Pipe Cleaner curls on Short Sisterlocks!

Can short Sisterlocks be curled using pipe cleaners? You bet. I tried it and here's the results!

I took the pipe cleaner and cut it in half.  I then bent each cut piece in half and twisted it together leaving a loop at the pend.  After shampooing and towel drying hair, I took 4-5 locks and wrapped them around the pipe cleaner and bent the end.  I slept in the PCs overnight.  In the morning I removed the PCs.  The results were short spirally curls.  Because my hair holds a curl quite well, the spirals did not loosen up as much as I expected.  It was still a great style to pull back the sides as a faux hawk or pair up with a headband.

Celebrating 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10 months!

I'm playing catch up!  Between my 6th and 7th month, I took 4 trips.  My hair held up wonderfully, until I got on a boat in Miami.  The sea air straightened out all of my curls  and it really did not look that great when I went out that night because I couldn't get it curly again.  It's very strange, using a curling iron on my permed hair made it straighter instead of curly.

My hair is enjoying the sea breeze, but I will pay for it later.

It was then that I decided to cut my relaxed ends.  I thought my SLs were long enough to carry on without the straight ends.  I have to admit, I wasn't totally happy with the result.  I didn't really like the way my consultant cut my ends.  I was like she was rushed and she was grabbing and clipping.  She didn't cut too far, I guess I just thought it would have been a more "gentler" process.  I guess I was a little sensitive about cutting away my past.

After I saw what I was left with, I was a little unhappy.  The top was now about an inch shorter than the sides and all the looks I had worn for the past few months were a thing of the past.  I had to create new styles. I don't have any pics immediately afterwards, I guess I just didn't want to remember a time when I was unhappy with my SLs.

My wash and wear freestyle.  Love it!

The unhappiness soon faded and I started to rock some new styles.  It was great to be able to shampoo my hair and let it air dry.  The locks appear shorter and fuller when I do this, even a little frizzy. But I love the freedom!

One other thing I experienced was stray permed ends kept popping up!  Even now, 4 months after cutting them off, I still notice a straight end here or there.  Did anyone else have that experience?

I also think that the permed ends slowed the locking process, particularly the ends.  At 10 months, I have more and more buds at the end. My ends also tend to be a little puffy.  The ends are taking a little longer than the rest to mature, but I guess it's understandable.

I was never really interested in self tightening, but I now have a good reason to learn.  The last row nearest my neck always unravels.  My consultant has to fix them every single time.  And after about three weeks or so, it is loose again.  The hair in that area is softer than the rest of my head and it also gets wet the most through showering and sweating.  I think if I learn to self-maintain, I can repair it before it completely slips and hopefully get it to the locking stage.

Dress it up.  Dress it down  Sisterlocks are always in style!

Over all, it's been great so far.  I truly enjoy having hair that is uniquely me.  No one else has this!  That is the beauty of all natural hair, you never see your same style walk by you on someone else's head.

It's me again, and I'm back!

It's been months since I last posted.  I fully intended to keep this up for at least a year, but life got in the way.  So before my 1 year anniversary on November 11, I will have it all updated with pics and experiences.  For now, here's a recent pic of my freestyle... YES! I cut off the relaxed ends!!!!

4 and 5 month Check in... and a re-ti in between

I missed my 4 month check in, but I'm a couple of days before 5 months, so it still counts.  My hair is doing wonderfully It's full, healthy and it's really growing!  I'm looking forward to the back dropping down a bit and the ability to wear a ponytail. At this rate, it won't be long.

I had my re-tightening, this time by my original consultant.  She said that my hair is locked.  YEA!  No more braiding and banding!  I'm not going crazy or anything, I did one shampoo with my locks free.  I have to admit I was a little scared a few may not be totally locked, so I was extra careful.   

I'm still experiencing flaking.  Whenever I shake my hair out with my fingers, it's like a winter snowfall.  My consultant suggested the SL Moisture Spray.  I used it and it felt like I was using curl activator!  I don't really like it, but I'm not wasting it, so I'm going to try to use it diluted.  Hopefully it ends the flaking.  I'll also try to go back to the ACV rinse.

One more thing...Is it me or does gray hair love to be natural?  I've had more little gray hairs sprout out than ever before!  It's not enough to send me running to find Miss Clarol, but I had to switch my part because they are starting to grow in around my hairline.

Here's how I achieved this style:  After shampooing and keeping a towel wrapped around my head for about 10 minutes to absorb extra water, I roll my hair with orange plastic perm rods.  I do not use any styling products.  I sit under the dryer for about 25 minutes. After removing rods, I loosen curls with my fingers. I sleep with a satin bonnet to protect the style.  I freshen up limp curls by using foam rollers wrapped with satin (found at Wal-Mart).  The style lasts for about a week.

