I Big Chopped- Janiece

CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
Normally, I’m a pretty vain person, always concerned with the image that I project to others. I would have a tendency to be insecure and doubt myself if I didn’t live up to my own expectations. I wore different weaves on a consistent basis, and began feeling like I wasn’t being true to myself. So, needless to say, I was really self conscious about chopping… I didn’t think I’d be pretty, I thought I would look like a boy and honestly I thought guys wouldn’t like it.

It took some time for it to grow on me and I wore my new TWA with a facade of confidence –literally faked it till I made it! I now feel that cutting my hair was THE best decision I ever made. Not only do I get so many compliments on my style and natural hair, more than any weave style I’ve ever worn…but I also gained SO much confidence, it’s ridiculous. And most of the compliments come from guys! Go figure! Anyway, I feel comfortable in my skin and definitely feel like I am being my true self.

CN: How did you cope with the responses from your family and friends?
The response from family and friends was overwhelmingly supportive. I thought they would look at me crazy, so the day I came to work with my hair cut I thought I could slip in unnoticed…but that was not the case! I never thought that people would respond so well. I did have the occasional concerned “why did you cut your hair?” and I even got a “what are the guys gonna grab onto now?” TMI…I know right! But I continued to show my “confident face” and eventually it was no longer just a face.

CN: What are your plans for your hair?
Everyone (adamantly) tells me that I should keep it short. I’ve had short hair for so long, I’d like to see long natural hair on me. The only way I was ever really able to achieve long hair in the past was with weaves. My plans are to see how well it grows without a relaxer. My hair never really behaved while relaxed, I never knew how long my hair could actually get because it would always break off or I’d end up cutting it off into some short style. If it doesn’t work out, at least I know what style to return to!

CN: Do you find it necessary to ‘doll up’ your look to feel more feminine?
Yes very! I wanted people to understand that I did this to my hair on purpose but that by no means did I want to lose my femininity or come across in a manner that was unintentional. I enjoyed being dolled up before the chop and I wanted people to know that I was still the same me, still the same style…but without all the extra bells and whistles of all the weaves I wore.

CN: If so, what are your favorite accessories, or go to ways to glam up your look?
I always keep the brows in order and apply AT LEAST gloss and mascara…these 2 items can work wonders. I didn’t feel that super huge earrings were necessary daily…I have some studs I rock. But girly eyes and lips will totally make you feel fem. I also enjoy a fierce heel…they are my weakness

CN: How do you keep your hair moisturized?
I am STILL trying to work out the best routine for my hair type…that’s why I stay on CurlyNikki! I am a PJ, and I tend to be a little bit heavy handed when applying product, but I am finding that I like my hair with as little product as possible- just a good leave in conditioner (kinky curly knot today, or cantu shea butter leave in) and some oil…currently I use castor oil to lock in moisture. Not a whole lot to my routine but I tweak it often because I still don’t know what I really like.

CN: What products and techniques do you use to style? How often do you style?
I love love love ecostyler olive oil gel… I usually finger coil my hair with this gel every couple of days…with my length it doesn’t last that long and I am very vain about my hair! I like a fresh looking hair style…smh I know! I also like Herbal Essence Hello Hydration and Totally Twisted.

CN: How do you achieve definition?
Herbal Essence Totally Twisted does helps a great deal in defining my curl. I have also tried a natural curl definer by Zuresh that I like a lot and Whole Foods sells a curl defining shea product that I like. My curls really pop most after a fresh cowash.

CN: How do you preserve your curls at night?
I use a satin wrap cap wit it being this short, anything else will be on the floor in the morning lol.