If you are waiting for a sooth-sayer to tell you when to big chop( cut your hair) it most likely would never happen. What can I do to help you? A lot. That's why you are most likely reading this post.
Welcome to another edition of the newly natural series...*super story beats*. So today? We would be discussing life after the big chop. First of all? If you still haven't big chopped or you are still contemplating? Whatchu waiting for girl.. You should get to it. Like?? Stop whatever you are doing right now.. Put down the phone, go in front of a mirror, get a scissors or drive right to the next salon and chop off those dead relaxed ends...then come back and let's talk business:)
There are two ways to grow out beautiful natural hair.
1. You either big chop ( cut off your hair and start from scratch)
OR
2. Transition ( grow out your natural hair by quiting relaxers and cutting off the straight ends with time).
Either way, we would still get to the goal. People usually ask me which approach I prefer...and my answer has always remained the same. I will always be biased because I started my natural hair journey by big chopping. I actually transitioned for a while which doesn't count because I ended up cutting it and starting from scratch, I always give big chopping a ten because it is easier to deal with one texture than two different textures ( relaxed ends and natural roots)..but as they say, to each his own. Find which ever method you prefer and do it.
The most important thing is to DO IT!!!
Now that you have big chopped? What next?
1. Firstly, you have to look at your hair as dry and damaged. Your hair has probably never gone through most of the product or routine you would be implementing in the next few days, so you need to find a routine and stick to it strictly.
2. With the wide range of natural hair products booming in the market lately, it's hard to think you don't need all..it's difficult to know what you need and where to start from, but not to worry, put your little mind at rest sweethearts because you don't need to break the bank to own products, all you need is the right one and I would be more than glad to give you some guidelines.
3. Please, please and Please..when you first big chop? Do not look at any shampoo bottle. If you know me personally, this is probably the first thing I said to you if we discussed hair matters.. I Cannot stress this enough that is probably why I would try to do a post on this to discuss this specifically. NO MATTER HOW, I REPEAT..NO MATTER HOW CUTE OR ENTICING THE BOTTLE MAY LOOK, DO NOT BUY IT!!
4. So you most likely would be like what then do I use to wash my hair? You can use clarifying conditioners or clay masks, that's what I have been recently using. But when I became natural, I used to use African black soap, the come in different sizes and brands. I used to use the Dudu sound soap then and the Okay's black soap when I moved to the Caribbean.
5. Conditioners are your best friend for your hair. You can do a lot of things with it. Detangle, wash, condition, soften..etc. I recommend owning a cheap one that would cater for you needs, a reasonable rinse out one ( I currently use the dark and lovely anti-shrinkage conditioner), and a very good deep conditioner.
6. Speaking of deep conditioners, THIS IS YOU BESTFRANNNN!! you can't go wrong at all, you need to find one and use this weekly religiously. there is really no rule to how long you can put this in your hair for, some people do this for an hour, two or even overnight. Anything you're comfortable with is fine.
7. This is properly the hardest, but for the next few months, I would advice you to gradually overlook the comb on that counter, maybe trash it?? not yet because you might just need it. Combs can contribute to breakage and damage. People say if you do it properly, it won't be as damaging..but remember we are treating our hair as dry and damaged?? so please let it go for a while or reduce the usage as much as possible.
8. You would need something to moisturize, and seal your hair ( I would do a separate post about this).
9. You would also need styling product if you want your hair to be out often.
10. Lastly, protective style is a great way to protect your ends and grow out your hair and also change up your look if you ever get bored of rocking your TWA. There are a lot of great wigs and braided styles to pick from.
11. Accessorize. This was never me when I first big chopped, my hair was either in a wig or out blossoming in the lagos sun. but if you feel like you need a little extra or color to your outfit, please feel free to add some.
12. Learn to make your own hair. separate blogpost coming, this because it is a very deep topic. but basically, nobody would love or care for your hair or put in the time like you would. Learn to braid your own hair or make wigs. Crotchet braid is a really cool option too.
Thank you fine wines for stopping by..
xoxo
Ada
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