About a month ago, I decided to cut my hair. I was getting ready for a trip to New York and afraid that my go-to, press’n’curl would become a big poof within hours of arriving. To get ahead of the frizziness that was bound to happen, I decided to get rid of some inches and wear it natural. This decision was inspired mostly by the thinning of my edges which I’d noticed over the last several months. After slapping everything from castor to coconut oil on my hair, I didn’t see much of a change. My hair has never been particularly fond of oils, always feeling dry within a day or two of being greased. I figured doing the big chop, for the second time in my life, would only make things better. I wondered about which products to use on a TWA (Teeny Weeny Afro). Smiling from ear to ear, I thought of the styles I’d like to try and the products I’d need to sculpt my new look. 
I went from shoulder length locks to an afro of about four inches. My beautician reiterated the importance of moisturizing my hair and suggested that I try a leave-in conditioner. So, I bought the only leave-in conditioner I’d ever tried which was by Mixed Chicks. While it did lock in moisture and added some definition to my curls, it also created a lot of build-up. This could have been due to my naturally dry scalp or even the amount I used, but I decided to try something new. After my next cut, a couple inches lower, I wanted to use something that got the job done quicker. Length was no longer a problem, but the thickness of my hair makes it a bit of a task to apply products.
Now that I’m fairly used to my length, I figured out that applying my products while my hair is still wet works best for me. Some days I include a bit of Mixed Chicks for definition, but most days I use a combination of Palmer's Olive Oil Formula & Motions Foam Styling Lotion. The combo has become my favorite when it comes to tightening curls, moisturizing my hair and getting it all done in under 10 minutes. And to completely negate the possibility of getting flaky mid-day, I like to use any sort of shampoo or conditioner that incorporates oil and is paraben-free.
The OGX collection does a great job of providing options when it comes to addressing your hair texture and the care it needs. Currently, I’m using their Biotin & Collagen Shampoo for thick and full hair along with their Lavender Luminescent Platinum Conditioner for hydrating and color reviving. The biotin in the shampoo takes care of my thickness while the lavender in the conditioner nurtures my scalp. I also plan to start doing a hot oil treatment about once a month, to help with oil retention.
All in all, I am very excited to continue searching for the best ways to take care of my hair. I am considering dying it a few times before growing it back out into the long bob that I’d like to make my signature look. I encourage anyone struggling with their hair or experiencing brittle strands to consider the big chop. It's an experience you’ll love and appreciate. And for those of you just looking for a new do, this is a great way to do something that will give you that different look while also promoting the health of your hair.
My new big chop!
Are you considering the big chop? Share your story in the comments!
