Why am I a Serial Product Junkie?

Truthfully I cannot pinpoint what the heck is going on with me! However, it might be coming to an end as finally, I have found it! Yep and it is BIG! more on that later ...

My product lust has a lot to do with my history of years taking care of fine hair. I paid any amount to keep, maintain and improve its quality.

Although, some products may have had some effect, looking back now I know that once the damage was done (chemically) there was not much I could do except STOP processing. 

My locked hair has thickened up a lot, but some shots taken of the top show a bit of scalp.
However, as I compare the density of my hair today to almost 19 months ago, It is amazing how locking has transformed it tremendously. I am not just grateful, but happy.

Today, I simply want to find the product that is the very best for the health of my hair. I couldn't do much before, but with education, I can certainly improve its quality now.

Lockers beware, Sisterlocking can and will drastically increase hair-esteem, hence, loads of pics!

Latest Shampoo ... ;)

Have I found it at last? My perfect shampoo? ...

YES! its BIG by LUSH ... and it really is BIG!
I ... think it is soo good, I have used it twice in a row ( and that is a BIG thing for me ... )
I like it so much, I am considering (risking) washing my hair again, briefly, in the morning!

YES! I'm a washaholic!

(if you think my shampoo fetish is bad you should take a peak at my entire skin care range ... ;)SNM!






What's so BIG about it ... ? It is clarifying, which is a big plus for me. Also I read that sea salt was/is a major locking aid.

Well, here is the the ingredient list. (below)

Sea Salt (Sodium Chloride), Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Fresh Organic Lemon Infusion (Citrus limonum), Fresh Sea Water (Aqua), Toothed Wrack Seaweed Infusion (Fucus serratus), Cocamide DEA, Lauryl Betaine, Fresh Organic Lime Juice (Citrus aurantifolia), Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera), Neroli Oil (Citrus amara), Mandarin Oil (Citrus nobilis), Vanilla Absolute (Vanilla planifolia), Orris Absolute (Iris florentina), *Limonene, *Linalool, *Benzyl Benzoate, Coumarin, Perfume.

OK, so yes it has SLS but the other top 5 ingredients are natural.
Some have complained that it is drying, but that may have to do with using too much. So far I have only used the residue bits off the lid, applied it to wet hair and rubbed it in until I had a massive foam which I circulated all over my locks.

Oh and I am forgetting ... it has this scent that has simply got me! I can't describe it, it is lovely!
But I am complimented on it, and thats a plus.
Not like other shampoos that fade after a few hours, I mean it lasts for 2 or 3 days!
The top picture was taken after my first Big experience, Loc's felt so soft and full. I recommend it! No it is not as cheap as some, £9.50. But worth every penny. It will last quite a long time too because you only need  a teaspoon full and just rub! I will certainly be using this regularly, 10/10!

Oh! Its Christmas Eve. For those that celebrate, seasons greetings. I am not into the hype of what christmas represents today. But My family and I will be celebrating Jesus without all that does not concern him. Stay blessed and love and care for each other, enjoy yourself whatever you do.

God Bless, Nai ... x N'joi'ing naturally... x

Why I (Sister) Locked My Hair.

This current blog is in response to the many questions I have received recently from various corners, asking me why I Sister locked my hair. Also, to some who wanted to see my before styles. Even though I have shown some pics of my damaged hair, people still say they thought it beautiful (?).  I make it clear that I would rather keep my head full of healthy natural, undamaged, real hair over fake, artificial and flat out ruined relaxed hair. SMH. :)

A Brief Hair History.

As a child from the earliest memories hair equalled pain. So,  I refused to have anything to do with it.  I have had my own children, and a child with a similar sensitivity and understand why.
My youngest son's scalp would develop blood spots when I simply, gently brushed his hair as a baby. For the first time it confirmed to me that I was not simply being oversensitive.

