Phenomenal . . .

Phenomenal . . .
Life, Growth, and Connection (This sunflower was nourished by my hands.) 2010; Photography by Benita Blocker. Please become a follower of this blog.

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Saturday, July 29, 2023

Eleventh Sisterlocks Anniversary

 

Yes, It has been Eleven years since my Sisterlocks establishment. July 25, 2012. OMG. Can you believe the prices have almost doubled? I still self maintain. I never do the whole head at one time. I'm waiting to take a topless photo with full Loc coverage but I still need another year to gain another three inches of play room. I don't want any wardrobe malfunctions. LOL 

Happy Loc-versary to me! 


Monday, January 2, 2023

Pubic Hair Q and A

 



Photo credit: Instagram


Q: Is the full body hair removal trend for everyone?

A: No, Absolutely not. Certain hair textures do not respond well to being shaved down or balded. Barbers can probably share more insight on this. Ingrown hairs come to mind when it comes to certain hair types. If skin problems can occur on your head above your neck, then skin care problems can definitely occur below the belt.

Try it once. If you don't feel hair removal works for you then don't feel pressured. Sometimes the person performing the hair removal can make the difference in the pain level and minor bleeding from a waxing perspective. 

If you choose to be modest in hair removal, then swimwear would need to be conservative to hide pubic hair. Hair removal around a bikini line is definitely necessary in regards to social norms. Some pubic hair removal is considered grooming. Full hair removal is landscaping/manscaping (for men). Full hair removal is a trend. 


Q: Does pubic hair come in different textures?

A: Yes, the hair on top of your head does not always match what is below the belt. If you are tenderheaded by nature, then having someone "playing in your hair" below the belt may not be a turn-on.  

As far as textures, all hair textures exist in pubic hair including "no texture." Yes, some people have bone straight pubic hair.

Q: Does pubic hair carry odor?
A: If the hair above your neck can carry odor then yes, all hair can carry odor. You just shampoo or wash it. There are feminine wipes that can be stuffed back into the "to go" package and tossed in the feminine waste bags. Flushing wipes will clog the plumbing.

You don't shave your head because you sweat so don't feel like you have to go to extremes below the belt.

Q: Does pubic hair have health benefits?
A: Hair typically alerts your skin when adverse conditions are present. Hair also typically diverts and absorbs sweat away from important areas. A nurse can advise more about the benefits of pubic hair.

Q: Are vajacials beneficial?
A: If you are stressing out your skin with regular hair removal, then facials for the private areas would be beneficial for toning and perfection.

Hair removal brings more focus to skin care versus "hair care." Choose your battles wisely.

Happy New Year ๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰๐ŸŽ‰



Thursday, December 29, 2022

Crochet Hair: Nami Locs

 

I literally had to back up and do a double take when I saw these locs in the beauty supply store.

The Nami Locs look like my own Sisterlocks.  I was blown away. I never thought that I would find faux locs that looked like my own texture. This crochet hair would happily serve as Loc extensions for a special occasion.  The brand is Laude & Co.  I feel that they would be too heavy to complete a full head of crochet braids based on the amount to make sure the roots get enough coverage. This is just my opinion.


Thursday, December 15, 2022

Steam Therapy for Locs



Winter can be brutal on the skin as well as the hair. When my Sisterlocks look distressed, I pull out my distilled water and my pro facial steamer. 

The steam opens up the cuticles and hydrates. It is a great way to revitalize the hair without a full shampoo service. Sometimes an event can come up too fast,  and you just don't have the full 3 or 4 days for a shampoo service and allowing the natural hair to resettle. The steam therapy  allows you to have a good hair day until you can do a full shampoo reset.

Below is before and after steam therapy.






 



Thursday, November 24, 2022

Thanksgiving 2022

 

Black Panther Wakanda Forever Fan Artistry


Happy Thanksgiving! 


I am thankful for you my followers and supporters. This blog has been receiving traffic for over a decade now. Wow!

Sometimes I use my own articles to refresh my memory banks. Truth stands the test of time.

My Sisterlocks articles get the most traffic. People have to remember - it's not where you start, it is about where you finish.

Social media platforms are precious when you feed your soul with inspiration, fantasy, and a full dose of reality. It is all a balancing act.

This blog still keeps me relevant so thank you for sharing and stopping through.

Be safe out there.