Reti # 3...I got my hand slapped :-)

Tomorrow marks the anniversary of my LAST relaxer...I'm NEVER going back!!!
Retightening #3
I had my reti this past weekend and  all went well.  No slippage, (except for the row at the nape of my neck) and many of my locks are swelling, particularly near the ends.  So they are well into the locking process.  A different consultant retightened my locks this time because my consultant was preparing for Dr. Cornwell's visit. I was asked how I got my curls. Well, I didn't have time to wash my hair the night before, so I did it that morning.  I also didn't have time to let my curls set on rollers, so I used the Caruso Steam Rollers.  Well...  I got a lecture on how moisture is not the friend of new locks and I'm going to cause slippage and slow down my lock process.  Talk about being scared straight.  So I put the steam curlers away and bought another bottle of Sisterlocks Starter Shampoo. (I didn't even bring up the Suave Shampoo). The Carouso curls don't last nearly as long as a rod or sponge roller set.

I've also learned that different consultants have very different opinions on how to care for baby locs.  WhenI first got my SLs, my regular consultant told me that I can wash weekly and we would see if I need to scale back during my follow up.  The other consultant tells her clients not to wash their new locks until the follow-up appointment.  I would have scratched my scalp out!  Luckily, I have tightly coiled hair and no slippage, so weekly shampooing works for me.

There was also a conversation about my misting my hair with the distilled water/drops of oil mixture.  it's a no-no.  She also told me to dab my scalp with oil when it's dry. There was a third consultant there and said do not oil your hair, your scalp will eventually produce sufficient oil.  I've learned to listen to all advice, and do what works best for me.  After all, I must be doing something right.  So I've decided to mist maybe once a week, and nix the oil advice, because even at one week, my hair produces enough oil to show up under my fingernail when I scratch (sorry, I know it sounds gross).

Dr. Cornwell's Visit
I went to the booksigning event this weekend in Atlanta, sponsored by consultants Wanda Washington and Roni Rasheeda Turner. It was a great event.  Dr. Cornwell is an awesome lady.  I wasn't able to stay for the entire book signing event, so I wasn't able to meet her personally, but I did get to hear her speak.  I purchased her book, and hope to get it signed the next time. 
 
One thing I really enjoyed was seeing all the beautifully Sisterlocked sisters and a few brothers too!  I received so many compliments, and gave just as many.  It was funny how the ladies with short locks admired the long lock wearers and the ladies with long locks admired the shorter locks LOL.  If you have never been to an event with other Sisterlock wearers, I strongly encourage you to go.

One more thing...
That belief that locks are not acceptible in Corporate America is a MYTH!  Because I GOT A PROMOTION!!! I was able to move up to a management position in one of America's most recognized companies. It feels really good when hard work pays off!

3 Month Check-in

It's been three months, and my Sisterlocks and me are getting along just fine.  They are definitely well into the locking process.  AsI run my fingers along a single lock, I can feel the bud at the end. It tells me exactly where I will clip the relaxed ends someday.  Many of my locks are swelling, and I'm experiencing a little frizziness. I guess it's all in the process. 

I'm shampooing my locks about once a week.  I have started using the Suave Clarifying shampoo.  The jury is still out on whether I like it or not. If my consultant fusses at me next week, then I will know I need to go back to the SL Starter Shampoo.

I tried a new style this month.  I curled my hair using rods (and a couple of rollers). After washing, I only used my little bottle of distilled water with a few drops of oil added.    It's been curly all week. My hair is pretty good at holding curls, but the curls are starting to drop and the relaxed ends are straightening out after 5 days or so.  One note on the rollers...I don't know where I got them or how long I had them but I definitely want to find more. I liked the rollers because they allow your hair to dry quicker because they are pretty much open.  I took forever for my hair to dry in the rods. Also, the little teeth keeps the locks from slipping off the roller.

Dr. Cornwell is coming to Atlanta!

Dr. Cornwell will be in Atlanta next weekend.  On Sunday, February 21, she will be at the Natural Beauty Salon in Duluth, GA.  Go to http://naturalbeautyboutique.com/ for more info.   I look forward to seeing you there!

Two Month Check-in and 2nd Reti

I'm celebrating two months Sisterlocked this week! I also got my second retightening today. I only had slippage in the last row in the back. It was expected, due to the jackets, turtleneck collars, and scarves rubbing the little locks out. Plus it's the shortest and finest hair on my head. That area will likely be the last to lock.

I'm still wearing a braid out, but I want to start experimenting with curling my locks with rollers and rods. I did a quick experiment this morning that came out pretty cute. I was in a rush after shampooing my hair so I did a braid out in the front and secured the ends with rollers. In the back, where there's hardily any relaxer, I used larger rollers. It came out fairly decent. I think I can work with it. The first two pics are before my retightening, and the last two are afterwards.

 

I didn't notice a lot of changes in my SLs this past month. A few buds here and a few buds there, I guess they are doing their thing, . I am excited that I'm starting to see a little growth. My locks won't be short forever, so I'm enjoying this phase of my journey.

Happy New Year

Yesterday, I was reflecting on my hair journey this past year. I've gone through a total of NINE different hairstyles! 2010 will focus on my first year of Sisterlocks. Here's a sample of my hair in 2009. Check out my other photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ladybikerlele/sets/72157622985113359/show/