Big Chop vs Transitioning: Which One’s Right for You?

I can officially write a post like this with an unbiased opinion, I transitioned for a year and 3 months and I have just big chopped! Yaay! Deciding to start a natural hair journey can be scary- really scary. You know that embarking on a hair journey will mean cutting off relaxed or damaged ends, and growing out your beautiful curls. There are two ways for this to be done: performing a big chop or transitioning. There are pros and cons to both of these methods that should be considered before … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Shanti (BKA Around the Way Curls)

My name is Shanti and I am a twenty something mother, lover and creator. I am co-editor of the blog Around the Way Curls. I have been natural all of my life but I have not always been embraced and celebrated my God given curls. Until I was 21 I had no idea how to do my hair. I was dependent on the flat iron and ponytails. Finally, I decided to research proper hair care for my curly, kinky hair and I stumbled upon the natural world blogosphere where I found a lot of helpful information that has … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Charnele

Hola! My name is Charnele Ashlee but please call me Char. I am first generation Jamaican from Brooklyn, NY. This past January marked 3 years natural (Mama I made it YAY!) Ok Im back so, after high school I went through a five-year short hair phase and decided to do some modeling for hair. It shocked me how easily I was placed for jobs because I never thought of myself as a “model”. I started working only for my stylist who I knew was a professional and wouldn’t damage my hair regardless of the … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Stephanie

My  name is Stephanie Donegan and Im from Birmingham, Alabama. I've lived in Los Angeles, Nashville, Dallas and Atlanta and after years of running from home, settled on Helena, a small suburb outside of Bham as home. How long have you been natural? Ive now been natural for 8 years What motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why? Im a big chopper! I first tried going natural in 2002 but failed miserably trying to grow out my relaxer. The transition was … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Kiana

Hi! My name is Kiana Gardner and I reside in New York and have for my entire life. I am 21 and I’m graduating in May with a BA in Psychology and Sociology/ Anthropology. I’m still working on life after graduation but let’s talk about my hair! How long have you been natural? I received my last perm in January of 2011 and transitioned until August of 2012 which is when I “big chopped”. I count from when I chopped so I’ve been fully natural for 1 year and 7 months! What motivated you to … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Zaneta

 My name is Zaneta and I am from Greensboro, NC. I run a blog called Eat Work Thrive which focuses on health and natural health care. I love my natural hair. I started my natural hair journey in 2010. I was inspired by a lot of the natural women on Youtube who had healthy, beautiful hair.How long have you been natural?I have now been natural for 2 years. I have enjoyed every stage of my hair growth and learning new things about natural hair while on my hair journey. What motivated you to … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Nicole AKA IvyCharlaine

My name is Nicole IvyCharlaine. (IvyCharlaine is actually my middle name and my name I use most often) I'm originally from NY but I live in NJ. My hair journey has been an interesting ride over the past few years. Throughout my adult life I've always worn my hair straight. I used to get relaxers in college faithfully every few months and then one day I decided to just flat iron it every two weeks instead of the relaxers. I was obsessed with straight hair. I have also dyed my hair many, many … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Irene

 Hi my name is Irene Lloyd-Peniston, I am 26 years old originally from The Bronx, New York but currently reside in Brooklyn, New York. I'm currently enrolled in school to obtain a degree in Social Work, and work as a supervisor at a travel agency in the city. I am also married to an amazing man!! How long have you been natural? I've been fully natural for 7 months, my last perm was on July 22nd 2013, I finally decided to do the B.C. (Big chop) on December 23rd 2013; I just couldn't take the two … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Kimeko

My name is Kimeko Farrar and I live in Huntsville, Alabama. I played with the idea of going natural for a while but wasn’t very serious about actually doing it because of my own insecurities. After hearing several people express their negative attitude towards natural hair I just felt compelled to do it because I didn’t want to sound like them. Plus, I needed to set an example for my daughter and shift her perception of her hair because at the time she was begging for a relaxer. In the last … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Alicia

My name is Alicia Lee-Bungy.  I am currently completing my PhD in Community Leadership at Alvernia University.  My focus and dissertation will be on motivation; to that end I began a business Alicia Bungy Enterprises (ABE).  ABE is dedicated to self-efficacy, self-empowerment, and motivation.  I speak to groups about goal setting and creating a plan to reach their goals. I am working on a YouTube channel that motivates and encourages people.            Because my business will have me in the … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Sherika

My name is Sherika. I grew up in Smithfield, Va and currently live in Hampton, VaHow long have you been natural?I have been natural 3 years and 2 monthsWhat motivated you to transition? Were you a transitioner or a Big Chopper& why?I've been natural twice. The 1st time I transitioned but I did not know that at the time. This current time I chopped it all off! I was so happy and nobody couldn't tell me I wasn't cute. lol. Big ups to all the transitioners...because that was so hard for me. I … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Stacey

My name is Stacey Hash, I currently reside in Los Angeles. I am currently modeling and hosting. How long have you been natural?I've been natural since the day I was born, my mother wouldn't let me wear my hair any other way.How would you describe your hair? Big, messy, and sometimes a little dry.What do you love most about your hair? Its very easy to maintain, I wake in the morning and just throw my hair up or wear it down without having to do too much to it.What has been the most memorable part … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Maria

My name is Marcia La Chae’ Watson and I was born and raised in the small town of Opelousas, Louisiana. Well, my hair journey did not begin until I was three years old because I was bald until then! I mean bald! Once my hair began to grow, it was very fine, but as I grew up my texture changed and it became too thick for anyone to try to tame. I got my first relaxers at the age of 10 and I decided to stop using these chemicals at 23. How long have you been natural? I stopped relaxing my hair … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Ricki

 Hello! My name is Ricki Wilson. I was named after my dad, which I hated when I was a child but I've learned to embrace it along with my natural hair. :D I was born and raised in this little country town known as Valley, Alabama! I am still here until fall, where I will be attending college at Tuskegee University!!                   How long have you been natural?It has been almost 2 years since I big chopped. July 14th is my nappiversary!                            What motivated you to go … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Bemo

My name is Bemo and I am from a small town in Texas. I am currently a 20-year old college student with the aspiration of becoming an Occupational Therapist. I am in the works of applying for grad school and will be graduating with my Bachelors of Human Development and Family Studies in May of 2014. I am an only child and am closest to my mother and grandparents. My hair journey was definitely very random. Before going natural, my hair had been relaxed since the age of 6. Therefore, getting … [Read more...]


Naturally Fierce Feature: Taylor

Hi my name is Taylor DeClue. I'm a 21 year old college junior at Harris Stowe State University in St. Louis, MO. How long have you been natural?I have been natural since May 2011. What motivated you to go natural? Like most girls I had to have a relaxer or my hair was a hot mess back in high school. During my first year of college on winter break I decided I had enough of the chemicals. At the time i had a short Rihanna-esque hair cut. So one day, during that break I went to the bathroom, wet … [Read more...]