The Big Chop to Happiness and Self Acceptance: My Natural Hair Story.

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Kari H.

Feb 19, 2013

Kari H.

Like many women of color, my decision to ‘go natural’ was born out of necessity. I moved to Chicago from Milwaukee in 2007 and quickly settled into my new apartment, new job, and new life. My hair at the time, however, was old; the same old, bone straight strands I’d been maintaining since I was six years old. Finding a new beautician was a daunting task. Hair was an investment for me, an investment I had spent decades and thousands of dollars financing. I asked around and searched Yelp for weeks before trying more than a few credible and not so credible beauty shops. After some (ahem) disappointing experiences, my hair looked tired. I felt tired. Visits back home solely for the purpose of a ‘touch-up’ quickly became expensive and time-consuming. I needed a permanent answer to the question of what I would do with my hair for the rest of my life.  I wasn’t dating at the time. My coworkers couldn’t have cared less what I did with my hair. The time seemed right so I 'BIG CHOPPED'. This, for a natural, is a somewhat monumental moment of self-liberation. I took a pair of scissors and cut my hair down to an inch high. That was over five years ago.

Looking back, I have no idea why for years I spent thousands of dollars chemically processing my hair.  All the vacations I could’ve taken. All the shoes I could’ve purchased. All the money I could’ve saved. I’d like to say that after cutting my hair Bart Simpson short I accepted each curl and found my natural self to be beautiful or whatever but that didn’t happen. I began wearing braids almost immediately and then kinky twists. Why? Because they’re easy! Over the span of 4 years, I would sit in a chair for 4-8 hours a month for the benefit of not having to do my hair for weeks – and it was worth it! That is, until my beautician informed me that my ends were scarcer than a quarter in a Chicago parking meter. So, after marrying my best friend and being laid off by the company from which I expected to retire, I big chopped yet again. This time I think I’m doing things the right way. Unlike wearing braids, it’s not easy to work with my kinks in their natural state. There are days I wake up and hate my short hair. Other days I’m amazed at how versatile it is. It can go from shoulder length to Bart Simpson with just a few squirts of water. Amazing! Still, I’m learning to feel like myself with the hair I was born with and I’m having fun. So, in a way, my natural story is just beginning.

-Kari H.

Elaine T.

Feb 19, 2013

Elaine T.

You are beautiful! You could rock any length of hair! Good luck on continuing your journey!

F F.

Feb 19, 2013

F F.

Great hair!! I wish I had those beautiful curls!!

Kiyoko N.

Feb 19, 2013

Kiyoko N.

Love your hair! I'm not as brave to go natural though :(

Kari H.

Feb 19, 2013

Kari H.

Thank you all! My hair is teaching me something new everyday. For interviews with natutal hair salon owners, indie business owners, and style inspiration visit my blog chicagoings.com!

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