Prior to the Big Chop _ Pre-ActI

Prior to the Big Chop...

As I previously mentioned, I did the Big Chop (having all of my relaxed hair - chemically straightened hair, cut) in July of 2008. I can't remember exactly how long it had been since I had put a relaxer in, but I would guess it was around 6months. So, I had natural hair (about an inch I guess) and about 8 inches of relaxed hair.

During my transition (the period of time where you have two -or more, different hair textures on your hair), I wasn't really taking care of my hair...because I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't put in braids or a weave (personally, I don't like weaves...but I've also only worn one once...and it hurt). The main problem I had, but didn't know at the time, was I was breaking my hair off like crazy!!! My weekly washing consisted of me washing my hair with - who knows what shampoo, throwing in a little conditioner, rinsing, and getting out and pulling my hair into a tight ponytail...and then covering it with a bandana. The top would be fine...but the part that was at and past the ponytail holder was TERRIBLE! What did I do...just get the blow-dryer and run in through...many, many, many times. What I didn't know was, I was breaking my hair off something serious. After months of doing this, I realized I had sever breakage in the middle of my head (right where the ponytail gathered)...what was I do to??

I had mentally decided I was going to go natural - just didn't know how I would look with short, natural hair. A few of my husband's friends (none of my own), had gone natural and LOVED! it. Couldn't talk enough about it...I wrestled with the idea and most of the responses I got - from those people that were still using relaxers - was "I didn't want to do that," "your hair will grow out, not down," "maybe you should wear weave until it grows out"...and the best one was from my stylist at the time "Why do you want to do that, you never know what your hair texture will be until it's too late"...classic!

A few comments on my stylist's response to me discussing going natural...
1. I did know "kind of" what hair texture I had. Even with a relaxer, I was able to do the "wash and go" and my hair would be wavy...I loved it...my husband called it the jerry curl.
2. Why did I want to do that...because I tired of paying YOU $60-80!!

My breaking point...or when I decided to go ahead and cut my hair off, was one day at work. I worked with a very social bunch and trusting (apparently!). A lady I worked with was harmlessly teasing me about the condition of my hair...which usually is very well kept and looks pretty nice...the last few months, that had fallen off (and obviously my hair had broken off) - she put her fingers in the center of my scalp and exclaimed "whoa! is it time for a perm?!!!" I was so embarrassed! She was right...but EVERYONE knows that you don't put your hands in a black lady's head...no telling what you're going to find (tracks or a lot of new growth!).

So, after that event...I believe it was the next day, I scheduled an appointment with another stylist to have my relaxed hair cut off. It was an ambitious move...prompted by my embarrassment, but one I had been thinking of for a while.

Now, I will say, my husband was encouraging all along...and he said he wanted me to take a picture asap after I had been to my appointment. I scheduled the appointment before going to work. It maybe took 30 minutes...and just like that, my hair was gone.

To say the least, I was shocked...and thought "oh, what have I done?" There is absolutely no going back after you do the Big Chop...and here I was, in my car...looking at my super short "natural" hair...again..."what have I done?"

I hurried into work...great...forgot about the Thursday morning meeting...plop down in the first available seat...and here the eyes of "OMG" and the verbal comment "OH MY GOSH" right there amongst at least 12 people in a meeting....my embarrassment continued.

The next day, I went and got a few "ouchless" head bands...and that made me feel a little bit better...my husband got the picture he wanted...but he didn't have so many comments to make.