Pattern Change

An interesting question was posed to me the other day about my pattern change.  As you recall I changed from a Pattern 4 to a Pattern 3 sometime ago, you can read the reasoning here (just click, "here").  Now the question was very simple:

noticed you started with a 4 pattern and now use the 3. As a result, have you noticed a difference in the size or appearance of your locks?

I must say that I have not noticed a difference in the width of the lock at all and its now been close to a year and a half since I did change the pattern. I took a picture to see if there is a difference, you tell me?

Two locks in the left front side

 They actually look thinner at the root to me, but I know that's also due to them still being in the pattern and not locked yet so they haven't swelled. 

2nd Retightening at Strandz

As you know I have been extra lazy on wanting to do my own retightening so I went back to Strandz over the weekend for my retightenting. There was some confusion as to the time of my appointment, but it got straightened out and a different person did my retightening for me (the issue with going to salons, when you DIY no time confusion). Anyway, although I ended up with a different girl doing it who talked (and stopped as she was talking), she also had to stop to style someones' hair (which came out like FIAH), and talked some more it took her 3 hours. Just imagine if she didn't chat so much. In any event, this time around I got a style and it's nothing fancy but it's a change. I put some perm rods in for the curl in the back, I'm not overly thrilled with it but hey it will probably only last a few days because my head is feeling a bit tight. The one thing I did take out were the two twists on the side, I looked like I was 15! Now I look 17!

Additionally, I do wanna state is that Strandz can really do some natural hair. The styles that ladies are walking out with are FIAH, and they know how to care for natural hair as well. The shampoo they used and I don't know what it was had my scalp tingling nicely and then in the end my locks are so nice and soft. I loved it!

With all that, I made my next appointment for four weeks out :-). Summertime just doesn't feel right with me sitting in the house in the evening tightening my hair, I'm just going to have someone do it for me for at least July and August..unless they get on my bad side :-)

Retightening done by Strandz..

Memorial day is here and I decided that I didn't want to DIY for my retightening this time around because I was hosting a BBQ that was going to take the majority of my evenings. So I made an appt with a salon in NJ called Strandz, they have no website but I went on yelp.com and read only 2 reviews which weren't the best, but I heard from word of mouth that they do good work. I went on Friday and got my retightening done in less than 2.5 hours and I was shocked that she did it so quickly. The previous times the trainees did them they all took 4+ hours, needless to say I was pleased with that fact alone. I didn't get any styling because what was offered I knew I wouldn't like it. In any event, I had a new lock installed in the area that I lost one a while back and all the stray hairs I was mentionining before is actually not new hair growing apparently I have been doing my tightenings too tight and causing my hair to break. I'm glad I went so that I now know that I can correct it ASAP. I already scheduled my next retightening for the end of June because I'm going on a girls trip and I don't want to spend a week doing my hair at that point either. I'm feeling quite lazy with that these days, maybe because its summertime and I have better things to do then be stuck in the house retightening my hair in the evenings I want to be out and about enjoying the weather. My color is looking even better in the sun and I have no plans to color it anytime soon but I'm appreciating it more and more as it grows in, and the only styling I've been doing is bantu knots they haven't been lasting all that long but I like the looser curl which hangs a bit better ... from the senorita picture.

And another one

I finished my full head retightening on Thursday morning and I combined a lot more locks because I've noticed that a few were thin and needed to be combined.  I'm still using a 3 pt rotation and I'm finding that even at a 4 week cycle I have to do more than one rotation so I know that my hair is still growing at the same pace as before.  For the locks that I did combine I'm debating if I should sew the strands together so that they lock together.  I don't know about that one because its currently not noticeable.  Going through each lock it seems as though they have really plumped up on the ends.  A lot of them in the back and middle have locked halfway up the lock and I'm really excited to see this change happening.  Although I don't think they will get much bigger I don't want them too because I really love the size of them now.

I washed my hair put my trusty lock loops in and was happy with the results.  A friend of mine who had traditional locks told me about a new styling technique.  Basically curl around your finger and clip, almost like a pin curl with some gel.  I'm going to use mousse instead and see how that comes out.  Of course pics will be posted.  Till next time.

Getting Faster

I have yet to wash my hair, put some braids in, use some rollers (lock loops or sponge rollers).  Lazy is not the word, but I did complete my retightening.   I started on Monday and I finished about an hour or so ago.  I'm down to completing it in 3 days.  Now 3 days is about 9 hours still, because I'm working 3 hours more/less a day.  However, I definitely feel more comfortable moving around and I don't have to use as many clips to hold locks out the way, I can literally feel the lock and even what direction I need to go in from the feel.  Yes, yes, yes this is coming along great!!   Here are some pics of what my hair is looking like now (nothing special), I'm going to do some quick cornrows to hold me over for the remainder of the work week.

Another One Bites the Dust...

I decided to approach my retightening a little different this go around and I sectioned my hair off in four (lower half of the back, crown, right side, left side).  So I started on Monday and completed a section each night, I really didn't check how many hours it took because I was stopping for anything and everything.  I just wanted to finish off a section every night.  This go around my index finger isn't throbbing from the tool, and I didn't intertwine as many locks as my last retightening, learning my lesson :-).  It is definitely getting easier and I'm also getting more proficient in it, I can tell which rotation I left off on just by feeling the lock and I don't need a mirror or as many clips to keep the locks surrounding the one I'm working on from getting caught.  Right now I'm on a 4 week schedule and I get close to two rotations so I may push my schedule to every 3 weeks, but that might be a little too frequent (more than my mos cycle) LOL!!  

