11 Months + COLOR

Wow, I've almost had my Sisterlocks for a whole year now!! I really didn't realize how much my hair has grown until looking back at pictures. I guess I forgot how short my hair was when I started :) Here are pics!

Day 1 vs 11 Months


2 Weeks vs 11 Months





Day 1 vs 3 Months vs 11 Months (before color)


I finally decided to get color done professionally yesterday! I really wanted a change after keeping my hair the same way for nearly a year, that seems like the longest ever for me:) I was expecting more dramatic results to be honest. I was at the salon ALL day yesterday first getting the black removed, having the brown done twice and then getting the highlights. The highlights are more 'red' then I care for as well. Anyhoo, I am just happy that he was able to remove the black I'd been putting in. It seems like this will be more of a process over time for me to get the color I want but I am gonna call him back today to see what can be done...

Color

My First Hairstyle!

So I finally started experimenting with hairstyles for my Sisterlocs. I have been freestyling since I got them installed almost 11 months ago now (wow time flies!). Granted, that is the longest I've ever gone without changing my hair! Well, my hair has grown out quite a bit which does count for an evolving look.

At any rate, this is what I came up with this past weekend in time for my high school reunion. I had envisioned just pinning one side up but ended up with these twists that I simply bobby pinned. I did re-tighten that side of my hair on my own before doing the twists for a cleaner look. As you can see there are few SLs in the front that still completely come out and I will get those fixed at my full appointment this Friday.

I'm very pleased with my new style and the feeling of change those simple twists have given me. I've received a lot of compliments as well :) Looking forward to more experimentation as my locs evolve and still loving every minute of it!

Re-tightening Class

Last week I took the Sisterlocks re-tightening class! Woo hooo!

So it was great to learn a bit more a bit about my SLs and in particular what the stylist is doing up there when I go for a re-tightening every month. Granted I did not go with the intention of becoming a DIYer. Instead I wanted to have the knowledge to feel more empowered and to be able to address any issues in between appointments. I feel I walked a way with just that, and who knows if I ever feel that adventurous or move to a far away land I may just start doing my own locs :)

In Need of a Hair Regimen

So I’m just over 9 months into the SisterLocks experience and still loving my hair more and more and more and more! This past weekend, I even took to doing a count of just how many locs are on my head. The result was a rough count of about 450/470…somewhere around there :)

While counting, I got to know my locs more intimately. I realized the majority of my locs have ‘some’ to ‘extreme’ bunching at the ends. This no doubt is the result of my ‘hard-headedness’ for coloring too soon and refusing to braid & band when washing. After the first couple times of trying it, I realized that would be entirely too much work for someone who washes my hair several times a week after exercising.

I came across Kalia Dewdrop’s very informative post on how to correct bunching. I briefly considered this as no doubt my locs would have more length but for the bunching, but figured that if I don’t commit to braiding &banding after correcting the locs they’d again end up the same way….sooo not sure yet.

Because of the ease of care for my hair now, I’ve noticed that I grab any old shampoo and am not consistent with anything…I’ve gotten lazy! I notice that with some shampoos, my locs begin to ‘stick’ together as I am rinsing the shampoo out and that doesn’t happen with others. I’d like to settle on a particular conditioner or moisturizer as I know my hair gets dryer in the colder months. Also, as the weather is changing, I won’t be able to just wet my hair and go every morning, as has been my routine so I have to consider other options.

So for all of these reasons I want to start exploring products to discover my own staples. Through blogs, I discovered the use of clarifying shampoos and tried IC 100% Pure Tea Shampoo. I absolutely loved the way my hair felt afterward. I figure this isn’t something I can use regularly though since it is meant to rid build up so last night I also bought IC 100% Pure Aloe Shampoo which is supposed to be gently enough for regular use. I used that with the Deep Penetrating Crème Moisturizer this morning so we’ll see how that turns out.

There are a few other things I want to try out so hopefully I can get a washing and styling routine going that won’t overdo it with the products and will get some consistency with the way my hair turns out. I am all about the freestyling so far. Oh and I LOVE MY HAIR!! (More pictures soon...)

Slideshow at Seven Months!

Consultant Recommendation in DC, MD, VA??

Ahh, need help! Please let me know if there is an SL consultant you recommend in the DC metro area. I had to cancel my last re-tightening because of a business trip and I am having trouble getting anything soon with my consultant. Not used to being this dependent...

Still LOVE the hair though :)

UPDATE

Where have I been?? Hi Kay! Thanks for the reminder that I need to post something :)

Well actually I've thought about so many entries but between work, school, dance, and travel I haven't taken the time to do it...so here is a quick update until I make more time.

* I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my hair!!! I have never felt better about MY hair or more free. I love just putting water on it in the morning, I love being able to dance and workout around 4 times a week, I love walking in the rain, etc. etc. I LOVE MY HAIR.

* I get compliments on my hair each and every day! While I frequently got comments for a particular style or other that showed how thick my hair was when it was permed, I am consistently getting compliments from all types of people and it is amazing. SLs really show of the the thickness of my hair and I guess people dig it LOL! This week a lady with a natural style even honked in traffic and mouthed 'I like your hair'. I am noticing other sisters with natural hair more and there seems to be an unspoken recognition of pride which I love.

* Regimine: So I spray water with Rosemary essential oil in may hair every morning. A guy at the co-op told me Rosemary is good for hair strength and I researched it and found him to be right. I switched from regular spray bottles which seemed to be getting clogged by the oil to the misting bottles sold next to essential oils. I came across this blog post http://sisterlockswithstyle.blogspot.com/2006/05/smell-good-sisterlocks.html which let me know where to get fragrance oils and I bought a bunch to mix with the Rosemary. The place is Symphony Scents http://www.symphonyscents.com/catalog/ and I hope to write more about that later.

*The only thing is I have been wanting a little change and have been longing for color. My aunt tried giving me highlights with Naturtint, what I use for my black, and it didn't take. My consultant strongly advised against doing highlights with regular chemicals until I am loc'd. Alas, I am hard-headed and I bought a blonde shade of Naturtint which is currently in my hair as I am attempting to get brown without harsh chemicals. Okay, I should probably rinse it out now... update soon! :)