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!!!