CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
CJ: Short term. I transitioned for 28 measly weeks. I planned on transitioning until the wheels fell off, but I couldn’t deal with the two textures any longer.
How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
Most people are acting as if I cut off an arm and have gone crazy…umm…not that serious! My mom-such the jokester-has been saying that my husband is gay now because he’s married to a man. What?! My husband (he encouraged me to chop) calls me bro, dog, cuz, or homie. I love him anyway. My 2 younger brothers laughed, but they were unfazed. Pops was STUNNED! Overall, people think I’m Looney Toons!
What was your transition routine?
For the first 4 months or so, I co-washed every 2 to 3 days with Tresseme’s Vitamin E Conditioner and bunned or wore flexi-rod sets. The last 2 months, I wore a wig and a weave and pretty much neglected my hair after that 🙁
Why did you choose to go natural?
I was tired of relaxers and everything that comes along with them, and I’ve always loved natural hair… the bigger the better!
Hey Bronzeg!! Congrats on your interview ladybug!!!! It's Nikkibeee!! Your Lista Sista! Peace and love girly!! I'll see you on the otherside to check on your progress!!!
My family and friends reacted the same way! They acted as if I had cut THEIR hair instead of my own. You look great girl! Work that TWA. I thought I was the only one that didn't get the support from many people. But I'm happy with it and my relaxer is long gone and I have no regrets. It is what it is!
hey fellow hairlista bronzeg…im lovin the new look!!! it looks good on you girl 🙂
Girl, I admire your courage for doing the BC. My hair was half of your lenght, but it was not healthy and I admit that I never thought of wearing short hair. My plan was wearing extensions till my hair grow back, unfortunately it didn't work and I was left with short hair. Kudos to you!!
Your hair is gorgeous and thick
I can see why folks were stunned, alot of women would've never done it! Kudos to ya and I look forward to seeing your natural hair the same length as your straightened hair – TWA to the world! lol
You will shock the pants off the world of Youtube when you come back. That is truly a BIG CHOP, you're definitely an inspiration.
Love the hair but the makeup in the first pic is what I need details about! Especially the eyeshadows and gloss. Thanks!
congrats bronzeg!!!!!!!!
-love (another lol) fellow hairlista
Well most people would kill to have hair that length, and to cut it off would leave some people not understanding why. Not everyone will agree to everything someone does, and each persons hair grows at different lengths depending on their genetics and how well they take care of their hair. Just because Breanna stated how she felt doesn't make her wrong, and she did give out a compliment to the person.
It's amazing that I've seen on alot of blogs and on youtube, where natural haired people are wanting to have MBL to waist length hair and upset when they cant get it to do so while others hair grows like weed. So it's just a shock to see a female with hair this long cut it off completely. I admit I did gasp when I saw it, but it's CJ decision and this is what makes her happy.
WOW! She's gorgoeous and she looks good either way. I hope you make people like Breanna up there realize that it's not that serious and teach people to not be so vain. It's great that you've already taken the time to learn hair care so learning to care for your natural hair should come easily and i can see you back at waist length natural in no time 🙂 (If thats what you wanted anyway… looks cute short too 🙂
I think CJ would look even cuter if she had a low fade!
hi ladies!! thank you all soooooooooooooo much for the love & support!! about me cutting my "long hair", I've had it, so I'm over it.. I'm still alive after the cut(lol), and it'll grow back..
it's cool..I'm really enjoying learning my new hair..btw..I am your basic type 4 all the way..nothing "special" about it..
I have the proper knowledge to grow it out again! I'll be back on youtube! just been a bit busy..thank you all for understanding! thank you nikki for having a wonderful site & for featuring me! again, thank you all for the support!! God Bless
I'm not even going to front I'm surprised you cut that much hair off. You chopped off a LOT of hair. Either way you look gorgeous!
Anonymous (3.36AM) is right, hair texture has nothing to do with growth of hair.
@Breanna, you may be surprised at someone cutting off their long hair, but by doing it she just proves that she wants to experience what's naturally hers! For her hair to keep looking like that, she had to keep applying a relaxer every couple weeks. At some point you just want to experience the REAL you!
OMG BRONZEG cut her hair!!!! Wow im just shocked right now. I feel like this proves relaxers aren't all that since she cut her waist length hair. She looks stunning though and i hope she doesn't give up again on her hair journey 🙂
you were already beautiful but the short cuts exhibits your features more…STUNNING!!
omg i saw a comment on youtube bout somebody seein you in a blog bout a bc. i immediately googled, and here i am.
i had been wonderin what happened to you! congrats on your bc. wow. i'm shocked.
that 1st pic is absolutely beautiful! Simply Beautiful…
@Breanna
Her hair looks like standard 4a/4b to me. Anyways having looser curl pattern has nothing to do with the growth of your hair.
