My Big Chop Natural Hair Journey: One Year of Growth & Healing
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own. See my full disclosure here.
This post marks the one-year reflection of my natural hair big chop journey, one rooted in faith, healing, and reconnection. It’s been over a year since I made a promise to God and followed through. Cutting off all my hair was a symbolic reset in my life. This wasn’t just about hair; it was about release, surrender, and reclaiming parts of myself I had buried under perfectionism, pressure, and postpartum overwhelm.
Faith & Healing: My Big Chop Natural Hair Journey
Back in 2020, I had finally achieved the hair I’d always wanted: long, defined, and healthy curls. But when the world turned upside down with COVID, so did everything I’d worked for. At the time, I was working as a paralegal, carrying the emotional weight of my clients’ uncertainty. The collective stress, fear, and nonstop pressure triggered telogen effluvium, a stress-induced form of hair loss.
Suddenly, I was shedding hair in handfuls. My hormones shifted, my skin broke out, and I started gaining weight. It felt like my body was screaming at me to slow down. I eventually saw a dermatologist to help manage the shedding, acne, and hormonal imbalance. (If you’ve ever struggled with post-stress breakouts, I shared my full skincare routine for acne and Hydrafacial results here.)
That season taught me more than any product or routine ever could; it forced me to slow down, set boundaries, and focus on healing from the inside out.
When my husband and I began trying to conceive and faced challenges, I made a faith-driven promise: if God gave me a healthy baby and a smooth pregnancy, I would let go of something I’d obsessed over for years, my hair. When my son turned one, I kept my word. There were no tears, just peace. It felt like shedding old skin and starting fresh.
Dermatologist-Recommended Support: Nutrafol
When my dermatologist diagnosed telogen effluvium, she recommended Nutrafol to help with stress-related hair shedding. Within a few months, the shedding stopped completely. Later, when I switched to vegan prenatal vitamins while trying to conceive, she explained that they’d still support postpartum hair regrowth through key nutrients like biotin, zinc, and iron.
If you’re struggling with stress-related shedding or postpartum hair loss, Nutrafol can be a great option for targeting the root causes of hair thinning, from hormones to stress and inflammation.
Nutrafol Women’s Hair Growth Supplement
This dermatologist-recommended supplement supports postpartum and stress-related hair regrowth with a blend of Ashwagandha, Collagen, and Biotin. It helps strengthen hair at the root while promoting a healthier scalp and less shedding over time.
Emotional Healing After the Big Chop
I didn’t cry after my big chop, not like last time. Instead, it felt like letting go of something heavy, both physically and emotionally. With every snip, I was releasing the need to look a certain way to feel beautiful.
That said, it was still an adjustment. I had to get used to seeing myself with less hair and a heavier postpartum body. There was no long hair to hide behind, just me. Meeting myself fully required a kind of raw self-love I hadn’t practiced in years.
My hair took a backseat this year, and that’s okay. What grew instead was a deeper connection to myself, my son, and the woman I’m becoming. Letting go taught me that stress and self-criticism can impact your hair as much as your health, and sometimes, rest is the most powerful treatment of all.
Tip: Don’t stress over how fast your hair grows. Stress itself can slow regrowth, especially after a big chop or postpartum shedding. Focus on gentle care and patience—your body will catch up.
Post-Big Chop Hair Care Routine: What Worked for Me
After my big chop, I realized that cutting my hair wasn’t the end; it was the beginning of healing. I still had damage from my last color job, workouts, postpartum shedding, and, of course, Texas’s hard water.
Over the past year, I followed a simple two-day wash routine (Wednesdays and Sundays) with deep conditioning every session. I rotated between protein and moisture-based conditioners to avoid overload, while keeping my focus on hydration.
You can read more in my Deep Conditioning Guide and Obliphica Routine Post for exact steps and product tips.
Despite keeping things minimalist, my hair grew back fast. I attribute my success to breastfeeding, collagen peptides, prenatal vitamins, and staying hydrated. I kept things easy with salon-quality products, washing twice a week, and letting my curls do their thing.
Join the Freebie Library to download your Hair Reset Tracker, perfect for planning your post–big chop routine and tracking growth.
READY TO BUILD YOUR PERFECT CURL ROUTINE?
