How I keep my SisterLocks moist during inclement weather.

British Winter Tips and Routines.

Don't think for a moment that I have not been thinking about how long it has been since my last post.
Actually, I have been mentally logging information whilst living the Sisterlocked hair lifestyle, never thought hair maintenance would be this complicated. I discovered a change in travel routines can have a major impact on the locked life. Ok, you say, it's not all that complicated? But it is ...

Let me explain ...

I have driven to work for years, I can't count for how long and resided in a germ/infestation free zone! But this year my route incorporates rail, tubes and even bus rides. I am more at the mercy of the elements, exposed and in proximity closeness to many more people, with an increased risk of  infestations .... You get the idea? I make sure that I never rest my head on the trains headrest, if I do I pull up the collar of my coat and or use my neck scarf as a shield against it. I have even invested in a bottle of NEEM shampoo as an emergency rescue remedy ... Just in case!! Heaven forbid! 

Paranoia, I hear you cry ... Sorry but the prevention is better than the cure, I have heard that some lock lovers had to resort to cutting locks off ...

On days when the weather is bad I find my locks can get dehydrated by the time I get to work, so I took a used old spray bottle and filled it up with boiled and cooled water for quick convenient non chemical hydration. We also have a central heating system that dries out skin and hair, fast.

To add to this issue I realise that some of my locks are loosening up and that has slowed my roll when it comes to my washing routine.  It's strictly once a week now.

I am so glad that I have been a product junkie because I find that my knowledge base helps me know exactly what to use and when, I also know what my locks should feel like when rinsing with water before a shampoo wash.

Products yaay!!

I have a good stash and managed to find a bottle of Jane Carter Revitalising Leave in condish, that worked wonders for me! So I went to Klass Cosmetics I spoke to the proprietor Sonia and she ordered me a few more bottles.

I still use loads of Paul Mitchell's Awapuhi Moisture, but it's getting rather expensive as my thirsty locks 

drink it up with vigour! It costs £15 per 500ml and I'm having trouble getting hold of it. 

I have been writing this post over a few days now, I last washed my hair on Friday, I spritzed with JCarter leave in and today my hair is crisp in places. I am really struggling with wanting to wash it.

I am due a Reti on Saturday and often need to rinse my hair to relax my scalp a day or so after, which means washing 3 times in 9 days. Sigh, decisions decisions. ...

I have driven to work for years, But this year my route incorporates rail, tubes and even bus rides. I am more at the mercy of the elements, exposed and in proximity closeness to many more people, with an increased risk of  infestations .... You get the idea? I make sure that I never rest my head on the public transport headrests, if I do, I pull up the collar of my coat and or use my neck scarf as a shield against it. I have even invested in a bottle of NEEM shampoo as an emergency rescue remedy ... Just in case!! Heaven forbid! Paranoia, I hear you cry ... Sorry but the prevention is better than the cure, I have heard that some lock lovers had to resort to cutting them all off ...

On the days when the weather is bad I find my locks got dehydrated by the time I arrived at work, so I took a used old spray bottle and filled it up with boiled and cooled water for quick convenient non chemical hydration. We also have a central heating system that dries out skin and hair, fast.
To add to this issue I realise that some of my locks are loosening up and that has slowed my roll when it comes to my washing routine.  It's strictly once a week now.
I am so glad that I have been a product junkie because I find that my knowledge base helps me know exactly what to use and when, I also know what my locks should feel like in the initial saturating/rinsing before washing stage, before a shampooing.

I have a good stash of stuff and managed to find a bottle of Jane Carter Revitalising Leave in condish, that worked wonders for me! I went to Klass Cosmetics And spoke to the proprietor Sonia and she ordered me a few more bottles.

I have been writing this post over a couple of days now, I last washed my hair on Friday, I spritzed with JCarter leave in, and today my hair is crisp in places. I am really struggling with wanting to wash it.
I am due a Reti on Saturday and often need to rinse my hair to relax my scalp a day or so after, which means washing 3 times. Sigh, decisions decisions.