Because of my scalp issue, my hair was not my playing ground, I was quite happy for my mother  to do my hair well into my teen years because it just was not my thing. Fed up one day, my mother talked about 'perming' my hair, I think it was a Dark and Lovely product. I was excited to have it done but had no idea how to care for it after that. I don't remember getting any treatments in those days, I can't quite remember exactly but I am sure that my hair was not in great condition a year later.

I think I was 14 with the first relaxer. A year or so later  the Curly Perm hit the UK and became all the rage. For my 16th birthday I was treated to a new product introduced by my mothers friend, a then hairdresser, a british made curly perm product called A B. From what I remember it was produced by a Greek couple who distributed to local salons in the East London Area.

One week before my 16th birthday, as they washed out that chemical, they washed out my hair, from the scalp.  What did not fall out in the sink, pretty much fell out over the next few weeks. I am sure I do not need to describe the emotion.

From that time on,  braiding became my staple form of hair care for the next few years.
Actually, once the hair grew sufficiently, which did not take too long, I got a genuine curly perm which grew my hair back in ONE year. I actually enjoyed that process, as it was effortless.

I cannot remember the length of time I had that, I think I just stopped doing it and it grew out.

When I had my daughter I went to visit my mother, who then, had moved to Connecticut.
She was not impressed with my natural hair, which, I had not noticed was a problem!
So, she swept me swiftly to her hairdressers before anyone could see me, and voila! I was transformed into a straight haired lovely ...!

I remember struggling a bit with my hair, but had no thought or desire to do anything other than take care of it. I did think about getting locks at the time, one of my best friends LOVED locks (my mum would have had a fit though!) So I would have had the support, at least in the UK. I have to say that throughout my life a lot of my friends and associates had natural hair and no one ever thought anything of it.

However, relaxed virgin hair looks best when freshly done, initially and i loved it, also finding a great salon/stylist is a bonus, I had a great one for a long while. My salon closed, my stylist freelanced at home for me for a while and then she wanted to do other things.

I couldn't face another salon.
I did not trust anyone else with my hair so continued to braid myself or by stylist. I decided to let it grow natural ... again. I did make the mistake of getting it flat ironed for a time and had issues with strands that would remain poker straight even after washing.

Weaves I did for about 2 years, my best was a style with human hair imported from the U.S. where the hair was micro-braided and the curly ends left free. I had style for about 3 months and LOVED it madly. In fact that style reminded me a lot of Sisterlocks (I think the memory of the versatility of those fine braids encouraged me to lock), all I did was wash and go, the hair  was lovely.

As years passed I realised the root of my issue had been related to having the children. As many as I have had, with each I have lost a substantial amount of hair. Except when my hair was natural, I did not seem to lose as much after having my daughter. (my first child)
But by the time child number 4 was about 6 months my hair had significantly thinned, again, I went back to braiding ...

Final J.T.S Sept 2007

After about 2 years I tried Japanese Thermal Straightening (now known as a Brazilian ...?) a permanent treatment as I found regular relaxers harsh ( I could only use mild brands). It worked, but there just was not any body to it. I purchased some of the most expensive products (some of which I still have, e.g Alterna Caviar Shampoo and conditioner.) I found some shampoo unopened in the loft,  which I certainly plan to use! I still have some salon formula sized Nexxus Humectress (which I most def tried on my winter dehydrated locks last week ... ) these products did help but could not change the damage done, and I began to wonder about the future, seriously, as I could not carry on destroying my hair. Then finally one day, I went for a treatment and it did not process fully. That was my way out, and I took it. 

I weaved, braided and twisted my hair until May 2009.

Final weave April 2009

Sister Locks Day 1.

Yolanda Adams: Open My Heart

Product Reviews, shampoo and conditioners.

The last few weeks have been long, I didn't manage to get my version of a 'weekend' 2 weeks ago. However, what I did get was worth far more than anything I could imagined. When GOD wants to bless you, He truly will move in mysterious ways.

Last Saturday however, I had chosen to remain in a somewhat vege state, making effort only in the things I found pleasure in, heaven! I endeavored, however, to recap on my hair washing/product escapades of the past 2 weeks.

CURLY WURLY by LUSH cosmetics.


