A girl who cuts her hair is one who is about to change her life!

Yesterday I took a huge plunge into the natural hair lifestyle. The #BigChop was something I never considered until about a year ago. I first had my hair relaxed at age 7 , I am now 25. Being raised by a single white mom was something I never looked at as an issue, until it came to hair, because I knew my hair was hard to manage. I believe that at the time my mother did her best with what she had and I in no way blame her for relaxing my hair. I chose to continue to relax my hair because I knew no different, I always had straight hair unless it was braided, which was not often. My hair journey is something I was very scared to start but I felt an impulse and decided that it was time. My girlfriend encouraged me to take the natural journey and I know it will pay off in the end. Last night I was feeling a bit insecure about not "looking like a girl" with my short hair so I spent most of the evening researching tips to help me out. I woke up this morning feeling so much more positive. I woke up around 5 am, moisturized my hair with coconut oil, and created a side part by parting my hair and pinning it down in hopes when I woke back up it would be perfectly parted, I then proceeded to wrap my hair in a du-rag and go back to sleep. I woke up and saw that although my hair had parted a bit it was not exactly how I wanted it, even so.. I wet my hair and generously applied Shea Moistures 'Raw Shea butter: Extra-Moisture transitioning milk, as well as Cantu Shea Butter: moisturizing curl activator cream to bring my curls out, once I found the curls I applied Eco Styler: Argan Oil Styling Gel and used an old toothbrush to slick my edges down. This created a more defined part that I was happy with. Although I still felt like a little boy the hair finally felt okay.

I then proceeded to do a bit of makeup, applying the things I use on a VERY regular basis, and those things are ones I can't go without. I washed my face and put my daily moisturizer which is coconut oil and primed my eyes with the NYX: Studio HD Photogenic Concealer and did a brown shadow look using the Smashbox: Full Exposure pallet, added a wing with my favorite Tarte: Tartiest Double take eyeliner, and applied Maybelline: Lash Sensational and Colossal big shot mascaras. I then did my eyebrows with my Anastasia: Brow Wiz in Medium brown and added a little of Sephora: MicroSmooth powder in Mat;Tan (35).

With a finished face I looked in the mirror and adjusted to my new look, I told myself that I was beautiful and took a picture to remind me of just that. Today, I remember that my flaws are beautiful, that my imperfections are what make others love me, and that regardless of what is on the outside I am still the same person. I am so lucky to have people around me who support me and encourage me because I never thought I would be able to do this. In a world fueled by social media, false hopes, and sexualization it is hard to look in the mirror and not see all your imperfections, and as a black woman it is hard not having hair to hide beneath. Today I took a step toward realizing MY beauty and I hope this happens for so many other women around the world.

#BigChop #SheaMoisture #EcoStyler #Cantu #Maybelline #NYX #Smashbox #Tarte #Sephora