This blog is about my Sisterlocks journey and the things that give me that oomph!! I will share my research and any tips and advice I receive for growing healthy sexy locks. Join me from the start and watch me as I continue to grow inside and out.
As soon as I got off the plane in Trinidad I saw tons of beautiful women and men sporting their locs. If I didn't have to deal with the awful lines for customs/immigration and deal with my groggy 2 yr old I would have been taking tons of pictures. I will post some pictures and hair stories as soon as I can find willing participants.
So I am here in Tobago now because my parents want to celebrate the holidays here in the retirement home they built here. My Mom's a Trini and my Dad is Jamaican and they decided that Tobago will be the place to hide away from the Canadian Winter. I was hoping for a wonderful vacation but that was silly of me I HAVE BEEN PUT TO WORK!!
I hope you enjoy my island entries I will post as much as possible bc they do not have internet service yet :( But my Auntie does thank God!
I have wanted these bad boys for a long time but I just never took the time to learn how to do them. Well finally I had some, thanx to Precious who wanted to give me curls after my retightening. Even though I can't say I looked fab in them, it was fun to wear them. I felt artsy, like a dancer going to a rehearsal, well I did dance in my kitchen as I cleaned.
I wore them for a day, just around the house, then I took them out for work and I JUST LOVED THE CURLS unfortunately, those pics did not turn out. But I will post some curly pics when I attempt creating my own knots.
UPDATE: I am using the salon version of Sea Breeze found at Sally's,
I read on the lovely web that it works better then the other versions. It is also the one that my consultant uses. I will let you know if I can see a difference between this and the blue colored one.
I had a chance to see Dr. Cornwell's Video 'Sisterlocks on Good Hair' and I have to say I really enjoyed watching it. Even though I have to commend Chris Rock for getting people talking and thinking about Black Hair in ways many did not want to even acknowledge before, this short film takes the issue one step further to a place that it seems Chris Rock did not want or think to go.
If you have Sisterlocks this video makes you feel so good about making this Journey! I felt even more proud to be sporting my Sisterlocks today.
As my hair inspiration, Blaqkofi, mentions in her blog to make sure you don't get build up rinse rinse rinse and stay away from products. When I went to see my consultant I had brutal build up, my hair was 3 weeks dirty, and there was a grey film on my hair. When she was done washing my hair, it was squeeky clean, the build up was gone!!! What did she use? Dawn dish soap!!! That along with my Sea Breeze spritz (see previous post below)has worked wonders on my dry flaky scalp. So my new best friends are the 2 blues Sea Breeze and Dawn.
I think I will alternate btw Dawn and the SL Starter shampoo. As long as I continue to still get these results.
No flakes I week later!! Usually after a retight my scalp would be itchy and flaky by now.
Sorry about the blur looks like we will need that new camera sooner then later :(
One more thing!! This week I have been drinking the Wheat Grass smoothie also and I am loving it, so I have a green friend too. Maybe the combo of all these things is helping to turn my scalp around.
On the drive over to the salon, I girded my loins. LOL I had rehearsed my questions several times, I was so nervous. But as soon as I walked in and I saw her working on her current client’s hair, I felt tremendous relief. I just knew that everything was going to be alright. Not only did I love my new consultant’s hair more importantly, I had the chance to see her work first hand and it was awesome. Her client had the type of Sisterlocks that I saw the day I knew I had to have them. Beautiful. Now this is not to say that I lost all of my skepticism, my new Certified Consultant, Precious Stallworth (found on the Sisterlocks site here) claimed that she could retighten my hair in 2 hours, 3 tops. hmmmm Even so, I was willing to give her 4 hours the retighten alone before calling foul.
Let me tell y’all I got washed, retightened, had major repair and my kitchen newly installed in 4 hours!! When she said she was done I really couldn’t believe it, she stopped and I thought she just needed a minute to stretch. I'm SOLD!!
We are going to be a team working together to ensure that I have awesome uniform locks. She has rules though. I am not allowed to put any oils on my dry scalp….NONE, not even the occasional tea tree and jojoba oil. She wants my scalp to do what it is suppose to do without the influence of additional oils.
What I can and should use is a Sea Breeze spritz: 3 parts SB- 1 part water, ( make sure hair is rolled or braided while you spray only the scalp).
and I have to say that so far I am impressed with the results.
(So fresh and so clean clean)
Usually, right after a retightening, my scalp would look like Christmas and I would have to use jojoba oil to have it look and feel half decent. I am willing to give the no oil rule my best shot.
