Is the Natural Hair Big Chop Necessary?

 

By Octavia Hooks

The weather is getting warm!  It’s time to set new goals and prepare for fresh beginnings.  Are you debating whether or not to Go Natural? If you answered yes, then this article is for you.    

There is so much Natural Hair information on the web.  Natural Hair has evolved to become a “do it yourself” project.  Over the years, I’ve learned caring and maintaining natural hair requires an open mind.  As a hair stylist, I benefit from professional experience which includes exposure to many natural hair styling techniques and knowledge of hair care products; along with an in-depth understanding of diverse hair types.   Since the industry is rapidly growing, I regularly review YouTube videos and blogs to learn and remain current on both the professionals and laypersons experience in styling natural hair.  To this end, I want to share my thoughts and offer four helpful tips for you to consider on your quest for cultivating healthy, natural hair.

Let’s get down to it!  -  YOUR Natural Hair Big Chop decision should be tied to a goal. 

If you decide to chop your Natural Hair, don’t be afraid!  Ask yourself questions.  Some questions to consider are below:

·         Do you like short hair?

·         What are your styling options?

·         Do you want color? 

·         What does natural hair mean to me?

Should you decide to rock natural short hair, you may want to purchase the twist brush sponge to add texture to your natural hair.  Consider purchasing a Nudred sponge, please visit www.nudred.com.   Also, ponder adding color; how you want to color to look?  Color adds an eye catching pop!  Caution:  please know color treated hair requires special care with moisture shampoos and deep conditioners. 

If you don’t want to chop your Natural Hair, ask yourself questions.  Some questions to consider are below:

·         How will you style your hair during the transition from chemical treated hair to natural hair?

·         When do you cut your hair?

·         Do you really want to rely on the flat iron for all your styling needs?  

You will be dealing with a combination of natural hair and processed ends.  In the beginning, natural hair and the chemical processed ends will work just fine.  You can style and flat Iron as usual. 

After about 3 to 6 months with no chemical treatments, there will be a very noticeable difference between your natural hair and your chemically treated hair.  Over time, you may decide to cut those ends.  I prefer to transition my clients from chemical to natural by gradually cutting their hair.  Perhaps, you may want to consider gradually cutting your ends on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.    

As for the flat iron, please remember….less is more.     If the flat iron is too hot, your risk permanently damaging your hair.  Many women natural hair clients report that their hair doesn’t return back to its natural state due to excessive flat ironing techniques.  

Tip #1:  Eat FRUITS AND VEGETABLES………Good Food + Good Health = Beauty

I see so many food and product conditioner concoctions.  It seems that the natural hair conversation is becoming more about products than about self- preservation. What’s missing from the natural hair dialogue is the commitment to overall health.  Therefore, I support the recommendation to eat your fruits and vegetables!   Try researching eating for healthy hair too.   I enjoyed reading the book, Eating for Beauty, by David Wolfe. 

Because of my overall commitment to beautifully growing natural hair, I proudly proclaim, we must eat and sometimes wear good food!   Recently, I discovered a natural hair conditioner recipe that called for an avocado.  To learn more about the benefits of the avocado, please follow the link http://www.newhealthguide.org/Avocado-For-Hair.html    

 

Tip #2:  NATURAL Hair Health

What’s your hair issue or challenge?  Most folks have two hair textures in their heads.  Use products that support your hair issues.  Please remember that hair products respond differently based on your hair type.  In the end, you will need to find the right products that work best with your natural hair. I strongly recommend you consult with a professional stylist to discover the products that work for you. 

For example, if you have color treated hair, try using shampoos and conditioners designed to support maintaining healthy, colored hair.  If you have dry, itchy hair and scalp, search for moisture building shampoos and conditioners.  

Tip #3:  Learn your hair type.  Love your hair type.   LOVE YOURSELF! 

Often, clients bring in hair style photos and say, “I want my hair like that!”  But here is the important glitch; they don’t have hair like the model.  For example, if you have 4C hair, don’t bring a photo in of someone with 3C hair and expect the same results.   To learn more about hair types, consider reading the book, Andre Talks Hair by Andre Walker.

Be inspired and learn from others and search the web.  When reviewing these sites, search for elegant hairstyle photos.  And guess what, you will discover you have many styling options.  With creativity, there is no limit. 

Given the constant  blossoming of the natural hair industry, there are so many blogs communities for every hair type.  As for me, I am a 4C.  I enjoyed the site, www.4chairchicks.com.   It was so great to find webpages dedicated to a community of women with hair like mine.

    

TIP #4   YOU CAN WEAR NATURAL HAIR AND APPEAR PROFESSIONAL IN THE WORKPLACE!

Natural hair is appropriate for your job.  To learn my story, read here.   http://octaviasnaturalhair.com/hair.blog/2013/07/navigating-the-corporate-world-while-rocking-natural-hair/    And guess what, there are other sites dedicated to support you in wearing your natural tresses to work.  Trying visiting http://www.rockitnapptural.com/2010/11/introduction-to-corporate-kinks.html   

Whether you decide to do a big chop or not, always remember every hair type is beautiful!  Learn your type, care for your hair, eat for beauty and express your hair with stylel   

Big Chop or not, always remember; God does not make junk!

If you have questions, please email me at Octavia_hooks@yahoo.com or follow me on facebook at octavia cuts locks hooks.  Or visit my web page at www.octaviasnaturalhair.com