Hugs and Kisses ❤️ Happy  Holidays 2022



No shade. Native American vibe.
 A Christmas story leg lamp acrylic painting by Benita Blocker.

Sunday, November 20, 2022

Rhovember 2022

 


Happy Centennial
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc

Please enjoy 20% off of
100+ products with my textile designs by using the code EARLY20 thru 11/23/2022
At storefront www.legaleriste.com/en/benita.blocker

This tote is my most popular item.







Friday, July 22, 2022

Ten Years Sisterlocks Anniversary

 


The ten year journey of self maintenance by hand interlocking.


Thank you for continuing to support my blog on hair. I have returned back to the corporate America track. I still work part-time in the salon. I still primarily provide relaxer and crochet braids services.

My Sisterlocks articles from the beginning of my loc journey get a lot of views.

Now, it's ten years later, and it's one of the leading edge decisions that I made. Some feel that my Sisterlocks should be longer. To those people, I say "mind your business." I am not in competition. It's ร lways been me against me. Many people always have had me twisted. I was doing protective styling before it was called "protective styling."

Sisterlocks have become a polished acceptable look to even sit on the Supreme Court of the United States. I see all types of professional women who hร ve followed my lead directly or indirectly.

Sisterlocks and self maintenance is about freedom and beauty. I still had to learn my natural hair needs that is unique to me. I keep the Wave Nouveau finishing mist around as needed. Usually, I spray daily.

I try to self tighten as many locs as I can before each shampoo service to keep the water weight down.

I also keep any locs that I may lose. I have learned to reuse my own hair to extend locs that may be shorter for whatever the reason.  I also make Loc extension units.  Sometimes seven extra locs attached using invisible thread can be enough to deliver a thicker look in the crown area. Because Sisterlocks recommend different sizing based on the different sections of the head- the Sisterlocks do not need the same frequency of tightening. The smaller ones may need four weeks but the medium or larger ones can stretch tightenings to 7 weeks. Who schedules a partial head of tightenings? Most people don't. It is too much of a hassle to find a good Sisterlocks professional. I stand by self maintenance for my length. People can not tell that you have inconsistent new growth that needs tightening.

Overall, my Loc journey was one helluva ride but I own it and look forward to my 15 years anniversary. Thanks for being a part of my journey.

~Benita, 2022, 10 year locversary!






Thursday, June 23, 2022

June 2022 Thank you


 My Sister locks will be 10 years old July 2022. Thanks for continuing to support this blog!  I'm on Instagram. Over 1k followers.

Check back in July for Anniversary post!



Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Holiday edition 2020: Sisterlocks Anniversary

 

Time flies fast. I didn't post my favorites for hair products this year.  No one noticed anyway. LOL  Also, Christmas 2020 marked my eight years and five months Sisterlocks Anniversary.


I have been boutique shopping and enjoying modeling.

I think that I look like Mrs. Claus here! I hope everyone's Holidays were bright. God has a Master plan.

Exciting news coming soon!!!!

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Sisterlocks Anniversary: Selah Boutique Styling

 

It's my Eight years and four months Sisterlocks anniversary. I needed to revamp my wardrobe on a "CitiTrends" budget.

Selah Boutique offers curvy fashion and clubwear. Because I am short-waisted, I don't need baggy clothes as a curvy model.


I'm also engineering outfits to work with my body needs including reversing ties.

I'm enjoying different bursts of color.

I'm enjoying mixing the pieces.

I'm definitely trying to work out/exercise more.

Some outfits are more lounge wear.

Some outfits are more formal.

My Selah Boutique selections may not last past a year, but they are a lot of fun. I
watch closely for limited time deals.

Saturday, October 31, 2020

Sisterlocks Anniversary: 8 years 3 months

 

So Eight years and 3 months have passed since my Sisterlocks were first established. The time did not fly. Yet, I still embrace my Loc journey.


I'm enjoying my fashion again. There were many phases of my life that I truly was in fashionista mode. Using Selah Boutique is allowing me to refresh my wardrobe at an affordable price for 2020. I even purchased my first Brazilian scrunch butt leggings.


Doing the Census enumeration work actually helped shed some inches off my body.


I am estranged from my birth family. There is a lot of toxicity and family secrets. I struggle with losing my parents, but in recent years, the interaction yielded more misery than comfort. I supposed my worth had deteriorated long before now. Self worth will always have to be a woman's foundation.



