To loc or not to loc

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)

Retail Therapy

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 lily bc 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 pre sisterlocks 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.

First Wash

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)

Hair has been separated and is drying

2 weeks

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!!

They are getting thicker!!

First Perm Rod Set

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.

I did it!! I am Sisterlocked!!

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 itty bitties. 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.

Here are some pics:

Last twist out!!

Day 2

Hair Esteem

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?