Time Flies

Next month, I am 3 years into my lock journey. To all the newbies, the journey has its ups and downs but time flies!!!

In the Beginning 

 (look at those tiny babies in the front)

Now

(few days before a fresh retight)

Stay Blessed!

Braid out + Pipe cleaner =

Curls galore that last for days!!!

The baby locs along my hairline need to be braided and banded; and to further protect my baby locs, from slippage, I leave them to dry in the braid. So, after I wash I end up braiding the rest of my hair to sport a braid out.  In a SL Facebook group, I learned to curl the ends of the hair to keep the braid sealed but I decided to roll the whole braid in pipe cleaner. The result... Super curls!!! 

  It is great to have my hair off my neck during the summer heat but it doesn't allow me to see my growth. Oh well, when I wash every 2 weeks, or get a fresh retightening, I am able to do length checks.

Here is my hair straight after a fresh retight

Hope you all are enjoying your summer and your locs!

Stay Blessed!

Lock 911 *Creation Integration Locs (TM)*

I have bragged, over and over, about my Consultant, Precious Stallworth. I found her after desperately searching for a new consultant, to help continue my journey, when my Sisterlocks were in their infancy. She installed my kitchen, and has maintained, and repaired my hair with great care. I am *very* thankful for her. So, now I am PROUD to show you all how she is going above, and beyond to help people cover small and large areas of hair loss. 

Creation Integration Locs (TM)

Before

After

Naptapestry is pleased to introduce Creation Integration Locs (TM), a prosthetic loc integration unit designed to create maximum coverage for those with density challenges.  The Creation Integration (TM) unit is custom designed to meet the individual's need (specific hair loss/ thinning pattern, head size and shape, hair color, and length).  We offer a consultation to discuss the individual's need and create a plan to maximize the overall look and growth potential.

For more information, or to book an appointment, please call Naptapestry Hair Salon*,  310 735 5965.

*Naptapestry  specializes in Sisterlocks, Brotherlocks, Traditional locs, loc maintenance, loc styling, hair care, and Loc repair.  


Location: 4321 Leimert Blvd., Suite C, Los Angeles, CA 90008

Stay Blessed!

K.I.S.S. and Hot Oil Treatments

K.I.S.S. = Keeping It Simple Sexy

That is what I am doing folks, I am keeping my routine, regimen, and product use simple. It is so easy to get caught up in wanting to try this or that on my locs but I have Sisterlocks and the beauty of Sisterlocks is that they really don't need much. Actually, using too much on these locs can be detremental ie build up, unraveling and slippage. My locs are maturing and I really thought that by now I would start to use a phlethra of conditioners, moisture sprays, and oils. But oil is the only thing that I have added to my simple regimen. (However, I will use a leave in conditioning spray once I color) I had a hot oil treatment last weekend and it was great. My hair feels conditioned, looks shiny, and is stronger.

Hot Oil Treatments are highly recommended for people with dry and/or damaged hair. They are beneficial because the oils can infuse your hair with keratin leaving it strong, and moisturized. It is so easy to create your own treatment. I plan on using the following oils  for future treatments

Coconut Oil - Even though this oil may not be good for everyday use in Sisterlocks (it can build up and be harder to wash out) it is awesome for a Hot Oil Treatments. It penetrates the hair shaft so it is ultra moisturizing. Also, because of it's anti fungal/antibacterial properties, it is great for people having dandruff and other scalp issues.

Olive Oil - This oil is very nourishing, a great moisturizer for dry hair and scalp but is also very heavy. It strengthens and increases elasticity of the hair shaft.

Jojoba Oil - Is a lighter oil but still gives your hair a nice shine. It mimics the natural oils that we produce (sebum), and helps to distribute that oil so it can help some balance their oil production. This oil is good for people with oily hair.



How to do a homemade treatment: You can do your treatment before or after you wash.

1. Decide which oil/oils you would like to use.
2. Measure out 1/4 to 1/2 cup oil (depending on length of hair) and, if you desire, add a few drops of your favorite essential oils
3. Heat your oil in microwave or pan till warm, you do not want it to be hot BE CAREFUL
4. Add your warm oil to you locs by massaging your scalp and rubbing the oil from root to tip
5. Cover your locs with a plastic cap and either wrap it in a warm towel 30 min, or sit under the dryer for 15min
6. Rinse well with warm water and do a final few minutes with cool water for even more shine


Regimen and products:

Even though I like having a simple routine my only problem is the best shampoo for my locks, so far, has sulfates.  I have tried several natural organic shampoos and either they leave a residue or my ends loosen up. I also noticed that my locs were not as condensed and tight as I like them to be. Now, maybe it's just a coincidence and my hair was just going through a phase but as soon as I stopped using my natural shampoos, and went back to Suave and Dawn, my hair tightened right up. When I am fully locked I may revisit my natural shampoos or look or an even better one.



