For women that are transitioning into wearing their hair naturally, I would not recommend the process of the big chop. I think the Big Chop or "BC" is dramatic change that leaves women with no hairstyling or maintenance options. Especially for women who are unfamiliar with styling or maintaining their own hair. A lot of women do not know how to deal with their own hair when it's straight and easy to manipulate. Hence, the expensive trips to the beauty shop for a simple wash and curl or (my personal favorites) the women who get harm perms then still put their hair in a partial/full weave... To go from a perm to nearly bald is not a wise choice, especially if the standard of beauty is "long hair don't care"... and worst yet, the skill set is that of a five year old playing with her barbie's hair... I think transitioning women should use the transition time to learn how to put their hair into protective styles that do not require weaves, wigs, or extensions. They should also learn how to complete these styles with little to no heat (no blowdryer, curling iron, flat iron or pressing comb). These styles would includes various curl, braid, and twist styles. Check out my natural hair guide book for more descriptive style choices... but i digress... The transition time would also be better spent un-learning the unhealthy hair tips and practices from prior weaved or permed styles. Water... GOOD. Perms...BAD. Extra Virgin Olive Oil... GOOD. Mineral oil or petroleum... BAD. The newly natural should spent time becoming more familiar with natural products and ingredients that may benefit their hair in its most natural state. As the hair grows out naturally and the newbies become more confident in their ability to style and maintain their hair, then it would make sense them cut off the permed and damaged ends. . I subscribe to many channels on youtube. I happen to like this young lady's videos. I don't follow every step of her regiment, but her methods are pretty good and I happen to agree with many the points of this video. Take a look....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7ouKM2v6Uc&feature=g-vrec
Don't get me wrong. Some women look great and have the confidence, patience and skill to chop off their hair and keep it moving. But in my honest opinion, most women do not have those qualities...
To be even more honest, I think a lot of women go natural for the wrong reasons or they are lying to themselves when they say they think they look beautiful when they have transitioned to natural.
I think they cut off their hair because of a bad break up, a huge fight with their mother... some emotional event lead them to want to do something drastic.... and stupid... like cutting off their hair. Your hair loss doesn't fix anything.
Then there are the women go natural but don't like how they look. They start wearing a lot more make-up or bigger pieces of jewelry to avoid "looking like a boy". That's just low self-esteem and a disconnect between you and your standards of beauty.
The worst to me are the women who go natural by slapping a weave in your head. What is natural about a weave? It may not be my business, but it's my blog and I feel like you are cheating. Going natural is a process. It requires blood, sweat and tears! Well not actually, but you get what I'm saying.... You can't claim to love your natural beauty if you are wearing high quality indian hair... hair that does not resemble your god given texture.
Now to be fair, yes, I've cut off all my hair. It was so short it resembled the aftermath of Big Chop scenario. But I've been natural my entire life. I've practiced many natural styles and am nearly an expert at whipping my hair into whatever style I want without the use of heat or damaging products. I eat pretty well (I'm a vegetarian nowadays) and drink plenty of water... I know which products benefit me.... I cut my hair off because I wanted short hair. Nothing drastic or emotional about it. I wanted a change that I had contemplated for months about and the decision fit my lifestyle and skill set. Most importantly, I believe that I am beautiful they way the creator made me. Every part of me is natural and I love it. I know that my short hair doesn't make me less feminine. I do not look like a man. I feel as attractive as I did with my afro, or pressed hair, or full head of twists, or my full head of locs... because the underlying point is, I think I am beautiful just as I am. It doesn't take much effort when my standard of beauty is me.
Be well,
Mickel :-)
"It's just an opinion, everybody has one."