Fresh curls always require a fresh picture.

I'm over the hill, but age is nothing but a number.

Sunday, October 4, 2020

Sisterlocks Anniversary: Eight years and 2 months

 

Trying to support Sistahs with Boutiques! 
(Dress ensemble from Blaque Diamond Boutique in Aiken, SC)

My Sisterlocks are at Eight years and two months old.  I am a little late posting for this anniversary.  Parts of me wondered if anyone benefits from my monthly Sisterlocks check-in's, but then I realized that I benefit from this journaling effort. 


Waist beads from RyandZoebeads

I still self maintain my Sisterlocks tightenings. I figured out about four weeks equal one full four point rotation.


I made it over the hill! (50 club)



I closed out my #round2mark3 campaign on 9/11 - a good Memorial date.

I used the Colorproof SuperRich Shampoo for my loc maintenance.  My promo code: BENITA10 will get you ten percent off of your purchase at the www.colorproof.com

Sunday, August 30, 2020

Eight years and one month Loc-versary

 This blogger interface has changed, and I upgraded my phone. So it took me a little longer to pull this article together. It is eight years and one month Loc-versary.


I am still Fighting for justice for my younger self in my #round2mark3 campaign.

So close to the finishing line. I need closure. I need justice. No one gets to drop the ball this time.


I am a queen, and I am forever a princess according to my Heavenly Father.


As a Sigma Gamma Rho, I enjoy sporting my sorority colors.




As a Census Bureau enumerator, I am getting my walking in. Get counted! You survived a pandemic!  That's history in itself! Your information is confidential!











Sunday, July 26, 2020

Sisterlocks: Eight Years Later



Eight years ago, I started my Sisterlocks journey. It was a great Hair Solution for me!

I found some Liquid color chalk in my stash and could not resist indulging in a color splash.


I keep my hair up in the salon, so that I can see what I am doing.

Love my summer hat!

I'm using Herbalife tea and supplements to slim down.

July 2020 Eight years.  I reached the promise Land of my Loc journey.

Monday, July 13, 2020

Sisterlocks Truth or Fiction: Thinning Crowns?


I have heard countless times, that the crowns of Sisterlocks wearers seem to thin out. People wonder if there is any truth to it.

There is no sure answer, but it is likely to happen and here is why and potentially how.

In my Sisterlocks training, we were taught  to place "small" sizes in the front, "medium"  sizes in the crown , and "large" sizes in the back of the head. All sizings are relative to Sisterlocks.

As a Master Loctician,  over the years, I found the larger the loc reduces the amount of rotations. So the Sisterlocks in the front may need  tightening every four weeks, but the crown area may need 6 weeks to get a full rotation without it being too tight.

So essentially, unless all your Sisterlocks are equal in size then they are not going to be equal in needs.

Just food for thought.

Wednesday, July 8, 2020

AppleBaum Hair Growth Club 2020 Update

When you are ready to grow a new head of hair- "Who you gonna call?"

Benita Blocker with Applebaum Hair Growth Club is still educating and providing phenomenal hair care services.

I softly introduced my premium consultations last year (2019). I also had to take a hiatus to heal from a lot of trauma that I had not dealt with in decades. I also had to comply with government shutdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020.

Well, all of this stress from the economy being shutdown, is definitely going to create some hair loss challenges by the Holidays. As a single woman, I am definitely about "my bag," but I am dedicated to restoring your hair and confidence for the right price.


Now, your consultation includes several Herbalife supplements including probiotics, Vitamin C support and more. No shakes are included; so no worries about dairy concerns.

Your consultation also includes at least two Colorproof haircare products.

Hollywood Hairstylist: Benita Blocker

Virtual or In person, I have over 15 years in hair care, loc care, and product knowledge. I believe in diversity. All lives matter. 

You can purchase the initial consultation at https://www.etsy.com/shop/ApplebaumStudio  Look for Hair Growth Club Consultation.


Or if you are not ready to purchase online, please feel free to contact me by FREE registration at my Herbalife website so that I can make sure your shipping information is accurate. www.getset.goherbalife.com

Then on my follow-up with you, we will discuss the consultation fee and payment options unrelated to Herbalife. (Herbalife requires documentation to who is using their products). Your registration saves me extra paperwork. 

Thank you in advance.  You will also get other supplements shipped from various brands according to individual needs.


At your service soon . . . ~Benita