BIG CHOP… with professional assistance (Ms. Calais Williams)

This moment has been in the making for approximately 2 years. I finally committed to having healthy hair by doing the big chop. I made an appointment, which was with a self proclaimed natural hair salon, and I couldn’t back away (they required a deposit and I couldn’t throw $40 away).

Upon arriving, I was disappointed. When I read that they specialized in natural hair care, I wasn’t expecting a “normal” salon. I was greeted by the receptionist, had my hair washed, sat through a steam treatment and conditioning, had my hair dried, flat ironed, cut, and styled. I was told that I have a dry scalp which resulted in the attempt to sell me their products. I think the pitch would have been better if I didn’t suspect that the shampoo dried my hair out. The reason why I reached that conclusion is because my hair squeaked after shampooing. I experienced the same thing when I used Burt’s Bees, which stripped my hair (which I suspect is already on the dry side). My disappointment stems from my expectations, not the service. I expected something earthy and with a greater emphasis on hair health without straightening. However, I did notice that there were several private rooms that women went to in order to have flat twists and extension completed. Overall, the money was well spent and I am glad that I didn’t cut my own hair.

Meet Our Directors

Calais S. Williams

I am going to take you on a journey. We won’t start at the beginning; instead, we will meet six year old Calais on the day that she has to get her hair washed.

I am in the bathroom, listening to the water rush through the facet of the bath tub, dreading the upcoming feat. My mother walks hurriedly into the room, shampoo bottle in hand, and tells me to get ready. I lean over the edge and of course, the water is too hot. The smelly lather washes down the drain, and along with it, goes two weeks of accumulated dirt and oil. After blotting my hair dry, I sit on a chair as my mother braids my hair into four equal sections, in preparation for the next step. The next day in the kitchen, I sit sweating and waiting for the hot comb to reach the optimum temperature. As the comb heats to a shade of amber that one may deem to be unsafe, it is removed to an isle that is not on so that it can cool. One of the quarters is taken down and the straightening begins.

The next step on the path to hair enlightenment for me was at age eleven. I decided that I was old enough to do my own hair. My lack of experience did not deter me from the constant attempts to style my locks. I sat looking into the mirror for hours so that I can French braid my hair. The triumph that washed over me when I successfully complete my first set of braids is a moment that I will not forget. There were many failures that accompanied me as well, several involving my arch nemeses, the hot comb and the curling iron.

I was introduced to the permanent relaxer, affectionately called a perm, when I was 14. The victory that I had over the stove-heated hot comb was one for the ages. I was no longer shackled to the unyielding beast. Unfortunately, the plot begins to thicken. My mother cannot keep up with the financial stress of the relaxer, and I am left to my own devices yet again. Upon entering into my junior year in high school, I made another life altering decision, which was to no longer get a relaxer. I did not realize the consequences of my actions at that time because the price difference in hair styles was amazing. At that time, a relaxer was $70 while a wash-and-blow dry was $35. I made the right decision.

The next step on this trip involves freshman orientation at Purdue University. I felt pretty confident that I had the hair game wrapped pretty tight before leaving home, I was wrong. I learned several important techniques and have come to a better understanding of how to care for my hair. I am no longer bound to the antiquated notions of yore; instead, I am becoming part of the revolution of hair health.