Happy One Year Loc-a-versery to me!

I'm sure like most of the sister loc'd family the first year flew by. I was busy learning about the way my hair locs, the way it coils when left to its own devices, the way it reacts to having water sprinkled on it everyday and how it bounces with natural body. If you've read my previous post, you will notice that I didn't fall in love instantly; it was more gradual. I look in the mirror today and I love the length, I love the texture, I love the fullness and I love the way my hair frames my face. I especially love how it sets me apart from all the women around me because it is uniquely mine. This year has been gratifying in more ways than I could have imagined and it makes me grateful that I chose this journey. What a Year!

Our Natural Beauty

Say hello to our natural beauty. Ten years ago she was born with a head full of curly hair and as you can see she still has it. Her mother works very hard to keep her hair healthy and natural. Here she is sporting a twist out. The interesting part is the conversation that took place when her mother and I were twisting her hair. There were some young - twenty something - girls there and this is what they had to say.

Girls: She has pretty hair and it's natural (as if this is some kind of contradiction)

Me: She has always had a head full of beautiful hair.

Girls: Why don't you put a relaxer in it - it would be so long (I'm trying not to roll my eyes)

Me: She doesn't need a relaxer, her hair is already long.

Girls: That would be taking the easy way out (perhaps there is hope for them yet).

Girls: She should wait until she's about 15 and then but a relaxer on it cause she gon get tired of taking care of all that hair. (I spoke too soon).

Me: Maybe she'll embrace the hair that God has given her and learn to take care of it, there are other options besides relaxers.

Girls: Yah you right - she could cut it all off, that would make it easier for her to take care of (Seriously).


At this point, I change the subject because I'm a guest in someone elses house and I can tell that these young ladies aren't open to new ideas. Plus, I was getting very heated, my family has prided itself on making sure our little girls are proud of who they are and for someone else to put ideas in their head contrary to our values was irritating. I don't blame the ladies for their ignorance. Someone failed to teach them about their heritage and how to keep an open mind. I just hope they learn to love themselves or life will be difficult. In the mean time our angel loves her hair and never asks about a relaxer. We must be doing something right.

11 Months and Cute

My hair was officially ten months old November 30th and I can honestly say that I noticed growth. Not record setting lengths are anything, but when my hair is wet from working out or the shower, it dangles in eyes. I find myself searching for headbands and ties for the gym when before it never would have crossed my mind. The inspiration for the above collage came after I washed my own hair, retightened my own hair and because I thought I was cute. I love the bounce that my hair has when it is clean and I love the body that retightening my hair leaves. So today I did both and had extra bounce and body. Some of the pictures above are wet hair from the shower and others right after my retight.. I'm sure you can tell the difference. I've gotten to the point where I can retighten my hair with no mirror and I wash it quite vigorously. What can I say - I'm on the move and it feels good. Next up - COLOR. I will wait until my hair is a full year, so this should be around New Year. When my hair was loose and natural I colored with Henna, so I think I'll continue with this method even though the color is slight and you might not be able to readily discern the difference.

10th months and curls

I finally had time to style my hair. I purchased the lock loops and they were fantastic to use. I literally curled my hair while watching T.V - no mirror; grabbed a small amount of hair, wrapped it around the loop and close. The pictures above are actually the second day and after a 6mi. run. The curls were much tighter but I figured I should post before they were totally gone. I received many compliments on my curls although I haven't decided if I should try to style the curls. The first day I allowed them to be free and the second day I wore a headband.

I can tell that my hair has grown some, but not much. I think the reason it takes so long to notice growth is because the loose hair on the ends has to shrivel and shrink first. So while your hair is growing, it's also shrinking. I have heard it said that you have a growth spurt at the 1 1/2 - 2 year mark. Perhaps this is when shrinkage is done because it's locked. Just a theory - What do you think?

My first time!

I've never been a person that likes becoming dependent on anyone or anything. Occasionally I will cut certain things out of my life just to remind myself that I don't need them. This includes certain foods, T.V, the computer and my car etc. My view doesn't change when it comes to my hair either. I made the decision when I first had my locks installed that six months afterwards, I would be DIY'er. It actually happened during the seventh month. I know I didn't post about it, and trust me I wanted to make an appointment when I first took on this endeavor but half way through - I was more than comfortable. The picture shows half of my hair done and half to go. I didn't time myself because I was watching T.V but I would guess it took approximately six hours. I am so proud of me. My first time was in August and it's time for another appointment with myself. How gratifying it feels to be able to say that.