Congratulations on your big chop CJ!! You did what you wanted to do. It sounded like you were tired of the two textures. It is difficult to maintain both. I gave up the fight with both textures after 14 months because it was hard. You realized how hard it is early on and did what you needed to do. You are gorgeous and you have gorgeous natural hair. Tell yourself that everyday even when nobody else says it. Accept it, believe it, rock it, work it "au natural" in all of it's beauty.
Barbara of www.barbaranaturallyspeaking.com
Wow….your relaxed hair was that long and healthy looking! You are going to have gorgeous long natural hair. It is just hair…..and it will grow back!!!! Just keep your natural hair goals in mind! I big chopped 5 months ago and people were shocked because I had healthy shoulder length hair that paid to get fixed every two weeks! I loved my TWA but now I'm not crazy about this medium afro….but I love my natural hair!!! I don't have any regrets!!!
BRONZEG!!!! HEY fellow KEEPITSIMPLESISTA.NING.COM(K.I.S.S.) At the first pic I thought this looks like someone that's already been featured on here…maybe Big Chopped again but when I saw the back shot. I instantly knew it was you.
If you feel great then good for you. I praise everyone that's able to Big Chop. I have about 1 inch or so left and I still don't want to let go.
omg it's Bronzeg!! I remember being so inspired by your hair journey when I first saw you on Hairlista. but congrats on the BC, your hair is gorgeous long, short, it doesn't matter. Best wishes on your natural hair journey!!!
Honey, you are drop dead GORGEOUS!
WHAT THE HELL………… Why would you cut off of your gorgeous to do a BC. Your hair looked healthy to me and I definitely have to side with your father and strangers who dont understand. I see in the 2nd picture that the hair texture is of a looser curl so you will probably have growth spurts that will have you back with long hair quickly. It looks good, but I personally could not have cut my hair off like that, I would have transitioned like the other lady that CN has featured on the next page.
You look stunning! I mean YOU. Congratulations on your BC. Hair Liberation! Yay for you!
OMgoodness!!! Your hair was so long. Girl, you must have really really wanted to be natural.
Well, WELCOME!!! It is wonderful over here! Even though I just pressed my hair and it has puffed beyond belief, it is a lot of fun!
I wish that I had known how cool natural hair! Oh well, I feel like I gotta make up for lost time!!
Enjoy the journey!
OMG. GORGEOUS!
WORK GIRL! WORK! WORK, WORK, and WORK IT!!!! Don't let em discourage you! You are WORKING that Look.
Good for you! You know sometimes family can adopt hurtful tones, even if they say that they are joking. We all have to forgive them and move on. Sounds like you did just that. Happy healthy journey and happy growth!
Your hair looks great. I'll be happy when black women don't think it's a crime or a big deal to cut off long hair. It just shouldn't be that big of a deal. If you want long hair again, it will grow back. No one can ever claim that someone who had long hair and cut it never could grow it out again, so all of the OMGs are a bit much.
Very nice skin and very good message that you weren't so caught up that you went for it all at once.
OMG! Ok, I can see where they would say you're Looney Toons.. Girl your hair was nearly to your waist! However, no one knows how you're feeling better than yourself. I'm glad you did it for you. Now you have a whole sisterhood of "Looneys" to help you along the way =)
Beautiful girl, beautiful hair!
omg bronzeg/chinablk i was wondering what you have been up to. You have been m.i.a from youtube for quite some time. I love love love your BC hair. I'm super excited that you are natural now because I am currently transitioning (13 months) and would love to have you as an inspiration in my journey 🙂
UM
BIG CHOP is GORGEOUS ON YOU!!!!!!
gorgeous!
OMG! I was just thinking that she should be featured on here! she had the most beautiful relaxed hair I just know her natural hair would be beautiful.
Your hair looks gorgeous! It really brings out your features in a way that the long , straight look didn't. Your hair was lovely long and straight, but I am so thrilled for you and your new look! Whether you decide to wear it short and curly or long and curly, I think you can't go wrong! Enjoy your new look!!
You don't look like a boy at all! You have a sweet face. It's a shame that your family thinks that your hair made your face, because that is not true! Continue to be confident and radiant in your natural beauty!!!
What a pretty girl! Your eyes and your hair are gorgeous! They're just shocked because you had SO much hair and you only transitioned for a short while. I like the change though!
Hey Bronzeg! Fellow hairlista — your hair is Fab!
Oh my goodness your hair was so long! You are a very beautiful woman! I BC'd Sept 26, 2010 and do not regret my decision at all! I love my big hair! Enjoy getting to know your hair and stay strong! You're gonna have a blast!
Good gawd almighty youre gorgeous. It's not even fair, really :-).