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/

The Joys of Being Naturally Me

As I venture out into the world, I find myself checking out everyone's hair. I've always done this, but now that I have Sisterlocks, I look at things differently. I once looked at other women, and admired their cute pixie cut or beautiful bouncy curls or straight bobs. Now, I don't really "admire" other's hair, I admire my own. I LOVE the fact that my hair does not look like everyone else's. I have a unique style of my own. I get compliments on my NATURAL hair, It's all me. Even though I'm still in the awkward short stage, but I'm enjoying the journey.

Sad day

I said goodbye to not only a co-worker, but a friend. Bert was my boss for the past five years. He passed away Monday, December 21 due to a 22 month battle with brain cancer. Today was his memorial service. He was a such a great family man, friend and boss. He leaves behind a wife, two young daughters and a host of family and friends. He will surely be missed.

Must Wash After Reti

After my reti on Sunday, my hair really flat. There wasn't much I could do "fluff" it up. On top of that, it itched like crazy. I had to break down and wash it. It feels so good when water hits my scalp! My hair is now back to it's fullness. (yea!!!)

I'm still using the SL starter shampoo, but when that little bottle is empty, I think I'm going to find a good clarifying shampoo. The SL shampoo leaves my hair feeling a little rough. I'm sure it's just doing what it's supposed to do so my hair can get to locking. It seems to be well on it's way.

A+ on My First Reti

I had my follow-up and first retightening yesterday. I had no slippage and no bunching. I was very pleased. My 450+ locks took just under 2 hours to retighten. I hope every reti is like that.

My consultant said I must be doing everything right, so I guess I should share what I do,(and don't do).

1. I'm trying to shampoo my hair only when I feel it really needs it. Since it is wintertime, I can hold out for two weeks.

2. I put some SL shampoo in a bottle with a nozzle and add warm water. After semi-loose braiding and banding, I apply my shampoo mixture to my roots and massage lightly. I then squeeze my braids to shampoo the locks. I rinse thoroughly. Because there's no product in my hair, I only shampoo once.

3. I separate my locks and re braid them tighter to achieve my braid out look. I leave braids in overnight, or cover with a satin cap and fashion hat until my crinkles are set.

4. Because I have relaxed ends, my crinkles loosen up from time to time. I just braid it back up with a spray mist of water to freshen up. I only have to do that maybe once a week. It also gives me an opportunity to give my hair a little moisture. I also take my shower cap off sometimes to moisturize my locks.

5. At night I use a satin pocket bonnet to protect my hair. I got it from Wal-Mart. It's like a bag, so as my locks grow, they will be fully protected and allowed to lay flat instead of bunched up in a regular bonnet.

That's it. I just run my fingers through my locks and go. I love that my hair takes less than one minute to style and I'm out the door!

These shots were taken right before my first reti:


This was taken right after my reti. It flattened out my crinkles!

Looking Back

I wish I would have gone natural long ago. I never really thought it was an option for me. Two comments from my former hair stylist (he hated being called a hairdresser) stuck with me. 1. I was the lightest person he knew with the nappiest hair. WTH? I know it was a joke, but it really wasn't funny. 2. "With your hair, you can never go natural." Again, WTH? So I never really thought I could or attempted to try.

Everytime I would get my relaxer, my hair was straight, sleek and flat. It only lasted 2 weeks before it would thicken up. To keep that look, I would have to get a touch-up every 4 weeks. That lead to overprocessed hair and breakage. In order to "grow" my relaxed hair, I would have to get touch-ups every 6 weeks, and not do anything to it... no heat and no heavy styling. I was confined to a wrap. It's comical because his assistant used to "beat" my hair into submission with the blowdryer and a brush, even after a relaxer. He was so rough!

I started thinking...because my straight hair only lasted 2-3 weeks, growing is not the problem. It's the chemicals that were the problem. So I set out to prove my hairdresser wrong. After getting microbraids, I was always excited to take them down so I could experience my natural hair texture. It was so thick and pretty! I decided to get Sisterlocks because I wanted an easily maintained style, and I wanted my hair to grow.

I haven't seen my former hairdresser, but I'm sure I will soon. His opinion doesn't matter anyway!