Freedom After The BC

Big Chop

Big Chop or BC means to cut or shave your hair off to get rid of the relaxed ends. It's kind like an eraser. It's to start all over from scratch so that all you see that grows is your natural hair. It's kinda hard for some people to take care of two hair textures-the relaxed and natural. So BCing is kind of the only option. Some people transition and wait for their new growth to get just long enough to have a manageable TWA (teenie weenie afro). Then they proceed to cut off the relaxed ends.

My Big Chop

So I cut my hair down to the new growth. I have about 2 to 2.5 inches of hair on the sides and about 4 to 5 inches on top. I didn't cut too much off the top because when it has retained it curl pattern and was not damaged like the other parts of my head due to my enemy, the "Dominican Blowout." LOL! I just had to do, I wanted to erase those pesky relaxed ends. They just looked like weird outliers in the equation and I didn't want to deal with it. When I deep conditioned my hair the other day, it looked a mess because of pesky relaxed ends that don't want to curl up because I've chemically altered it's curly pattern. Ahhhhh!

It made me so mad to see those things, I just started cutting, cutting some more, cutting, cutting and cutting. I was like in a trance until I awoke and I saw that my hair was shoooooort. It was quite shocking and I couldn't believe I'd do something like that. The old me would have ran out to go buy some weave to cover it up.

Freedom After the Big Chip

Don't get me wrong, I'm nervous about this whole thing, this whole hair journey. I do feel a slight urge to go buy a wig or get some weave to cover this up. I just won't do it because going natural is an incredibly important commitment that I made. I plan to stick to it whole heartedly. I've read in many natural hair forums that many felt a sense of freedom after BCing. They felt they've exposed their inner soul to the world. I do feel very vulnerable and somewhat unsure at this. I, too, feel exposed, as if people are seeing the real me. I can't say that I feel entirely free, though. I feel liberated from the confinement of sew in weaves, crochet braids and water. Yeah, water, water, water! Water and my relaxed hair did not go together. Now, I can wash my hair everyday if I wanted. I could play in the rain if I wanted. My hair would love it because natural hair loves moisture. I definitely feel free because of that aspect. I do feel like I've done something very brave because I know a lot girls out there especially where I live don't have natural hair. I'm pretty nervous because of possible reactions to the fro and other styles I will don as it grows.

They've issued a dress code at my hospital and out of the normal hairstyles and coloring are prohibited. Would they count things like bantu knots or comb twists or a twist out 'fro or other unique but beautiful styles that go along with having natural hair? I'm not sure because I have never seen these styles or girl wearing natural hair at my hospital before so I guess we'll cross that bridge when it comes. It's sad to have to worry about those things, but maybe I shouldn't be so worried. Maybe people will embrace my new and future hairstyles. Maybe I would inspire others out there to go natural. That's the plan anyways. My goal is work my TWA out, try out more hairstyles and be more self-confident in my endeavors of going natural.

I Cut It!

Holy Shiite Muslims! I cut it.

I cut my hair. I had been itching to do it and I did it. I had to because I my hair, when I washed it, had a lot straight looking pieces. Those pieces are definitely not part of my natural hair journey. The heat that was applied to my hair really straightened my hair and I've lost my curl pattern. Inspired by all the big chops and my desire to truly go natural I cut my hair.

Now, I'm not completely going bald, but I did trim off a lot. Yeah, call me a chicken. Mostly the sides and back of my hair. I cut those parts really short. The top of my hair actually looks fine and has retained it's curl pattern so I left that alone. I know my hair will be growing at different lengths, but I don't care. I'll try to make it work. I cut my hair at line of demarcation (see previous posts) wherever I could see it. This was after I co-washed my hair and deep conditioned it.

I have recently learned about the best way to co-wash natural and deep condition it. I am going to start a regimen and see how it works for me. Here is what I did:

I used a spray bottle to spritz my hair with water (I made sure I had a towel over my shoulders) and applied a large dollop of Hello Hydration by Herbal Essence. This conditioner I've heard rave reviews about even though it has 'cones (silicones which can be drying to hair and cause buildup). My resolution to long term side-effects of Hello Hydration to shampoo once every two weeks to rid of buildup. I'm just going to see how it works for me and I'll report the results when I can. I massaged the Hello Hydration in my hair for several minutes making sure I'm massaging my scalp and getting ever section of my hair coated with conditioner. Then, I went into the shower to wash up and wash my hair. After, the rinse out, I did NOT use a towel because terry cloth towels can soak up oils and make curly hair frizzy. I used an old T-shirt instead to light drain of excess water. Next, I used Carol's Daughter Hair Smoothie mixed with regular clover honey in my hair. Honey is a humectant and helps your hair to be soft. It also helps seal edges to prevent breakage. This is my deep conditioner treatment that I will do once a week. I used the moments apply the smoothie and honey to detangle my hair using my fingers and very minimally a wide tooth shower comb. I placed my hair in a plastic cap and I put on my head a heated conditioning cap. I sat with the heated conditioning cap for 30 minutes and rinse out the conditioner with lukewarm water. I shook my hair in the shower to get my curls (the ones I have on the top of my head to spring out). I again used a T-shirt to lightly dry off the excess water. I applied the smoothie again and Carol's Daughter Tui Jojoba and Shea Butter Sheen. I actually put on a little too much smoothie because I could see it my hair, but later on it absorbed in my hair. I know better next time. I also spritz on CD's Black Vanilla Leave-in Conditioner. I think it turned out good. I put some EVOO on my sides. I rarely used a comb and I didn't use a brush, so my sides and edges look a bit rough. I'm not gonna use brush because I was reading it could cause breakage.

I know I'll get better with time in taking care my hair. My hair and I are dating right now and trying to get to know each to what each other likes and dislikes. Hopefully, in the future, we'll learn to stay committed to each other and live harmoniously and happily together forever.

I also might add, the sides of my hairline are filling in quite nicely and it's only been two months.