Many women of African decent have opted to go natural but are not sure how to. You now know you want to be a beauty with naturally textured hair but are not sure how to make the transition from relaxed to natural. There are a few different ways which can adhere to any type of hair. You just have to find the right method for you that you will be comfortable with to make the transition easier and less painful.
1. The Big Chop
This is the most popular method among African American women who have decided to go natural. This is often the most popular because it is the mot liberating. Many describe the event as a breath of fresh air and releasing tension and most of all embracing what is natural them, their hair. The process is simple and does not require a salon specialists to conduct the method. It is easy, all that is needed is a pair of scissors and will take less than ten minutes.
The big chop is essentially cutting off all the relaxed pieces of the hair all the way to the new growth. The new growth is the unrelaxed portion of the hair that is closer to the scalp. This is usually done only when there are at least 2 inches of new growth to have hair left once it is cut. Of course 2 inches is not required you can take hair clippers and cut it all off. Although the big chop is the most common, many women have to be prepared for self acceptance and essentially having a boy hair cut for a period of time until it grows for different styling.
2. Braids
This is also for very popular for men and women. For men they tend to wear corn rows and for women they wear braided in human or synthetic hair to keep their relaxed pieces and gradually grow the natural portions out with braids. There are several types of braiding styles such micros, twists, corn rows and pixies. Braids are easy to style and can be kept in the hair anywhere from 1 week to 8 weeks. Major cities have different braids shops most of which are known as African braid shops. They can be costly but are worth the money for braiding talent.
3. Grow it Out
Growing it out with out any major cuts or wearing braids is an effective way for many of the people who are too chicken for the liberating experience. This method is done by maintaining the relaxed hair but not adding more relaxer into the hair. About every 2 weeks a small amount is trimmed off the ends of the hair. This process slowly rids the hair of any relaxed pieces grows out the natural hair. This method can be tricky and often ends up severely damaging or breaking the relaxed ends of the hair. Two textures of hair existing together is not possible are not compatible. The relaxed texture is weak, the other is strong, which is the natural part. The relaxed pieces of hair will more likely break off at a faster rate for this method of going natural.
4. Dread Locks
Another popular way to go natural is dread locks. This is similar to the big chop method only most people cut off all the relaxed hair specifically to start dread locks. Not all big choppers start dread locks, but many of them do. The locking method is very versatile and should be researched before deciding on a locking style and loctician. Locking the hair is done by the hair naturally binding, twisting and coiling together to get thick or thin strands of intertwined hair. This is also a liberating method because it is said that locks hold energy.
These are just a few of the most popular ways to go natural. Despite the method chosen, it is not an easy decision but once the process is finished it will be worth the transition. After going natural many people have committed themselves to a new and life and style that comes with natural hair and most never return to relaxed hairstyles.
