Big Chop or Transition: Which is Best?

“Should I big chop or transition to natural hair?”  The big question for most new naturals or those considering going natural. Does it matter whether you big chop or transition? What should you consider when making a decision?

Let’s start by understanding these two choices briefly. 

Big Chop or Transition- What do They Mean?

A big chop refers to cutting off relaxed, permed, or damaged hair all at once, thereby starting your natural hair journey from the beginning.

A transition refers to letting your natural hair grow underneath the relaxed parts and gradually trimming the relaxed parts over time until they are all gone, leaving only your natural hair.  Read all about transitioning 

Both methods produce the same result, which is: a head with only natural hair. So, why do you have to make a choice?

The choice is in the process that it takes.

For a big chop, you can go from having bra-length or even waist-length relaxed hair to a teenie weenie afro (TWA) that isn’t up to your ears. This look is often difficult to accept for most girlies at the start. 

Meanwhile, with a transition, you clip inches from your hair at your own pace and gradually ease yourself into having shorter hair. 

So, big chop or transition to natural hair, which is best for you? The short answer:  It depends on you. 

Your preference plays a key role in your choice to either big chop or transition. But here are a few factors to consider to help you make an informed decision. 

Factors to Consider Whether To Big Chop or Transition

1. Patience level

This is the number one factor because growing out natural hair requires a certain level of patience, scratch that, a lot of patience.

If you can wait to see your natural hair grow beneath the relaxed one and get to a certain length you’re comfortable with while trimming occasionally, then a transition is definitely for you. But if you’d rather skip the periodic trims and get right to the natural hair part, then by all means, big chop. 

2. Hair length

Do you feel more comfortable with longer hair as opposed to a sudden short length? If yes, then a transition might be a better fit for you.

On the other hand, if you don’t mind rocking a tiny afro and would like to go through every phase of being natural, a big chop is your best fit.

For this factor, your comfort level is the main focus. Unfortunately, because of certain perceptions regarding natural hair, it requires confidence to rock it. For someone new to the space, you want to make sure that any choice you make, you make it with confidence.

3. Your lifestyle or hairstyle

For this one, we’d like you to consider how you normally wear your hair. Are you a wig girlie? Do you prefer to wear braids or weaves? Are you comfortable with scarves?  If yes, then either a big chop or transition is fine because you can still keep up with your regular look, not much difference. 

But, if you like to wear your hair in a bun, curly styles or just like styling your relaxed hair most of the time, then you definitely have a choice to make, and this takes you back to factor number 2.

4. Hair investments

Natural hair requires your time and resources to nurture and nourish it properly. Are you willing to invest a measure of your time in growing out your hair by keeping up with trimming appointments and managing both textures? If yes, then a transition might be suitable for you. 

On the other hand, if you are pumped and ready to get straight into natural hair routines, deep conditioning, good hair practices and the whole 9 yards, then definitely get a big chop. 

If you find that, when considering these factors, your responses aren’t straightforward and you can’t seem to make a decision, here is what you can try. Pick out 2 of the most important factors that matter to you, and make your choice based on your response to them.

Now, let’s consider some pros and cons to also help with your decision-making.

 

Pros and Cons of The Big Chop

1. Pro. You don’t need trimming appointments to get to your natural hair. One clip session and all is natural 😁. Thus eliminating transition.
2. Pro. You get a fresh look, a fresh start for your hair journey at once.
3. Pro. You can enjoy all the stages of your natural hair journey, from a low crop to a TWA and a full-blown fro. 
4. Pro. At the short hair stage, faster hair routines and skipping the process of managing two hair types. 
5. Pro. The short hair stage is perfect for summer; no need to tie your hair up when it gets hot. 
6. Con. You might need some emotional adjustment after a big chop. Even after choosing to big chop, you may feel a bit of regret or awkwardness if you had pretty long hair. 
7. Con. Fewer styling and accessorizing options may be available to you when you big chop.
8. Con. Some flaws in your hair might seem more visible with a big chop. For example, a thin spot may become a little obvious. Some girlies say it might also make your facial features more pronounced

Pros and Cons of Transitioning to Natural Hair

1. Pro. You get to keep the length of your hair while you gradually grow out the natural part. No emotional adjustment needed. 
2. Pro. A variety of styling options are still open to you since the majority of your hair length is still uncut. 
3. Pro. It’s a smooth, less daunting way to ease into embracing your natural hair journey. No drastic moves, just trimmings at your pace.
4. Con. It requires more time to transition. Depending on your hair growth rate, at least 6 months and up to 2 years to transition.
5. Con. It requires more care and maintenance because of the two different textures involved.

Despite the pros and cons that each methods have, one thing you must keep at the back of your mind is: your reason for going natural. 

The reason for your decision to go natural will be your strongest motivation to keep on going, especially at the early stages, when you might ask yourself, “Is this even worth it?”. 

Wrapping up

Should you big chop or transition to natural hair? Whichever you decide, we are here to help you reach your hair goals. Join the community and enjoy full support from other girlies like you.

Feature image credit: The HairTalk generated by Gemini