This has been a big week for me with the hair posts, but before the week is through, I want to address one more thing! It’s not about wearing your hair natural, curly, or straight. It’s about a hair issue we ALL have regardless of ethnic background or hair texture.
It’s about trimming. And the fear and baggage that comes with it. Check out my before, and my after.
The issue of hair trimming came up during the #EDENStraightTalk twitter chat Felicia Leatherwood and I had with EDEN BodyWorks and because of the speed at which a twitter chat goes, I was able to share my opinions but not as much as I wanted to. That’s the awesome part of having a blog – you can always save those opinions for your own platform!
So here’s the thing about hair trimming. We all need to do it sometimes. I know. I’ve been burned before too.I know that feeling of “I went in for a trim and she gave me a CUT!” – it is not a good feeling.
There’s a tendency amongst us naturals to see it as a big deal to be avoided at all costs. When you’re concerned about length retention it’s hard to let any of your length go. BUT. If the length is dry and dead and makes your beautiful healthy hair look like a crispy tumbleweed (see above’s before pic), then you shouldn’t feel any kind of way about losing those ends.
Anyway. During my Big Reveal photo shoot, I did not really want to get a trim, but Felicia showed me that I needed it. Look at that photo above and the doubt on my face. That’s Felicia telling me “we are gonna have to trim these ends.”
I didn’t wanna believe, but she proved it to me by making me run my hands down my hair and feel how ready to GO those ends were. I NEEDED it. My ends were so crispy crunchy and dry that there was an audible difference when I touched them. I had split ends to spare.
YIKES. But still! My length! I didn’t want to lose it. BUT because I was in such good hands, I put my trust in Felicia. She makes a sincere effort to trim only what she has to, and she cut maybe like an inch off my hair, tops. But she admitted to me that I could probably use another trim pretty soon.
During the #EDENStraightTalk chat, Chicago based natural hair expert Aeliese of @HairLoveArt said, “there will always be a point where a trim in necessary. How much depends on how long you wait.”
I waited too long, and I can truly feel the difference now that I got those ends cut off. It made my hair look healthier, and my shape is finally RIGHT.
I feel like she did the perfect job. I love me some Felicia!
So the moral of the post is, fear not the trim. A good stylist will let you know how much they need to trim and you can truly discuss the whys and wherefores with them. You shouldn’t feel apprehensive about being in a stylist’s chair. If you do, then they’re not the one for you.
When’s the last time you had a trim? And what have your experiences been?
All photos in this post were by Chuck Olu-Alabi, from our EDEN BodyWorks Big Reveal photo shoot!
Your ringlets look so well defined and your hair looks so well moisturized. What, beside trimming shears did Ms. Leatherwood apply to your hair, it looks fabulous! I know I’m overdue for a trim but I’m on a massive budget and will be looking to invest in a good pair of hair shears myself.
Trim is not the enemy I always say.. always a short healthy hair is better than long damage hair. you look awesome
Good post! At first I couldn’t tell anything was wrong with your before photos but the after photos really tell the story.
My last professional trim was in fact my big chop. Ever since I was a teen I’ve been a little scissor-happy because I’ve always admired the layered edgy short crop. I’d visited several salons in the years that I was trying to achieve that look but it never looked right and I always lost more hair than I bargained for. Do you remember some years ago when Rihanna came out with that really short do with the long fringe and shaved side?? I went to a salon for a trim and shape up and left with that! I was devastated but my hair grew back super quick due to my sheer will for it to do so I’d like to believe haha.
Following my recent BC I’ve continued to trim my own ends often (maybe a little too often) but I always remember how quickly my hair grew back that time, it was thick and healthy and SO strong.
If anything puts me off about the length of natural hair it’s shrinkage!!
Ciao,
NL
this may be a time to look around at whatever hair academies or cosmetology schools are around – they will do your hair for free and usually it’s by a student under supervision of a professional. Will ask Felicia for you, she’s currently in Senegal at a hair event! When she is back she can advise on shears. Thanks for commenting!
YES! You get it Daily. I actually really like myself with short hair so it’s never an issue for me. But I do get the concerns folks have.
Thanks for commenting! YES you can clearly see the difference in the after photos. No more frizz!
Great post. And much needed. I have no problem getting my ends trimmed if they need it because I’d rather have it be a little shorter and healthy than longer and damaged. It will grow back. Unfortunately we will often hold on fuzzy ends to keep it long. And trims DO have a difference. You after pic looks great.
Watched your video and I think I’ve finally found a hair twin! It’s always nice to see someone in the blogging or YouTube world that shares my texture. I feel like nobody has it… then again, what natural doesn’t have moments like that. Nevertheless, the trim definitely breathed some life back into your curls. Very cute.
Watched the video & I love your hair! I recently did the big chop (2 months ago) and need some advice. Is it better grow your natural hair out with braids for a while OR is it better to get braids w/ a weave sew in to give your natural hair time to heal? What is a great leave in conditioner, during this process? I’m new to this, so I completely understand if neither may be the right option:)
Your hair always looks beautiful to me… But, post trim is fabulous! I went to a natural hair expo about two months ago. A stylist there said that trimming every 3 months may be a no-no. Our hair grows a half an inch every month. So trimming every 3 months isn’t allowing for you to show growth. What she did say was trim “as needed”. It makes sense. I big chopped in April. I saw my hair growing but I trimmed twice (per my stylist)sice then. It looks the same length!
Like Mel I find that you always look great But having trims regulalry is a great thing. I do it often – hair will grow back!!!
Thanks for this post.
My last trim was a few weeks ago. It ended up being a cut. She trimmed my hair while it was straight, and it didn’t seem like she took much length until I washed it. She kind of messed up my natural hairs shape, even though my straight hair looks nice and is easier to straighten. I’m irritated because she sneakily added layers I specifically asked her not to add. That’s why I hate trims…I still haven’t found a stylist I trust.
You look Great. I really need a cut!!! I haven’t trimmed or cut since my first and only big Chop that I butchered.
I use to be hesitant about going in for a trim but then I thought—my hair will grow again—so I made the most of my bad cut. It took me a while but now I have found a great stylist that knows my hair and how to trim it and keep it looking healthy and great. I will follow my stylist to the ends of the earth:) I have to also say that Felicia did a marvelous job on your trim.
A while back when I used to wear my hair natural (I currently don’t have a relaxer but straighten it), I had a stylist tell me that I should have my hair cut in the state that I wear it in, in order to keep the shape that I want. He commenced to trim my fro. I see that you had your hair straightened, so what is your take on that?
The debate I always have is to get my ends cut with my hair straight or with my curls. What does Felicia suggest?
You guys are awesome 🙂
Regular trims are scary but just as important for the health of your hair. Your after pics look great;-)
yes I beleive that hair care is as important as skin care, having trims regulalry is a great way of looking after your hair.
I have very thin soft hair. I’ve been wearing dreads for 8 years. I hoped that would help thicken my hair but it hasn’t. I’ve been reading about Jamaican Black Castor Oil. According to some of the testimonials I’ve read, it’s supposed to thicken hair (and eyelashes), re-grow thinning or bald edges, etc. What’s the truth about that and also, is there any product out there that can turn thin hair into thick hair.
Nice post. thank you for sharing you hair story. Love your hair!
I did the big chop in March and I have had one shape up since then, I recently went to get my hair straitened and trimmed and she said well your hair is really short I think you should wait it doesn’t look damaged, I want to straighten it at the end of the year, I’ve been wearing braids and sew ins, I am afraid of the trim but I don’t know if December will be too soon or not