I've been rocking a curly fro ever since last week...Why? because I big chopped honey!
I big chopped my hair May 16th, 2013 after transitioning for 1 year. I did not go to a salon, I had my mom do it for me. I chose not to do it myself because I was in a giddy mood and may have gotten a little scissor happy. My mom did get a little scissor happy on one side so i have to definitely hit up my barber. If you choose to big chop yourself you should either see a stylist or barber afterwards for a quick trim otherwise you will have to keep trimming a few times after your chop. This is because even with your hair loaded with conditioner you may not see all of those straggly relaxed ends.
Post big chop
I had about 6 inches of hair on my head. I have way more hair in my crown area which also has my tightest curl pattern. Around the edges of my hair is pretty loose but I don't mind that at all (a little over 4 inches). I'm not going to go into curl specifics because I love my hair. I don't want to put labels on it or allow others to project on me what my hair should be or what it isn't because its not like theirs.
What to expect when you Big Chop
1. A serious case of HIMH
Don't look at me like that...I'm sure you know what HIMH is..If not its Hand in my hair syndrome lol copped that from Mae of Naturalchica.com....I honestly cannot stop touching my hair...It feels amazing. It feel so different from what i'm used to in a really good way.
2. A big shock
Depending on when you big chop you may have to get used to your hair..and i'm not talking about getting used to its dopeness lol but use to your hair. You may see another natural who transitioned or big chopped when you did and it may be great to look at their journey and what they did but all in all you have to love your own hair. God gave it to you and it may not respond like everyone's. So chopping your hair and thinking your going to look like the next natural is the wrong place to start. My big shock was the fact that I can actually rock my natural hair and it doesn't look so-so. I actually look good with it. I say it like that because if you read my hair story you would know that I haven't really seen my natural hair from I was very young (got a perm early).
Everyone's big chop experience is different. What was yours like?
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Side note
After big chopping I also wondered whether too much heat was used on my hair for my graduation photos. I had a slight big of heat damage on a section in the front of my head. I made the decision not to put direct heat on my hair for another 3 years. I may go longer than that but for right now its 3 years.
In part 2 I'll discuss going to the barber and my trim experience!
Find me on
Facebook / Twitter/ Youtube - 242Naturalista
