CN: When you first chopped, what were your thoughts and feelings? How do you feel now?
A: The next day I woke up and thought, “OMG I can’t believe I did this to myself”. Seriously. The first week, I was dealing with straight ends and dry hair…I just couldn’t figure out what to do even though I spent so much time researching! About two weeks into it I was thinking about the “R” word.
Now, TO BE HONEST, some days I feel good and some days I don’t. When I’m down about my hair, it’s because I (right now) it’s more work than when I was relaxed. When I was relaxed, I would just unwrap and go in the mornings – 5min top. Now, I have to re-wet and re-style everyday – 15min on a good day. It doesn’t sound like much, but it annoys me. But I know that when my hair is longer I can do simpler things like bun it up and go – can’t wait for that!
On my good days, I’m so impressed (with myself lol) that I choose to present my natural hair to the world. I just feel GOOD about it, esp. when most of the women around me are relaxed. I was such a hair-confident person when my hair was relaxed (my hair is naturally auburn color and was fairly long). I didn’t realize how much of my personal idea of beauty had to do with how I felt about my hair. So now that it’s all cut off and all natural, I’m proud that I still feel beautiful – even more because I’m wearing my hair natural!
CN: How did you cope with the responses from your family and friends?
A: My parents, siblings, cousins, friends, and co-workers were all very supportive. But the person who matters the most – my hubby – STILL HATES MY HAIR! In the infamous words of Method Man, my hubby says similar things to “I don’t like no peasy afros”. It hurts. But I know he sees that I have so much more going for me than my hair. I’m still beautiful, so is my mind, my body, and my spirit. Plus, I think he’s just not a fan of short hair on me – and neither am I. We both can’t wait till my hair has some SWANG!
CN: What are your plans for your hair?
A: My goal is to grow my hair longer than it EVER was when I was relaxed, and that is past bra strap length. After that, I’ll probably play around with the length more. I’m giving myself 5 years, hopefully it will take much less! I’m also planning to henna soon and I’m super excited about it!
CN: Do you find it necessary to ‘doll up’ your look to feel more feminine? If so, what are your favorite accessories, or go to ways to glam up your look?
A: The very first month I did. I was all about the earrings and makeup DAILY. But by the second month, I felt back to my old self as far as my personal style. I don’t wear makeup everyday, and while I do like to wear jewelry every day, some hoops or studs will do me fine. Now don’t get me wrong, I LOVE jewelry, and when it’s time to get cute I GETS CUTE!
Statement jewelry with mascara and blush are my minimum requirements for the glam look. To take it further I can do a bold lip or bold eyes, and I usually like to have a super-feminine part to my outfit like lace or sequins or some killer shoes!
CN: How do you keep it moisturized?
A: I dampen daily with water, then apply the Kimmaytube (from YouTube) leave-in mixture. My hair is soft and touchable. I have 4a/4b hair – so part kinky curly and part kinky coily. This leaves my curls and coils semi-defined.
CN: What products and techniques do you use to style? How often do you style?
A: Water, Kimmaytube leave-in mixture (knot today/aloe vera juice/jojoba oil/castor oil) – daily. I just rake the leave-in through my hair with my fingers (not shingling). I use Kinky-Curly Knot Today with Curling Custard on special occasions using the same raking method.
CN: How do you get your waves or curls popping?
A: Kinky-Curly KT and CC are the only products that consistently give me great results every I want my curls super defined yet with a nice, touchable hold. Eco Styler Olive Oil gel worked great too, but left my hair too crunchy even when I added oil.
CN: How do you preserve your curls at night?
A: Satin bonnet every night. Nothing extra.
OMG You are GORGEOUS! I looked at the above picture and as I was reading I was imagining what your would look like after the BC and when I finally got the bottom picture…..I was WOWED!
I think everything she said in the 1st few paragraphs is the reason why the BIG CHOP isnt 4 everyone!
Im transitioning and discuss it with my husband and he said..ok..he doesnt care he loves me and that all that matters!
love thoes freckles!!!!! amazingly beautifulllll.
OMG miss lady! You are GORGEOUS!!!! It's amazing how differently you see a woman with natural hair, especially a short twa. You are absolutely stunning! Your freckles put your look over the top! Honestly I feel you on the whole hubby thing. Don't worry though, he loves you, and eventually he slowly begin to love your hair. When men….people are conditioned to favor something like long hair on a woman, it can take time to reprogram that way of thinking. But you are FAB, Fierce girl, and soon enough, he wont be able to take his hands out of your hair (much like my husband). So hang in there, and enjoy the ride! LOVE your look though!