So fresh and Sooo Clean...

I decided, on my own, at the six month mark I would try to wash my hair without banding and braiding. I am so glad I did. My hair felt so clean, light and fluffy when I was done that I could not keep my fingers out of it. I am also happy to report that there was no slippage. I'm not really surprised by this. I have been very fortunate not to have any slippage in these six months.

Because I made this decision on my own, I was very carful while washing my locs. I didn't scrub vigourously or use a detangling shampoo. I rinsed under luke warm water and patted my hair dry. I also didn't manipulate it too much until it was completely dry. All in all the experience was great!

Check List:

Hair thickening (check)

No more braid and band (check)

Next Battle: Become a member of the Do It Yourself Club (?)

Six Months vs. Day One

Wow, six months have passed! The pictures on the left are from the first day and the pictures on the right were taken on the sixth month mark exactly. I would like to say that my hair has grown tremendously but as you can see - it hasn't. Why focus on the negative? What my hair has done is thicken up, not as much as I think it should or as much as I think it could, but what do I know. One thing I know for sure is that my hair has the consistency and characteristics of cotton. It is soft, fluffy and shrinks to a very tight coil when wet or otherwise. Hence the lack of growth. My hair is no longer than it was when I wore two strand twist and dare I say it is shorter than the first day of my sisterlock install. Now, I'm not naive, I know it is growing because I have to pay to get it retightened. Perhaps I should say the growth isn't readily apparent. Yes, this is more akin to the truth. Although I can't wait to have my hair cascading down my back or on my neck for this matter, my main concern is keeping it healthy. This is a task that I feel I have accomplished with great pride. See, it's the small battles that allow us to win the war.

Next battle - No More Braiding and Banding!!!

Five Months

I am posting a month late but in this picture it had been five months into my journey and nothing much had changed.

Four Months and My Hair Rules

It's been a great four months and I haven't one complaint. To the contrary, my journey elicits many happy feelings. The best compliment to date was when I was standing with two other beautiful sisters, one with braids, one with a relaxer and myself in the middle. There was a gentlemen who was innocently flirting with all three of us and we all flirted back. However, in the middle of this sorted triangle, he stopped and he said "Sister, I Love your hair!" I tried not to gloat but my high cheek bones gave it away. Imagine that, we constantly think of all the ways society tells us we must conform in order to be considered beautiful and the one act of being natural elicited such a strong and striking response in the midst of it all. I couldn't have asked for a better affirmation. I remember thinking, as I politely said thank you, you ain't seen nothing yet - just wait a few months!

Three Months

It has been three months and I finally got the time - no took the time to style my hair. I rolled it on rollers, styled it and thought I was so cute and wouldn't you know that this is the day it rained and I didn't have an umbrella. Alas not even sisterlock curls last through the rain. It's probably karma, the last time it rained I gave my umbrella to a sister with a fresh relaxer and walked into the rain triumphantly. It's good to know that mother nature has a sense of humor. So after I was humbled I managed to snap a few pictures at the end of the day and these are the pictures you see.

Changes

• My hair isn't as soft as it was but not hard. It feels more cylindrical, especially the ends in the back. In fact I'm sure the edges are locking first- front and back.
• The curly que ends in the front are beginning to turn in on themselves - I guess this is normal!
• Where as most of my locks are thickening up, the ones at the crown of my head are almost as thin as the day my locks were installed.
• They have started to flop around more, especially in my face when I'm working out and this is annoying.
• It takes forever for them to dry naturally when rolled. I thought three hours but no.....even after a full night they were still damp in the back.
• Little balls have began to form on the ends of some.
• They have become fuzzy, especially in the back which is a stark contrast to the top,they still have the taylored look.

Question

For those who have been locked for a long time, how long did it take your locks to reach their full thickness?

2nd Retightening

It had been five weeks since my last touch - up and I'd experienced a lot of growth though not evident in the pictures. The picture above is me fresh out of the shower and hours before my touch up; the others are after my appointment. I remember one of my fears being that my locks wouldn't be small enough and looking at the middle picture has brought back some of those old feelings. I'm not sure if it's because they are beginning to swell or if the camera is simply to close, but doesn't the base look huge? I don't know. I try not to compare but I only have approximately 360 locks. I thought I should have around 400. Maybe my head isn't as big as I thought.
I have fallen in love with the curly q ends and I love the fluffyness of my hair after it is retightened. We had an unseasonably warm day and the wind was high. Driving in my car with my sunglasses on and feeling my hair blow in the wind is my best experience yet. I can't wait to see what's next.

