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How to Go Natural: Big Chop vs. Transitioning. #BlackHair

3/1/2013

 

The Big Chop

PictureBre Scullark
In a big chop or BC, you cut off all the relaxed hair.

This is the quickest and easiest way to go natural. The result is normally called a TWA or Teeny Weeny Afro.

I would recommend getting your hair cut by a salon. Tell them that you want the relaxed hair only to be cut off. 

My aunt walked into a white men's barbershop to do her BC and she's regretted it ever since: apparently the barber took an electric shaver and before she realised it he'd shaved her hair off very close to the skin. Her hair has been thinner ever since!

The Advantage of "doing the BC" is that you start learning to manage and understand your natural texture immediately. 

The disadvantage of a BC is that many girls prefer longer to shorter hair so they are reluctant to cut it short. I regret not doing the BC because I realise now that it would have grown back, that's what hair does!

Transitioning

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Transitioning involves leaving the relaxed hair as it is and cutting it off bit by bit as the natural hair grows. You can transition by braiding/twisting your hair.

I did both.

All my relaxed hair fell off at the back (an involuntary BC as it were) and I snipped the remaining relaxed hair off bit by bit over a period of eight months.

The advantage of transitioning is that you don't have to cut all your hair off.

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The disadvantage of transitioning with a mixture of natural and relaxed hair is that it detracts from learning how your natural hair works and plus having two textures on your head looks a little silly.

I tried to hide my relaxed hair by sewing my own little cap (see picture to left) and I looked VERY silly. 

I still haven't forgiven my hubby for letting me go into work looking like this. This picture offends me, I only keep it as a reminder of the fashion disaster and how far along I have moved from geek to chic (& sometimes geek chic).

Picture

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Patricia Sylvester
3/1/2013 01:55:17 am

When I BC..... I took three haircuts in 10 days (3 inches at a time) .... I choose this method so I would not get shell shocked. Unfortunately the backlash was a little harsh but I am still proud of letting go my long hair (no weave ever) and going to my true texture. It has been a test of patience while it is growing out but I love it. I really do <3

Heather Katsonga-Woodward
4/1/2013 01:01:02 am

That is awesome! I hadn't thought of doing it in phases before. I want to write a blog about it, do you have pictures of your hair from start to finish. Will email you too.

Heather

H xxx

missrina217
18/1/2013 06:44:49 am

Its been 4 months since I've had a relaxer, and i have about 3 1/2 inches of new growth. I really wanna BC and or SBC but honestly I'm scared, my hair is about bra length! And i just can't get myself to cut, what should i do? I'm never relaxing my hair againagain, n i would love a big natural style, but i kno i gotta start somewhere... Help Me Please

Heather @ Neno Natural
20/1/2013 08:42:58 pm

Hi Rina

You can get someone else to do it for you or just chop off a little at a time, e.g. 1 inch a month. You should find that a lot easier emotionally.

Good luck!
Heather


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    By Heather Katsonga-Woodward

    I was a natural hair blogger and mixtress living between London & Chicago from 2012 to 2017. I always thought I was 4C but some say 4B; images below - you decide! Heather xx

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