On October 16, 2009 I did what I said I was going to do for the past 2 months. I cut my hair. I cut all my relaxed hair off. The “Big Chop” as they call it. It took me two months of going back and forth in my decision. And now, it is finally done. Before the day came, I told everyone and had comments from “WHY???? WHAT ARE YOU DAMN WELL THINKING??” to “girl…we are black…it will not grow back” to “Good for you!! You will love it”. I was terrified that I will be bald for life. I was terrified that I would look like a man. I was terrified that my hair would not grow back…but I was most terrified of my mother’s reaction… Not at the fact that I was cutting my hair….but at my mother’s reaction. My mom believes that all young women (18-26) must have long, flowing hair. And though I have mentioned it multiple times before, she warns me not to do it. “Young girls should have long hair Dija. How are you ever going to get a boyfriend with short hair?? You better not cut it.”

Why did I cut it? I was tired of dealing with two textures…my natural hair is very thick, kinky, curly, etc…and the processed hair was lifeless to me. It was horrible to condition my scalp and realize that my natural hair did not get anything while my processed hair got everything. It got to the point where my relaxed hair did not feel like relaxed hair anymore…it felt like dead…lifeless string…best description ever.

WELL…..I did…AND I LOVE IT!!!! The day I did it, I was more excited then scared and my lovely sisters were there for moral support. The only time I really got nervous was when it was finish and I was forced to look at myself…with only 1.5 inches of hair on my head. It was great!!! Though I get jealous when I see some people put there hair in a pony tail (who knew I would miss the poiny tail!), I am now in the process of learning about my hair. I do get the occasional “oh my god!! Soul Sista” look and the “can I touch your hair?” pat on the head but it is ok. I have researched about “gong natural” for the past year and have come to this conclusion: everyone’s hair is different. What might be good for your hair is not good for mine. And I will not judge you on your hair and I hope you will not do the same. Anyway, I have realized my hair is naturally very curly…tight curls…and it eats up EVERYTHING…from olive oil to coconut oil to honey….EVERYTHING….yes…I put honey in my hair. I also love that I do not have to do much with it. I wake up, put amlika leave in conditioner, brush it and go. No more flat irons or hot combs or attachements.

However, I must warn you…going natural is not for the lazy….at all. I put in twice the amount of work now. Washing my hair once a week, co-washing twice a week (yes!! I know what that is! I did my research!!), conditioning my scalp and hair….every other day. But it is a labor of love. And I do not regret my decision at all….best thing I ever did for myself….seriously.

Products I use for my hair:
Amlika Leave in conditioner mixed with olive oil (The Body Shop)
Honey Shampoo and Conditioner (The Body Shop)
Raw Coconut oil and Olive Oil and Shea Butter
Honey Scalp Oil (The Body Shop)