You look so grown up, cousin! Absolutely beautiful in both pictures. You will rock the natural good or bad hair day, just b/c of your Swagg….
OMG! You look like a supermodel in the bc picture! I love the hair. Hang in there chica. It gets easier.
Please stay encourage sister-you look like a queen, simply beautiful!!!!! I am attempting to gather the courage to transition at this time. I do appreciate your honesty as well.
Girl, you are beautiful! I was about to comment and say that you should be a model if you're not already, but I see that so many people have already said that 🙂 Absolutely gorgeous! This really suits you! Hope your husband comes to appreciate the natural 🙂
Autumn there are no such thing as "bad hair days" with natural hair! Your hair is adorable. It takes getting use to, but keep looking towards the future and your "hair goals"- while enjoying the here and now. I was just thinking about cutting my hair- I kind of miss my BC- especially since I have so much hair now- but I pulled it back and kept it moving. so enjoy the freedom of short hair and being you- naturally.
@ Song_Bird, just click on "Be On CN" at the top of the page!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! You are absolutely gorgeous. Be blessed.
@ Song_Bird i Bced also when i was 15 =)..
my classmates+friends love it
Your hair looks so cute! How did you create this post? I want to create one so many can see you can be only 15 and BC with everything going on! 🙂
I like ur natural hair the colour is beautiful but u look younger with relaxed hair pls dont get mad at me im just sayin..
Hey all, Autumn here! I appreciate all the comments, even the "truthful" ones. Actually, the first pic is 10 years older than the BC pic (it was the only one i could find that showed both length and color). As far as my BC pic, i didn't like it at first, but i got used to it (and it was the only one that showed me smiling right after the BC!!!).
As far as the modeling comments, i am a model! Well, locally. I'm short and thick so i can't do much past that. but my freckles and red hair get me jobs and i'm cool with that! i've done work for hallmark, sonic, cox cable, and many more!
thanks again, and have a happy hair day.
p.s. today is one of my bad days… but i'll get through it 'cause my outfit is CUTE!
I'm not married or in a relationship but the main man in my life …(my daddy) lol initially hated my BC because I had always had BSL hair w/a relaxer. A year later, my hair has grown tremendeously, and now he keeps asking me when am I going to chop it off again and telling me how much he loved my cropped coif. So continue to be confident in yourself and I believe your husband will see the light!
Awesome look on you! Love the TWA.
Autumn you GO GIRL, ROCK THAT!!! I could totally relate to your story especially about how you felt looking in the mirror the next day, I was there too after my BC! It is definitely a journey to embrace, but I can't wait for my hair to get some more length to do explore other styles!! Good Luck!!
Gorgeous!
That last picture is fabulous! Honestly, short hair suits you! It highlights your freckles!!!
I think you look stunning!!! Love the color, love your skin. Very Beautiful.
You look fabulous in the second picture. Something about that shot just highlights and accentuates all your features. Rock on sis!
IMO anyone who big chops is sheroic. I know I couldn't do it and so transitioed with braids until I felt I had achieved a length that I felt was comfortable.
I'm also realizing that I am in a "fortunate" position of not having to please a spouse with my hair styles. When I meet someone I'll be all natural, so there won't be any funny looks or snide comments. Stay strong all!
Your BC picture is absolutely stunning. I agree with KB, I appreciate your honesty. The BC is a great experience….but it is not all rosey. I'm going on 6 months and this in-between TWA/med AFRO the worst. I have days when I ask myself why am I doing this?
I've learned so much about myself during this experience. I am definitely more than my hair. I love my curls and I'm so glad I had the courage to do this. I honestly didn't know my real hair texture and I'm amazed that I actually have tiny curls. I too can't wait to have enough hair to do a bun or other styles.
Stick with it, you will be so glad you did.
I could have sworn I was reading my own story when I read yours….I have the support from family and friends, but not the hubby…and sadly I feel as though his support matters the most.
He is coming around though, the longer my hair gets the better the topic of hair gets.
You look great! Congratulations!
i second KB's comment. i appreciate your honesty and could really relate to the 'somedays i look good and somedays i look don't'. good luck on your jouney! im right next to you. –Vonnluv
Autumn, you look great!! I agree- you should model!
