Going Natural And The Big Chop

So the season of natural hair has clearly not been a phase. More and more ethnic women are going back to the natural texture of their hair. So as you say goodbye to the relaxers and texturizers and prepare for "The Big Chop," assistant editor Monica Thorpe has some advice for you. 

This past summer was the season of locs, twist and all things natural. Going natural is a very exciting but can also be a confusing and difficult time. The most confusing part is transitioning from relaxed hair to kinks and curls especially if you don't know what you are doing. A lot of women find it easier to start over by cutting the permed or chemical processed hair out while for others the “big chop” isn’t necessary.  According to, treasuredlocks.com during the transition period you can either keep the permed hair at the end of the natural hair that’s coming in and try to minimize the breakage. Or you can do what many women have done and do the “big chop” and cut the relaxed hair off. However, they advise women to not wear styles where too much hair combing is involved because this will minimize breakage.  “I went natural because I wanted to start over so my hair could grow longer and healthier,” said Tiffany Cameron who has been natural for over a year. Just like most women in the same situation as Tiffany, starting over was a great decision. Since going natural she has found it easier to maintain her hair and also has found a new form of confidence in herself. I recommend before making that huge decision of starting over its best to educate yourself more about not only going natural but what products are good for your hair as well. Enjoy your natural hair journey!

Ways to keep your natural look fab!

    (According to Curltopia.com…the curly hair boutique)

1. Trim your natural hair every 8-12 weeks and transitioning hair should be trimmed every 4 weeks by a professional to promote healthy hair growth.
2. Do not wash your hair too often because it may become dry and fizzy if shampooed too often as this rubs the natural oils off the hair and scalp.
3. Do not use oils (coconut, olive) to moisturize your hair because oils sit on the hair which means your hair isn’t benefiting from the moisturizer because the oils don’t reach the inner cortex of the hair shaft.
4. Use a daily moisturizer and a shampoo that’s sulfate –free because a shampoo with sulfate will strip all natural oils from your hair. Shampoo with sulfate in it has suds, similar to suds in dish detergent. Dish detergent strips oil and shampoo with sulfate will strip your hair.