Random Shots

Since Toronto, I have been really slacking on taking pictures and posting. I think I'm coming to the point where I don't really like to mess with my hair anymore and just allow it to do its thing. Since I have not been using any oils or creams on my hair at all, I've decided to go back to the sisterlock starter shampoo. My hair is definitely progressing and feels hard which is a step in the locking process, so why not throw the SL shampoo in the mix which will make it lock better, or at least thats my thoughts. I will begin taking pictures more frequently since the summer has finally hit the tri-state area so I can go outside and get the sunlight in the background :-)!!!

This is a photo from Toronto, nothing new with the hairstyle just trying to put some accessories in the mix. And the top one is from when I got home, as I was trying to put a new style in the mix, didn't work out so well :-0.

Almost done with my 1st DIY retightening

I can't believe that I am 4 days into my retightening. I only have my crown left to do and if I don't finish it tonight I will finish by Friday. Woohoo!!!! My arms aren't tired yet. I did a quick braidout last night and this is what I have this morning. Do you notice the length on the side shot..ok maybe its just me, lol!

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Well on my way...

My last retightening was July 21st, which is less than a month ago but for only three and a half weeks ago I have a lot of new growth so I decided to retighten a few locks. I decided to start in the back and see how comfortable/uncomfortable it would be. I finished my last row within like 20 minutes (whew, whole head is a full day), but I did it. Check it out!!!! My next appt is schedule for August 27th, which I think I may end up cancelling for now we will see how it goes.

The last row looks way uneven but I guess it wouldn't really matter.

Month 4 Looks so Far

Yes they are from the car.... Lol.

Picture one is a braid out and yes you noticed I got some new sunglasses. I lost my other pair at my BBQ a few weeks ago. I like these much better, but for the price I can't afford to lose them. Picture 2 is lock loops (an oldie but goodie) from this morning, yep a few shades darker from the Canadian sun-lol. --and if you're asking I sure am wearing a shirt I posted with a few months ago...(hehe) I love green!

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Limp Looking Locks

After being away only for four days my house looked like a tornado ran through it because of packing before I left and now the unpacking. I say that to say, it's been a few days and I haven't had a chance to download and post the pictures of the beautiful costumes but they are soon to come, and I even have a bonus for you all (hehe)!!! What I do have on my mind since I have the time is limp locks.

So I had not washed my hair in about three weeks since my last retightening and when I went to work on Tuesday my hair just looked wimpy. Wimpy in the sense of it was just hanging on my head had no curl, no bounce, and what felt like no body. Granted I have not put any oils or creams on my hair at all in the past three weeks. The only thing that I have used is a spritz of water here and there. In thinking about it, I realized I was out in the hot sun all day on Saturday and my hair had even more of reddish tint when I looked at it. With all the factors I didn't know what to think, so I decided to go ahead and just wash my hair. I still braided and banded and used my good old Dr. Bronner's almond liquid soap and my hair is refreshed. I did decide to put some green tea oil in my hair just to revive it a bit and today I'm feeling much better about my hair. To the touch I have my yarn soft hair again.

I guess the largest difference is that right now I don't think I need to continue B&B because I have many locks that have started "budding" and I haven't had slippage in over two months now so I think its safe to say I can keep my little rubber bands for my daughter and her beads...lol!

Are you still B&B? If so, did your consultant tell you when you could stop?

Loving my SL's in Month 4....

Ironic, tomorrow night I'm leaving on a road trip to Toronto for Carabana (largest West Indian Carnival in North America) and I have no hair appointment that I need to get to, I am not worried about a fresh perm, I'm not worried about what my hair is going to look like when I get there, I'm just not worried about my hair AT ALL!!! Even more so, I just put some cornrows in and I may go to work with them tomorrow and keep them in until I get to the hotel. Wohoo!!!

