Nate ~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?


I had thought about going natural off and on for a few years before making the final decision. While I was relaxed, I experienced breakage, dry scalp, severe dandruff, shedding, and thinning hair. I loved color, but my relaxed hair wasn't strong enough to withstand it. However, things weren't always bad. My hair would go through phases. When I experienced the aforementioned problems, that's when I always thought about cutting it all off and going natural.


Was your transition a long or short one?


I had originally planned to do a complete and gradual transition to natural hair. In other words, I had planned to gradually cut as my natural hair grew out. After transitioning for a few months, and after watching a plethora of Big Chop videos on YouTube, I decided that I would transition for a set amount of time and BC afterwards. I transitioned for 9 mos and BC'd on my birthday - December 3rd. The whole process was symbolic for me. It symbolized rebirth.



We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair while in transition, what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?


Even before I started transitioning, I used alot of water and did alot of no-heat styles like twist-outs and braidouts. I started co-washing after learning about its benefits (from YouTube vids of course *lol*) I'll admit, however, that I need to step up my moisturizing regimen. I used and still use shea butter and olive oil. I didn't really get into the moisturizing thing until I BC'd. I have been paying alot of attention to product ingredients so that I don't purchase items that have a tendency to dry the hair out.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

My staple styles were twist-outs, braid-outs and roller sets.


When you decided to Big Chop, how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

I honestly didn't like it as much as I did two weeks after my BC. I felt very self-conscious and I was not used to the new length. In the beginning, I would wear it out at work, but for some reason, I would cover my head with a bandana when I went to the gym. I didn't know how people would react to it. My mother was shocked at the new length. My brother didn't care for it. My sis felt like it might have been too short. I think overall that it was shocking for everyone that was close to me.



Did you have any regrets?


I have absolutely no regrets. Well, actually I do. My only regret is that I didn't go natural sooner! lol


What are your long term goals for your hair journey?


My long term goal is to grow my hair out long, healthy and strong. There are YouTubers that inspire me with their long, beautiful tresses. I'm inspired by RusticBeauty, LexiWithTheCurls, MopTopMaven, BeautifulBrwnBabyDol, AyannaNaeela, and soooooo many more! I want to achieve big, chunky twist-outs and gorgeous diva hair! lol

Natelege (Brownshuga24)

Courtney~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?

I thought about going natural for about a year or so, but had no idea where to start. It wasn't until later that I found natural hair blogs and youtube. Retaining length was never a problem for me but my hair began to thin tremendously from relaxers, so I decided to take the journey.

Was your transition a long or short one?

My transition was shorter than I had planned ,initially I wanted to transition for 1 year but I big chopped two months earlier because I was so anxious to see my progress.


We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?

When I was transitioning I really didn't know what I was doing .It wasn't until I cut it all off that I really started taking care of my hair. I seal the moisture in my hair often with water, Carol's Daughters Tui Leave in Conditioner, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, and Cantu Shea Butter.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

I did a lot of sew in weaves with my transition because I got tired of fighting with both textures.


When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

I was actually surprised at how well I handled it, I felt great letting those relaxed ends go. My husband loved it and his opinion mattered a lot so as long as he loved it, I was okay.


Did you have any regrets?


Absolutely not, not once do I say I shouldn't have gone natural. I think I made the best decision I could of made for my hair and I can never see myself going back.


What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

I plan on eating healthy and drinking lots of water because its also important what you put in your body. My goals are to maintain healthy hair and retain length.

Dexlyn ~Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?

I decided to go natural in October 2009. 2 months before hand I had gotten a relaxer. It was weird how I came about going natural. I seen a lady with curly hair and I was like I want mines like that too. I went home that same day learning about natural hair, well I did find out we all can have different hair types which was a shock to me. I transitioned for 7 months, I recently did the BC on March 19Th 2010.


Was your transition a long or short one?

I guess long. I did it for 7 months.


We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?


I kept my hair moisturized by putting water in it almost everyday. I used coconut oil and cantu shea butter leave in.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?


Ponytails and I did that for a couple months straight. Any other styles just didn't come out right.



When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

When I BC'd I felt good. But a day after I felt like I should of waited a bit longer. But as of today I don't care, hair grows I am happy with my decision.
Everyone that I know loved it. My boyfriend just wishes it was longer.


Did you have any regrets?

No regrets.I just wish I had longer hair


What are your long term goals for your hair journey?


My goals are to continue loving my hair, taking care of it and watch it grow.


Me before the relaxer.


Curly fro transitioning style,

Jennifer ~ Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story?


I wanted to go natural for about 2 years, but I never had the courage to do it. But in recent months, I started watching videos on YouTube about other women who have either gone natural or was transitioning to natural. It inspired me to want to finally try it out. I grew my hair out for few months before I got frustrated with the two textures and decided to just do it!



Was your transition a long or short one?



I only transitioned for 3 months, so it was a very short transition.


We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair while in transition, what products did you use to keep your hair moisturized?


I used Garnier Fructis leave conditioner on a daily basis to moisturize my hair whether it was wet or dry.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?


While transitioning I blow dried/ flat iron my hair straight every other week but I wore Bantu knots, twist sets or braid outs. When I didn’t feel like doing my hair I would put weave in for a few days.



When you decided to Big Chop, how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?


My exact statement was, “OMG my hair, I cut my hair!” I was scared out of my mind and really surprised that I just chopped off all of my hair. During the first few days I was so unsure of myself and a little insecure ,until I came to the conclusion that I didn’t care what people thought about my hair and I am the same Jennifer with or without hair.



Did you have any regrets?


Not one regret.


