Chopped & Screwed - The Nappy Race (Ch.3)

Chopped & Screwed - Ch. 3

"I think I can, I think I can, I think I can" is the chant that is quietly humming in your head, as you stand in front of the mirror in your bathroom. You hold a piece of your glory up tall to count the inches (hopefully yards!) of new growth, while your free hand grabs the scissors.

Freedom is only a few snips away, you began to think. So without hesitation, you snip away the dead, lifeless, relaxed hair you have left. No more shedding, no more battling with the two textures. YES! You are finally natural!

Taking a good look at all the hair on the floor and all the hair that is not on your head, insecurities began to set in. Not to mention the confused faces of those who knew you with your long relaxed hair. Peoples comments & the questions about your sanity and emotional health. As if a haircut means you are 'going through something'.

Days and weeks pass, and your confidence level rises. Complete strangers come to you and tell you about how much they like your hair. Even your family & friends are getting used to it and are excited to see what your next hair move will be. You then realize it's not just the hair that is bringing you this new found attention, it's really YOU. For once you have accepted yourself, you are comfortable, secure and are no longer within that 'box' you were originally in. This is the place where you have one of those light bulb moments, and you understand the power and freedom of the new YOU.

THE POWER & FREEDOM OF RE-INVENTION - FINAL CHAPTER

The Nappy Race - THE REAL BEGININNG (Ch 2)

It’s your official first month on the ‘transition’ leg of the race. Your run thus far is strong. You feel confident and secure with your decision. You pat yourself on the back because you have been solid in your decision to bear through this process. But little did you know the first 30 days are only a small piece to the prize. The real journey begins here....

As you count the weeks and months you have put behind you, the cushion of puffiness that surrounds your scalp is scary. No one told you that your ‘natural’ hair would grow in like this. Coily, kinky, nappy.... all of the above apply. The breakage and shedding has increased dramatically, which is the reason why you decided to go natural. As you continue to visit your hair stylist, she tries to ‘oh so nicely’, encourage you to PLEASE come back to the ‘relaxed’ side. This ‘natural phase’ you seem to be going through is out of her realm and she is pulling straws to try to figure out what to do with your hair in this state.

The Nappy Race - The beginning (Ch. 1)





A little bit of breakage here, a little bit of breakage there - And that's how it starts.

"Well maybe a treatment will help,"  you think to yourself. After a few treatments, trims, a weave, some Dominican blow outs, a couple headaches, and few pain relievers (need I go on) your hair screams, "Enough is enough, I'm going natural." However, the look on your face is not that convincing.