It's 2014 ... HAPPY NEW YEAR!. Sisterlocked 4 years 7 months.

Happy New Year all.

I know, I am sorry, It has been a while since my last post. I have been taking loads of pics in the mean time though, trying to catalogue all and any changes. I am over the 4.5 year mark and of course I'm more in love today than I ever was.

Why The Love?

Love defined; Its not simply because its getting longer, no.  Sisterlocks have helped to reproduce the body  and volume that has shed over the years due to the birth of a few children and the use of unsuitable chemicals. My head-full of locs are not as full and thick as that of others, that may be due to heritage. However, as they grow I realise how damaged my hair follicles must have been because  There is a lot of hair growing out of loc in spaces I was not aware was lacking hair!.

Can you see the loose ends?

 Mature Locs, More effort.

I do not have any problems with product build up as such. There has been the occasional issue with 'dust' and/or lint.
This has been rectified by regularly brushing my locs carefully before washing or at any time I notice any 'foreign' particles.
Another problem is the British weather. During the summer, I didn't need to make much effort the weather was lovely. Now that its winter, its another problem. They appear to be very thirsty and they have also become fussy with certain products I used to use. PM Awapuhi Moisture mist is still a fave, but I use BOTTLES of it! I am also on the hunt for Jane Carters Leave In Revitaliser or rather more of it. I have managed to empty a bottle in 2 weeks so far.

Finding the right shampoo is also proving to be a challenge, Rehab by LUSH seems to be the only one at the moment that leaves them feeling ok, by that I mean somewhat hydrated, today I had to do a hot oil treatment as they really felt rough. Longer locs require a lot more care and attention. Did I mention my loose ends? Yep, almost every lock loose to some degree, but the most obvious are the ones at the front. Why? I dont know! It may be that I shampoo weekly. I cant avoid it though because my hair simply loves water ...

In Celebration of all Hair Naturals.

Ms S 

This is Ms S in the earlier stages of transitioning. Approx 3 years ago,

Ms S, 4 months ago

The above depicts her current progress, I have tried to encourage her to write about her journey, I am sure her thughts and process would be of value to someone. Especially her mindset initially. I said I would post her pics so here they are!

Summer Sun and Sisterlocks at 50 ... months!

SERIOUSLY considering leaving Blogger!! Blogs not saving and a complete waste of effort and time grrr! ... ANYWAY!

I APOLOGISE!

My apologies to everyone who has posted messages on any of my blog posts, I have not been great at keeping up with you all but still appreciate comments and feedback on each, so thank you for taking the time and stopping by, you are appreciated!

Yes, it has been a long while again, LIFE was getting in the way, I know, but there was always a light and I have finally arrived at the end of that tunnel and it feels fantastic!
WHAT A YEAR! It has been a very trying time but I SAW the LORD in the midst of it all and now know who Jesus really is in my life and how he works.  I am so blessed and truly, very thankful.

50 Months/ four years and two months. 

My lovely locks are now 50 months old, the sun has come out with vigour
and my skin and hair have enjoyed the blessed experience. I began to think that the snow would never go away!

Lock Care for Long Locked Hair.

So I have managed to run through 1250 mls of Awapuhi moisture mist,  longer locks equals more moisture. Just click on my cloud opposite for previous posts on the qualities of this product.
Rehab from LUSH is frequently with me in the shower. I can't explain it but there is something in the composition that makes my hair feel good, I am not in love with anything mint scented but this one is not bad.
I also Liked Cowsheds, Cowlick gentle shampoo and Biolage is an effective brand. Most products are courtesy of TKMaxxs' discounted prices! I have calmed down on my product  junk ism for a while.
Have used bottles and bottles of Crinkle and Curls by Taliah wajid and my colleagues are loving the scent of TW's Healing oil ... Loving one of my old workmates and good friends Mrs R who recently sat next to me buried her face in my hair, took a deep breath saying ... "I love and miss that smell!"...

Loose ENDS ...

NO conditioner, NO Scissors,  NO colouring ...
So WHY are the ends of my locks unravelling?  No, seriously I'm asking any lock rockers out there what they think the problem is! Quite a few have curly ends, at least one inch, the worst offenders are my shorter locks which seem to be aiming at letting LOOSE completely, as if I have not been mature for almost 2 years. Educated answers would be greatly appreciated :).