One friday I spent a few hours on my lovely locks, I decided to be a bit of a coco nut, I tried, rather I applied the dreaded Curly Wurly by Lush ...
WHYYYYY! ? Well because it is a beautifully thick luxurious concoction of coconut and vanilla and together they are just ...  mmm ...! and ...

...  my friends, it is an amaaaaazing product. I LoVE it, but for one tiny problem, or rather a thousand tiny problems ... it contains real dessicated coconut pieces, (15% or a bit more I think the Jar said).

Hmm Yeah ... think about,  how the heck did i get it  OUTTA my locks .... hmm, yeah ... ! snm!

I will be making a BEGGING call to Lush to please please, please, produce CW without the silly bits because the product itself left my hair feeling .......... LUSH, moisturised shiny and smelling real gooood!
As I could not resist the urge to try it again, I gave the rest away to remove the temptation. I do not want build up ... ever!

Honey and Olive shampoos and conditioners. BODY SHOP. (discontinued).

While on the lines of disappointment ... I have discovered another wonderful shampoo, from Body Shop, My Loc's  feel and smell beautiful, I mean really lovely, only to find out that the product range has been discontinued ... in fact TWO shampoos I think are great have been dis'cond, Honey shampoo and Conditioner, AND Olive Shampoo mentioned in an earlier post have disappeared ... :(

The Honey Moisturising poo did exactly as it said it would ... and the condish was and is FAB ( luckily I have 2 bottles still but only one shampoo.

So there has been a method to my madness of buying en mass! (I originally purchased these last year and was waiting for my locs to mature before I tried them) Just in case the 'bleeps' decide to rebrand and ignore the wailing of the masses!

Re-growth, Maturity and Thickness.

Now I cannot swear that my shampoo and condish rampage have done this, it could be the cold weather or just simply my season, however, my locks at the roots appear well overdue for a reti, and I only did them 4 weeks ago. (Its Lizs turn!!!) my appointment is next saturday. They are longer, thicker and stronger  and I just had to find a way of showing this clearly in pics. I recognise today that some pics really do not show the quality of them and I feel that this is an important factor for those who are researching Loc process and progress.

As well as changing my shampoo every week, one evening I found myself braiding/ twisting for a change, and finally at 18 and a bit months, my locks are finally mature enough to handle the manipulation. Although my crinkles do not last, i need to braid nightly.

Just to recap and inform all readers that my hair has been a challenge to lock and I still have at list 5 at the front left of my head that insist on completely slipping out. I am now, quite good at reinstalling them myself. Even the ones that completely come free. I know conditioning does not help, but I am 98% matured and have to consider the Locs that need a deeper level of conditioning.


DAX Vegetable Shampoo.


This is my staple clarifier at the moment because it clarifies without drying and leaves my Lovly Locs squeaky clean, shiny even. I need to make sure that I clarify to avoid the dreaded build up

Finally ... Natural Haven broke the news that Oyins has finally found a retailer in the UK (nexrastore - the home of natural beauty.

Oh and just to let you know that I am awaiting delivery of another brand of shampoo that I can STILL purchase/use. I should receive that tomorrow!

Locs braid out (day old)

My faith has found a resting place

One year, six months, loc'd and loving it.

Reflection.

Last night I was up late catching up on my LIU inbox, I had over 400 unread emails! while reading them I saw the date and realised it has been one month since I last blogged.

I have been busy with life generally, however, I have also been in a deep contemplation about the hair loss issues my fellow bloggers have faced. There are quite a few ladies having this experience in varying degrees. Their situation made me reflect seriously on this "hair thing" and I try to put it all in perspective. It is just hair, and it is dead, and I personally need to be careful how much emphasis I put on it, after all, I am more than the dead keratinized material emerging from my skull. Because I know how I would feel in such situation, my prayers and love go out to those lovely ladies who face this challenge. I cannot advise where I would struggle! I know, I have been there, twice before!