Join the Curly Mama Freebie Library and download my Hair Routine Reset Tracker, your first step to creating a plan that fits your texture, schedule, and goals.
Shop My Routine for hair growth after big chop
Navigating postpartum texture changes took patience and the right tools. Here are the products that made the biggest difference for me this past year:
Seaberry Medium to Coarse Regimen
Revives dry, postpartum curls with salon-level hydration and shine. Perfect for transitioning or natural textures exposed to hard water.
Collagen Peptides (Sports Research)
Supports healthy hair growth, strong nails, and postpartum recovery. Hydrolyzed collagen peptides are easy to mix into smoothies or coffee for daily nourishment.
Vegan Prenatal Vitamins (Deva Brand)
Plant-based vitamins that nourish postpartum recovery and hair regrowth. Gentle on the stomach and packed with biotin, iron, and folate—perfect for moms or anyone seeking nutrient balance.
RED Detangling Brush
Glides through curls without breakage. Ideal for short, uneven lengths and postpartum textures that need gentle detangling without tugging.
Ever Ego Italy Garlic Hair Mask
Strengthens weak, shedding strands with natural garlic extract. Excellent for restoring fullness and moisture after postpartum hair loss or stress-related shedding.
What I Learned from My Natural Hair Big Chop
If I could talk to my past self, I’d say this: You are your worst critic. Nobody notices the things you obsess over. Beauty runs deeper than your reflection; it’s found in peace, patience, and presence.
If my curls could talk, they’d probably say, “Thank you.” No more tugging, over-styling, or chasing trends. Just care, rest, and acceptance. This past year has been the gentlest on my hair since I began my natural hair journey over a decade ago.
This was the most minimalist my hair routine has ever been, and it’s exactly what my curls needed to thrive.
What’s Next for My Natural Hair Big Chop Journey
I plan to get a haircut in October 2025, something that frames my face and feels aligned with this new season of life. These days, I’m embracing my curls not just for myself, but for my family. When people see us coming, they know: “That’s the curly crew.”
I’ve stepped away from protective styles (they caused too much shedding) and stopped following rigid routines. Now it’s all about softness, hydration, and consistency, the three things that truly help hair grow after a big chop.
FAQs About Natural Hair Care After a Big Chop
How do I know it’s time for a trim after a big chop?
If your ends are uneven, styling feels frustrating, or your curls aren’t bouncing back like they used to, it’s probably time for a trim. I waited a full year before my first shape-up, but I noticed early signs, especially with postpartum texture changes.
Did your hair texture change after pregnancy?
Yes! My curls loosened a lot in the front and looked more 2B/3A for a while. It’s only now, two years postpartum, that I’m seeing my pre-pregnancy texture come back. The journey’s real; every curl has its own timeline.
What products helped you the most during this year?
I kept my big chop hair care routine simple: the Obliphica Seaberry line, rotating deep conditioners (see my Deep Conditioning Guide), and using a gentle detangling brush that worked well on short, uneven lengths.
How do you stay consistent with your routine as a mom?
Less is more! I wash my hair twice a week, deep condition when possible, and use minimal styling products. I stopped stressing about protective styles, wearing my curls naturally and with love has been enough.
What helped your hair grow back thicker after postpartum shedding?
A mix of hydration, prenatal vitamins, collagen peptides, and time. Letting my hair rest instead of over-manipulating it made all the difference.
Final Thoughts: Still Growing, Still Healing
This big chop journey was never just about hair; it was about surrender, starting over, and rediscovering myself one curl at a time. Growth isn’t always visible at first; sometimes it’s happening quietly in your confidence, your peace, and your faith.
If you’re in that in-between stage too, know this: it’s okay not to have it all figured out. You’re still growing, still healing, and your curls will catch up to your heart in time.
Check out my latest post: The Benefits of Probiotics for Women, because wellness begins from within.
Subscribe below for more hair tips, self-care tools, and real talk from one mama to another.
Share your story in the comments or tag me on Instagram @CurlyMamaChronicles, I’d love to hear how your journey’s unfolding.
Affiliate Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally use and trust to support your hair and wellness journey.
WANT TO JOIN THE CURLY MAMA FREEBIE LIBRARY?
Sign up once to unlock every printable, tracker, and routine planner, including the Hair Routine Reset Tracker. Create your custom curl plan and stay updated on future releases!
One Comment