Frenchie Fridays!!!!
Hey naturalistas, I’m Frenchie and welcome to my blog. I’ve been getting a lot of questions lately about transitioning hair vs. the Big Chop. For me the answer was quite simple but for others it may not be as simple. On March 10, 2012, I decided to part ways with my damaged relaxed hair. My hair had been severely over processed; I had been relaxing my hair for as long I could remember. I remember looking into the mirror that night after 3 long hours of taking out my Senegalese twist, and being completely appalled by what I saw. My new growth was very thick and coiled while my relaxed hair laid limp and lifeless by my face. That’s when I knew it was time for it to be done. I knocked on my best friends door and asked her would she cut off the relaxed ends as I had did for a few months back for her. She happily obliged and ever since that day I have been in love with my hair. So the big question is how do you know what the right choice is for you.
March 17, 2012 (One Week Post BC)
Deciding whether or not you want to transition your hair or BC has a lot to do with how comfortable you are with yourself. Many people are very self-conscious about what people will think about them if they have shorter hair than what others are use to. Being self-conscious is fine; most of the world is self-conscious about something. The first thing you need to do is decide why you are doing this. Being natural isn’t a fashion statement, being natural is commitment to loving yourself and the hair you’re born with. So before making the decision ask yourself a few questions.
Questions:
1.Why am I going natural?
2. Do I have enough time to fully commit to my hair?
3. Why am I still holding on to my relaxed hair?
4. Am I comfortable with having shorter hair?
5. Can I afford to properly transition? (i.e spending money on protective styles)
I’ve found these questions to be very important in deciding how to start a natural hair journey. I’ve watched my mother transition very unintentionally and for her it was a breeze. She simply wore protective hairstyles ranging from $80 to $150 for a year and the last time she took her protective style out her hair was completely natural. For others it’s not that easy. Below I will give you a list of the Hello and Good Byes of transitioning.
Say Hello to…
Deep Conditioning: This should be done at least once a week with conditioners geared toward moisturizing your hair. During the transitional period you will find that your hair may become very coarse and hard to maintain. Deep conditioning will definitely help a ton with that. After doing that for a few weeks consistently, you should notice a great difference in your hair.
Protective styles: Protective styles are going to be your best friend. There are many that can be done at home such as rod sets, straw sets, flat twist or braid/twist outs. These are easy styles and can be done once week depending on your upkeep. Other styles such as weaves and hair extension are also very good styles( but these may not always be within your budget). However they do allow your hair to grow and they can be kept long or short term.
Accepting Your Hair: Your hair is going to be different from others with natural hair that you see. It’s very easy to be caught up with comparing your hair to others. Love the hair that you were born with, different hair textures is what makes you unique.
Say Good-Bye To.....
Self Doubt: Don’t doubt the decision you made to go back to your natural state. Many people are going to look down on what your doing but don’t allow them to get into your head. As women especially women with kinkier hair we are taught to hate our hair. We are taught that you have bone straight hair to be beautiful and having kinkier hair makes you look less attractive. What’s important is that you feel beautiful and comfortable in your skin.
Using a comb to get through your hair: Wide tooth combs are generally seen as the best method to quickly detangle your hair. Although the comb is great finger combing is much better. The only time I use a comb is when I’m washing and detangling my hair which is always done while wet. When your hair is dry you should never attempt to detangle with a comb, gently use you fingers to part through and separate hair.
Heat: Applying an excessive amount of heat to transitioning hair can very damaging. When you apply direct heat from a flat iron or blow dryer, you're drying out your hair, and risking damaging your curl pattern. Your relaxed ends may be use to these methods but your natural roots are not. You don’t want them to be damage before they have had the opportunity to live.
Frenchie's Final Thoughts:
To Transition or to Big Chop? That is the question…Well, honestly it's about what’s going to work for you. It’s about how much time you are willing to spend on your hair. If I had to do it over again I would still choose doing the big chop. It was less of a hassle for me and I didn’t mind having short hair. I honestly loved it and I didn’t care what anyone else had to say. I hope that I’ve been a help to someone. Thank you for taking the time out to read my blog.
XOXO,
Frenchie
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