Better View of Color

Yeah, I found my battery charger so here is a better picture of my color.  I did some Bantu knots yesterday so this is the curls from it this morning. 

 

 

More pics

Not that great, but a better look @ the color. Still looking for my charger :-(

-Gigglz

A Touch of Color

Update: Today (2/25), I'm feeling much better about my color, the red tone seems to be blending in more with the brown.  So far so good!

I couldn't do it any longer. I have been staring at my locks day after day and saying BLAH! The dark color was just blah! I was trying to hold out for my anniversary to color, but if you know anything about me you know I want what I want when I want it. No matter what! So, I broke down and made an appointment at the same salon I received my creative styling from. My thought on color has flip flopped from highlights to just coloring the top half to coloring the whole thing. I'm so indecisive with simple decisions like this. The one thing I knew is that I had to have the black color lifted. I figured I would see what color it looked like once lifted and go from there. So, this is what I have! Hmm....its brownish, red I guess with different tones of brown and red throughout my whole head. At first, I was in shock since I've kept my hair black for so long, but tonight as I looked at it, its starting to grow on me. Of course I sought out opinions and the consensus is to see what it looks like it two weeks, a shampoo, workouts, and see what I have. Only time will tell.

Sorry this picture quality is not that great but I can't find my battery charger for my camera.
-Gigglz

Bantu Knots

I've really been slacking on doing my retightening so I decided this weekend I would get it all done. Sunday, I worked on it all day and finished. Happily, I can report I didn't combine any locks, and if I did I was able to unhook them. I also didn't have to combine any locks because they were too thin. All in all, my locks are doing well. After messing in my head all day, I really didn't feel like putting too much tension with cornrows and I didn't feel like pulling out rollers so I opted for bantu knots (still tension, I know, lol). I've never been the master of bantu knots, but as I was two strand twisting my daughters hair on Saturday I noticed how easy it would be to do so I hopped to it. I carefully parted my sections and made sure all my rows and knots were even in size. I didn't put any products in my hair I just put my head under the shower stream for about 5 seconds (this also soothes my scalp after a retightening). It was pretty easy and I was able to tuck all my ends and they stayed in place except the back row, so I put a rubber band.

This morning I took them out first thing, my head was hurting from the retightening and the knots and here are the results. On the top view shot you can see the separation from how I did my retightening but other than that ,not too bad, looks like I used lock loops, but not as tight. What do think?


-Gigglz

11 months

Well ladies...I have no updates to report.  Its 11 months and I'm still chugging along.  Only thing different is I've been noticing a lot more growth in my 4 weeks than before.  I've been going into the sauna after my workouts and my cousin swears that her hair grows much faster when she does.  Ah well, I will be back to post some pics of ugh...nothing new!  Lately its been braidouts no curls. 

Never fails

Just a quick flick of my fresh braid out, it never fails even when the curls do!
-Gigglz

A little new

Update:
I did try this overnight and the curls flopped, it was a total waste of my time, because I barely had a bend on the ends.  Womp, womp!! I will use this again if I only have a few hours before going out and I need a quick look to my locks. 

Since I was stuck in the house with the snowstorm that hit the east coast I thought I would try something new with my hair. I always love my curls on day 2 or 3 after I sweat or the curls drop a bit so I've been thinking how to get a looser curl from the door. I pulled my hair into about 10 little ponytails using little rubber bands. I then split the ponytail in two and put 2 perm rods on each ponytail. I only spritzed some water on my hair and let it sit for about 6 hours. My results were exactly what I'm looking for. I will try this again overnight to see how much better it comes out and post pics.

-Gigglz

Newly Sisterlocked Interview #6

Gigglz:  How long did you want Sisterlocks before actually getting them installed?
I stumbled upon Sisterlocks on the internet a few years ago. I really liked them, but I wasn’t ready to commit to the style or the cost. I decided to grow out my relaxer in February 2009. I had grown tired of the relaxer cycle and I was frustrated that my hair wasn’t strong enough to grow past a certain length. I decided while I was growing out my relaxer, I would try extensions. I had a few sets of micro braids, and a full sew-in weave. I never really felt like myself with the braided extensions and the weave drove me nuts!! I came across Sisterlocks again while searching hair sites. I figured after spending hundreds on OPH (other people’s hair) I can afford to invest on my own hair. It took me two months from my decision to my installation.

