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Of course, there are pros and cons for each. If you transition, you'll get to keep your length, but you'll have to deal with styling multi-textured tresses. If you do the big chop, you'll get rid of your relaxer in one fell swoop, but you might be left with only an inch of hair.
Still undecided? Check out these testimonials from our readers who've gone through one or both processes and lived to tell the tale!
“I was going to transition, but an hour before I went to work, I walked into Target and decided to cut it all off. I'm glad I did it. I usually go where the wind blows when it comes to my hair. It's an accessory; it’ll grow back fast!” —Un’Dralique Broussar
“It took years to work up the courage, but I did the BC in 1997 and loved it! I wore it short and sassy until about 3 years ago when I let it grow and found the hair I always wanted.” –Orgena Rose
“I transitioned for eighteen months and I just realized that it's not for me. My hair was very long and became very unmanageable, so I gave in and opted for a texturizer. When I decide to go natural again I’ll be doing the big chop.” –Lex Hart
“I tried to transition but my hair did its own big chop! It eventually grew back, but going natural has definitely been a challenge. Ladies, please do your research beforehand.” –Masha Taylor Gentry
“I got scissors and cut it off all by myself!! And I love it. I didn’t know I have such curly/wavy hair. 100% natural beauty.” –Marie Whitehead Williams
“I transitioned, and in the interim I did a few months with a sew-in, a few months without a weave to let my hair breathe, and then I’d go back to sew-ins for a few more months. Almost four years later I'm completely natural.” –Robin Taylor
“I did the big chop years ago, but I always used to wear it straightened. Since giving birth to my daughter three years ago, I wear it curly. Seeing her big fluffy curls made me fallen back in love with mine.” –Dennise Rhynes
“I’m going through the transition right now. I couldn’t do the big chop; my head’s too big for that!” –Ronnell M. Perry
“I’m four and a half months into my transition, with very little shedding. My hair gets tangled when I wash it, but I don't have any trouble when my hairdresser does it.” –Monesia Dingle-Kindle
“My last relaxer was February of this year. I transitioned until two weeks ago, when I finally cut the last of the relaxed hair off. I love my natural hair… can't wait to rock a Chaka Khan ‘fro!” –Karen Handy
“I transitioned for a year and then I big-chopped in November ’06. That same year I joined an online forum for women of color that focuses on growing long healthy hair; that’s helped a lot. The key is moisturizing and conditioning; that's what helped my hair grow to bra strap length when stretched.” –Madalena Pedro Miala
“I transitioned from May to Dec 2009; then I got frustrated and chopped. I love it! I just wish I had more education on how to style it. I've recently started a new job and have been wearing a weave but I'm ready to wear my hair.” –Janessa Ellis“Transitioning worked for me for a while, but those two textures are a beast to deal with! After eleven months, I big chopped. Anyone going natural should look at natural blogs, websites, and videos to get all the info you can.” –Keisha Bradford Billups
“I did the big chop. When I called my hairstylist, she was hesitant and ‘unavailable.’ So I contacted another stylist and did it in an hour. Being spontaneous was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” –Melody Clark
“If you transition you’ll get discouraged, but if you do ‘the big chop’ you’ll feel liberated and proud to be a Black woman. It will set you free.” –Dornita M. Herndon
I did the big chop over 11 years ago when it wasn't popular! My "sraight" hair was falling out by the handfuls. My hairdresser didn't want to cut and sent me to the barber in her shop. He asked what would my man say. I told him it wasn't my man's hair, cut it off. It was the best unpopular decision I've ever made...
Posted 49 days ago by BernadetteI am over 8 months into my transition. Yes, the two textures are a h***le, but the idea of cutting all of my hair off makes me anxious. I like to think of transitioning as a mental transition. I've relaxed my hair for almost 20 years, a drastic chop would have been overwhelming for me. As my curls grow in each day, I love them more and more. I'm also more comfortable with the idea of cutting the relaxed ends now than I was 8 months ago. Everyone has to do what works for them, whether that's transitioning, BCing or relaxing. Do you boo!