Sonia from Klass recommended this product she found it good and said I should try it. She, by the way has traditional locs. It is so good to go to a good black owned store where the proprietor is locked 

:). I admit I have not used it yet, I like the water/aloe composition of Jane Carter, I love glycerine but occasionally find I need it to be a more watered down. Too much glycerine for me leaves a cloying feeling like it's just sitting on my locks and I just want to wash it out, fast. 

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!

3 years 3 months SisterLocks: Dry hair and Reti's

Simply Dry.

I admire all you lockers out there who have managed their locks with very little to no product  assistance except for a few spritz of water (if that!) There are many of you out there and I rate you! This is not me testimony however, My sisterlocks love moisture (anything involving water) and devour oils.

I also admire those who are able to use conditioner, I guess I have not mastered the knack of rinse, rinse rinse.

My point is really that I have growing locks they are getting to a decent length now that I am having to rethink my regime, and trying to keep it all very simple. Long is not simple. Sisterlocks are low maintenance not no maintenance. Our summer has appeared and I am surprised that I was not better prepared. It could have been the sauna that did it. Umm I went in the sauna, no steam room available, at least 3 times in the week with NO conditioner, no spritz, nothing. Went home and rinsed, not washed my locks. Actually had to shampoo twice that week as I used the pool on 2 occasions. By the time I got back they were rough,


Remedy.

I am using coconut oil as a hot oil treatment as and when I need it and a spitz of awapuhi moisture and lately Arosci leave in conditioner. They make a good combination. 2 evenings ago I went for Co Wash, I part American cream 5 parts water to dilute, and 25 ounces heat melted pure coconut oil from Holland and Barrett. I now dislike the smell so decided to wash with diluted conditioner and then pour oil onto my head. Leave for a few minutes and then rinse OUT! This method was VERY effective. And I especially didn't have the aftermath coconut scent I have come to dislike. Finally, revived with long lasting results.

DIY @ 3 years 3 months.

Due a Reti

I admit, I am guilty. I have a lack of patience and like to get things done.
In effect, when tired I would rush to complete it. Doing so leaves me guilty of accidentally combining locks. I would combine at least 2 each time it was my turn to reti.
Yesterday I began the process. I Reti every 4 to 5 weeks. I began at approx 1pm, put a book on my laptop, sat in the sunlight shining through the open double doors and commenced. A mirror stand, locks sectioned with 4 black bands, I started from the back behind my left ear. In mind, I had a method, to work across the back of my head, removing only one band and taking out one lock at a time from the bundles to avoid tangling. There are a lot of long locks and I need to keep them in order. I managed to stop to cook dinner, eat with my family, tidy up. I then got distracted again and decided I wanted to rearrange my drawer chest ... hmmm. focused eh? I went back to task at about 9.45pm and stopped at midnight.
I made a mistake and untangled it. That was a sign to give it up! . I started again today at about 2pm after trimming the hedge, (found that kind of therapeutic ...) I worked thru until 17.59pm when I completed my Reti. I Got a great sense of achievement! No combining, not one! Approximate time in total I would say was 10 hours.

I have learnt a lesson this time. Do not continue when tired and plan the direction of the front and top well before I get there, if I want a decent
style result. It worked! Let's pray I have this much forethought after I get back to work!!! Lol!

Summer Hols, Life and Sisterlocks@ 3 years 2mths

It has been a while, I started this and two other posts long ago but life got in the way, I surprised even myself that the summer break is here and I have written zilch!
I have been extremely tired,  I wasn't ill as is common among the UK school teachers at the end of any school year, but I slept like I was recovering from a severe bout of flu or something! I could do nothing for the first 3 to 5 days ... SUDDENLY the SUN came out, as tired as I was, I left the building as much as I could. Sunshine around here (England) is less common than gold dust ... kmt.

