Still Coming Along Fine

OMG!  It's been forever - well that's a slight exaggeration - but it's been a while since I last posted. I have dedicated practically all my time to my studies.  It's the end of the semester and Christmas break so I'm back  for a few weeks.  I must say that my hair is progressing nicely.  It's growing and filling out nicely.  I can't say that I have anything new to add regarding my hair. I still love it more than ever.  I am so glad that, given my busy schedule, I don't have to worry about my hair.  It goes seamlessly from my morning workouts, to work, then to school.   I love not having to fuss over it.  It takes no time at all to pep it up for an evening out.

Adding A Little Personality To My Locs

Decided to add a little personality to my locks by braiding/plaiting them, lightly spraying them with a water/essential oil mix and letting them dry. Left them in overnight and took them down the next morning. This style lasted for about a week.  I loved it a lot.  As the locs loosened up they became really full and had lots of body and movement - while maintaining the wavy/crinkled look.  It's really easy and fun.  Got lots of compliments. If you like it give it a try and see how it works for you.   BLESSINGS!!!

One Year Anniversary

Last week (8/17) marked my one year Sisterlock anniversary.  What an incredible milestone.  During this first year I often wondered what my locs would be like at the one year milestone. Well, all I can say is that my locs have grown and still continue to grow into what they are suppose to be.   They are uniquely mine and I accept them as such.  This is one lesson that I have learned and embraced during this journey.
 
My experience has been as very positive one overall.  I contribute this to the fact that I followed my consultants instructions and did not do much  experimenting with my locs.  I figure  that after my locs mature a bit, I will have a lifetime to try new things with them. 

I'm still not a DIY girl. Basically, this is due to the fact that it only takes my consultant about 1 hour to do my reti's. At one breif point I was stressing about loc number and size - wondering if I should have had more locs.  Well, I AM THANKFUL that my consultant knew what was best for me, my climate, my lifestyle and my hair (density,etc.). I see that more ladies are combining their locs for the health of their locs as well as for efficiency in maintenance.

GOAL:  My goal for year 2 is to learn to do my own reti's (in case I can't get to my consultant).  Although I would like some color I will probably wait until my locs mature a bit more. I have to see what my consultant says.  She is not a fan of coloring before the locs are mature enough to take the color. She said it impacts growth, etc.

Well, I have enjoyed the first year.  I have absolutely no regrets.  I've learned that I have to be patient with my locs and myself.  There is so much love and support available among the sisterhood so embrace it.  Enjoying the journey. BLESSINGS!

It's Been A While

My Sistah's - It's good to be back with you.  It has been an incredible Spring and Summer. I haven't been posting lately because I decided to go back to school  to pursue one of my passions (Law-Paralegal).  With going to class 4 nights a week, studying, working,  plain ole life and wearing all my other hats, practically   all of my time has been occupied. But one thing I know is that this is something that is not foreign to women - we do what we have to do and never miss a beat.  I've missed you and it's good to be back.

Well, my locs are wonderful.  In two weeks (8/17) I will celebrate my 1 year anniversary.  In case anyone is wondering - I STILL LOVE MY LOCS!!! This has been the best decisions I have ever made.  As you can see, my locs are growing nicely and I'm still getting lots of compliments. I have absolutely no complaints.  I'm pleased with where I am on this beautiful SL journey. Thanks for stopping by and checking on me. Let me know you are still with me - BLESSINGS!

 
Click on image to enlarge

Catching Up...Again - Week 35

  I've been like crazy busy these past few weeks and I've missed updating my blog but I'm baaack!  So here's an update on what's been going on over the past month.

Yea!!! I have a pony tail.  Okay, so it's more like a "pig tail" but it's mine and I love it!  The pics of my ponytail  were taken March 16th.  I was reading other blogs and seeing the beautiful styles on some of  blogs I follow (ie; Gizzlz, Dominique, Ofo, Kay Exquisite and always Blaqkofi) and was  encouraged / inspired to try something new.  I know I'm normally a freestyle girl but on that particular day, I went for it.   And, to my surprise I was able to pull my locs up in a scrunchie.  My edges look sparse but they are filling in since I got my locs.


I've tried a couple of styles since then.  I did a little something..something different with my locs.  I love it!!!  I'm starting to feel a little more comfortable expanding outside of freestyling.  I think that because my locs have more length and fullness I'm able to experiment a bit more.

With reference to maintenance, I was told at my last reti (March 27th) that I can shampoo at home at the three week mark.  Well, I'm at that point now and I've been so busy that I will get it done some time this week.  I have to find a good shampoo since this is my first home shampoo since I've been locked.  I appreciate any suggestions on the process and products.

I am 35 weeks locked and I am sooooo enjoying this journey.   BLESSINGS!!!

