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Curly Nikki

Classcie- A Story of Transition

By January 27th, 202113 Comments

Classcie- A Story of Transition
CN: Were you a long term or short term transitioner, and why?
Initially, I had planned to transition for 2 years. However, it only ended up being 11 months, which is still a long term transition in my opinion. My last relaxer was in August 2010. My reason for the long term transition was simply that I was used to having long hair. After having lengthy hair all my life, I couldn’t fathom having short hair and I didn’t feel I had the courage to do a big chop sooner than 2 years. As time went on and I got more comfortable with the idea, I was open to big chopping sooner, which is what happened.

relaxed

Classcie- A Story of Transition

CN: When did you BC? What was your initial reaction to your natural hair?
I big chopped on July 20, 2011. The Sunday before that Wednesday was wash day and after washing and detangling my hair, I noticed that I was experiencing more breakage as my transition went on and I wasn’t sure if I would have much hair by the time I reached 2 years post relaxer. I went in the room and told my boyfriend I wanted to cut the relaxed hair off and he said go for it. So that Tuesday, I set up the appointment and went the next day for my big chop. My reaction was actually more mild than I expected. I guess I was already used to having natural hair because I did natural hair styles regularly as I transitioned. Also, because I had transitioned for 11 months, I had about 5 inches of natural hair under my relaxed hair. I’m very satisfied with my decision and I feel rejuvenated.

CN: How did family and friends react to the new you? What was your response to them?
My friends had been supportive since day one so it didn’t surprise me when they were enthused about my big chop. They all love it and understand why I decided to take that route. My family, on the other hand, did not take it lightly; specifically my mother. Since the beginning, she hasn’t liked the idea of me going natural so big chopping made it no better. Her response was harsh but we soon came to terms and she told me she supported my decision after I expressed to her my reasoning for my journey. I think it’s just surprising because I had long hair and I cut it off by choice, not because I had to.

CN: What was your transition routine?
My transition routine was not too technical. I washed my hair once a week and did mid-week co-washes when I did braid outs. I got acquainted with one of KimmayTube’s protective styles and started wearing it regularly. Occasionally, I did something different like a flexi-rod set or straightening. The products I used included Giovanni’s Smooth as Silk shampoo and conditioner as well as Giovanni’s Direct Leave-in. I used an oil blend by Jessicurl containing avocado oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil to seal in moisture regularly and shea butter along with Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie for my braid outs.

transitioning

Classcie- A Story of Transition
CN: What was your staple hair style during the transition?
My staple hair styles were braid outs and a protective style that allowed for all my ends to be tucked. These styles came to me over time but when I first started transitioning, I straightened my hair regularly. This is when I knew nothing about natural hair care and the flat iron was all I knew. About 4 months into my transition, I got acquainted with the YouTube gurus and I learned a great deal about natural hair care. That is when I started taking a more protective approach to my hair.

CN: How did you moisturize your hair to prevent breakage at the new growth line?
To keep my hair hydrated, I washed regularly making sure I didn’t any chemicals in my hair that needed sulfates to remove. I stuck to sulfate free shampoos to make sure my hair was never stripped of its natural oils. I immediately saw a difference when I stopped using sulfate shampoos and started using less harsh products in my hair. I tried to stick with organic products and that also contributed to my hair being easier to manage. When I did my braid outs, I used shea butter and Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie to keep my hair moisturized so it wouldn’t be brittle. I also deep conditioned once a week using a water based, silicone free conditioner and this really contributed to keeping my hair moisturized. Breakage is what ultimately caused me to big chop, though. I never found out if the breakage I was experiencing was normal for transitioners, it just seemed like it was increasing so I decided to be proactive.

CN: Why did you choose to go natural?
I choose to go natural because I couldn’t figure out why my hair stopped growing and why it wasn’t as thick as I liked. Also, my best friend has been natural for about 3-4 years now and she always told me that I didnt need a relaxer. Because I was so accustomed to long, straight hair, I always thought she was nuts. One day, I decided to do some research and what I saw on YouTube and through my searches on Google made me want to take that giant leap.over to the natural hair community. I had never seen so many people with healthy, gorgeous, textured hair and it made me want to having long, textured hair myself.

Classcie’s Big Chop Footage!

13 Comments

  • Anonymous says:

    Great story…her growth about perspectives on hair and beauty is an admirable experience most of us naturals go through, unless we've been natural from birth. Free your mind and your hair will follow. Hearing her say she had a "better grade of hair" than she thought truly made me wince but if we are lucky, the process of becoming more aware of attitudes that limit us and each other, continues everyday. Bravo sista, keep on….

  • Nicole says:

    oh wow! when her transitioning photo was submitted to my Natural Hair Tumblr i could have sworn she was already natural! Either way gorgeous girl gorgeous hair!!!

  • Anonymous says:

    Her story is a about how she transitioned to obtain length before chopping. This site has a lovely sectioned dedicated to people who transition and the routines that they used. This site also has a section dedicated to those who chop off their hair instantly, creating the beautiful TWA's and fades with less than 2 inches of hair. As someone who big chopped instantly, I think it is helpful to keep the stories separated. It's motivational and inspiring to see other naturals who took the bold move of "big chopping" all of their hair off and rocking the look with little to no hair with confidence and grace. I do agree that she "chopped", but I just pointed out that her story focuses mainly on the transition, not the chop. Any chop is life changing. She has gorgeous hair, and at the end of the day, the goal is to rock natural hair at any length confidently and offer support for one another.

  • Anonymous says:

    I agree ladies. A big chop does not mean you have to rock a low fade. I big chopped and I transitioned for two years. It's getting rid of your relaxed hair and it doesn't matter how long you transitioned or how much you chop off.

    Great story. I'm sorry to hear your mother had such a harsh reaction to your decision to embark on a heathier hair journey. But I'm glad you perservered for yourself. Your hair looks lovely.

  • Rece says:

    I think if you cut off a significant amount of hair, it would be considered a big chop, because it sure isn't a trim. Eh, it's just wording anyway. Big deal!

  • Rece says:

    Your hair is gorgeous. Your story sounds sooooooo similar to mine! I did my "big chop" on July 22, 2011 after 16.5 months of transitioning. Good luck to you and if you discover any cool styles hit me up.

    ~ http://AHairStory.Wordpress.com ~

  • hairscapades says:

    Beautiful hair!!

    Shelli

  • Sharmer says:

    Omg she is seriously making me want to chop off my relaxed ends right now! It will be 11 months for me in a few days. I think my growth is right about where hers is, and I could definitely work with that length. My husband is begging me to wait til it gets a little longer, but thats great length for a chop!

  • Anonymous says:

    I love this article bc I had my last relaxer in August and I'm 11 months post as well! I would love to be featured on this site! Its amazing!

  • Anonymous says:

    Yea transitioning for 11 months and then chopping off the majority of your hair that happens to be relaxed sounds like a big chop to me. I guess her story falls into both categories.

  • Anonymous says:

    I thought that big chop meant that you had all of your relaxed hair cut off, not how much natural hair you have remaining.

  • CURLYNIKKI says:

    you're right, lol. Changing the title!

  • Anonymous says:

    How is this considered a big chop after she transitioned for 11months? She has 5 inches of hair, not 1/2 inch!!! Other than that, nice hair :).

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