Is There A ‘Right Time’ To Big Chop!? – snip-snip!
So… Is there a ‘right time’ to do the big chop?
I receive quite a bit of emails asking when the best time to BC is. I think it depends on a lot of different factors and it’s different for everyone. But what do you think? Is there a ‘right time’ or even a ‘wrong time’?
Below is a portion of an email that i received from a soon to be natural who is transitioning and has some reservations about her BC. Take a look and if you have some encouraging words or some advice for her, make sure to leave a comment!! Especially if you can relate!
‘Factors affecting my decision: boyfriend, school/career, and myself. Boyfriend: we’ve been together for 6 years. So this is a serious relationship; marriage is somewheres in the plans, and I value his opinions. He supports my natural hair journey, but he does not like short short hair. He’s not going to stop being my boyfriend or anything if I big chop. I just dont want to be unattractive to him (this is just how I feel). School/Career: I’m in grad school, and I will be starting dental school next fall. Id been wearing sew ins for the first semester, and now im just wearing my hair in a pony or curly fro. Funds are low, and my time is limited; dont have time to deal with two textures. Anyway, I noticed that many of the faculty dont really recognize me without my longer hair. Now, I only wear 12in hair, so its not like theres a drastic change. I feel like if I big chopped, I would be treated differently.I’ve noticed alot of getting ahead is who you know. And I dont want to be left behind. I dunno? (just how I feel). Finally myself: I want to big chop bc, I think the scraggly relaxed ends are hindering my growth. ( only have about 1 1/2 in new growth) And I am so anxious to see my natural texture. On the other hand, I wont be comfortable with a twa. Not bc I dont think twa’s are cute or look unprofessional, but bc I dont think “I” would look ok with one. My head is huge, no exaggeration, and I dont have cutesie features. Not being self conscience or anything. Everything just doesnt look good on everybody. We’ve all seen ppl with nice hair styles, but the style doesnt fit their face. I dont want to be that person.’
If you are transitioning, do you have some of the same thoughts and/or feelings? If you already BC’d do you have any tips to overcome the uncertainty? Tell me what you think!?
19 Comments
There’s a right time. It just depends on when you’re ready. I’m transitioning and I wanted to transition for 1yr, but I’m tired of the two textures. When I’m ready, I’m gonna just cut it!
You’ll know when you’re ready!! I can understand being tired of the two textures! I felt the same way!! :0)
Hi Lubveinnatural: you uploaded a youtube video, “length check”, however it’s private. As a subscriber to your youtube and your blog, how do I access this video. i’d really like to see how long your hair has gotten. Thanks
Hi!! :0) I’m so sorry about that! I didn’t realize it was private!! It should be up now! I hate it when that happens!! lol! Thanks for commenting to let me know! :0) Take care!!
I recently did my bc (8-12-11) after 11 months of transitioning. I originally planned to transition for 2 years so I would have length that I felt comfortable with. I have what I consider a large forehead and head and didn’t think short natural hair would suit me. But I got tired of dealing with the 2 textures and decided to whack off those relaxed ends. Had I been asked a day before if I would bc I would have said no and believed it. My husband loves it and he’s not a fan of short short hair. He said that it looks good on me. My mom didn’t like it at first but just because she wasn’t used to seeing me that way but everyone else loves it. But most importantly I love it and I did it when I was ready. Not because I watched someone’s video and they said I should do it but because it was the right time for me. Do what you feel is best for you and everything else will fall into place.
Congrats on your BC!! It’s crazy because once you’re ready…. You’re ready! It seems like it comes out of no where! :0) I can relate! Thanks for posting feedback!!
I did my big chop February 2011. I was tired of the thin and see through ends. I decided that my natural hair was trying to be set free so I let it. I think that someone should do the BC when they feel they have had enough with transitioning. This was one of the best decisions that I have made recently. BTW I love your site!
Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!! I couldn’t agree more! It depends on when that person is ready. I think at the end of the day… you get to a point and you just ‘know’. :0) Thanks again!! Talk to you soon!
The last time I permed was January 2011. I transitioned until May 2011. I was tired of the two textures too! After washing my hair one day, I noticed I had curls (about 1 and half inches. I decided to bc right then and there and loved it! My fiance loved with it, my mother looked a me like what?? I am a legal secretary and at first everyone was in shock but loved it! Now everyone is used to it and all of a sudden I noticed more and more naturals on my job! Attorneys as well as secretaries. I don’t know what happened but it seems that my confidence is at an all time high. I wear a little makeup because the face becomes more noticeable. I’ve gotten great compliments and I am so glad that I did it! My hair is growing by leaps and bounds and I am in awe of my own hair. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love this journey!
That … is … AWESOME!! :0) I have a smile from ear to ear!!