July 30th marked another great year in this life of mine and I have so much gratitude and love for the GOD who I serve who has kept me for so many years, through so many struggles, and headed a multitude of Victories! GOD is GREAT! (this was originally scribed a day before but I didn't complete it!)

Here are some random shots of my recent lock journey ... braid outs are more frequent and one day I even tried pipe cleaners, took a while to put in, but the results were ok.

SUMMER HOLIDAY LOCS.

So here we are one month since schools been out, I spent time away with the family which was fantastic,
Oddly enough though I struggled with my Loc Loving regime. I thought I was prepared but I couldn't exactly bring a vast selection of my fave products so settled for three of the best.  I had not planned for my middle son to shove me in the pool, a head full of chlorine I did not expect!  I added insult to injury by using the Sauna regularly without conditioner, my Locs did not like this, not at all! Sigh ...

Sigh! 

During the maintenace struggle I realised mainly that my Locs are in a growth phase, it was taking me longer to wash it properly and I needed a lot more spritzing to keep it moisturised. not complaining though!

I tried only rinsing my hair in water as opposed to a full wash, thinking that this would be better than applying product too frequently, however, as I frequented the pool/sauna quite a few times I had to make sure I washed out the chlorine.

Dehydrated.

As a result of the Sauna ( I think?) my Locs were dehydrated beyond the norm, even when I used my best product, Kiehls Amino Acid shampoo and Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist. I was thinking that the water may have been different, as in hard/soft, but when I checked that out I found that the water there, was the same as London ... very hard!

Honey Washed. Nearly there ...

To get it back I washed vigourously using Free Trade Honey by LUSH (new) hoping for a moisture boost and a return to the texture I am familiar with, I then mixed/diluted conditioner with water, LUSH American Cream conditioner, applied as a leave-in then melted down some pure coconut oil and applied it as a hot oil treatment. Phew! It was some hard work!!!

I have been using a variety of different products some of which I found affordable and good value for money, I plan to cover those in a later post.

Now thats better!

Today I just want to share pics ...

Images of Locs revived from dehydration and anything else that I may have done!

Hot Coconut Oil revived.

Longer Locs can require a lot more care time and attention. I am not complaining, just something I am learning. I wracked my brain to recall the best conditioning shampoo, and oddly enough the best result was from a NEW product I got from LUSH a week before I went away, It has Honey as its top ingredient and is quite expensive, but it worked! British weather is extreme, we get sunshine but the dry type, without wind or moisture. I am not used to hot sunny weather, neither are my locs, so when it happens its a whole new ball game. Climates matter when cultivating locks, like water types. That's why product results vary across the country even the world. I have tried lots of recommendations from across the water, the best referral was Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Moisture Mist which I have stuck with for the 3 years. I will try to update about my recent product finds asap ... :)

Season of the sun ... moisturising

Morning all,

The sun is shining and early morning its lovely and warm,

I am on the hunt for the best moisturising solution for my hair. Have spent (some) of this week trawling the web of natural hair blogs and vids for help.

It appears that I may have to make my own ...problem is the cost, I do not buy small or cheap  ... hmm

JML, as mentioned before, works well but is not a clear liquid, and I would rather avoid any chance of build up (even though it says it does not). In fact it works best straight after washing or just before a wash.

Coconut oil based products seem to work very well on my locs, Natures shine is excellent!
Inecto coconut glossing spray is 'Ok'

However I need WATER too, So, I always need to use 2 products one oilbased and one water.

Yesterday I used African Healing oil first (straight after shower) and then sprayed with PM's Awapuhi moisture mist. This morning the locs look good. not dry and dull, and no 'tacky' feel to them as some products have done in the past.. ( I found that with Taliah Waajids mist bodifier)

So what is the regimen?

Well I feel it is best to oil twice weekly and water based spritz daily (for summer anyway) and try to resist washing until 2 weeks. (or at least till I stop slipping)

Hmm ...  I feel like visiting the sauna/steam room ...

