July 4, 2008 I big chopped. I'd been growing out my relaxer since February 2007 and just decided that after a year and a half, it was time for my relaxed ends to go! I'd been getting relaxers for about 11 years when I decided to transition. Growing up my hair was always long, but when I started getting relaxers it seemed like I wasn't able to reach the length I had previous to being relaxed. My first reason for transitioning was because I thought it would help me retain length. Essentially I just wanted my long hair. Eventually it grew into something so much more than that; it made me grow as a person and it made me really appreciate curly hair. Mane & Chic was a blog about me growing long hair. It was my hair diary. In the back of my mind I always wanted to go natural, but so many stylists told me I wouldn't be able to do it unless I chopped all of my hair off and sport a curly bush. I wasn't into that so I decided I would prove them wrong. I also wanted to inspire other women to know that they could do it too.

The remainder of my relaxed hair that I cut off July 4, 2008.


So why July 4, 2008? Well, I thought it was fitting, it being Independence day and all. Honestly at first I was regretful. You can see why from the photos below. I cut the top too much. I thought I was just clipping away the relaxed hair, but a few months and several trims later, I realized that the crown area of my head just does not have a curl pattern. It's a completely different texture from the sides and back sections. I wish I would have known that when I was cutting. Well, hopefully my misfortune can benefit somebody out there reading this that may have the same issue.

Today, we're going to go down memory lane concluding with a photo of my hair one year after I got rid of the final remains of my relaxed hair.

Here's photos of my wet hair 6 months into my transition...


Here's photos of my wet hair 1 year into my transition...



Here is an animated photo of my hair moments after I big chopped (cut off my relaxed ends).