What are your long term goals for your hair journey?


I plan to treat my hair with the up most respect and gratitude. LOL. Seriously, I plan to continue to grow my hair out healthy (my focus is not just mega length) and embrace the natural me.

Christannette ~ Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story ?


Well,sometime in 2008 was the first time I considered going natural, I'd heard a silly rumor that if you don't relax your hair for a long time your hair will grow, so when I got to about 4 inches of unrelaxed hair I was seriously considering cutting off the relaxed ends, but then thought "better" of it and relaxed my hair. Earlier this year, I joined a facebook group called "Care for your hair" and I instantly became hooked on Natural hair care, my hair was always damaged, breaking and refused to stay a nice healthy length, it was always one problem after another ,but I didn't know it was actually being caused by the relaxer, so in the end I was more than ready to just chop it all off.



Was your transition a long or short one?


My transition was very short. I wasn't hesitant at all, I'd never gone that short with my hair before but I was ready, plus I wasn't really feeling braids/weave to transition because they itch me way too much, so I just chopped about 2 weeks after deciding to go natural.



We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair,what products did you use to keep your hair moisturized?


I'm still trying to find what works for my hair, but what I've discovered my hair loves so far is Pure Coconut oil, Coconut hair milk, Mega Thick doo gro oil, Alberto Balsam conditioner, Carrot oil and Organic Root stimulator hair mayonnaise.



When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?


My cut was a big change, but by the evening I was in love with it, I couldn't stop looking in mirrors lol. People reacted really well to my big chop, I got a lot of positive feedback.



Did you have any regrets?


None whatsoever.



What are your long term goals for your hair journey?


I want to grow my hair to a nice long length before I start really experimenting with my hair e.g cutting it, possibly natural hair dye etc, but for now my main focus is growth and keeping it healthy :o)

Charvass ~ Before and After

How long were you thinking of going natural? What's the story?

Well, actually I was natural for a while back in 2002 ,but I caved in under pressure and got a relaxer. My hair was growing quite well until I started going to this new hair dresser. I didn't want to get a relaxer but she talked me into it. About six months later, I was combing my hair then I realize my hair was gone on one side. My hair was broken off at the middle of the shaft and not from the roots. I was extremely ticked off because my hair was shoulder length. I pointed this out to my hairdresser and she acted as if nothing was wrong. She didn't want to cut my hair but it was broken off so bad that you could see through it. We fought tooth and nail about me cutting my hair. So, she finally gave in and cut it off. March 2008, I stop going to that hairdresser and started growing my perm out.


Was your transition a long or short one?

My transition was short.It only lasted 6 months.


We all know how important it is to moisturize our hair
while in transition,what products did you use to keep
your hair moisturized?


I kept my hair in braids throughout my transition. I tried to use a lot of tea tree oil, carrot oil and vitamin E on my scalp. Now I use Carol's Daughter Hair Milk or Olive Oil hair lotion.


What was your staple hairstyle while in transition?

Flat twist and braids.


When you decided to Big Chop,how did you feel about your cut? And how did people react to it?

OMG, my natural hairstylist talked me into the "BC". I was so scared but I went through with it and I loved my Big Chop. People were very positive about the BC and if they weren't ,I didn't give a damn because it is my hair.

Did you have any regrets?


The only regret I have, is relaxing my hair back in 2003 but lack of knowledge, peer pressure and low self-esteem caused me to give into society's beauty standards.



What are your long term goals for your hair journey?

I just want long, healthy hair.I love being natural and I am not turning back.

Patrice ~Before and After

HOW LONG WERE YOU THINKING OF GOING NATURAL ? WHAT'S THE STORY?

I thought about going natural after my last relaxer to touch up the back of my hair (which was cut really short). It dried out the ends of my hair, which I had decided to shave down closer anyway. Two weeks later, it seemed like the section that I had relaxed was getting all busy again. It was too short to flat iron and I just became so frustrated! When I became frustrated, i decided that I was going to just embrace my hair's natural texture and I began my transition.


WAS YOUR TRANSITION A LONG OR SHORT ONE??

My transition was pretty short, I already had pretty short hair and I cut an inch off before getting kinky twists done.When I took the twists out, I had my hairdresser cut the rest off. I have no pics to show because I got it cornrowed right after, but the transition lasted for 4 months for the top and middle of my head and 3.5 in the back.



WE ALL KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MOISTURIZE YOUR HAIR WHILE IN TRANSITION ,WHAT PRODUCTS DID YOU USE TO KEEP YOUR HAIR MOISTURIZED ?


I used Infusium 23 leave in conditioner when I wore my hair out and Africans Best Herbal Oil for when I had my hair in a protective style.


WHAT WAS YOUR STAPLE HAIRSTYLE WHILE IN TRANSITION?

Roller set (for a curly fro) and kinky twists


WHEN YOU DECIDED TO BIG CHOP ,HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR CUT? AND HOW DID PEOPLE REACT TO IT?


I decided to "BC" on Saturday, which was March 13, 2010. I got it braided after she cut it but it made me feel wonderful. The day before ,I had taken out my kinky twists and could not do anything with my hair because of straight ends. I live away from my family with my fiance and he's really supportive. To him, it's just hair and when I came home he wanted to know why didn't I just wear it out =)


DID YOU HAVE ANY REGRETS??


That I didn't do it sooner to give myself a chance to see how beautiful my natural hair can be.



WHAT ARE YOUR LONG TERM GOALS FOR YOUR HAIR JOURNEY?

My long term goal is just to have healthy hair. I've always loved shorter hair so I don't really have any goals as far as length goes.