So, You Want To Go Natural... A Series.

So, you've decided to go natural... now what ?

What is the next step ?

What are some things you should know ?

What are some items that you might need ?

How do you take care of this hair ?

Where can you can go for inspiration, guidance, tips, tutorials, advice, reassurance ?

Look no further ! I present to you a long overdue series to answer any questions or concerns you might have!

This is a big step that you have decided to take, so hat's off to you for beginning a new journey.

One of the first things when going natural is deciding whether or not you will do the Big Chop (BC) or journey through a Transition first then a Chop.

Transitioning Hair

Big Choppin' and fabulous !

 A well known stylist has stated that any transition lasting longer than 6 months is just encouraging breakage. Although there are plenty of people who have completed transitions as long as two years. Some may have had breakage, some might have not. In my own personal opinion, I feel that a transition should last around 6-8 months for a few reasons.

1. 6-8 months of transitioning gives natural hair time to grow out if one isn't  comfortable with a TWA or even a medium TWA.

 

 

Beautiful transition !

2. Dealing with two or more textures for longer than that time frame may bring about stress and frustration. All of that frustration is stemming from dealing with the straight permed ends and the coily roots. These feelings of frustration, disappointment and stress could cause a transitioner to make the decision to relax again.

3. Opting for a short term transition could help to avoid the "relapse". (Deciding to cut your journey to natural short and reach for a relaxer.)

Although styling options are not limited for longer transitional periods, sometimes they might look different on relaxed/natural transitioner than on a head of a full natural. Sometimes that leads to discouragement or more frustration. This only reinforces why when transitioning, opt for a shorter timeframe.

I believe that one needs to learn what their natural hair needs to thrive instead of having to worry about how to match those relaxed ends with your fluffy natural hair. Learning with your hair as it grows and playing in it is a great way to educate yourself. There could be a case of getting fed up with those stringy ends around ruining the frolicious party. They aren't really welcome in the first place, so give them the axe !

Tamiko is so gorgeous !!

Once that decision is made, it's really half of the battle!

Some things that you; the transitioner (and newly natural) should know is that this is a journey and should be treated as such. It's not a race, it's a marathon, so please pace yourself accordingly and drink plenty of water.

You should also know while it's okay to love another natural's curls/coils/kinks, it's not okay to covet them. Be in love with your hair ! It's your crowning glory, especially made for you.

Still a little confused about Transitioning and the all too feared Big Chop ? It's cool, I'm going to break it down for you in the upcoming posts !

Have any questions?

 Leave them below and I will do my best to answer you ! 

Fan Big Chop Photos

*(I would like to say THANK YOU to all of your for being so patient with me! I apologize for my lack of posting!) *