I Big Chopped- Baije

CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Oh, definitely a short term transition! I got my last relaxer/cut the 5th of April and 3 months and 13 days later it was gone!

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I did the BC on July 13, 2010! On my way to the natural hair salon where I had the chop done,
I felt a bit nervous, and somewhat worried that I was rushing myself. However, once I got in the
chair I was incredibly relaxed and even felt like I was floating! I KNEW at that moment that I had just made the best decision of my life thus far. Then, when I finally looked in the mirror, I just melted! Sooooo in love!

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Well, my aunt (who’s like a mother to me) has sister locks and was behind me all the way when
I decided no more chemicals were to touch my head! After I was done, naturally I immediately
posted pics to my Facebook, and all my friends were in awe and loved it! Especially the ones
who were already natural. My mother, however, wasn’t so thrilled…She chastised me for cutting
my hair and tempted me to get a texturizer while assuring me “it’ll grow back soon.” Needless
to say I tuned her out entirely. Lol.

CN: What was your transition routine?
I was actually transitioning from a short (Rihanna-like) haircut, so awkward growth plagued me!
But, thanks to my long bang and suitable edges I was able to rock a half-wig for about a month
and a half, then began making my own quick weave caps to conceal the awkwardness. Also, I
would cleanse with the Dr. Bronner’s all-purpose castile soap bar, DC once or twice a week with
a mixture of HE:HH, Shea Moisture DC, and olive oil, then alternate between Knot Today and
KeraCare hydrating leave-in.

CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
My staple style for the first half of transition was definitely my half-wig! I have to say for 20
bucks it really worked some magic! And self-made quickweave caps for the second half—oh the
wonder that is Youtube!

CN:How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
My hair is ridiculously thick, and constantly thirsty! So DC’ing twice a week and basing it with
olive oil/leave-in afterwards was a major help in keeping it satisfied!

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I chose to go natural for two MAIN reasons; the first being that last year a senior friend/mentor
of mine, Ja’Nel created a mini-documentary on natural hair for her capstone project I helped
with. I mean, personally I have ALWAYS been a relaxer-junkie and felt that I needed one
to be pretty or accepted. But while working on this mini-doc I really began to question why I
was following such ridiculous and confining “standards” RELIGIOUSLY (especially because I
consider myself to be the dorky-rebellious kind of gal).

My second reason, is because I’m 21 years old, and I made a promise to myself in high school
that I would experience everything life had to offer me and never lose myself and what kind of
person I am in the process—Well, that’s an easy promise to make when the next 4 years of
so of your life are basically laid out for you (thus making procrastination inevitable.) But now
graduation approaches and I will soon be on my own FOR REAL, and I REFUSE to enter the
world as a dull carbon copy hiding behind hair and insecurity…I KNOW that’s not the kind of
person I’m MEANT to be!