Two Months and Counting

Two months ago I was anticipating installation and now I am living with a full beautiful head of sisterlocks. Time passes by much faster than you would think. My nerves have settled, my hair has taken on a life of it's own and a few friends have joined me on this journey. I have never been asked more questions about my hair and I have never directed people to any one website more than I have sisterlocks.com. I have found new friends online to discuss hair issues and have stalked more blogs than I care to admit. With all this said, two months have gone by in a flash and I understand why.

Somethings that I am looking forward to:

• No longer braiding and banding
• Actually styling my hair (it's not easy to find time when working two jobs and night school)
• No scalp (my hair gets thicker weekly but not fast enough)
• Conditioning my hair (my locs are soft but I like the way conditioner leaves my hair)
• Swimming (Freedom and feeling water running through my hair)
• Afro Puff (I know this is a long time away but I can't wait)
• Side Ponytail (I've never had one but what a joy it will be)
• Do it Yourself (I do not like depending on others - for anything)

These are just the ones I can remember at the moment -I'm sure the list will grow and grow.

Natural Goddesses

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-VbyM63YYo

I was searching youtube for videos of women with sisterlocks when I came across this most inspiring and most awesome video. The video is of beautiful black women rocking their natural hair. It celebrates braided hair, locked hair, hair worn in afros and hair that is free styled. As if this isn't treat enough, the video is set to this amazing piano selection that I hope to one day find. (If someone knows - do tell).

I was so moved and inspired by this that I sat down with my seven year old and asked him," Do you want to see pictures of beautiful people?" He said, " Yes." We sat and watched the video together and I pointed out all the beautiful hair and hair styles. We looked at the amazing color and smoothness of each woman's skin. We regaled over the features(full lips, high cheek bones, noses) of these natural goddesses. I hope to foster a strong self awareness, self pride, love and respect for African American Women in him. I want him to recognize the natural and inherent beauty that God has graced us with.


If anyone has done anything special or not so special with their own children lately to foster a positive self image, please share.

One month retightening

My how time passes when you're having fun. It doesn't feel as if a full month has come and gone but it has and with it has gone any anxiety I had about getting sisterlocks.

At my first retightening my consultant asked me if I liked my hair and I responded that it was growing on me. I meant that. I would love to share the enthusiasm that I have read about on so many blogs. I would love to scream from the roof tops that I'm in love with my sisterlocks. Make no mistakes about it - I love my hair and I'm very much in like of my sisterlocks, but as usual, it takes more time for me to fall in love than the average person.

I have experienced the hand in hair syndrome that so many others confessed to. I have experienced the itchy scalp which lasted for about a week. I have braid and banded and felt my hair blow in the wind. In essence I suppose I've experienced what any one would in the honeymoon phase of a relationship. We're getting to know one another, feeling each other out and warming up to each others pet peeves and imperfections. Like any other relationship I approach, the ride will be worth any falls that I may incur.

Stay tuned - I might try to style my hair instead of freestyle one day soon....maybe!

"

Week Three

There's a saying in church "Ask and ye shall receive," although this didn't work when I was a child, mainly because I was asking for frivolous things such as: long flowing hair, thick hair like my cousins, shiny hair like my mom's, curly hair like grandma's or basically any hair that I say on T.V. I have grown since then, but when I was a child my hair was an obsession. It could have been the thousands of pictures I saw in the media, it could have been because I was the only "bald-headed little girl in my family" it could have been because I was mistaken as a boy on more than one occasion. Whatever the reason, I know for a fact that as a child, I prayed for hair more than I prayed for anything else. Ok, so where is she going with this you ask? Is this true confessions or something...?

I said all of that to say this, last post I was complaining about the thickness of my hair; something I took great solace in. It was the one measure I held on to, my defining measure of beauty for my hair. This week I looked in the mirror and it had changed. All of sudden it looked thicker. No matter which angle I turned toward, there was no scalp. It has returned. "Ask and ye shall receive." Although, I certainly did not pray for my hair to become thicker, it reminded me of all the times I did pray for a change in my hair.

I know the pictures above don't show any of this change, but it is a picture of my hair during the third week. The Midwest is known for it's change in weather and this was after a snowfall and after playing tackle football in the snow with my little one.

