Hair Exclusive: The Big Chop
BET Beauty Lounge: The Big Chop with Anthony Dickey
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The Big Chop - When Chrisette Michele recently did “The Big Chop,” fans were in awe of her fierce, natural beauty. As if she was equipped with a newfound freedom, Chrisette shouted from the rooftops (and various social media networks) that she was very much in love with her new blonde, barely-there buzz. We’ve sifted through some easy-to-follow transitioning tips from multi-textural maven, Anthony Dickey.
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What is The Big Chop? - The Big Chop is one of many options for people who are transitioning from relaxers. It should be just one of the many options that stylists should offer their clients, so women don’t feel like they absolutely have to do it.
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The Journey - It’s a choice. You may have transitioned for three or six months. It’s a gradual process and you think differently about the first six weeks that you didn’t get a perm than the next three months where you’re in a different frame of mind. I always like to walk women through that psychological state of being.
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Take Your Time - Allowing yourself that time prepares you for The Big Chop. What’s great about it is that once you’ve done it, you’re living in that natural texture. That’s very liberating. You know that it’s all you, and at that point, you realize that you’re good enough. What’s exactly yours is good enough.
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Like an Epiphany - My hair and I had a really bad argument. She was being sprayed with alcohol and burnt with irons… She was being overprocessed and yanked and pulled by weave strings and suffocated by glue. She told me if I didn’t straighten up and fly right that she was leaving. I was out on tour, and day after day of this torturous regimen I began to feel like I was hurting myself. I wasn’t being fair to my body.
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Curl Cues - The most important part of anybody’s regimen with naturally kinky-curly hair is the type of cleanser that they use. If you use the wrong cleanser, you can condition until the cows come home and it won’t matter. You’re trying to get your natural hair to be soft and pliable so that it curls, and it’s not going to curl if it’s dried out. Shampoo is the one thing that will destroy all of your efforts.
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All Eyes On Chrisette - Honestly? I didn't know anyone would care that I cut my hair. Sometimes I don't realize how many people are watching.
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Product Picks - The Hair Rules Daily Cleansing Cream, and the Hair Rules Quench Conditioner are two of the most preventative aspects to your hair care that will keep it soft and pliable. Use them daily or during co-washing (light rinse + condition). Stay away from products that are wax-based.
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Embrace the Change - Transitioning is really all about going overboard in pampering your texture, so that ultimately, you’re growing out hair that is cared for, soft and super-healthy. You won’t be short forever if that isn’t your goal. Most women with relaxers who didn’t really know of their true texture, opt out of relaxers because they’re damaging, and end up being really satisfied with their natural, thick tresses.