Since cutting her shoulder length hair at the end of last year Shernise Shaw says she feels free.
Free to swim, free to walk in the rain, free to do other things with the $120 she spent a month going to the salon every Friday faithfully after work.
Her reason for the big chop, also known as BC was simple, “I was tired of my hair thinning, putting unnecessary chemicals in my body and being a slave to my hair.”
Giving up chemicals is becoming a big fashion statement for women of color. While some decide to rock two strand twist, braids, bantu knots and other natural styles many are simply cutting it all off.
Singer Chrisette Michele said of her 2010 big chop, “Truth is I cut my hair for freedom, not beauty.”
Other celebs have walked the infamous red carpet rocking little to no hair including, Viola Davis, Nicole Ari Parker and Kim Cole.
While some decide on the big chop many aren’t ready for such a huge change. A good amount of the ladies on the Facebook Page Transitioning to Natural are some of them, the group has over 5,000 members.
Unlike most women who are taking it one step at a time transitioning from perms, Shaw didn’t.
“I waited until I was ready for the change, I didn’t waste time and money trying to transition,” she said.
On Dec. 16, Shaw made the decision to sit in a salon chair and watch her tresses fall to the floor.
While there are no regrets, she admits that she is ready for her
hair to grow back. However she is enjoying having a new look after wearing the same one for ten years.
Shaw said since cutting her hair life has changed literally; before she would miss events because of the rain. “I protected my hair at all cost,” she said.
“I am living now,” she says. Shaw advises women thinking about the big chop to go for it. The biggest misconception she said is that it’s expensive and time consuming.
“You just have to learn how to manage it,” she said.
Shernise is a school librarian who enjoys reading and eating good food.
Written by Shaka L. Cobb (c) 2012
Pieces of Cobb 