June 2012, will
mark 3 years since I big chopped. I transitioned for 10
months, trying my best to handle two warring textures. But, after spending an absurd amount of time
removing my transition style (kinky twists) one night; I was forced to throw in
the towel.
I steadied
trembling fingers, snipped, and watched as the first clumps of hair dropped heavily to
the floor. Did I feel liberated? Weightless, even?
No, not exactly.
However, I did feel a mixture of panic and excitement. Feeling unequivocally liberated came days
later, after I steeled my nerves, snuck outside to check the mail, and saw
that the sky didn’t cave in, nor did anyone flee in horror. Isn't it understandable though, to step into an unfamiliar realm, and feel vulnerable? I didn't know much about my real hair texture, but I was determined to learn quickly.
I lurked on several online hair forums like Nappturality, Longhaircareforum, Blackhairmedia and CNappyMeNow. I stalked followed members on Fotki, like Sera and Mwedzi, and I joined the then budding natural hair community on youtube to drool over RusticBeauty's legendary mane.
I
also looked up different products and modified regimens from other
naturals to work with my hair and my lifestyle. Wash n go's were my
style of choice during the first year, and I invested in various hair
pieces (beanies, scarves, and head bands) to dress up my twa- teeny weenie afro.
Year one post BC |
The Hair
Newly big chopped
The Players
Source Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Shampoo |
My routine was a combination of two youtubers, Cynthiarf and UrbanDoll330.
Every 7 to 10 days, I
detangled and deep conditioned my hair with Giovanni Smooth as Silk Deeper Moisture conditioner. Once a month, I would
shampoo with Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat shampoo. Initially, my wash and goes were done with only conditioner and olive
oil. However, I soon found out that
allowing my hair to shrink into itself, without a stronger holding product
caused tangles. I soon began to
incorporate Eco Styler gel into my routine.
I would "rake" the gel throughout my hair, thus, “freezing” my hair
strands in place.
Then, every morning afterwards, I
would spray my hair with an oil and water mix, pop on a shower cap, and prepare
for my day. The heat generated from my
scalp, would be trapped by the shower cap, so when the cap was removed, my hair
would be extremely soft and the curls would be refreshed. Every few days, while in the shower, I would
quickly douse my hair with water and shake out any excess water and gel. This, progressively, helped to cut down on any crunchiness
that the gel might have caused.
The natural hair journey is just that- a journey.
You
don't embark on it, as a solid guru. Granted, there is a wealth of
information available today for us to pick through, but even then, the
journey is still a personal evolution that an individual must still learn and grow from. You adopt what works, and discard what doesn't.
I am so glad you posted this article. I really enjoyed reading this article. I am still trying to adjust to my Big Chop... TWA. I will definitely use the shower cap method, because I find myself doing wash n' go's almost daily and it is not condusive to my lifestyle. Hopefully my hair will grow as beautifully as yours!
ReplyDelete~Cat
It will Cat! You know your hair is gorgeous. Yep, the shower cap really worked for me, when all I did were wash n go's with the short hair.
DeleteI still wish I was brave enough to try your cut. If I ever get a TWA again, I'm def gonna taper it.
hello!!! please reply my post at the bottom
DeleteHi Geri, these pictures you posted, is it you after a year? I'm 10 months in since my big chop and my hair growth is really demotivating so maybe if i could see what you looked like after a year i might be encouraged a little and i'm also nigerian :)))))
ReplyDeleteBabes! Hey Girl!!
ReplyDeleteThose pics were taken in year 1, after 10 months of transitioning. Remember, we're all different and it will take time to find your routine ;-)
Thanks for the tips with wash and gos. I have a spirally pattern and I had been applying Lusters S Curl spray moisturiser daily. Simple oil and water sounds better!
ReplyDeleteHi Sunny Dee :-)
DeleteI hope it's working out for you.
Greetings Geri!
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your blog home! And as always, you and your tresses are gorgeous!
And thanks so very much for subbing to my YouTube channel! I am humbled and most appreciative!
Mucho amor,
Claudia
Does wetting your hair daily cause hydral fatigue?
ReplyDelete