I Big Chopped- Keegan

My hair was really damaged from the use of relaxers and permanent coloring, as well as not properly caring for my hair under sew ins. I planned to BC and start fresh (but not necessarily go natural) under wigs/sew ins. After taking out my last sew in, I went to purchase a wig for the first time. Later that night, I went out with friends and they all liked the new look but I was so uncomfortable! I kept tugging at the wig and it really irritated my skin. Once I got home I decided that I would BC that night! With the help of my mother and brother I cut all of the relaxed and damaged hair off. Although I loved the look of long weaves, I felt so relieved to have the hair gone! No lie, I felt free! I had toyed around with the idea of cutting all of my hair off for a couple months and I decided that it would also be the perfect time to go natural. I have a few friends that went natural and I was obsessed with their journeys and YouTube channels so I told myself that it was time to kiss the relaxer goodbye. I then discovered many other natural hair YouTube channels and curlynikki.com. I BC’d on 1/8/11 and I haven’t had a single inkling of regret. I love it!

Going into my BC I really didn’t care what anyone thought, to be honest. My hair was in bad shape and something had to be done. However, my family, friends, and boyfriend were/are really supportive. I have worn my hair short before, just not this short. It probably really wasn’t a big deal to them, LOL! My big brother called me tennis ball head the first couple days but now he’s over it. My dad is surprised he likes it as much as he does. My mom, little brother, and sister are digging it too. A few of my aunts are ready to cut their relaxer off now! My boyfriend can’t keep his hands out of my hair, probably because he felt like he couldn’t touch it before. When I went to work after the BC, my coworkers were surprised (I just had a 16 inch sew in on Friday) but they loved it. I got some of the most positive reactions from my Facebook/Twitter friends and members from my church. I have a cousin who went natural in 2009 and she had been such a helpful resource and inspiration. A few days after I BC’d, so did another cousin!

I’m really indecisive right now regarding my plans for my hair. I am loving the ease of caring for my hair right now since it is so short. I just condition, style, and go. One day I think that I want to keep it short for a while, then other days I’m ready to grow it out to a big, humongous Afro…..I cannot wait to rock a stupid big Afro 🙂

Yes and no, because I actually feel more feminine now than ever. Cutting all of my hair off gave me a surge of confidence that only added to how I felt before the BC. I’m a makeup junkie and loved any excuse to get glammed up. If anything has changed, it’s that I will wear makeup or earrings to work now. I was just too lazy to before. I haven’t really gotten into accessories yet, but I’m sure I will has my hair grows. With my hair so short, I like to play up other features like my eyes. My look is complete after rimming my eyes with liner and a couple coats of mascara. Oh, and a sweep of blush or bronzer really makes me feel pretty.

I’m still tweaking my regimen, but my hair has been reacting well to daily cowashing with Organix Shea Butter Conditioner. After getting out of the shower I apply Hollywood Beauty’s Olive Creme followed by EVOO. At night I apply Palmer’s Coconut Milk Moisturizer. I want to try jojoba oil and a whipped shea butter to see if the results will give me more lasting moisture throughout the day because my hair gets dry after a while. I am also in search of a great leave in, but I don’t want to use too much product on my hair.

I use the Olive Creme, EVOO, and a little gel everyday to style. I rub each in a circular motion and piece out the little curls in the front. I then apply a little gel to my sides because some of the hair grows straighter than the top and back.

I apply the Palmer’s to my hair at night just in case I don’t have time to cowash in the morning, put on my satin bonnet (when I remember), and sleep on a satin pillowcase.