Sisterlocks Anniversary: Four years ten months

Four years and ten months later, I have enough length to wash and go!

I use the L.O.C. regimen.

Liquid _Oil_Creme

Design Essentials  Coconut Monoi Line (Coconut Milk Leave-in Nourisher and Deep Moisture Milk Souffle) are a part of my Liquid and Creme.  I used the Design Essentials Hydrience Argan Hair Repair Oil Treatment for my Oil component.  The Coconut Monoi line is purchased from Sally's Beauty Supply.  I used this regimen after the shampoo and/or condition of my Sisterlocks.

I also have started carrying handbags versus shoulder bags.   My Sisterlocks kept getting trapped in the shoulder strap of my shoulder bags no matter how hard that I try to lift them off of it.  The stress and pull is not worth weakening my locs.

Natural Hair Expos Have New Purpose!

Photo credit:  http://consciousvibes.co.uk/natural-lifestyle-expo/

I have started noticing that many of the natural hair divas attending the Natural Hair Expos already have found a regimen that is working for their hair.  Compared to a few years ago when the audience members were struggling with their hair, YouTube tutorials and curl care product line expansions have turned some audience members into actual teachers.

Let's face it,   as I stated in a previous blog article, there are probably over 40 different hair types walking around based on the various curl diameters and curl behaviors.  Natural hair requires a lot of trial and error.  So that means that many women have become an expert on their own hair.  I have witnessed natural hair speakers and facilitators who do not hold any type of state issue license speak with authority on their subject matter which is their own natural hair.  We see it on YouTube all the time.  I love YouTube!  I am a licensed hair professional in three states, and I am willing to learn from everyone with or without a state issued license.

Luckily, I have been doing hair long enough to know when I hear something that does not sound right, I improvise as needed- but I do learn from other's trial and errors.

So back to my original question, with so many natural hair divas already savvy with their own hair, why attend a natural hair expo?  My guess is to discover even more styling options, styling tools, and great discounts on products that already are working on their hair.

Sometimes mothers may want to take their daughters to a natural hair Expo to help them appreciate others with hair like theirs.

Can you think of any other reasons to attend?

MicroLocks: My 13 Month Check-in

I am past my 13th month now.  I decided to call my former Sisterlocks . . . Microlocks.  I have found that by week 6, my roots start looking unruly and apparently, by other's facial expressions, past due for re-twisting.  Luckily, that means about an inch in new length for my micro-locks every six weeks.  My locks in the back of my head have gained enough length that I can now "whip it" around.  Can we say movement?  LOL!

 I have also received comments/questions wondering if I have extensions attached to my hair.  Nope - It's all just my hair!  No tools.  Just raw honey, jojoba oil, and my finger twisting.  No conditioning either.  Conditioners are mainly for damaged hair, but I did try an apple cider vinegar rinse.  Note for the future: vinegar burns when it runs into your eye, but no lost of eyesight so far. Smile.

I decided on the vinegar after reading one of my old blog posts reciting a regimen that another women recommended.  My blog is a great reference for me as well.

In this picture, I started re-twisting my front locks versus starting in the back which is how I have done in the past.  Since my front locks are smaller and more tedious, I decided to start with them for re-tightening.  I am happy that I did.  I was able to get my retightening session down to 3.5 hours using the honey versus the 5 hours the last go around. Yes!

You probably noticed that my front locks look more scalpy than my back.  I definitely encourage anyone who feels too scalpy, to allow their locks to get a little past due and ask the technician to not overtighten.

I am still a little sticky from the honey, but I really feel that the healing properties of the honey outweigh its messiness.

Also, as far as maintenance goes, another regimen that someone shared with them is tightening every 2 weeks.  One 2 week period is self tightening, and the other 2 week period is tightened by the loctician.  Of course, she had larger locks than mine, but they were not huge.  I assume 1 hour to 1.5 hours self-retightening.  I too am about ready for a loctician.  I am feeling a bit lazy, and I know my lock behavior now enough to instruct the loctician not to double up the locks.

Well, I am six months Sisterlocks free.  I am happy that only 25% of my head has the small Sisterlocks in it.  I have repeatedly heard stories of the really small Sisterlocks shedding or breaking.  Knowing now that the normal shedding hair drops down into the locks to form a dreadlock, extremely small locks could become weak from the weight of the shedded hair.  Even my size locks require keeping the new growth connected to the lock to support the lock's weight and updo styling.  The less stress on the locks, the less thinning. Head bands cause stress if worn for more than a couple of days.  I am learning as I have tried some tricks to hide my new growth until I had time to retighten.

Well, more and more clients are seeing how my locks will continue to lay as they get longer.  More people are excited about the idea of locks.  Thank God that I am a year ahead now.  By next year, this timeframe, I should really be on cloud 9.  Until next month's check-in . . .