Shampoo every 2 weeks: At home Suave Daily Clarifying  :  At the salon Gabrel's Lemon Fluff

Hot Oil Treatment: will be every 6 weeks using coconut oil

Spritz- Just water or Seabreeze mix

NOW

Hair is tight and mostly sealed

31 Months

BEFORE
Example of  my ends looking loose and puffy

Side note : Recovering from Post partum Shedding YEAH!!!

Stay Blessed!

Clarifying poo Review # 3 Aubrey Organics (pics)

Clarifying Shampoo Review for Aubrey Organics Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo.

Ingredients: Aqua, coco glucoside (coconut oil/corn), sodium cocoyl hydrolyzed soy† protein, Oryza sativa (rice) starch*, glycerin, xanthan gum, hydrolyzed sweet almond protein, Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) oil*, Panax ginseng (ginseng) extract, Equisetum arvense (horsetail) extract, Urtica dioica (nettle) extract, Tussilago farfara (coltsfoot) extract, panthenol, inositol, Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary) oil*, Mentha piperita (peppermint) oil*, Citrus grandis (grapefruit) seed extract, alcohol denat., tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), Hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Daucus carota sativa (carrot) root Extract, beta-carotene, biotin, Polygonum multiflorum (he shou wu) extract.

* Organic

† From organic sources

After hearing about this shampoo in the Facebook group Sisterlocked and Loving it, naturally, I decided to Google it and I found that some of my favorite bloggers anthia-ofo, and Gigglz have used it with success. I found positive results in this product as well and it past my main test, my consultant liked it. 

It claims to quickly and deeply clarify with just one application and rinses clean to leave hair shiny, bouncy and full. Also that herbal extracts deliver beneficial nutrients quickly and reduce drying time for fast and easy styling.

What I found is that even though I still need at least 2 washes (no surprise I have locs) I do get a deep clean and my hair is left shiny. I have not noticed a shorter drying time but that would be hard to gauge because my hair is forever changing . And I love it!

Dec. 2009

. Aug. 2011

Jan. 2012

Pros: It's sulfate/paraben/petroleum free, vegan, and it lathers! I love the smell, and it leaves my hair and scalp feeling super clean. I love to feel me scalp tingle and this definitely stimulates my scalp.

Cons: It is not cheap! Especially when you compare it to buying  a Suave clarifying shampoo  that work pretty well for $1. I bought my bottle from Sprouts Marketplace, similar to Wholefoods, when they had their 25% off sale but regualr price was approx $11 for an 11 fl oz bottle.

This shampoo, Aubreys Organic Green Tea Clarifying Shampoo, is a keeper!!!! It is the shampoo that I use to wash my hair at home. However, I still use Dawn for my final wash, every other wash, just to make sure that my locs remain nice and tight. 

UPDATE: I have gone back to Sauve for now because I felt like my hair was getting too 'loose'. When I am fully matured I will revisit this shampoo.

Stay Blessed!

LOC Method

I am always looking for great tips in taking care of my daughter's hair. There are a plethora of sites, and blogs but one of my favorites is Beads Braids and Beyond. I am so happy to have learned the LOC method, while talking to other Moms on there. The LOC method is using a liquid, then an oil and then a cream when applying moisture to hair. I guess I use to use the LCO method for years because I was told that using an oil last will seal moisture in. But this new method helps to retain moisture longer, and leaves her hair shin and soft.

My LOVE

Liquid- I spray her hair with our homemade spritz (aloe juice, leave in cond., distilled water, and a couple drops of tea tree oil)
Oil- Extra virgin Coconut oil
Cream - Shea Moisture Curling Smoothie

This combination has worked wonders on her hair, that I am prepping for Sisterlocks ;)

Stay Blessed!!

Lemon and Olive Oil Treatment

Both my youngest daughter, and I have been having scalp issues, and it is so frustrating. I really wanted to find her some relief  because she is so little, and I do not want her to have discomfort. So, when a fellow blogger/Facebooker mentioned using lemon juice to to solve her dandruff issues and scalp build up, I looked it up.

Lemons are a great cleanser, it has antibacterial properties, and is a very good astringent. Extra Virgin Olive oil can help reduce the production of dandruff, and works as a great moisturizer for dry scalp. So when you use both of these natural elements for scalp build up you can see results.

Mature locs/loose hair:
1. Warm 2 to 3 tablespoons of Olive oil and massage it in your scalp
2. Wrap your hair in a lint free towel (or use a plastic cap underneath) for 30 min
3. Wash your hair with a Clarifying Shampoo
4. Rinse your scalp with Lemon juice, from a fresh lemon, and a cup of warm distilled water
5. Do a final rinse to get the lemon out, using cool water that helps your hair look shiny

Baby locs: use steps 3 to 5 because Olive oil relaxes your curl and really softens your hair. I still only do steps 3-5 but used the full treatment on my daughter and saw the  benefits after one treatment!! It took 2-3 treatments of the lemon rinse to see the improvement on my scalp.

Good luck!

Stay Blessed