Loc Petal Glory

Unbelieveable!!!  I was so surprised by the response to my loc petal fro.  So many people complimented me, family, co-workers, clients, and strangers.  I think I'm in love.  After wearing them for 10 days, I needed some attention to my scalp so I used coconut, peppermint, and rosemary on my scalp.  I decided to re-adjust the loc petals so I took each one down and reduced the number of locs to 3 or 4.  This gave me a fuller look.  When I took down the petals to shampoo, I realized how much hair falling in my face bothers me.  I liked having my locs up and out of the way and having a style that framed my face nicely.  I'm in need of a retightening now which I plan to do today and tomorrow.  I'd like to put the loc petal back in this weekend but I want to be careful not to put too much tension on my locs so soon after the re-ti :(  Right now all I want is my petals back.   

Back view

Styling: The Latest Look

I decided to try something new. I saw this on YouTube.  This past Sunday, I figured I would give it a try.  It took about 40 mins.  I used several locs but I think I'll try only five locs per petal next time.  I'm on my sixth day of rocking this look and it is still holding up. 

 My Loc Petals



Day 2















Day 5



It's My Anniversary!!!

Three years, I can't believe it.  Time is just moving too fast for me.  Would you believe I still have straight ends?  I trimmed some of them today.  I'm really over it now.  Check out the pics below.




Overprocessed thin end

 





It unraveled easily

I went through my head and just randomly started cutting these ends off.  I cut close to the locked hair if there was less than an inch.  For the locs that have 3 inches of  "dead" ends, I cut 2 inches.  I didn't cut into any of the locked hair.  Surprisingly, it is difficult to tell that I had so much damaged hair unless you inspect individual locs.  Hopefully, I will part with all of the damaged hair by the first of the year.









Oct 2011



Nov 2011



Feb 2012

July 2012

August 2012




Sept 2012

Sept 2012

 
 

Shampooed later this day

 My hair tends to look its best two weeks after shampooing, of course that's when it needs to be shampooed again :(

Shrinkage after wash

 
 



Oct 13, 2012



I'm still enjoying my locs.  I decided to grow no longer than bra strap length.  I continue to DIY (Nappylock tool) and it is a lot of work.  Having more hair would just require more work and I'm not up for it.  I would like to do some really neat buns, rolls, and updos once I grow out the layers a little more.  My regime has not changed.  I am keeping it simple.  I use Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo (tried the TJ's Nourish Shampoo but it seemed to irritate my scalp).  I also use peppermint oil, extra-virgin coconut oil, and SL Moisturizer that's it. 

I should probably invest in a hooded dryer because my hair does not dry overnight.  My first pipecleaners turned out nice because I left them in over 24 hrs.  The 2nd and 3rd sets dropped quickly because they didn't dry completely, even when it feels dry I guess there is still moisture inside the loc and that ruins a set.

I still have my original Nappylock tool that I purchased right after got my locs.  If I ever lose it, I will use my plastic children's needle.  It works the same for far less and no shipping fee. 

I welcome your questions and comments.  Be blessed.











 







  





Pipecleaner Update

I truly enjoyed my pipecleaner set.  It was worth the time and effort.  I didn't separate the curls until day 7.

Pipecleaners Day 6



Day 7

At the end of day 7, I realized how dry my hair was feeling.  I could not take it.  I spritzed and spritzed til the waves floated away.  I think I'll try extra moisture during the set next time.  The other thing I need to remember is to do my final rinse with cold water.  When I forget this step, I can always tell the difference in the sheen and texture.  Until later, be blessed.

No Longer A Virgin

I did it!!!  I've been wondering when and how for awhile.  Now, I don't have to wonder anymore.  I'm no longer a virgin.  I did my first set of pipecleaner curls last weekend.  It took an hour to complete.  I used 45 pipecleaners in my 405 or so locks.  That's about 9 locks per pipecleaner.  I left them in for approx. 30 hrs.  Surprisingly, they did not cause any discomfort during bedtime.



Freshly Shampooed







Pipecleaners Set Completed



Set Just Released





Day 4

I wasn't sure if the pipecleaner set would turn out right.  Surprisingly I really like it.  The curls dropped quite a bit but seemed to bounce back nicely overnight.  I slept with a satin bonnet.  The curls did better when I pushed hair up on my head at night.  I have not separated the curls yet.  Note: I did workout on day 3.  My left side held the curls better than the right for some unknown reason.  I will post more pics to update.  The time it takes to put them in is definitely worth it.  I know I will get better with setting them; it takes practice. 
