Precious sais my locks are coming along well
even so, she changed my locking pattern, combined a few locks and she is working on cleaning up some of my partings. As you know I really needed work back here:
well it got done!!
(My night scarf helped cause some wildlings in the middle there)
Considering that she accomplished all those things, I was able to stay within my hair budget. It looks like my goal of having my hair maintained by a consultant for at least a year is possible. Thank you, Precious the Universe named you well!
I would also like to thank you all for your guidance, support and advice. I was so scared that I would not be able to take care of my hair during my current financial situation and you all gave me hope.
My weight had been fluctuating a lot over the last few months (stress). So over the last few weeks I have made sure to stock up on my fruit and veggies and to take my vitamins to combat any damage I might have done. And now, I already see and feel great results. Not much on the weight loss department bc I have not started working out again(my new consultant wants me to not wash my hair I will chat more about that soon) but my skin is soft and glowing, my nails are growing super fast and I am regular if you know what I mean.
Vitamin regime
Multi-vitamins- just to make sure I am not deficient in anything bc I do not always eat the way I should. I also take this to help fight against the big C’s (cardio vascular disease and cancer).
Fish oil- while I was pregnant I discovered all the benefits of having omega 3 fatty acids and fish oil is an excellent source of it esp. since I won’t cook salmon everyday. Again it helps with the big C’s, also improves memory, focus and relieves signs of depression.
Super B complex- for stress bc it gives me the energy to combat the daily stresses in life. Most importantly, the b vitamins help with cell rejuvenation, deficiencies can look like dry/ grey skin, wrinkles, acne, dermatitis, rashes, falling hair and weak, splitting nails. I swear I was suffering from most of those symptoms a few months ago.
LeVive Juice- it has a mixture of the top 5 antioxidant producing fruit in one product; Pomegranate, Goji, Acai, Noni and Mangosteen. I take a shot of it in the morning bc it does increase energy. Along with giving me healthy hair, skin and nails it controls blood sugars so that I have less of an urge to overeat.
Since I want to grow long sexy locs, I love that the above vitamins/supplements help with hair growth and for that purpose I am going to start drinking the wheat grass smoothies that Blaqkofi recommends on her site here.
Wheatgrass- Detoxifies and cleanses your body, helps balance your body’s pH level and strengthens your immune system
Now Big D, my hubby, sais vitamins might just be giving us expensive pee, and maybe some of the changes I noticed are psychosomatic. But I’ll take IT!! bc like many others I see the results in helping my body do it’s natural functions.
What vitamins/ supplements do you recommend and what results have you seen?
Well I have made it to my 2 month mark of being Sisterlocked!!! And I have to be honest I have been feeling many different varying emotions. Elation because for the first time in a long time I have done something for myself that I have always wanted to do. But at the same time I feel panic when I see how much I had to pay for my retightning. When I budgeted for it I did so using little above average quoted retightning time and price but my hair is taking much longer then expected. Little under 8 hours!! Also, I was not able to foresee how bad of a hit the household budget would take this month. I think there are many people feeling that crunch lately. Things will get better, I know that, but till then I have to figure a few things out!
Well back to better thoughts!!!! I love how my hair feels. It may feel as though it is not growing length wise actually it feels much shorter but it is thicker and you can see that I am growing locs. Here are some comparison shots.
Okay community I need help. I am about to go for my retightening the end of this week and I'm wondering if I should loc my 'kitchen' or not. I believe my hair has grown enough to make some baby locs so my SL consultant can probably work her magic. However, I am suffering from major slippage back there and I am wondering if it is even worth the effort. I am also getting to the point that when my hair grows in the front I can go without wearing a hair band but the back still looks bad without it. I have a long neck and I am wondering if my hairline is very low or if it is normal? Also, I am nervous that if I cut it will my hairline be too high?
What do you think, should I shave it, loc it or both (lock one more row and shave the rest)? My consultant sais it is up to me whether I want to shave it or not so your thoughts are appreciated.
My hair styled without hair tie!
Below are the shots of the nape of my neck. (Please excuse my dirty hair I am it washing tomorrow)
It has been a while, I know, but I didn't have my camera to show you my hair after my 2 week hair review with my consultant or my second wash. My consultation took a long, long time so I am a little nervous about the $$ I am going to have to fork out. I am praying that my 530+ locks will take 5 hours max. I think I will become a DIYer sooner then I thought. I wanted to do 2 years with a consultant retightening my hair but I am encouraged by gigglz and bajan lilybc they are doing it for themselves and are so proud.
