Tag Archive for stay stong during your big chop

Stretched hair aka AFRO -no Heat (Night routine for Short Natural Hair)

AuCurlsnaturelle | May 1, 2012 | 2 comments

So i think my recent frequent question that i get is “how to stretch short natural hair”

1. I advice to do it at night and then the end results can be enjoyed in the morning.

2. There are two things that can be done to get stretched hair

a. CURLY STRETCHED HAIR

b. AFRO 

2.a. You need to either TWIST your hair make sure it is well dry before undoing the two strands of twists OR use an elastic band as in the above video but do not let your hair dry completely- it should have a little damp feel.

 

2.b. What ever method suits you best: twist, coton wool, elastic bands etc, just make sure you undo them when you hair is totally dry. Not everyone has volume in their hair when doing an afro- I do suggest you get hold of  a shampoo/conditioner that enhances hair volume, as for me, glycerine soap bar works really well on my hair. Try avoiding moisturizers and leave in once you have achieved your fro, rather opt for your favorite oil which will make your hair shiny, silk and thick.

*Using a moisturizer may cause shrinkage or defined coils that may get rid of the Fro or stretched hair.

~~~~~~till next time :) )~~~~

 

Category: Au Curls Naturelle, TWA Hair Styles | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The Beauty Of “BIG CHOP” on TWA

AuCurlsnaturelle | April 27, 2012 | 5 comments
What is “BIG CHOP” AkA “BC”?
 
Big chop is the process of cutting off the relaxed or permed ends off from  one’s hair because one have had two different texture during transitioning.
 
Transitioning is the process of keeping both textures(chemically processed and hair with your own hair texture that grows out).
 
Timing the “big chop” is a big decision for any ethnic ladies willing to go natural. It doesn’t always mean that your BIG CHOP will be on the perfect day at a perfect time, but at least you will know where are you are heading with the two textures of hair. Not everyone can handle two textures for too long. Big Chop might happen sooner than you planned or expected, or even later; it really all depends on the individual and what makes one comfortable with their hair, their hairstyles and preferences.
 
Having an “early” BIG CHOP, also known as TWA (teeny weeny afro) is a decision that comes with a lot of guts especially if one’s hair is still short and probably one had longer hair most of their life. When that urge of BC arrives there is really no turning back, whether it was because of the frustration of two textures, willing to embrace one’s coils/curls or just for own personal reasons. When it is time you feel it, but it is always best (if you can) to analyse it a bit before doing the TWA- Big Chop, for example :
 
1. Are you sure you willing to not have hair to flip to the back of your ear when you are talking ? :)
 
 
2. Are you ready to really to embrace your “boy” image  and rock it hard till “SHE” grows back?:)
* If not, then you might get frustrated and wear weaves, wigs and many extensions which might bring split ends or even breakage to you hair hence it is too short to handle so much “styling”.
 
3. Are you sure you are ok with not having anything to “finger coil”  or caress as you are talking, thinking, nervous or just blushing?
* If not, you might feel like something is “missing” like….your hair
 
4. Are you willing to look in the mirror and say “I AM BEAUTIFUL WITH THIS TWA”?
*You cannot rely on others to find you attractive if you look so insecure with your TWA or you don’t keep it healthy and beautiful, especially with the brainwashed soceity we live  in that told us there is only ONE way to look “HOT and HAPPENING”.
 
 
5. Are you willing to have patience with the growth rate of your hair?
*Hair grows back but not everyone’s hair grows the same length every 30 days. TWA needs care, and time (loads of it) to look healthy.
 
 
6. Are you willing to do what is best for your TWA and not what you desire?
* keeping it healthy so it can grow back  in good condition and not over doing it with product experiments or following trends, even though you may love that shampoo’s smell maybe that’s the cause of your TWA dryness…? etc….
PS—Hands down ”kitchen hair rescue” works well too for dryness.
 
 
7. Are you willing to keep you hands out of your TWA?
* It is seriously an addiction, it feels so impossible sometimes to GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR HAIR; a serious TWA fever which is extremely unhealthy for the growth of your hair:))
These are really just a few factors that can get you thinking if you have not yet done the BC.
 

_________HOWEVER!___________

If you did your Big Chop without thorough thought or you know that you are just ready to love “her” as she is? Not to worry! Hair grows back :) as long as you take real good care of her.
Here are some fun and beautiful reasons for BC that should make you really happy to be YOU! 
 
1. A billion hair textures nightmares are finally over. Say hello to the real you!
 
2. You connect with your hair more, learning what she loves and doesn’t love, what makes her seriously smooshy and fluffy, and what makes her angry,dry and rigid. It gets time consuming at times but the results are seriously priceless. She is the best friend that you have been avoiding for years.
 
3. You get so much attention! Especially when its written all over her that you are taking real good care of her, people don’t stop commenting :) and if they don’t comment? They probably didn’t think you would rock it (and suits you well) like you do or they just suffering from acceptance that this is what you are and you are not going back on crack.
 
4. The weather will never be a big deal, your best friend loves any weather (cold or hot just give her the nutrition she needs and she will be fine), not forgetting the rain is her lover :) they get along very well.
 
5. Chemical Dead Lines are finally over! Deep conditioning or anything else for that matter has always been a norm to your life whether you were relaxed, transitioning or natural. BUT making sure you get your relaxer every so and so days, is finally OVER.
 
6. BE HAPPY FOR YOUR SUMMER VACATIONS! Jumping in that  swimming pool is so much easier!! All you have to is co-wash after that….(i barely do though, so i might sound like a bad preacher hehehehe). NO MORE STRESS OF swimming pool chemicals vs your relaxer chemicals.
 
7. PIMP YOURSELF UP! Let the edgy styles begin :)
let’s face it, when you have longer hair it looks a little too much to wear certain earrings, necklaces or even make up, but with short hair? it’s sometimes look pretty acceptable and normal to look a little edgy:)) SO GET YOUR FREAK ON!
 
8. HAIR PRODUCTS work better and easier. I don’t know, but as for me, I’ve come to realize that at times shampoos and conditioners sometimes all feel the same; your hair always feels soft and moisturized even with the cheapest products. I could never get away with cheap products while i was having relaxed hair, they made my hair dry, caused split ends or even some of them makes my hair so tangled that i can’t comb it.
 
9. The criticism that comes along with BC, people might not be too happy about it, sometimes even family members might be the first to give the weird comments that can come across as negative. But for you to still have guts to BC is no child’s play. You are a brave person because after all, your appearance does say something in advance about you. This is indeed a brave step about you and give others a glance on your internal self esteem that you possess and how comfortable you are with whatever decision YOU take.

 

10. HAVE FUN!!!! for as long as you take great care of her? she will not be short forever, from the time you BC to 12 months later, she will not be TWA ever again; therefore take as many fun pictures with it- don’t hide her, embrace her. Before you know it, it is a year later and she is way passed the phase of TWA.
 
 
I hope your spirit was lifted up after reading this article?
 
 for more,
check out my youtube videos for more tips on TWA
follow me: www.twitter.com/aucurlsn
Leave your comments about your TWA experiences
 
Peace and love
xx
~Aucurlsnaturelle 
Category: BIG CHOP | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,