My Big Chop, 1 Year Later

July 4, 2016

It’s Make-Me-Over Monday and July 4th, which means I have been natural for 1 year. Today I will be sharing my biggest make-over ever and discussing my natural hair journey, along with a video of my Big Chop.

 

Transitioning

Transitioning my hair was pretty simple at first. My last relaxer was October 11, 2014 which meant my transitioning was during late Fall and Winter.  I live in North Carolina, where the humidity is horrifying. Too bad I did not notice this humidity until after I started transitioning my hair.  From October – March, my hair routine was pretty much the same as when I relaxed my hair. Wash, dry, flat iron, wrap.  My hair, however; was not growing as fast as I wanted, so in April, I put my hair in box braids. I left my hair braided for about two months. Early June is when transitioning became difficult. Initially my goal was to transition for a year that way when I did my “Big Chop” I would still have significant length. Well, that was until June said hello with that North Carolina humidity I mentioned.  Wearing my hair straight wasn’t an option any longer because the humidity showed my many different textures and caused my natural hairs to frizz and harden. After struggling with Bantu Knots and the heat of the south, I decided to take my independence and cut off my relaxed ends on July 4, 2015.

 

The Big Chop

To cut my hair, I put it into 3-4 sections. I sprayed each section with water before cutting the ends. The water helped to see the difference between the relaxed ends and the natural hair. I had been testing out the back section of my hair for over a year. That section of hair had not been relaxed since April of 2014, so I thought I knew what texture my hair would be natural. Well I thought wrong. After taking the plunge and cutting off the remainder of my relaxed ends, I was in total shock when I was left with 3 curly strands of hair and a whole lot of frizzy afro.  After taking the “after” picture, I spent the rest of the night braiding my hair. The afro look just was not for me.  My main reason for going natural was for healthy hair, not for the “natural” look. Before moving to North Carolina, my hair was chest length.  After living in North Carolina, I was not able to keep my length or grow my hair successfully, and thought going natural may be what I need to regain my healthy hair. I always said I would keep my hair braided after going natural until it reached a length where I could straighten it out again.  For the next 4 months, I kept my hair in box braids. (Leaving braids in 2 months at a time with a week or two between braidings.)

Being Natural

November 24, 2015 was the first day I wore my natural hair natural.  I had taken out the box braids, washed and deep conditioned my hair, and attempted my first twist-out. It was the last day of work that week, before Thanksgiving, so I already had it planned to braid my hair that Wednesday to have it done for Thanksgiving.  I was so uncomfortable at work that day. Over the course of the years, my hair’s natural color had darkened, so I was not liking how dark my hair was. And I was not used to wearing my hair “natural.” I received many compliments, but my confidence wasn’t there.  As planned I went back to my box braids, which is how I would wear my hair until March. By March, my hair had grown significantly, so I was determined to try wearing my natural hair out again.  This time, my twist out turned out better. My hair texture had started to change and become a little curlier. But the humidity, even in the Spring was not trying to let my hair look good. It was like my hair was fabulous at home, get in the car and see some curls frizz, get to work and my whole head was a frizz ball. Once again, I decided to braid my hair.  April 2, 2016, I spent the day braiding my hair. I decided, I would attempt to wear my hair curly in the fall and winter, and wear it braided in the Spring and Summer. Leaving the braids out for a month in between. I took out my last set of braids Memorial weekend, and could not believe how much my hair had grown.  I was finally loving my natural hair, and had actually missed my curls the last time it was braided.  But, I was still not liking the dark hair on me. So, I dyed the top of my hair a lighter brown (more like it’s original color) and have really been embracing my “natural.” I have no plans or desire to wear straight hair other than when I clip my ends.

 

Hair Growth?

The one question I always get, other than what products I use for my curls, is how did I get my hair to grow so fast? The first thing was not applying heat to my hair. Since going natural, I have only applied heat to my hair twice, and each time was to trim my ends. Which leads into the next tip. I only trimmed my ends twice in a year.  You always hear that in order for your hair to grow you need to keep your ends trimmed. Well, if you keep cutting your ends, are you going to be able to see any hair growth? NO.  You only need to clip your ends when they “need” to be cut; split ends, damaged ends, etc. Another thing I started to do is Co-wash; washing hair with conditioner.  I wash my hair with OGX Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner. I only wash with shampoo when I take my braids out, and only do one lather. I do my second lather with the conditioner. For my deep conditioner I use Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask. And for my leave-in conditioner (my secret weapon), I use  Lily Of The Desert Certified Organic Whole Leaf Aloe Vera Juice. The Aloe Vera juice, I believe, is really what has my hair growing. My goal was an inch a month. When my hair is braided, and I spray this on my hair at least 3 times a week, I achieve that inch a month, another reason I like to keep my hair braided.  Which of course is another tip to hair growth. The box braids are a protective style, so they really helped with my fast hair growth.

P.S. Sometimes what you’re most afraid of doing is the very thing that will set you free.

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