My second hair wash went very well. I learned from my first experience and I did three washes, 1 was a clarifying wash using Neutrogena T/Sal then I did 2 washes with the SL Starter Shampoo. I made my braids a little more loose then I did the last time. With these changes, I felt like my hair and scalp were squeaky clean. Now I am watching my hair get thicker and I am loving it.
I bought a new hair tie for work. I am not sure if I mentioned this before but bc of my presisterlocks damaged hair I have to wear a band or hair tie around my edges for a while. I was starting to get a little mad, sad, frustrated and everything in between about my short edges. But I went and did a little retail therapy and bought a pretty hair tie and some new earrings. (see below) I think before this year is over I am going to have oodles and oodles of new earrings and silk ties.
Well I washed my hair and it went ok but I realized a good few things that will make next time even better. 1) I need to use a clarifying shampoo for the first wash bc I worked my hair and there was still some build up left. I blame my dry scalp and my new love of running but who knows 2) My consultant mentioned that I might have braided my hair too tight and looking at the pics I think she was right. So I will do a loose braids next time. 3) I def. have to wash every 2 weeks
Braided and Banded using mini scrunchies
*I then diluted my Sisterlock shampoo 1 part to 3 parts water in a spray bottle and did 3 washes. I sprayed my scalp and my braids. I then gently rubbed each section from base to tip. When finished each section I then squeezed each braid to release the shampoo. I then carefully rinsed each section.
*I diluted ACV 1 part to 3 parts water sprayed on scalp and left it soaking for 15 min, then rinsed.
*I dried my hair using a dark towel (going to get the Aquis Towel from BB&B)
These 2 weeks have been pretty neat. I feel and see a change in my hair already esp. because my locs are beginning to swell. I am so happy that I made this decision because I really enjoy waking up, spritzing my hair with water, and going. I feel great and to be honest apart of me wondered if I would still look sexy with short, scalp showing, baby locs but I have been getting mad stares from men so woot woot. Oh and of course that doesn't matter because more importantly the Hubby loves them ;) LOL Truly the most important thing of all is that I have never felt better. My hair, whether looking like a plucked chicken or not, really feels like ME! I am blessed.
Still trying to figure out how to deal with the dry scalp, you might be able to see it in the front of my hairline in these shots. But usually, before I go out, that would be taken care of!!
Here is my first attempt at using perm rods. I used 2 sizes about 4 /12 packs, water and paper. I slept with the rods and I have to say it didn't bother me as much as I thought is would.
After 3 days consisting of 35 hours of hard work by my consultant..... I am Sisterlocked!!!! I am not sure how many locks I have but I have several small, med and large locks. My consultant used pattern 4 and she did a fabulous job getting the ittybitties. Unfortunately my hairline is damaged and I am so impressed that she got in there and installed those puppies, we are hoping for the best.
I feel so free, I feel blessed and I feel like I made a great decision in getting SL. I am soo happy!! I do have one concern and that is my scalp. It is krazy dry. I am so embarrassed by it. I am using a spritz with a little jojoba, rosemary and tea tree and putting just a bit directly onto my scalp. I hope it helps.
Ok….. I am kind of ashamed because I am watching Tyra Banks (shhh Big D will laugh at me), and to top it off I am almost in tears. Today she did a show (might be a repeat) about Black women’s hair and how it effects their self esteem. I think I am sad because I am remembering my childhood and what it was like to grow up in a predominately white community and wishing that I could have ‘good hair’. As a little girl while sitting under a dryer, after getting yet another gerry curl, I said to myself I would marry a Latin guy, like in Menudo, so that my daughter won’t have to suffer like this. ‘Funny’ enough there was a grown black woman on this show who refused to date black men because she did not want a nappy headed child. Yes she said it herself!!!!So sad, what self hate she must feel.
During this episode I’ve realized that even though I thought that I was at some disadvantage growing up where I did, I see now that hair ‘issues’ can be the same or even worse for people growing up in black communities. Women seeing nappy hair as low class, something to be ashamed of is awful and then passing that along to their daughters is disgusting. The thought of relaxing a 3 year old hair bc it is too nappy makes me sick. And this mother on the show really isn’t getting the point that what she's doing is WRONG. I love all black women whether relaxed, dreaded or wearing a fro but I can not bring myself to accept relaxing a toddlers hair and allowing her to be ashamed of her hair’s natural state.
Despite this episode of Tyra, I feel as though the love of hair in any state whether curly, kinky straight or silky is growing more and more in the black community. Am I suffering from wishful thinking? What do you think?
I am having a delay and I am trying very hard not to be upset by it. Due to a misunderstanding (my huband, Big D, not listening and booking important appointments on my locking day) I am unable to get my hair done. I am hoping to reschedule 2 weeks from now. Wish me luck!