Autumn, you're adorable! The pic with the straight hair is cute but your beautiful smile and freckles just stand out with the big chop! Your hubby will come around.
And you know what else? THANK YOU for your honesty in regards to your feelings about your hair post-BC. A lot of these big chop stories are all about the "I loved my hair the minute I got rid of all the perm, It always makes me feel beautiful, I can't believe I didn't do it sooner!" Hardly anyone indicates even the slightest dissatisfaction with their BC and says, "Nope, sometimes I just don't like it and it takes some getting used to" like you did. I appreciate that greatly.
Beautiful! The second pics is Gorgeous and looks magazine worthy.
Congratulations on your big chop!! You look great, and your confidence shows!!
wow… gorgeous!!! u look like a model.
I have to agree with the majority here – your first pic is cute but the second one is fabulous. Rock that chica! That pic is absolutely stunning!
Congrats on the big chop Belle!
Great story and you are beautiful with your twa!
I also have auburn 4a/4b hair (used to be red) and freckles – as a maater of fact when I first glanced at your relaxed picture I thought you were one of my relatives.
Hopefully your hubby will come around and see the beauty in "peasy afros" – I really wish Method Man had not used that term because I really like his music and I know that he does a lot in the community to help people but his statement really affected my opinion of him.
I love your hair and the freckles just top it off! At first glance I thought you were the model Nikia Phoenix! (she has more freckles) Check her out.
so beautiful to actually see your face!!
GORGEOUS!!!
i agree dkbrown…
it's something about the bigchop
yes i agree you look like a model beautiful!!!
I don't usually post a comment, but I just have to second (or third or fourth) that your TWA picture is gorgeous. You definitely should consider modeling if you aren't one already. There is such life and positive energy radiating from your smile. Don't let anyone take that away from you.
I completely agree with dkbrowngirldkbrowneyesdkbrownhair (that's a mouthful/LOL). You look absolutely stunning! The fro fits you in my opinnion. You have a beautiful face and the short cut brings that out. Definately should be on the cover of somebody's magazine!
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I thought this pic was from a photo shoot…BC's have a way of taking us from conventionally pretty to breath-takingly BEAUTIFUL! You need to be in someone's magazine.
Loving the TWA! It truly sets off the beauty of your freckles and bone structure. Good luck with your journey! Please keep us posted!
Definitely the "truth" is different for everyone. Good luck to you Autumn on your natural hair journey, it's not easy. But be patient and get a routine down you'll see the results that you want eventually 🙂
Girl you look FIERCE in that TWA!! It takes a woman with pure guts to do what you did, and you look absolutely Gorgeous!! I truly applaud your change. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "after" photo. I can see your face and it just brings out your true beauty! Rock that!!!!!
Also…THANK YOU BLACKBUTTERFLI!!! You said it all.
Well we can't all be so positive an giving always good feedback. That's just like when you see a ugly baby and people ask you to comment and you mention something other than the baby looks, etx it's cute clothes, or hair … Sometimes people need to hear the truth, and I'm with her hubby on this one..
Wow – how fitting that someone who makes such negative comments remains ANONYMOUS @ the 3:59 anonymous. You can be entitled to your opinion, but to invade such a positive place with your negativity is ridiculous.
Seriously – go away. That's just MY opinion on YOU.
If you have nothing good to say, keep it to yourself. She's a pretty woman on her natural hair journey. Let's try to raise each other up instead of making rude comments, even if the comment is "just your opinion."
I don't know about the modeling part, the 2nd picture kinda scare me. I don't know if it's the makeup around the eyes or the smile but I'm not feeling the picture. I actually like the relaxed picture better, and you look younger in it as well. I'm sorry if this may offend some people but this is just my opinion.
Wow, you look awesome! I agree that you should be modeling!
http://iluvmyselftherefore.wordpress.com/
I was thinking the same thing 'She must be a model'…your second picture is stunning!!
Autumn you should consider modeling. Seriously.
wow you look AMAZING in that last pic… get it Autumn. congrats on your BC.
I agree with Annie L. This was a very good read, and you are PRECIOUS with your TWA and freckles!
Very enjoyable read! Girl, you are too CUTE with those freckles and those red curls! My hair stayed short, BSL, with relaxed hair too. Another reason going natural was great for me, good luck with your grow out.