On a lighter note,

I been a bad girl, first off, I have always been lazy, never good at doing my hair previously and getting worse because loc's are so easy to manage. I got to a point over the past months where I wouldn't even bother to spritz or oil! I mean I just didn't do it. One morning I looked good at myself and gave myself a talking to, picked up my Rose water and Gylc bottle and 'sorted it out' ... !

Also, many who have followed my blog know how much I love to wash my hair, well I wash it when I want to, which means as often as twice a week at times ( mainly because I can do my own retights and repairs) I am guilty of that today. I washed my loc's on Thursday and then did a condish today.

Last weekend, Friday leading into Saturday early morning, I spent retightening my hair. I really wished somebody would have done them for me, but once I started I managed to do them in good time. I started after 1 pm in the afternoon, amidst cleaning, cooking, and washing. I completed by 1.40 am Saturday morning. I washed my hair later that afternoon, and went out that evening. Later however, I find that I have been having a really itchy scalp at night and cannot stand having my silk scarf on while I sleep. I am seriously contemplating silk/satin pillowcases! However, though I also find my loose hair also quite irritating too ... go figure!

I suspect that the length and thickening of my hair is creating the discomfort. Trust me I am really not complaining but will have to find a way to DEAL WITH IT!

Regime and products.

I love Aubrey organics, honeysuckle rose shampoo, that is a definite keeper, but can't resist trying something new. Soo lets see what I been using ...

I was inspired to try Baby shampoo, and found it lovely and light to use. It does a good job, cleansing gently and smelling good, a long lasting scent, I also loved the feel and look of my locks after.

The next week I found a bottle of I Love Juicy by Lush. I suspect it is clarifying and found it a tiny bit drying, and also my loc's felt slightly rough and frizzed. ( So I second washed with baby shampers!) Juicy was a good cleansing shampoo though. I would use it again.

A week later, I kept up with Baby shampoo then second washed with Honeysuckle Rose because I missed the scent. I am just in a place of indecision lol!

Thursday I used Pantene aqua light shampoo and Condish, mainly because they claim to prevent build up, which is obviously great for loc's. I pre-washed with Dax Vegetable Oil shampoo which literally does what it says on the bottle. I must say after that my loc's were really CLEAN and felt good and looked good too! I used the conditioner, and left it on for a few hours. I rinsed later and lightly oiled using Healing oil. My loc's looked healthy, shiny and the smelled really goooood!!

Today I was just, I don't know ... I wanted to just condition them! So I rinsed under the shower and then used my Honeysuckle rose which is a thick white conditioner, I made SURE I rinsed well and examined each lock carefully. If you are a newbie PLEASE DO NOT use this product ... I had to re lock about 4 loc's that loosened. Next time I will dilute the product, However, I figure that I clarify regularly and I do not use any shampoo or products that cause build up.

Styling.

My loc's are getting longer and I really should consider curling. I am concerned about weakening them as my locks are micro in some places and I do not want to stretch and weaken them further. I do need to try curling or braiding though because they are growing fast and I have varying lengths and braiding should help provide an even style.

random long loc's doing their thing.

Loving my Locs.

Training.

This post is longer than I anticipated, and I haven't talked about my escapades. Would you believe half term has come and gone this past week and I have spent it training. Last Saturday I began my personal goal to attend 3 pump classes in a week, the first at 10 am that morning.

So Saturday a.m - Pump. Monday a.m - Pump. Tuesday a.m -  LBT's. Tuesday p.m - Pump. Wednesday rest ( and boredom!). Thursday a.m - Zumba.

Friday a.m - training on the equipment for a couple hours. Today? BED!! Hair conditioning, rest, aches, and relaxation. Could really do with a massage!

Believe me, the results are EVIDENT! I am no longer a size ten in all stores LOL!

Legs, thighs and butt have large muscle and these muscles have been worked, enhanced and are now standing firm. Not my opinion, but that of a good friend who saw me this afternoon in immodest clothing (mini dress) hee hee.

I cannot repeat her Jamaican patois exclamation! Rude! haa haa! Love ya Miss M.

