Go. 4. Twist-Out at 4 Months |
I'm not sure what she expected but for the rest of the day she kept smiling at me and telling me that " it really did look nice" and "you can pull off anything baby!" I won't lie it was nice to hear that from her however, this is the case with anyone. So, today's lesson is - With confidence and complete awareness of who you are "You can pull off ANYTHING!" If you are considering the BC I recommend the following:
1. Ask yourself why you want to go natural. Natural is not always easy. To keep hair healthy you will need a regular regime. I actually care for my hair so much better now than I did before. Simply because I was unaware on how to really take care of my hair.
2. Do some research and speak with other Natural Diva's that wear it well! You'll see that there is a pride and confidence that comes with it.
3. Plan and Preparation - A lot of ladies like options and switch up their hair A LOT. After a Big Chop there is only but so much you can do with a TWA (Tiny Winy Afro). So plan and prepare for the next 6 months. You can do twist-outs, finger twists and wash & goes. Some naturals believe that hair color is damaging. As for me, do what you feel. If you have a bad experience it's short start over. lol You can also accent with hats, scarves, headbands and my favorite BIG OLE' EARRINGS! I love make-up so try different shades of eye shadow and lipsticks. Make sure your upper lip and eyebrows are waxed. Like I always say "Leave no region of hair behind! Keep everything neat!" LOL!
Well that's all for today. Thanks for reading The Tales of a Diva Gone Natural - The Good, The Bad, and the oh so Fabulous! Until we meet again...
Stay Beautiful!
Nic
