SisterLocks - Four years and eleven months! ACV rinse.

Four years and eleven months.

I was thinking about how to begin this blog, then it dawned on me that today was the 29th April - which means that I am well on the road to FIVE YEARS LOCKED! 

I actually can't fathom it, it didn't seem so long ago ... That's not a cliche either, It really has just dawned on me. How time has flown past.  

Today out of the blue I decided to ACV rinse, I haven't done that for the longest time, because of time itself. I had done the bicarbonate of soda wash last year, but after reading Cheleski's blog regarding things to avoid, I'm not going down that road again. 

My SL's are a good length now so that makes it easier to wash over the sink in the bathroom. 

I purchased a bottle of  Cider Vingar from Holland and Barretts, filled the sink with very warm water and a cupful of ACV, then I simply ducked my head in the water. I also bought a brush in with me to help, I have seen way too much lint in these here locks over the past 2 weeks and I am far from impressed! I found myself picking at the end of my longest lock as it appeared the most 'lint filled' out of them all, this lock comes from the corner of the last row at the nape of my neck. I used a pin and picked at it ... I was not impressed to see how much fluff and dust came out ... Kiss my teeth! :) 

I was not inspired to super cleanse then however. 

I wash my hair frequently, more than most but was surprised at the 'dirtiness' that tried to cling to the sides of the sink! I empties the bowl and filled it again. I didn't spend a long time doing it, 15 minutes the max. Then I got in the shower to fully wash it all out. I used the last of a bottle of Kiehls amino acid shampoo, then BIG shampoo as salt is also a very good clarifier. This was followed by Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi super wash which also states that it removes build up. I could feel my locks drying out after using the BIG because it is not a moisturising shampoo, so I washed twice to get that soft feel that was missing. I have to admit it didn't feel the same as normal, I think it was a bit dried out. But it does feel very 'clean'. 

I am aware that this should not be done too often but might do it again running up to my 5th Lockversary. 

Forever Living Products have a shampoo I am eager to try out. I see it has loads of good reviews so can't wait. I forgot to use it today if I am honest, but hey, there is always next week. 

Sisterlocks: Using Alternative Products.

Hi everyone,
The purpose for writing a blog initially was to become a source and an example for other sisters who are considering locking their hair. Especially as I had very fine hair and could see clearly that most other bloggers had hair that was a lot fuller than my own (for numerous and varied reasons).

Fine Hair.

I did not inherit hair that was full and thick, my family are of varied mixed heritages. To boot I have a very tender scalp that cannot cope with too much manipulation. To add insult to injury I have used too many different straightening/relaxing techniques, no one product was better than the other, against my better judgement. I just wish all the information I have now, I had then!
However, true to the word, my latter hair days have proved greater than the former and I give thanks for the Sisterlock technique.I am fully aware that SisterLocks have developed their own products to be used in conjunction, but unfortunately, in London, I believe they are still a little hard to get hold of. There was a point that I knew of a distributer who was UK based, however that person may not be in that position any longer. I have to admit I have not contacted the SL headquarters to find out if there was another appointed person.
In the meantime ...   Alternatives.
My consultant originally recommended neutrogena T Gel shampoo which helped the locking process and protected against scalp issues at the same time. I used this initially in my first two years, but if you can all recall I get bored real easy and wanted to play with other shampoos ... I must say I did not jump on conditioners as my locks loved to bunch and unravel and I didn't want to upset Liz with a an Afro on my next Reti appointment!!!So I was known for my of love shampoo experimentation, mostly for shampoo that clarifies and leaves body to my SLs . Clarifying Shampoos for the most part are good for leaving the locks with volume and body.

Suave - a brand not sold readily in the UK ( asked my mum to purchase some on her last trip over here:) and I also found some on amazon and eBay.) was a brand recommended by a lot of lockers on the net. Was very good for deep cleansing locks and leaving it volumised. I am always researching - if not testing, I have found so many good products and where I have purchased and kept things, I have gone back to use them and found them great. In the early days some things did not seem to work, but as my locs matured I have found them very effective.

.

