How many people I know who would love to turn natural but hesitate just because they are concerned about how they will look, how other people will see them, how will they handle their nap and what products to use to keep them properly. The others, who got in the middle of the road already, just feel lost because they don’t know how to take care for their nap.
To the people concerned about how they will look- just remember how you looked when you had no perm yet. And if you are afraid a big chop will not fit you, then just transition until your natural hair reaches a certain length where you can rock them without being afraid of looking “weird”.
To the people concerned about how other people will see them- Natural Hair is the trend since some months and a lot of people are changing their traditional way to see it. Plus, what you like and what pleases you –as long as it doesn’t disturb others- is more important. But- reserve kept- some workplaces in Haiti still require female professionals to keep silky, straight hair- in this regard, the decision to keep your hair natural or relax it is all yours.
To those lost at the beginning or in the middle of the way- I get news for you.
First, don’t go natural only because it is the current trend or that girl next door rocks an afro and she looks gorgeous and I want to do the same. Give yourself valuable reasons to go natural. Because if you don’t, you will perm your hair at the very first occasion one difficulty pops up. And there will surely be bad hair days along the way.
I, myself, decided to keep my hair natural because I wanted to debunk the myth that natural black hair is not manageable / ugly/ unaesthetic, I wanted to make wonders with my own natural unaltered hair, I discovered natural hair was healthier (isn’t it the hair God gave us!), I can be more versatile, stylish and bold with natural hair and I like big hair.
Second, you made the decision to go natural, the next question is: Do you want to transition or big chop? Transitioning is defined by Naturally Curly Website FAQs as going from relaxed hair to natural hair either by gradually cutting perm off, or waiting to grow out permed hair until all hair is natural. Chopping (or big chop) is defined as cutting permed hair off all at once.
Then, which one is better? It all depends on you. If you are a VERY patient person, able to keep your hair in protective styles, manage properly the two textures and fear to chop your hair all in once, transitioning is the right option for you. If you are a very versatile person who manipulate your own hair a lot and cannot really manage two textures and who would like to try the big chopped look, go ahead and BIG CHOP.
As for me, big chop was the only solution, I am not long-suffering and quiet enough to wait several months caring for two textures- I escaped that burden- and keeping my hair in low manipulation styles.
Time to make YOUR OWN choice.
Arrideverci
P.S: Please send me your comments and suggestions at afroalice@yahoo.com
Thank you
Afro Alice 