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!

Sister 'dry' Locks 2, A Review of Efficient Products.

This blog is especially for Ofo! Your wish is my command! ;)

Hello all, if you have read my previous hairscapades, you will be aware of my dry lock spell,  well , I had to go on  PJ moisture/conditioner hunt ... it was BAD!!

These are my new finds. No they don't come cheap, but neither did my locks! 

Well I had mad hair days last Thursday and Friday. I did my co- wash, however, that Saturday pm, my hair still lacked that special something, I was impulsively drawn to the product shelves in TKMaxx, a MAJOR first for me. 

On display was a serious selection of salon styled products, on reduction, I picked up this shampoo because it is labelled hydrating and is free from EVERYTHING! £9.99! (half price I think). It does the job.

TIGI Bed Head Moisture Maniac

Ingredients
Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Acetamide MEA, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, DMDM Hydantoin, Cetrimonium Bromide, PPG-2 Myristyl Ether Propionate, Pentaerythrity.

This little gem above is my BABY! So aptly named. This little bottle of magic SORTED IT OUT! Yes I mean it deserves the name and lives up to its brand. One major problem? I think it is now discontinued. TKmaxx!! buy Buy BUY!!!! QUICK! again ... sulfate and silicone free. the best! Cost £5.99, 60% off retail price. More expensive on Amazon.

water, cetyl alcohol, cetearyl alcohol, amodimethicone, glycerine, aloe leaf juice, butylene glycol and anthemis nobilis flower extract, cofea arabica extract and vaccinium myrtillus fruit extract, roas roxburghii fruit extract, propylene glycol and rosemary leaf extract, olive fruit oil, avocado oil, sweet almond oil, hydrolyzed wheat protein, menthol, panthenol, behentrimonium methosulfate, BHT, Polysorbate 60, PEG 60 almond dimethylamine, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, citric acid, disodium EDTA, 1, 2-hexanediol and caprylyl glycol, phenoxyethanol, sorbic acid, fragrance

I came across this little lovely when I was trying to find out about WEN by Chas Dean. 

Hair One is a Conditioning Cleanser, a generic brand ...? A similar chemical make up, at a fraction of the price, with no subscription necessary.

I viewed many a YouTube review. Impulsed again, I 'amazoned' me a bottle ( I'm a prime customer with no postage costs) I first tested it on my Sister in the Lord, on her BEAUTIFUL natural head of hair, great results! No oils or extra moisturising necessary, even the next day after she loosened her china bumps, She said her hair was in good condition and not in need of her usual regime.

Same night I tried and tested for myself. It does not lather, at all. In fact most sulfate free's do not lather.

I pumped a lot in, its hard getting used to, applied it twice. Then only slightly rinsed out the second application as it is recommended to use as a leave in conditioner. I find 'leave ins' a little awkward because I can never quite get it 'in' and I don't like the whitish residue look after a wash.

RESULT? 

I like, very much, it takes a bit of getting used to, but, I have body and softness which I desire in a Shampoo/Conditioner . 

I located an online stockist, that have successfully delivered the items next day at the hefty price of £6.50 or thereabouts. Its a good thing I ordered more than one item, as that extortionate price was the only 'option' available! 

Beware though, I have read some poor reviews on this online store,  call first, I did, to ensure stock availability. JinnysMall £5.50 Amazon £8.49 

Oh about 'Leave Ins" - another TIGI brand Love Peace Planet, Let it Be Cherry Almond,

Ingredients

Shea Butter - excellent moisturizing and conditioning benefits, rich with natural fatty acids and other nutrients
Sweet Almond Oil - strong emollient with natural fatty acids which adds moisture for soft, supple hair and a conditioned scalp
Wheat & Rice Amino Acids - penetrate hair to help to increase moisture retention, strengthens and promotes a glossy finish
Hibiscus - anti-inflammatory, astringent and anti free radical properties work to restore hair's natural barrier
Chamomile - soothing aromatherapy fragrance, offers anti-irritant benefits for a healthy scalp

the scent doesn't last long but it goes IN and again crap free (LOL) you understand? :) It does THE Job. Will review in more detail soon, tired!! LOL!

OFO! I likes it, but I need to practice more on application :))))

Distilled water, seaweed complex, herbal complex, natural oils, herbal extract complex, preservatives, fragrance

Hmmm somewhat VAGUE! hmmm ... 

I picked this up a few months ago and disliked the scent initially and the consistency and how it felt when applied, however, when the seasons changed, so does my maintenace requirements and while in summer less means more, in Autumn / Winter less equals DRY so MORE is needed!!! 

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