Progress - Week 30

Here are a few photos showing the progress of my locks.  I'm at 30 weeks and I can see progress.  My locks are growing and filling in nicely.  I'm somewhat eager for my edges to fill in a little more, but they are filling in more than they were during my pre-locked status. A few more of my ends are budding but most are not.  Most of my ends still have "Curly Q's".  I don't think my SLs have began to "officially" lock but they doing their own thing.  My hair is a softer texture and  I would say it has a medium density so it's not as thick as some photo's I've seen  on other blogs at this stage. One of the most important lessons I've learned on this journey is that each individuals' journey and locks are different, so don't compare one's progress to anyone else's'.  I am satisfied with letting my locks do what they do, how they do it and in their own time.  As long as they are healthy, I'm happy.  BLESSINGS!!!

's

Week 27 - Enjoying The Journey

Okay SL family and friends,  It seems like I'm at a phase where there is a little lull.  There really isn't much to report.  My locks are doing well.  I'm still only using one product on my scalp once a week so there's nothing to add regarding products.  Also, still free styling and wearing headbands (my favorite style) . I'm at 27 weeks  locked and I suppose this is normal. I love this length, it is so cute.  Still getting lots of compliments.  Referred my consultant to a couple of people who stopped me and inquired about my SLs. I'm at peace with my beautiful hair I'm happy and satisfied with my journey.

Before & After Third Reti (Week 24)

Januray 2010 Photos (Week 20-24)

December 2009 Photos - (Week 16-19 )

24 Weeks And Counting

Well, I'm back after taking some time off at the beginning of the year to consecrate myself and spend some time with "My Father God".   Spiritual renewal, focus and refreshing are an important part of my life and I know that dedicating these past few weeks to seeking God's will for my life in 2010 will shape the rest of the year for me.  My expectation is set and I'm excited about my future!

So, what's going on with my locks?  I'm beginning to sound like a recording. Everything is the same.  At the time of this post I am 24 weeks (6 Months) locked and I still love it.  I am in love with this stage.  Although I'm not locking yet, the budding has increased and I have a lot more of them at the ends of my locks. My locks are filling out quite beautifully and I am told that they are growing nicely (although I personally can't tell that they are very much).   I decided to look at some of my earlier pictures and I guess my locs are growing.  I had my third reti on Saturday.  I hadn't  had my locks reti'd since November  (10 weeks) and I was overdue.  I didn't have any bunching or slippage and my hair still looked pretty nice. My consultant says my locks are growing nicely and my hair is progressing quite well.  My next reti is in 7 weeks. As I said in my last post, I love the fullness. I'm still freestyling and trying to avoid over manipulating my hair. Still not putting anything on or in my hair only spraying the scalp once a week to alleviate dryness. Lightly spritzed my locks with water on Saturday night and rolled in with my Soft Spikes.  Turned out beautiful.  The curls will last a few weeks as they fall out and become looser and fuller.  Will post pics later this week.  I'm excited to see what the next six months will bring.  Met a beautiful sistah last week with gorgeous SLs.  She was 6 years locked and her locks were incredible.  I applaud those who have gone before us who encourage us to stay on the path.  So sistash, if you are at a stage where you are having doubts, or simply having a bad or frustrating hair day or two...hang in there. The end result is well worth the journey!!!  Glad to be back!   BLESSINGS!

Week 20 - Progress / Maintenance

HAPPY NEW YEAR to my SL Family!!!! Well, well, well, it seems that I needed a little break from blogging. With the holidays, related activities and of course my number one priority - Family, almost every hour of every day has been filled.  I must say it has been nice to change things up a little bit.  The New Year is here and I am looking forward to an incredible SL experience in 2010.

Nothing significant has happened since my last blog.  My hair is great.  Believe it or not, the curls from my Soft Spike style in early November lasted well into the end of December.  Right now my hair is still full and has a lot of movement.  I LOVE IT!  I had an appointment scheduled for tomorrow (1/2) for my reti and shampoo.  Well, I gave my locs a good examination earlier this week and determined that they don't need to be reti'd right now.  I don't have any bunching, no significant build up and my hair looks relatively clean so I called earlier in the week and spoke with my consultant.  She agreed with me that I didn't need to come in. I think I will get my reti and shampoo in about 2-3 weeks.  I love the fullness that I have now.  I'm still only spraying my scalp once a week (Sundays) with the Janol spray and it seems to be working fine. Still not putting anything else in it, no water, haven't washed it and I'm okay with that. I'm  primarily free styling and I love to wear head bands. I try not to over manipulate my locs.  We've had snow so on snow days I accessorize with a hat to keep my locs dry.   At times I have a little itching but nothing major.  My ends are budding more also.   I  don't know if the fact that I don't need a reti right now is good or not.   Does the fact that I don't need a reti (it's been about  5 weeks mean that my hair isn't growing?  I've read that the locs grow in spurts.  Maybe mine is hibernating right now.  LOL!  If there is one thing that I have learned it is that our locs/hair are all different so mine are probably okay.   I'll take pics and post them later but I wanted to get back to blogging and updating my progress...Blessings!