That is so great to hear! I’m glad you had such a great experience with your natural hair journey so far! It is crazy how much it can affect your confidence, and even your life in so many different ways!! :0)
Thanks so much for sharing! I have a feeling that your comment is going to inspire other naturals!! Thanks again!!
I transitioned from December 2010 until July 2011. I began a couple journies. Going natural and loosing weight. I began exercising. Working out with two textures was horrible for me. I would work out and my natural hair would curl up due to sweat. Everyday I was applying a flat iron to my natural hair…not a healthy practice to the hair I was trying to keep! That was the right time for me! I did struggle with my hair being short, but no more than a week! I am rocking being naturally ME!
Congrats on being naturally YOU!! That’s awesome! :0) Yeah… working out with two textures can be frustrating! Thanks so much for commenting! I love reading comments like yours! Good luck with everything! Take care!
I had my last perm July 2011,and I mini chopped my hair in August and informed my family, friends, and coworkers that I am going natural.I discovered Youtube and recieved lots information to help me on my natural hair journey. Yes, I am a product junkie already, but my first purchase was the enitire line of Hydrotherma products. I learned that as soon as you decide to go natural to start treating your hair like its already natural. I have been trying lots of styles such as braid outs and curly fro. Wearing these styles have allowed myself and others to see my hair in a short “fake natural style” and everyone loves it! My hair is thicker and healthier already!!! I can’t wait to big chop April/May 2012!!! I have also informed everyone of my plans, I am so excited about my being naturally me!!!!
Hey… my very first purchase was the entire line as well!!! That is so crazy! lol! I’m excited for you! That’s awesome Nino! Good luck with everything! Don’t be a stranger! Take care!! :0)
Hi, all the concerns that you are dealing with: I’ve been there too. I used my last relaxer in December 2010. It still took me another week to realize that I didn’t want to do this anymore. I transitioned with kinky twist extensions, and bantu knot-outs. I had planned to transition for a year, but I gradualy trimmed and trimmed more of my relaxed end because they were breaking off anyway. My mother and sister have been natural for years, and my brother has always sported longer hairdos (twists), yet they had different opinions when I asked if I should chop (and I asked nearly every week since I was tired of the texture-battle and scissor-happy). My brother was fine with it, but my mother and sister advised me not to, since they were not a fan of short/boy-ish hairstyles. Part of me agreed, yet on the other hand I just cared more about having healthy hair whether it was short or not. So after 5.5 months I just grabbed my scissors and started chopping. The next morning I was a bit scared; what did I just do? how will people react? My face is so ‘out there’..Well, except from my mother all reactions I got were positive! I made sure to feel more feminine by using a bit more makeup and wearing nice big earrings. Just a few little thing to make me feel more confident, knowing that I had made the right choice by chopping. To make a long story even longer, keep 3 things in mind: firstly, do your research. What is you hairtype? What hairstyles will have you preference? How much do you intend to spend on products? Secondly, Get a support system. Make sure you have friends/family/aquaintences who know that you want to go natural and supporting you no matter how you look. Thirdly, do the big chop whenever you feel like you are ready. And be prepared for shrinkage :0. Good luck!!
As a Newbie, I am always exploring online for articles that can benefit me. Thank you
I am currently transitioning (for the 2nd time), it’s been 2 1/2 months. I originally tried 6 yrs ago, and it lasted about 2yrs. I gave birth to my daughter and thought, I can’t do this with a child, but that was my ignorance! I had transitioned for about 8-9 months, and when taking my braids out 1 day, I had an epiphany. I grabbed the scissors and began cutting. This time around, I’ve found a plethora of information online, and feel more educated. I didn’t perm my hair, I used texturizers, but seemed no difference…I didn’t know how well my hair took chemicals and it straightened my hair right out. I plan to transition through the winter, maybe another 4-6 months, unless I get another epiphany, and begin chopping. My boyfriend has been indifferent both times, but my family and friends love it. I am so ready for this journey, my 2nd time around and I wish you the best! Remember it’s what you’re comfortable with and it’s about what makes YOU happy!
I transitioned for a year and 1 month. At the time, I had no plans to big chop for at least another 5 months, if not longer. But there was one particular day that I just felt the urge to cut a piece of my hair to see how it looked. The next day I just felt like it was time to go ahead and just take the plunge. I felt so free once all those relaxed ends were gone even if it did take me a while to love my natural hair.
I don’t know if there’s really a right time. I think there’s a certain point where you just get tired of trying to deal with two textures and making sure your hair doesn’t experience a lot of breakage because of it. I also think there’s a point in your mind when you’re just mentally ready for it. I don’t think I could’ve done it any sooner than I did because mentally I don’t think I was ready to let go of my hair and I wasn’t prepared in terms of how to take care of my hair. I think once I started spending more time researching on sites, youtube, and forums and understood what I would have to do, I became more mentally prepared for the undertaking and I felt more comfortable with chopping off those ends.
Love your blog!