Poetic Justice

I started my natural hair journey in 1999.  I ignored my mother who was not happy with the idea (I remember that term pickaninny) and a supervisor who told me to reconsider the decision because it could affect my career plans.  I wanted Sisterlocks; I even used the SL idea of keeping your permed hair and working on the new growth.  It took several months of two-strand twisting my new growth and curling my loose permed ends (trimming monthly) before I had a thick full head of all natural hair.  The first time, I two-strand twisted all-natural hair I was amazed.  I loved the texture and it actually curled on rollers.  My mother changed her tune.  She was surprised that my natural hair could look so lush.  SL got put on hold.

In 2005, I decided I was tired of combing out my hair and twisting.  It was probably 12 inches.  So, my smartazz, permed all that thick hair.  Note:  I had a Cosmetology license, although I changed careers and was no longer doing hair.  My hair was very close to bra strap length once it was straightened.  I was feeling my new look.  After a couple of months, I noticed that the texture was different and not in a good way.  I permed my hair in Oct. by Feb.the next year, it was mush.  It started breaking in the crown; I had about an inch of hair in the top of my hair.  The spot started getting larger and my hair was in the sink, on the floor, here, there, everywhere. 

I purchased my first wig, in 2006. 

I had no one to blame but myself.  Once my hair got a little more length, I got it braided a few times.  Then it was back to wigs;  I cut off the perm because there was no reason to hold on to it, plus the wigs fit better without the extra hair. 



I made a new commitment to return to my natural state.  I added the poem below to my vision board.

 



Pressed out June 2007

By 2008 , I had enough hair to feel comfortable with two-strand twists again. 



Feb 2008





April 2008 Pressed out





Sept 2009







Sept 2009

In Sept 2009, I finally decided to get my Sisterlocks, better late than never.

Nov 2009

That creamy crack was no joke, I'm celebrating 6 years of recovery now.  Even if I decide to change from locs, creamy crack is not an option. 



May 2012







2.5 Years

My how the time flies.  I'm happy with my locs, most days.  Although I really liked the two-strand twists that I rocked before getting locs, my locs are easier.  I hated when my hair got to shoulder-length with the twists because comb-outs were awful.  When I washed my hair I had to re-twist for up to 5 hrs before I had  somewhat of a style.  With locs, I can re-ti at my leisure, I can wash and go, and it doesn't take days for my hair to fluff up.  One problem I do experience is getting my hair to dry overnight. 


 I played around with this style for a few weeks.  I tied it up at night and lightly spritzed in the morning.  It was nice to not have to curl or think about styling in the morning.



I'm still shampooing with either the SL Green Tea Shampoo or Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle.  These shampoos seem to be very similar.  Coconut Oil and SL Moisture Treatment are my after-shampoo staples.  I'm resisting the urge to try new products for now.

This is the Lilla Rose clip that I purchased 2 yrs ago.  I've noticed that they are becoming more popular now.

On a California beach

Progress is a slow process

My locs have condensed quite a bit in the last several months.  Locs that once seemed too large now appear just fine.  I will not have to worry about combining thin locs in the front because they are not thin at all.  These locs may be thicker than some but they look as though they are still condensing.  Now my locs in the nape are on the thinner side.  I have only combined two.  My hope is that as long as I keep up with my retighenings the locs will not become fragile.  Surprisingly, my edges seem to be filling in, this will increase my styling options.

April 2011

August 2011

October 2011

March 2012

March 2012

These Straight Ends, Lint, and Other Loc News

I've been cutting again.  My straight ends started looking a little ruggedy.  I cut some in Nov. and more in Jan.  I think my locs are looking much better now.  Most of the locs in the front have no or very little damaged ends left.  I have a somewhat layered look now.  Its more of a challenge to style but this too shall pass.


 I repaired a loc that had a thin section by braiding in some of the cut hair.

Thin Section



After the repair





Healthier Locs Jan. 2012

I colored my ends again with the Naturtint.  I have been careful not to use anything that would strip the color.  It has been 2 months and I'm happy to say it is still dark on the ends.  I don't color my whole head because I'm allowing my platinum hair to shine.  There is a problem with this plan.  The other day I thought I had a large piece of lint in the crown, upon investigation, I realized it was a platinum curl peeking out of the lock.



Go Ahead and Laugh

Please watch this to the end.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj27Z4rdxgY