Inauguration Day!

Congratulations America! We finally got it right. As I watched President Obama be sworn in, my eyes filled with tears, my heart filled with joy, my spirit filled with hope, and my soul sang another chorus of freedom. I could hardly believe what I was seeing. This regal African American Man taking a solemn stand to lead this wayward country through its trials and tribulations was almost too much. Almost!

I say almost because I remember the day before he was sworn in, he was performing community service, I say almost because he wrote the most beautiful letter to his equally beautiful daughters that moved me beyond compassion and toward shear marvel. I say almost because he always defers to the American people as the answer and never glorifies himself. So I’ll stop saying almost and say finally.

Finally our children have a phenomenal man to look toward for the true measure of manhood; a Family Man, an African American Man and now a Presidential Man. To this I say Thank you and God Bless. My heart is with you, Michelle, Malia and Sasha.

Two Weeks

It's been two weeks and counting. I wish I could say that I've noticed a difference in my hair but I haven't. Since I last posted I have managed to braid and band (sorry no Pictures) during my first wash. This too was uneventful. I used my regular shampoo (Biolage Hydrating Shampoo) since it's not a detangler and I haven't had any slippage. Lucky Me!!!

My hair seems a tad bit fuller but not by much as you can see in the pictures. Speaking of which, how long do I have to wait to get my fullness back. How do you go from a full blown out afro (see above picure) where you can barely get a comb through to head full of scalp? I must say that my patience is being tested. Normally if I had two-strand twist, by the second week there is no scalp to be found. I continue to peruse others pictures and ..... well, I must be patient.

The other thing I can't help but notice is the shrinkage. Yes I expected it, but if one more person asks me if I cut my hair, I may just scream. I just want it to shrink as much as it will and let me get used to it. No more surprises on a day to day basis. Am I asking to much to just say Work With Me! But I digress.

I don't want to send the wrong messege. I do love my hair; maybe like is a better term right now. It still has body, shine and is very soft. It's change that takes a little getting used to.

Well until next week!!!!

Day Four

I'm actually posting on day seven but the pictures are from day four. As you can see my hair has settled in and is beginning to take shape and form. It has begun to shrink which I am used to from wearing two strand twist. After sweating (from working out) and steam from the showers my hair is filling in nicely. I like the natural body that it has. I feel my hair moving in the cold wind and shaking as I try not to pass out on the treadmil. I do find it difficult not to put oil in my hair - so - I cheated. I put a dime size amount of essential oils in my palm and finger combed my hair. So far - so good.

I didn't think I could get more enthusiatic about my hair than I was during the anticipation, but I was wrong. I am so excited about the possibilities so much so that it has rubbed off on a few friends. Two of whom have appointments to get their hair locked this month. You know I will be posting their pictures (with permission of course). It will be very nice to have direct sisterlock family to talk with.

I have also received compliments from friends - both men and women alike - so this has to be a good thing!

Day Three

I must admit it is rather difficult to keep my hands out of my hair. I find myself drifting toward it more and more. Well, I have noticed something that I hadn't read about in any other blogs. At the end of my locks I feel a knot of hair. Since it's only day three, I know this isn't the natural lock process taking place. Which brings me to a question. Is it normal to knot a clients hair when creating sisterlocks? Perhaps she is trying to speed up the process. Perhaps this is exactly what it should be. I don't know and I am so tempted to unknot the ends. If anyone has knowledge of this sort of thing, please inform me.

Other than this things are going fine. I decided to wear my hair down and deal with the thinness of it all. How else will I get used to it? I don't have any pictures yet - but I can say it is already starting to shrink.

Day Two

I'll admit it, I was a little confused about how to style my hair the next day, a tad bit uneasy about the thinness and to top it off, I had to go to work. So I pulled it back into a ponytail and added my afro - puff. In a way I am relieved because I always loved this look and I thought I'd have to wait years before I could rock it again. I guess my sisterlocs are already showing their versatility. On my next day off, I'll try a roller set or twist out or something......

I'll be sure to post pictures of whatever I do. Please feel free to leave comments, in fact they are welcomed!

T'was the night before sisterlocks...

I thought I would give you an idea of my hair the night before my consultation. My hair had two - strand twist that desperately needed to be taken down and washed. And thus began my long night of untangling, washing and untangling again. As tedious as it was, I enjoyed every minute of it. I suppose it was the idea that it would be my last time dueling with my hair.