Big Chop

Granted I don't know who any of these ladies are BUT these are examples of short big chops

Pros and Cons


Once you make the decision to stop chemically altering your hair, you need to decide how you're going to go about it. Will you transition to natural hair? This process can take anywhere from weeks to months, depending on the length of your hair and how quickly it grows. Or will you choose the quicker route, also known as the Big Chop? Before making your decision, check out these pros and cons.

Pros:

One Texture

When you cut away all of your processed hair, you instantly have only one texture to deal with. Transitioning (go to transitioning tab here ) women often have a difficult time working with two different textures, especially if they're COMPLETELY different. The big chop eliminates all of that. You have one texture to style. It may not be what you were expecting, but it's yours. =P

Easy Care/Time Saver

Super short cuts are very low maintenance and easy to care for. In many cases, your styling routine will be cut down to mere minutes. Apply the products of your choice and brush, comb or pick your hair. You can also spritz your 'do with water if that helps in the styling department. You may have to find new products for grooming, such as water-based gels and mousses. But shampooing and conditioning should also be quick and simple once you eliminate all of the combing and detangling.

No Weather Worries

When your hair is relaxed or pressed, how many times have you run for cover when it began to rain? Did you have a collection of plastic rain caps, umbrellas and rain coats at the ready? Once you big chop, you may find yourself "singin' in the rain" because water won't ruin your style. This can be extremely liberating. In addition to no longer worrying about the weather forecast for the day, you can feel free to swim anytime because your 'do won't suffer from getting wet.

Cons:

Disliking of Short Hair

Not everyone loves how she looks in short hair. Some women feel that their heads are too large or not the "perfect" shape for such a short snip. Other women simply prefer how they look with long hair. It's a matter of preference and if you like longer hair, there's very little anyone will be able to tell you to change your mind. If you hate short hair, the big chop may not be the best option if you wind up being unhappy with your appearance. Although if you had the right reasons to become natural the length and size or body of your hair should be secondary to you wanting to become a proud and liberated African American woman and show off who you were born to be. We are queens remember? ;)

Few Styling Options

With hair this short, you don't have a lot of options when it comes to styling. You will in a few months once your hair has grown out some, but at first, the teeny weeny afro will be your only choice, unless you choose to change things up with wigs from time to time. This is a good time to experiment with makeup, eye-catching earrings and to play around with headbands, if you get tired of looking at the same style day after day.

Negative Attitude from Others

It's your hair, right? Unfortunately, as some women who have big chopped have discovered, it may be their hair, but everyone has an opinion about it. This could be your parents, significant others, siblings, even strangers on the street! Many women who cut their hair ultra short will face some negativity from someone in their lives. But what was that song Indie Arie wrote????????? OH YEAH I Am Not My Hair! DO I HAVE TO WHIP OUT THE SONG LYRICS!!!????
The trick is to just remain strong and confident in your decision. At the end of the day, it is your hair and no one else's.

Do you really want to do this??:

Before making that appointment at your salon, or reaching for those shears yourself, carefully weigh the pros and cons of such a big decision. Some women are pleasantly surprised to find that they love their new short cut; they may appreciate the wash-and-go aspect that shaves minutes off their grooming routine every day. Others may find the negative attention from those closest to them disheartening (although it doesn't matter anyhow :/). Whichever road you choose when you decide to stop relaxing your hair, it should be a way that works for you, your lifestyle and your hair's health.

Namaste

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How to Style After a Big Chop


So you've done the big chop and now you're wondering what's next. How long until you can actually do something with your hair? What can you do to make it grow faster? How will you prevent boredom when your style options are limited?
Instead of wishing for instant growth and not enjoying your hair at its current length, try to appreciate every stage of your hair for what it is. Each length offers its own unique styling qualities. Short hair fashions itself into Bantu knots quite well, while medium-length tresses are great for wrapping.
To make the most of your TWA time, fully explore your styling options, which are often more than we may think. These five ways to jazz up your TWA just might convince you to keep it short.

1. Color

Ah, color! You know that platinum blonde color you always wanted, but couldn't try without fear of your long, relaxed hair breaking off terribly as a result? With a TWA, color can be your playground. Without straightening chemicals on your tresses, a dramatic color switch won't be as damaging. You'll still have to be careful about conditioning regularly, but your shade options have opened up like never before with a short natural. Because your hair is so short, you can easily let one color grow out as you snip the ends away and then try something completely different. If color is one area you haven't been able to fully explore in the past, get ready to jazz up that TWA with a fresh tint.

2. Headbands

So many headbands, so little time. Forget those thick, plastic hair accessories with the grabby teeth. Today's headband selections are varied and in many cases, gentle enough for black hair. All colors, many textures and varieties can be found at inexpensive prices. The best bands to choose are either elastic and stretchy, or covered with a satiny material.

3. Barrettes and Pins

The world of hair accessories is vast, and barrettes and pins of all types fit into it. From funky to bejeweled, you'll find these little hair adornments to coordinate with anything in your closet. So they may not cling to the teeniest of the TWAs, but once your hair is about 1 inch long or so, you can slip a barrette into place for added flair. This also applies to studded or floral hairpins. Instead of a plain TWA, sport a little color or drama and show that thang off!

4. Flowers

Either go the Billie Holiday route =P  and tuck a huge flower behind your ear, or get creative in other ways. Look in the accessories section of your favorite shop and you should find clip-on florals that attach to virtually anything. Clip a large one onto a simple headband or several smaller ones to a big hair pin. If you're the DIY (do it yourself) type, hot glue fabric flowers across the top of a plastic headband and make your own fashion statement.

 

5. Earrings

What better time to wear fabulous, attention-getting earrings than when you don't have to worry about long hair getting in the way and ruining the effect? When you sport a TWA, you project a "what you see is what you get" attitude because there's nothing to hide behind. So sport those huge hoops, peacock feathers, natural gemstones or any other earrings that beg for the spotlight. Everyone will see those babies! Sure, they're not exactly a hair accessory, but big, beautiful earrings can help you feel good about your TWA.