In the past, at a point in time similar to this, I would start to feel the minor signs of anxiety and then that would sooner or later escalate into something that looks/feels like a panic attack. Anytime major change came about I would do it, whether it was moving to Australia for GradSchool or marrying a man from another country and starting a new life in his world. However, those changes were met with pure panic. I remember jumping into my parent’s bed, laying between them in fetal position, wondering WTH was I doing moving to a country with spiders the size of my hand. (yes I was a grown woman crying in my parent's bed). Well now that I am about to do something to my hair that is permanent I am starting to have a few doubts. Will I look professional enough? Ofcourse Will Big D (my Hubby) like all the stages of my hair evolution? Maybe/ maybe not. Oh well all I can do is make a choice and see where it leads me, if I don't like the path I move to a new one.
I am pretty proud of myself for going after what I want and now I can have the doubts, which are perfectly normal, and enjoy the journey without the overwhelming sense of fear. I see change whether you can control or not as a blessing because when it comes into my life it is for a reason. Even when I think of past ‘undesirable’ changes I see now how they fit into the grand scheme of things. So I no longer feel panic, I feel anticipation. I am curious to see what the Universe has in store.
1 more week and then I will have my Sisterlocks!!!
My daughter’s hair growth has been slow, she is 20 months and her hair doesn’t look much different then when she was born. I have been so frustrated so I got on the internet and started researching natural products and hair growing techniques. It is through this research that I found ways to really care for my natural hair. It is kind of sad that after 6 years I have learnt all this info and the research, initially, really wasn’t for me. Lesson learned. My hair has never been this manageable nor this soft. I use to dread detangling my hair, I can’t tell you the times I just grabbed a pair of scissors and just chopped. Now after washing, I run a brush through my hair in no time. As for my daughter, I am taking care of her hair the best that I can and I am hoping to see some growth soon.
My Current Hair Regime
This is done once a week.
1. I create 6 large braids and I Shampoo with Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap,
2. I deep condition with (deep conditioner, honey and castor oil) about 20 min
3. I then unbraid one section at a time and detangle using a Denman brush. Once that section is detangled, I twist it and move to the next.
4. I wash out the conditioner combing through each section in the shower
5. I finish with a apple cider vinegar rinse.
6. While my hair is damp I use a cream leave in conditioner and twist my hair and then air dry
Half way through the week I use my spritz (made with Aloe, jojoba oil, rosemary oil) and my leave in conditioner and I retwist.
Well I went for my consultation today and I am very excited!! We talked about sizes, the locking process and I have approx 4 tester locks. My consultant, described my hair and from all that she said my suspicions were confirmed, I have 4b hair. We are probably going to the standard sizing for Sisterlocks, which is small-med-large from front to back. I have been going back and forth btw whether I want micros or not. I want hair that curls and styles easily but I don’t want a lion’s mane lsome people say you get when you do micros on thick hair. I have 2 weeks to decide but according to my consultant I will be good with the standard sizing or small to med.
Yes, when I was younger my hair was called ‘Alien Hair’ I had very short, course, light black hair. Unfortunately with being called that my hair became something I was ashamed of. When my Aunt tried to Gerry curl my hair it just wouldn’t take, the kink would resist. Then as I got older we tried super strength relaxers and I suffered from burn after burn. I had a week of bone straight hair and then 2 weeks out it looked like I needed a whole new relaxer.
Throughout my late teens and early 20’s I had segments of going natural, I braided, twisted and sported the afro poof but after a short time I would end up trying that good old relaxer again hoping for a different result. Insanity right! But the kink would resist. Over the last 6 years I have been natural:
I added twists
and I tree braided.
For the last 3 years I braided my own hair and sported a wig. Now finally I decided to wear my hair out in twists, twist out and my pulled back afro puff.
Now, finally, my hair is going to be styled the way I believe it has always meant to be, the kink can persist. Tomorrow I am going to meet with a SL consultant and it is my goal to have my hair Sisterlocked the first week of August. I am so excited.
Welcome to my blog! I would like to start by saying thank you to all the women who have blogged about their Sisterlock journey. I have spent endless nights reading your blogs and watching your photos. Talking about photos, they have been so inspirational to me because I have seen women of all shapes and sizes, shades and tones sporting their locs and I am left saying "just go on with your bad self". Your locs, your self awareness and your confidence make you some of the most beautiful women I have seen. My hope is that many of you will find my blog to be as uplifting, informative and inspirational as many of the blogs have been for me.
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