Comments on: Go Natural: Transitioning Versus The Big Chop

By: Laquita

Laquita — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 15:36:23 +0000

@ Ms. Barbara – I would suggest you join a natural hair community site – you will be surrounded by other natural hair wearers, and will be able to look to them with your questions and for support. By reading other natural hair journeys/experiences you will be able to learn and gain the confidence you need in dealing with your coworkes, family and friends. I would even suggest you start your own hair diary/blog and document your experience this will not only be therapeautic for you, but will also help others in similar situations as yours.

By: Ms. Barbara

Ms. Barbara — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:17:27 +0000

I really enjoyed reading all of the posts. I am 5 and a half months into my transition. I am SOOOOOOO afraid to cut my hair. I have ROCKED the same salt-n-pepper bob for the past two or so years, and people are always complementing me on how pretty my hair is. Whenever I try to change up my style, my coworkers “bust me out” and talk about how they don’t like it and how it’s this and it’s that. That’s one of my main reasons for not doing the BC right now. I am trying to let my hair grow at least 4 inches before I cut it (I currently have about 1.5 – 2 inches).

The reason I am going natural started with my daughter and her friends’ decisions to go natural, so I thought, why not give it a try. I always thought I had “really bad” hair until after about 2 months without relaxing it, I realized the my natural hair is actually kind of wavy/curly.

My question: How do I get over my fear of my coworkers’, friends’, and family’s negative reactions?

By: Wander

Wander — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 04:21:55 +0000

I love your article and the links are great. I do disagree with one thing: new growth is not “fragile” or more fragile than the relaxed hair. In fact it is the other way around. The fragilist part of transitioning hair is the demarcation point – that part where the new growth and the relaxed hair meet. That is the point where the bulk of breakage will occur if one is not very careful in handling the hair and diligent in general care.

Maintaining a good moisture-protein balance is essential. Relaxed hair usually needs protein, while natural hair tends to need more moisture.

I suggest to those who are transitioning (like I once was) to be diligent with moisturizing and look into using natural oils like almond, coconut, jojoba, sesame and others or butters like avocado or shea.

Another good resource site (NOT mine) that has helped thousands transition is: http://www.growafrohairlong.com/ This site has tons of pictures, how-to videos and step by step corn rowing tutorials like: http://www.growafrohairlong.com/crownandglory.html

Youtube is also an inexhaustible resource with hundreds of natural ladies and transitioning ladies demonstrating their how-tos and regimens. Also, visit fotki.com to see more natural and transitioning ladies and their hair.

Finally, use Google to search for hair blogs and hair forums. You will find the hair forums and blogs indispensable.

Hope this helps and have a wonderful time on your hair journeys.

By: Superstarr

Superstarr — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:12:13 +0000

We WILL…..STAND TOGETHER because at the end of the day,nobody can be you but you and don’t make me sing it!Lol.

By: Spotlight: Clutch Inspiration « ~Back to Curly~

Spotlight: Clutch Inspiration « ~Back to Curly~ — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:05:10 +0000

[...] for my daily fix of hair, beauty, and lifestyle advice! From those who’ve just recently begun transitioning to others who are so far down the PJ ladder they need help in figuring out what really works for [...]

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:27:43 +0000

I did the big chop and I am very satisfied ! My hair is very curly so I wear it short :)

By: Theresa

Theresa — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:46:00 +0000

I enjoyed the article but if you are too scared to chop it all off like I was because I have a big head and wearing a shaved head unnerved me. I decided to keep my hair in braids and when I would take it down I would look at where my natural hair was and if the new growth wasn’t long enough I would braid it back up then when the new growth was at a livable length, I cut the permed part off and there you go. I work in the medical field so I couldn’t go to far in the transition process. lol

By: Von L.

Von L. — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 16:10:52 +0000

LOL! I enjoyed reading the article….and some of the comments that followed. I am a college student who has had sisterlocks for the past nine years, and although this may not be the natural change that is referred to in this article it is still a form of natural hair. I have seen plenty when it comes to natural hair. I didn’t go for the “big chop” when locking because it wasn’t necessary (nor was it an option) I simply allowed my perm to grow out and yes it took some time but it eventually started to look like locks instead of micros. I also have a friend who has locks shorter than mine and she threw on a wig to switch it up, and another friend who went for the boycut (extremely cute) and is now growing it back, but chooses to wear a wig because she is not comfortable with how her edge up is (since its growing back in). This article is great because it gives options for those who want to swtich it up in the process of being or going natural or who are coming into their confidence of having natural hair. One thing I will say say is if you are not comfortable with going to work because of what people will say, or have said that is a form of discrimination don’t allow anyone tell you what is appropriate for the workplace (depending on the environment and as long as its not outrageous).

By: Flug Bangkok

Flug Bangkok — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:05:51 +0000

Once I cut my ex-girl the hair like that. Even though I have a good hand on womens hair :) and the style was just the way she wanted it to be, I did not quite like it. Call it habit, but I know women who looked better with a big chop than her. As a girl you need to know whether this kind of hairstyle suits you or not. be aware ;)

By: Phyaflyjones

Phyaflyjones — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 03:59:54 +0000

Love this article. Thank you. I began the transition process about 5 months ago and I have just been wearing sew -ins until I reach my desired length.