Loose Natural Thoughts ...

I'm hoping it is NOT a case of mind over matter because recently there has been a wealth of info about unlocking locks of all kinds and branching out into the world of loose naturaldom. Yes the thoughts have seriously pervaded my mind ... but thankfully there is a 'still small voice' that says ... "but you have no patience, you dont like longness, when it comes to hair styling you came last in the class because you missed the bus!"
So nooo thank you, I have no time or inclination for laborious tasks, I love to wash my hair frequently, and I have no time or experience to detangle twist and define nuthin, for goodness sake,  I can barely fling two braids or twists and loose them out without getting slightly agitated!  However, I do wonder, maybe im just not ready  ...yet?

Saturday Reti

LAZY itis!

So I have had to reschedule ReTi appointments over the last few months for reasons beyond my control, which has meant that I had to do two ReTis in a row,  OR NOT as the case may be, So I have actually gone almost seven weeks without a ReTi, I feel that as a benefit however as I worry about some of my locks being too thin at the root, maybe my ReTi schedule should be 6 weeks apart instead ... any advice would be appreciated.

And finally ... Thanking the Lord that I am blessed to see another year of my life ... Tomorrow I will be ...... years old LOL!

Mature Lock Maintenance: LINT -brush those locks!

My Sisterlock journey has been a major fulfilling process for me, I will be a natural head until my very last day. I do sometimes watch and wonder at my middle sons lovely natural head of hair and consider what I would do if I was a loose natural, but I lack in adventurous hair styling techniques,  loose means EFFORT, time is limited!          

Effort however, is also required with mature locks that are beyond the shoulders, around the 3rd to 4th year. The lock network at the back of the neck especially holds, hides and harbours residue of all kinds, in my case, that MUST be removed.  Always had one particular nape neck lock that seems to have accumulated stuff, build up and lint etc more than all the others. 

So I pay homage to all the bloggers out there who have left behind a trail of wisdom, especially
http://therealknottytruth.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/over-40-and-natural.html

I have been reading her avidly, esp regarding lint and mildew ... eeww!
So I followed the examples and advice given, and loosed out a lock slightly and found this ...

So its not product build up  ...  hmm. Now I have a very 'dust prone' environment, and I am researching ways to reduce this problem.

In the meantime however, I am using a simple old fashioned hair cleaning unit, a BRUSH!

I have seen various videos and read various articles and emails on the type of brush used. Some prefer the baby brush, a soft bristle brush is recommended, I have a slightly more sturdy bristle, to help me be rid of those bits pictured above! 

I brush in the morning and last thing at night, carefully. I try especially to do a good brisk brush before shampoo, but if I forget, I gently brush through the damp locks, focusing on the locks at the back of my head and around nape of my neck area.

It does make a difference! I have a few specks of white here and there, but I know if I continue to brush regularly I can at least try to prevent an increase of crappy bits of white fuzz in my lovely locks!

SIMPLE BRAID OUT.

So one evening I braid my locks into about six braids, I usually have to sleep with it up in a loose pony tail high on my head to sleep comfortably.  I used Crinkles and Curls - love-  to help set the style.

This was last Friday's braid result, but it looked similar the the one I did last weekend. I didn't separate the hair that morning as I had an evening event and my curls don't last long. I like the look, the longer the locks the better the curl, I realised. So this is my new habit, until I can't be bothered, or get bored.
I took these pics in the car first thing in the a.m. because the curls look different by the end of the day.
Like this.

My SisterLocks priorities: Wash regularly, now one day a week, (the exception being my occasional need) brush when required.
Use products that are clear and mainly clarifying. Since my big cleanse, my weekly wash has been to mix it up, first cleanse is DAX vegetable shampoo, second BIG salt shampoo and final Cowlick Gentle shampoo. No conditioners for me. The closest I came to conditioner is moisturising/conditioning shampoo, which I noticed began to soften and loosen my locks a few began to loose quite a way up the lock.

I am blessed to be able to experience caring for my locked hair and young master K's loose hair (its a lot of work and he doesn't always listen and follow instructions) . I have thought about letting my locks loose just to see what it would be like, but have no idea what I would do with it day by day. This locked life, is the way for me.