Mature Sisterlocks - maintenance, routines, fine locks, lint and loose ends.

Hey fellow lock bloggers,

I know! Its ridiculous, I only managed ONE post this last month and I was on summer break! It took me at least a week to complete as I was doing so many other things. I would start and stop and so I forgot to upload product images.
The Truth that is Knotty asked if I was still product testing, I don't  as much anymore because I know what works for me. I keep checking out good products as I am always aware that stuff can be discontinued and that is annoying. I check reviews and availability on Amazon as I like it if products can be delivered as opposed to me going out shopping ;)

I thought I would produce a list for my simple routine.
Routine...

1. Reti via consultant Liz.

2. Reti myself once or twice a year depending on her availability.

3. Wash, shampoo only - I do not condition. My shampoos are volumising to increase body and moisturising.

4. I simply braid wet or leave alone (straight).

5. I use Taliah Wajid healing oil or Monoi oil from the Body Shop or a home special blend of olive oil with essential oils added. Not a lot, just enough to alleviate any slight dryness which is not often.

6. I use Kiehls amino acid shampoo as my first shampoo (main ingredient coconut oil) which my locks adore. then shampoo with I use Olio di Argan  Nourishing shampoo. I was unaware that this product is also sulphate free ...

Loose ends ...

I read somewhere that if you use a moisturising or nourishing shampoo you are really conditioning it.
I guess there is a truth in that as the moisture agents used have a conditioning affect.
The evidence of this  can be seen as the ends of my locks are becoming loose, which does not bother me really. I no longer suffer from dry dehydrated locks. In fact this year has been a a warm one for the south of UK (which is a very pleasant change).

Brushing ... 

Again paying homage to the Knotty Truths Blog  http://therealknottytruth.blogspot.co.uk ...  as it was under her guidance that I have managed to avoid lint and build up in my locks, not to say I am totally lint free, but I do pay a LOT of attention to the ends of my locks and am weary about fluffy stuff and weary of a general dusty house. I do not have carpet in the majority of the house and dust can build up. I have purchased a few good hair brushes, soft bristle which I find very effective, but beware, they can also help looses locks, especially if you have soft hair, even if your locked, your hair still has its characteristics I have found ...
For further guidance on brushing and lint prevention please read Knotty Truths Blog  http://therealknottytruth.blogspot.co.uk ...

Shopping ...

These products were purchased from a variety of stores.

TKmaxx is my product shopping fave as it has many obscure brands of shampoo that are little known. I use MakeUpAlley as a directory to check reviews of a product and then price check against Amazon prices to ensure I am getting a good deal.
My current fave shampoo Phytorelax Olio di Argan shampoo is only sold in the USA on amazon and sold only in the UK through TKmaxx ... so I bought as MANY as I could.

The UK TKmaxx though is very inconsistent with pricing and what I pay in North London I could pay double when I am in the South of London. I complained because I don't know why they think this is ok? Anyway they have already been challenged about their pricing on a TV show this year. They need to start listening ...

Than you for reading, I know your out there and hope you find this information useful.

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.