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I did the Big Chop about 8 weeks ago Big forehead and all, and I LOVE IT!! I get more compliments than ever before with my all naturale hair!
Posted 169 days ago by RonnieI tried to go natural but it just wasn't for me. My hair was too coarse and I ended up snapping the comb. Also, I am sensitive in the scalp, so sensitive scalp + hot comb = screaming. Aint no way I'd chop my hair off as long as it took me grow it and my head is round anyway. I keep my hair relaxed. Sometimes I grease it and sometimes I pink lotion it and sometimes I gel it. It’s easy to comb and style to me. I don't define how black I am by how I choose to wear my hair. No matter how I wear it, whether natural or relaxed, I will forever and always have nappy coarse hair that represents my blackness and I am proud of it. Just because I don’t wear my hair natural doesn’t make me less of a real black woman as anyone else who does. I came in this world black and I will go out black. Go head natural ladies and the big choppers. Keep doing your thing.
Posted 170 days ago by tI did the big chop almost 2 yrs ago. I proudly wore my nice cut fro, although my husband didn't care for it, it received nothing but compliments from others. I let the fro grow out for a year and now I wear the two strand twist, which i really like; it just takes an hour or two to twist it all, but i think its worth the time to go a week or so with doing anything else.
Posted 171 days ago by LoreCamille Rose Naturals are great products for newly naturals! www.camillerosenaturals.com
Posted 173 days ago by TanyaI'm currently transitioning!!! Almost 2 months post relaxer. I decided to forgo the big chop because I like my long hair better. I do the Bantu knot outs and curls. It's definitely a challenge but that's what happens whenever you start any journey. So I've just embraced my new hair journey and so far I'm loving it...
Posted 175 days ago by SexsirayBig Chop or Transitioning, I think that both wonderful options for Black women to reconnect with themselves through the journey of learning their natural hair textures and how to manipulate there curls into versatile masterpieces. I have noticed Sisters becoming more confident and radiant as a result of either choice. My wife did a big chop and she wears a stunning brush cut that is ironically more feminine than long flowing tresses. I am LOVING this natural hair thing!
Posted 175 days ago by Darrius PeaceBig Chop or Transitioning, I think that both are wonderful options for Black women to reconnect with themselves through the journey of learning their natural hair textures and how to manipulate them into versatile masterpieces. I have noticed Sisters becoming more confident and radiant as a result of either choice. My wife did a Big Chop and she wears a stunning brush cut that is ironically more feminine than long flowing tresses. I am LOVING this natural hair thing!
Posted 175 days ago by Darrius PeaceI have been transitioning for about 5 months now and I have had such wonderful results with bantu knot twist outs and rod sets. I get compliments all the time on my hair but I must admit I am itching to chop off the relaxed ends. i just want to deal with my natural texture soley and not have to worry about my relaxes tresses. Also I am so eager to start using the natural products; which are mainly used on natural hair.
Posted 175 days ago by SasheikaI commend Black women who are able to wear their hair natural. But it's just not for everybody. I personally wear a relaxer and my hair is past my shoulders. Even though relaxers may be damaging to my hair, I deep condition it often and make sure to keep the ends trimmed. I cut all my hair off in college and it was not as attractive on me as long hair is. My face is too round to do a big chop and I am impatient, so it will be relaxers for me! But I do love to see Black women with natural hair. It's amazing how versatile it can be.
Posted 175 days ago by BrandiThe decision to go natural was easy for me. perm/rollers/hotcurls..I could never get the hang of hot curling and I was tired of asking people to do my hair..Another drawback was that I love to exercise with lots of sweating..After cutting it low and going natural I realized that the quality of my natural hair was as curly as a texterizer..I have not regreted the decision.Wash, brush, moisterize and go for me.
Posted 175 days ago by PJMy hair is much healthier natural... I've done the big chop several times, and i just loved it.. It's liberating... I always new it would grow back.. And that it did..
Posted 175 days ago by Loshon