Bajan Lily !!! this is just for youuuuu xxx and all my other british loc lurkers!

http://www.pak-super.com/

http://www.pakcosmetics.com/

http://www.pakswholesale.com/
 
http://www.baldwins.co.uk/
 
                                               TO BE CONTINUED LATER|!!... sorry, sunny, gotta go out LOL!
 
N'joi .... naturally !!! xx
 

One Year on ... Observations. 10 facts about my locs.

I am enjoying the beginning of the half term holiday which this year includes a bank holiday.

I began by a well earned pamper, washing my lovely locs. Big deal? Well, read about my previous hair issues and that will explain. :)

Todays blog is about the state of my locs at 12 months. Here goes ....

Over the last few months, since the arrival of the British version of 'spring' , my locks are noticebly DRY!

As a product junkie, I was prepared and retrieved my baskets of goodies. I read labels over and over to make sure no build up, MEANT no build up! Products tried and tested are pictured below ....

Now it could be the central heating that adds to the dryness, However, my hair has alway been rather hydrophillic, (loves water, responds well to regular washing) but I suffer from slipomania! ( a manic amount of slippage!!) so I have to water sparingly.

I have used :

1. Africare
2. Paul Mitchell Awapuhi
3. JML Cactus (Jamaica mango and Lime)

I alternated shampoos to see which ones left my locs feeling moisturised. 

I shower without a cap and spritz with water, but my locks still look like this by the afternoon, especially on a warm day.

I carry my spray bottles everywhere I go.

This is my hair approximately 4.20pm on a warm afternoon,
I took this pic before a shower.

buttahflyV, a fellow blogger and now trainee consultant suggested the Sisterlocks brand moisturiser, but the number we are told to call just rings. I am at home this week so will try everyday to see if  I can get through :( ... but in the meantime, I read every spritz recipe and search blogs endlessly for suitable alternatives, all the products chosen have been recommended by various mature lockers ( fellow lockers who have been there and done that and shared solutions on LIU and blogs ;))

Today I retightened my locs, I started front left , did a few rows last night, then went to bed. This afternoon after doing all my duties, I started again, and devoted my whole day to myself :) It took a steady (when uninterupted) 6 to 8 hours ( with lots of breaks ) and i finished before 10.30 pm.

Ten FACTS about my hair type and locs.
1. I am not completely loc'd I would guess at 90% but I get a surprise if I wash my hair once a week ...

2. I had to have 2 tightening sessions (pushing down the loc to tighten them) , one in Feb and April, as my scalp is sensitive when I diy they slip easier from the root. I dont do a last rotation if its gonna hurt!)

3. Hence I only wash them bi-monthly, for the moment.I have tried once a week but only because I can diy and had my tool ready!

4. I only freestyle, because of all the above reasons.

5. I have a lot of curly ends, and one loc that is curly in the centre and loc'd at the end.

6. I have never used SL products as they are hard to get hold of.

7. JML is the best leave in condish for me, however, I am concerned because it is not clear liquid, and not sure if it will cause build up. However it has been excellent at moisturising my locs without feeling gummy.

8. I have one very long lock at the corner nape of my neck, it is the only one with signs of build up, it was first to loc at 4 months (or earlier)

9. I have a few locs that sre stubborn and loc'd at both ends but not the centre, some weaken and I had 2 or 3 break of at that point. A reason why I avoid unnecessary manipulation.

10. I DIY alternate months so that my consultant can reinstall any slippage.

and finally, I tried a suggestion off  a natural hair blog, I sprayed natures shine on my locs before shampoo. I shampood twice rinsing , rinsing, rinsing ... my locs came out moisturised and soft. I still have not added anything to my hair as I was retighting tonight (pics below), feels Ok. Well, Good Nite all, thank you for visiting.

 Nai xxx

,