Also, big shout out to my gym buddy Miss C who is considering embarking on the journey! Welcome sweetie, you will not regret it. Welcome also to other ladies who I have spoken to in the past months about my hair and who have been inspired by my loc journey and are transitioning and saving for their moment!

My fellow bloggers and viewers welcome and please feel free to critisize my product junkieism, or inspire me further ... all constructive comments are welcome. Feel free to respond as it makes blogging far more interesting ... :)

Love and Blessings Nai ... x

Just had to post my new personal theme tune of the moment, as this is what I seem to spend my time doing and loving ... :))))

Black Eyed Peas - Pump It

A Pictorial Feast

16 Months and fully locked.
I Love me and I LOVE my LOC's ... Yeah ...  I guess you know that by the amount of pics I post!
Sisterlocks, a great journey, with great results.

Today, 3 days post retight and wash.

Compare ...

Pre Wash

Freshly Cleansed.

Kindly Requesting Your Comments and Opinions, Are they Locks or Twists??

WHY?

Over the weekend I attended a friends 40th birthday party. It was great because we have remained firm friends since primary school, and are still close.
Now a majority of the ladies in attendance were Loc'd sisters! All of whom had mainly traditionals.
It was really great to see. I do know though that the friends of this lady are very afrocentric and much in touch with their African culture and roots. (Yes, she is Nigerian married to a man of Jamaican heritage)
We had not seen each other for about a year, so she was surprised to see my hair ... However her response was ... " Hey Nai ... Why you looking so hot and with ya sexy TWISTs too"!!!!"

She is and has been loc'd for quite a few years, so I ASSUMED that the loc'd state of my hair would be obvious ... NOPE!

She said ... "Well its that coolie mixed hair you got 'ennit, So it will look different ...

That was not the end ...

Another friend called me on Monday to ask  ... where I got my TWISTs done! Now I HAVE seen this person quite often over the last year , so she knows when I got Sisterlocks, but I am guessing that people are calling them as they see them ...?

NOW, this is where I request YOUR thoughts and  opinions .... I will not be (or am not)  offended if you think the same ... ;)))

Below are pics I have taken in the last 30 minutes and over the last month. Wet and dry ... WHAT DO YOU THINK?   ... Locks or Twists?

I am also due for a retight this weekend, so gonna have to be up early to train before hair appointment ! :)))

I Can seee the growth at the moment, and feel it too, so am very interested to see how it will look on Saturday, Also I know it is longer because drying time has increased, I used to dry in an hour or two, now it seems to take much longer. :)
Have any of you used Baby shampoo to wash your locks? Or do you know of anyone who has tried it? What do you think?

Enjoy these pics, and I will compare todays with Saturdays, God willing :))

Ohh almost forgot, I have 4 loc's at the front that are CONSTANTLY unravelling! It is so annoying!!!! WARNING to all Sisters with fine soft hair ... do not over manipulate, wash, or curl your locks too soon. I didn't,  but STILL have to have some redone, and I am one week off 16 months locked!!!

... and Finally!

Work out / Training Progress so far ...

I Did Circuit training on saturday morning, (un wittingly walked to the gym beforehand :0) ... She nearly killed me! EVERY muscle from waist to knee was BURNIN!!.

Then, that night, I went partying .... Sunday morning I tried to get up and sit up  ... I tell you ... I could not sit down good for 2 days straight! SNM!

At a time when I would retain water (abdominal), and feel crap loads of pain. I am happy to report, reduced symptoms of oncoming cycle (PMS) and much reduced pain. I looked in the mirror on day of the 'onset' and saw not a fat bloated tender tummy but ... ABS DEFINITION!!!! HAAAA! LOVING IT LIKE THAT!!! and last night at Body Pump, I easily lifted my weights and even thought I should have gone heavier! I cannot believe there was a time I would have NEVER dared anything like this, especially on the FIRST DAY! Now, I do not think I could exist without it! As you may be aware I have posted this blog when I should have attended class, but decided on a hot bath, prayer and some time with my big babies ... :)

Bless you ALL  xxx. ... Nai ...x