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!

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

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