Sisterlocks Products ... Updated.

I know what it is to need something and not be able to get hold of it, so I have copied a list of SL product salespersons. Not sure how up to date this is but here goes!

In response to an email  I received.

Just a quick note to say I used to get my products from George but that was a while ago, the last contact number I have for him is 07886488035.
He was quite reliable then ...
I have contacted him to find out if he is still in the business as such.

Birmingham: Charis Roberts  (07 50 81 76  947 or iamolasdaughter@gmail.com), Danielle Sewell (locsmith.d.@gmail.com); Beckton (London): Charlotte Watson  (0 20 74 73 6237 or keyzave@gmail.com); Camden: Rita Murray (+44-207388-4894 or ritzy1@leve.co.uk); Clapham: Natacha Silcott  (07 985 539 638 or kamila85@outlook.com); Croydon (London): Norma Gaston  (07 958 611 934 or norma_g_321@hotmail.com), Miriam Sebuwufu (079 58 75 8167 or miriam.sebuwufu@btinternet.com); East London: Cee Kay (+44 7946 43 23 68 or luvdalocs@hotmail.co.uk); Edmonton (London): Sharon Martin (011 44 79 31 42 7926 or kevshazm@hotmail.com), Dawn Smith  (02 083 512 605 or dawncelia@blueyonder.co.uk); Enfield (London): Fenella Longmore  (07 96 084 6405 or FenellaLongmore@yahoo.com); Essex: Helen Brathwaite  (07 957 488 249 or helenbrathwaite@hotmail.co.uk), Thandie Davis  (+44 754-570-7233 or justthandie@gmail.com), Monika Richard-Davies (Romford/ 07 788 934 246 or nnmkmer@hotmail.co.uk); Hayes (London): Jennifer Sterling  (07 472 483 925 or jennie.shineeye@yahoo.com); Hemel Hempstead: GEORGE GRAHAM - SISTERLOCKS PRODUCT DISTRIBUTOR (011-44-788-648-8035 or george.v.graham@gmail.com); Ilford (London): Blossom Henry  (44 79 51 12 7813 or pinkybec@hotmail.co.uk), Kent: Stella Mtawali (+44-795-791-8720 or srcnns@hotmail.com); Leeds: Angela Condor  (+44 7 930 933 281 or angela-condor@yahoo.com), Angela Daniel  (011 44 11 32 19 5357); London: Sophia Dalley  (+44 796-060-3533 or sdalley878@gmail.com), Sharon Hall  (07 958 525 578 or sharon5sharitashikai@hotmail.com), Anthony Hunt  (07 508 500 768 or arhunt1@hotmail.com), Charlotte Nina Kirby  (+44 47 951 610 181 or n.kirby@hotmail.com), Daniela McGhie  (07 944 344 054 or daniela.mcghie@gmail.com), Monica Parkinson  (07 947 733 919 or monica-parkinson@live.com), Sonia Winifred  (07 944 923 574 or soniawinifred@aol.com); Maida Vale (London): Felecia Venn (07-95-198-5580 or fvenn2000@aol.com); Manchester: Beverly Mclaren  (07 747 001 455 or beverlymclaren@hotmail.com); North London: Siboniso Nkatazo (07738824538 or siboniso@hotmail.com, Virginia Ryan (07402583276 or giy.vtr91@yahoo.co.uk); Peckham (SE - London): Josephine Offor  (+44 746 687 0600 or klock22@btinternet.com); Penge: Omobola Sotomi  (07957 773 258 or rainnseason@yahoo.co.uk); Reading: Natasha Griffith  (07 960 503 730 or nova2uk@yahoo.co.uk); Thornton Heath (London): Joy Khumalo  (44 79 03 53 8245 or joykhumalo@hotmail.com); Warwickshire: Monica Grey  (Noneaton - 07 790 007 187 or monica@greyservices.com); West London: Ameenah Bailey  (W. Kensington 07 427 590 274/ ameenahbailey@gmail.com); West Norwood (London): Sophia Hermitt  (07 931 330 349 or peacefulsophia@yahoo.co.uk);