Gigglz: How long were you natural before getting Sisterlocks?
My last relaxer was in February 2009. I transitioned with braids, a weave and a wig before getting Sisterlocks in November 2009. I started my SLs with 4 inches of natural hair. I have 3-4 inches of relaxed hair in the top, and much less on the sides and back. Because I wore braids and a weave during my transition, I don’t really feel like my hair was natural until I got Sisterlocks.


Gigglz:  How many consultations did you have before deciding on one, and did price play a part in your decision (honestly)?
I only had one consultation, but I researched blogs and hair forums for weeks for additional info on certified consultants. Timing was more of a factor for me than price. Most consultants in my area were priced generally the same. I didn’t want to pay more for 5 inches of natural hair, so I had to get them done before my hair grew longer. The retightening price did play a part in my decision. Some consultants charge by the hour and others charge a flat fee. I was more comfortable knowing what I have to pay each time.

Gigglz:  What made you choose your consultant?
I chose my consultant because she was a certified trainer. I figured if she is training others, she must know what she is doing. I also choose her because she has a shop. I have nothing against home-based salons, my mother and grandmother were licensed cosmetologists and each had a home shop. I never went to a salon growing up, so that’s likely the reason I like the salon environment. One interesting thing happened during my consult… Dr. Cornwell called my consultant to discuss hosting a book signing. That was confirmation for me!

Gigglz:  How many hours did it take?
It took approximately 15 hours to install my 450 locks. We did it over two days. I even got my vacation days back once I told my boss what I was doing. He told me they were personal days. I love my job!

Gigglz:  What was your initial reaction to them?
I took a few peeks in the mirror while she was working. I have to admit, it looked like a bird’s nest! Mid way through my install, I went home and refused to look at them, because I didn’t want to get discouraged. After she was done, she flat ironed my ends and it was neat. I wore that style for one day, because I just didn’t like the lock-to-straight look. I tried a braid-out and I really liked the look, so that’s been my signature style. It gives the straight ends some texture and blends well with the Sisterlocks.

Gigglz:  Do you see any disadvantages to Sisterlocks?
Right now, the disadvantage to me is that I can’t wet them all the time. With the braid out, my permed ends would straighten if my hair got wet. So, I only mist my hair when I know I have time to re-braid my ends.

Gigglz:  What products do you use and how often do you use them?
I use very little product at all. I have a 2oz spray bottle that has distilled water and a few drops of oil in it. I like the small bottle because the mist is really fine. I try to part my hair so that I can spray the locks and not the permed ends. I wash my hair weekly and I just finished my bottle of SL Starter Shampoo. I’m now trying the Suave Clarifying shampoo. I think I was diluting the SL Shampoo too much and my hair was not getting as clean as I would have liked. The Suave shampoo is really sudsy, so I may need to dilute it a little more. I also use ACV after I shampoo and rinse really well. The flakes I experienced during my first few weeks have pretty much disappeared, unless it’s shampoo time. I've been very lucky not to have any slippage or bunching.


Gigglz: What hair accessories do you wear?
Occasionally, I wear a headband when I can’t shape my hair properly. I normally just style it with a side part.

Gigglz:  What do you wear to protect your hair at night?
I wear a satin pocket bonnet I found at Wal-Mart. It’s like a bag with a tie at the top. It allows your hair to hang loosely while fully encased in satin. It has no elastic, so your edges are protected. It’s cheap too, less than $3.

Gigglz:  How do you feel about your SL's today?
For the first time in my life, I am embracing my super kinky hair! It’s unique, it’s thick and healthy! It has truly been a confidence booster! Now I have the opportunity to grow my hair long and strong! Sisterlocks were truly made for me!

Photo 1. Microbraids
Photo 2. Taken after one of my last relaxers
Photo 3. My hair pressed (it reverted the next day!)
Photo 4. install completed
Photo 5. My Sisterlocks at 2 months

**Most importantly for all you reading is that she was installed with her permed ends. 

Still here...

I am still knee deep with busy season at work and just life in general so I haven't had time to blog far less think about a topic to blog.  I'm just dropping a line to say I still love my locks and I'm starting to try different styles no pics yet because the jury is still out.  One thing is that I was trying to let my kitchen grow in, but changed my mind and shaved it off!! Can't do the in between stage, I have over 550 locks I don't need 2 new ones at my nape!! LOL!!

Till next time...