Natural Hair News: MTV Casting Call For Woman Who Wants to Do Big Chop

MTV Casting Call:  Are You Ready For the Big Chop?   

Is your hair your obsession? Are are you struggling with your hair? Do you feel natural hair would let you embrace your true self, and you want to go for the “big chop?” Why now? What has held you back up to this moment? We would like to follow someone who is ready to do the “big chop” and follow them on their journey as they transition into their natural hair.

If you appear to be between the ages of 15 -28 and would like us to document your transition to natural hair, email us at casting@lintonmedia.com and tell us about your story. Please include your name, location, phone number and recent photos of yourself.

Note:  Don't forget that we at Taji's Natural Salon are also looking for women (no age limit) who are ready to transition to natural for us to feature on our blog as well as on Facebook.   We'll follow your journey and will culminate with a video shoot of your "big chop" to be featured on Youtube.  Leave a comment below to be included in our local casting call!

We Would Like to Feature YOU! Transitioning Stories

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Are you a current customer of Taji's Natural Hair styling and in the middle of your transition to natural hair?  We are looking for 3 customers to follow their journey to natural on this blog and Facebook, culminating with your big chop being video taped and featured on Youtube!


The requirements to participate in this feature are: 1) you must be a current customer of Taji's Natural Hair Styling  2) You must be following this blog 3) You must have liked the Taji's Natural Hair Styling Facebook page. 4) Put a comment below about why you decided to transition to natural hair.

We are excited about featuring YOU our fabulous customers!  We hope that through your feature, someone else will be encouraged to transition to natural hair.

Helping Your Spouse or Signifcant Other to Transition To Natural Hair WITH You

Over the years, I've had many occasions to see women struggle with the decision to go natural because they didn't know what their spouse or significant other's reaction would be to the change in their hair.  While many women get up in arms about why a man would not accept the woman he loves despite her hairstyle as I've witnessed through many encounters, conversations, and even blog articles like this one and this one, it is a real issue and should be addressed.

So below I'm going to share some tips for helping the man in your life "transition to natural hair" with you.

1.  Communicate - Talk to your man about why you want to go natural before you start your transition.  There are many reasons why we choose to go natural:  relaxers are damaging your hair, chemical processing is expensive, wanting to develop a more healthy lifestyle including going to the gym, just wanting to embrace your natural texture/curiosity.  No matter what it is, share your reasons.  Allow for dialogue so that you can receive his feedback as well.

2. Educate - Those who who do transition to natural hair often go through some education process about natural hair, how to care for it, maintain it, and style it.  Share some of this information with your husband/boyfriend as well.  I'm not saying drag him to a natural hair meetup or teach him about every natural hair product line on the market, but do share general information about natural hair with him. This will be especially helpful when you start using natural hair lingo like big chop, two strand twist, braid out, etc.

3. Get his input on styling options - Allow him to look at some of the styles on the Taji Natural Hair Styling gallery, Youtube, or even point out styles on natural haired women you see while you guys are out and about.  Ask for his input.  Though every style looks a little different with each hair texture and individual, you will have an idea as to what his preferences are. 

4. Exposure - This is one thing that you might not have to create.  Fortunately, there are many women who are going natural.  Usually what is seen in the masses is more easily accepted by the masses.  There are black and multiracial women seen on television shows, tv and print advertising, on billboards, in music videos and in society in general.  As you make him more aware of natural hair through your conversations, he will also be more aware of natural hair in his surroundings.

If your husband/boyfriend is not initially supportive about your decision to transition from relaxed to natural hair, these steps should at least help him to see things from your perspective.  Hopefully, he will appreciate your efforts to include him  and make him a part of your decision.

Transitioning to Natural Series - Transitioning Hairstyles

During your transition to natural hair it can be very difficult to blend your new naturally curly hair texture with your straight relaxed ends.  Many naturals have the desire to flat iron this hair to blend it.  By using this method however, you can very easily end up with heat damaged hair.  Heat damaged hair will not revert to its naturally curly pattern.  Unfortunately, if your non-chemically processed hair becomes heat damaged, the length that you have acquired will need to be cut when your relaxed ends are eventually removed.