There are countless vacations I have gone on that I had to prep my hair the night before, or get home after midnight from a hair appointment on a weekday, but because of my SL's I have no concern about any of this!!! On the ride, I can afford to put my head back, take a nap, and wake up and shake and go. I cannot express how great the feeling is that the only thing I need to worry about is the clothes and shoes that I need to pack. SL's are really a lifestyle, because by having them your lifestyle changes and this is just a testament of that.

Its so funny that for the years that I contemplated getting SL's it was because of styling options and whats so funny now is that I barely style my hair. I find myself freestyling and just pulling a bobby pin or clip out and that's it. Just very interesting how we get hung up on the simple things!

Hair Clips

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I have been slacking this past week and I haven't posted anything because I've been too busy "twittering". In any event I posted this picture because I found this hair clip that I only used when I had braids and I was in shock when I was able to clip it on my SL's. I'm so proud of how healthy my hair is and how thick it has become over the past few months. Since finding the clip last week I have worn it everyday since in a Pebbles (from the Flintstones) style...LOL I'm reconnecting with my youth.

Locks not Tightened

On Friday, as I was playing in my hair I found a lock that was missed during my retightening. First thought was, I pay my consultant to tighten my locks WTH?!? Quickly after I said to myself people aren't perfect. So opportunity presented itself and I pulled out my NL tool and got to tightening. This one lock was in the back left side of my head so I got my duck clips out and tightened the lock. I was unable to do a full rotation, so question for my more mature SL family, is this going to be a problem for the next retightening?



Today is now Sunday and I found three other locks in two different areas, 2 on the top in the crown and another in the back same side as the first one. Seriously now, yes I have a lot of hair but what's the point of going for a retightening if numerous locks are not done. What if I wasn't an aspiring DIY'er? What if my next appt isn't until 6 weeks? What if? Because of the what if's I'm now considering going to take the training class. I've already made the investment so why not pay the course price to learn from a trainer only problem is the next class coming up in my area I will be on vacation. Decisions, decisions. I don't want to fly anywhere for the course and I'm not going to continue going for retightenings when I'm doing maintenance at home. As it stands right now, I may cancel my next retightening....what you think?





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Another Retightening Down

Only five weeks since my last retightening and it still took 4.5 hours to complete. Each time I get my locks retightened it reminds me how many I actually have, yes close to 600 (I don't plan on recounting anytime soon). This time I had no locks that slipped out so my locks are progressing properly. It does feel good to have my hair done and parts back. Almost feels like I got a fresh new set of micros installed (lol) but its all mine. I made my next appt for 5 weeks, but I have my NL tool and I'm not afraid to use it (hehe). I have every intention to go, but it may be my last for a while.

I'm in the process of analyzing the one lock I did to the rest to make sure I didn't miss anything. Around week 4 I will try doing a couple to make sure I got the hang of it.
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Month 5 and Counting!!!

I notice my fellow bloggers counting there months differently. This is my take, installation 3/18:


Mos 1. March 18-April 18

Mos. 2 April 19 - May 18

Mos. 3 May 19-June 18

Mos 4 June 19-July 18

Mos 5 July 19-Aug 18



So as I see it as of today 7/22 I am in my 5th month!!! Wohoo to me, I know many people doubted me!!! Yet daily more and more compliments are coming and I have an inner confidence I never had before.

In these five months I have learned a few things.

1. I'm not as consumed by styling my hair. I let it do its own thing I get up spritz with plain water take a bobby pin clip a piece and walk out the door.

2. I've stopped putting oils or anything for that matter because my locks no longer feel crunchy. The natural oils do what they need to.

3. Hair growth is natural, as long as you learn no fuss no must!

4. Although I have SL's each lock is different. And mt locks are different from another wearer of SL's.

5. My natural hair is very thick hence close to 600 locks!! Since it was always shedding with a perm I never knew.

What have you learned?
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Braid outs...

Yesterday, I had my annual BBQ at my parents house (which is always rated the best BBQ ever) and I had a classic braid out which everyone loved. I forget how easy it is to do and wear that style and have a stylish do for days. I think the length is helping as well. Here are some texture shots as well as a picture of my brother and I who looks more like my twin at the BBQ, before the festivities begun....