So how can you accomplish a polished look without heat styling to blend the two textures, you ask?  Try a few of the styles selected below:

 Straw Set/Flexi rod Set

Bantu Knots

Two strand twists with extensions

Sew In Weave

 

Faux Fro

All of these looks can be performed by any of the talented stylists at Taji's Natural Hair Styling.  So if you're at a frustrated point in your transition and you need some help, call us for a free consultation!

Transitioning to Natural Hair Series - Steps to Preparing for a Successful Transition

In the 2nd part of our Transitioning to Natural Series we will focus on steps that are key to ensuring you have a successful transition from relaxed hair to natural hair.

First we'll deal with the healthy hair strategies:

Treat your hair as if its all natural -  Begin eliminating products from your regimen that contain silicones and parabens and sulfates.  Choose styles make it easy to blend your natural hair with your relaxed hair without using heat.  Detangle with care!  The line between your relaxed hair and natural hair (demarcation line) is very fragile and can break easily if you are not very gentle when detangling.   

Keep your hair well moisturized  -  Natural hair adores water and regular moisture is key to healthy natural hair.  Use water based moisturizers (they will have water as one of the first ingredients) on your hair. Keep in mind that adding moisture is not only external but also internal.  We should drink about half of our body weight in ounces of water each day. 

Deep condition regularly -  I would suggest that deep conditioning is key in any hair regimen but it is even more key with naturally curly textured hair.  A great deep conditioner should aid in detangling and leave your hair feeling soft and moisturized.

Next let's talk about the mindset:

Realistic expectations regarding hair texture/curl pattern  - Everyone's curl pattern is their own.  Some are wavy, some are tightly coiled, while others are kinky. Some individuals don't have a curl pattern at all.  Be prepared for your hair texture to be any of these curl patterns.  You may also find that you will have a mixture of several curl patterns in your head.  Be willing to embrace whichever one that is uniquely yours!

Prepare those you love for your decision - As much as this is your natural hair journey, you are taking your family and close friends on this journey with you.  Share with them the reasoning for your decision.  As you look at styles on Youtube or in magazines, ask their opinion of styles they like.  You may find that there are many that are close to you who are very supportive of you.  However, you should be prepared for the possibility that not everyone who cares about you will be supportive of your decision. Just remember that as much as you want everyone to be as excited as you are about your journey, the most important thing is that you love the reflection in the mirror and are comfortable with the way she faces the world everyday.  


Have a support network - Which brings me to my next point.  It is important that before you start your natural journey that you find a supportive network.  This may include supportive friends and family members, natural hair boards, natural hair blogs like this one, or YouTube.  Natural hair meetups are also a great source of information and encouragement in your local area.  Sometimes when those close of you are not your greatest supporters, these support networks will keep you educated, motivated to stay the course.

Patience - It will take time to learn your hair in its natural state and to develop a regimen that fits your hair. 
Products that work for others may or may not work for you.  Just know that the work that you take in learning & caring for your hair will be rewarded with healthy locks and growing strands.

Have a good stylist -  While it is important to do your own research, it is equally important to have a knowledgeable, skilled, supportive stylist to help you learn about and care for your natural hair.  This could potentially mean the parting of ways from the stylist that you've had many years, especially if she/he has no knowledge of natural hair maintenance or doesn't support your decision to eliminate chemical processing from your hair regimen.  Do your research.  Get recommendations and always get a consultation before sitting in the chair for a style.  Ask questions.  A professional stylist will encourage your questions and be willing to answer them to make sure you're comfortable.

For those of you who are "seasoned" naturals, can you think of some other things that you wish you would have known before you decided to go natural?  Share them below!

Check out the blog next week for some transitional styles!