Now this is the first time I washed my hair right after doing a retightening and it actually felt so soothing to have the water run through my hair with the roots being tight.  The benefit of this is I didn't have to separate because there is no new growth to matte together, it was great!

So I'm now an official DIY'er!!

Man down!!!! Don't pop hair while retigthening..

Man down!!!! I've actually lost one of my locks. In actuality I cut it out because it was literally hanging on by 4 strands of hair, which you can see at the beginning of the lock. So how did it happen you ask....well I explained that on my first retightening I did for myself with the NL tool I kept pulling neighboring locks in the new growth. When I did do that and I was unable to pull it out I would pop the hair (yeah bad idea) because in this case it only left a few strands of for the lock to hold on to.  I didn't notice this until I retightened the 2nd time and I just left it hoping that enough hair would grow and I can retighten. That was wishful thinking because even though I have new growth I didn't know how tighten it with just a few strands and then new growth. Although its been holding on for close to two months I didn't want it to one day drop out as I was walking so I cut it and started a new lock with the new growth. With a "man down" I was able to inspect the lock much closer which started intertwining so I'm so happy that my hair is well on its way to locking!!

Lesson learned don't pop my hair when retightening!! And since noticing this I'm even more cautious when separating.

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Feeling Lopsided

I took this picture yesterday and it is clearly obvious that my right side is noticeably longer than the left side. Unfortunately, I cannot do anything about it and I wonder if the left side has more shrinkage. When I wash my hair this week I will be able to tell more so, but whatever it is it has me feeling a little self-conscious. Unlike with permed hair, I can't just pull the scissors out and even it all up, for now my solution will be to start rolling my hair again or wearing the back up. I will figure something out tonight, but how weird is that. Its like all of a sudden there is a drastic difference.

All done!!

I am complete with my second DIY retightening. This marks my 5th retightening since having SL's in a little less than 6 months. The back definitely had the most new growth, took the longest, and caused me the most trouble because of the new growth. I still pulled in some of the neighboring new growth in when retightening with the SL tool, but it was easier to find the entry point and remove it. Since the back takes the longest, for my next retightening I'm going to start there.

One thing that was clear is that my right side is longer than my left. I constantly pull and play with my hair on the left side while driving I hope this is not causing to slow the growth on that side.

I was able to get through a full rotation and with some 2 rotations so for now I'm going to stick with a 4 week cycle and see how that goes.

I am so proud of myself I must say!!!! Retightening definitely takes patience and what I call "sticktuitiveness" (aka commitment). Lol!!!

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DIY-Rocks!!

Say what!!! I finished my right side in under 2 hours!!! I didn't really want to go out with half a side of my head tightened, so I started at 830 and finished a little before 1030. I'm getting the hang of this!!! Oh yeah!!! Since I have no major plans I may tackle the back of my head tonight.
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DIY Retightening #2

So tonight I was ready to put in a good four hours or more to retighten a section of my hair. I started on my left side @ 630 and I was finished by 930. I stopped for about 15 minutes, but to my surprise I was flying through my rows. I think it had all to do with not having to "thread" each lock when I was ready to tighten (see my previous DIY post).


What I found out is with the SL tool I didn't have problems like I did with the NL tool of pulling another lock through or even catching some of the new growth. This of course sped up my session and saved time trying to remove one lock from another. Surprisingly enough, even though I didn't separate my hair after washing it earlier this week I didn't find a section that I had to pop...that is at least on the left side.


I cannot stress how much better I like using the SL tool than the NL tool. At this rate I should be done in another 6 hours. Lol!! 6 hours still sound like a lot but compared to my first try of 5 days and about 3-4 hrs each day this is progress!!!

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5 days and I'm D-O-N-E!!

Whew!!! I'm finally done. I can't believe its finished my 4th retightening and I did it myself!!! It took a total of 5 days to finish I skipped Thursday because I was pooped from the gym! I can definitely do this going forward, but I have to report that I lost one to the struggle!! Yes, the struggle!!! "What happened was" I caught another lock while pulling it through the new growth and when I tried to get it out I "broke" the new growth to the 2nd lock and it was too thin to stand on its own. So, all I could do was combine them, and with that I've also lost a part!!!! Ugh! I'm a bit upset with myself because neither lock was thin and didn't need combining. However it was a learning lesson and while we are at it here is what I have learned for the next time:



1. Be patient -can't be done in a day (or 2)

2. Take your time while retightening

3. Keep duck clips positioned

4. Keep a mirror handy

5. Its much easier to separate after washing my hair rather than when retightening.



I can't wait to see what else I learn in the retightening class. :-)





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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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Taking the Retightening class

A Sista Who Locked brought up a good question:

Why are you still taking the class? It looks like you have it down

For me, since the SL's are a trademarked locking technique/system I feel that I should respect the integrity of it. I have made the commitment (mentally/financially) in my SL's so I feel I should learn the proper way to retighten my locks. Plus I feel that since I haven't had them even six months yet (a few days away though) that I should just make sure. Although, I do have the technique down from the wealth of information given on the web and it will get easier and faster as time goes on, but there are two things that I know can change from using the NL tool to the SL tool. For the NL tool you have to:

1. Thread the NL tool (for each lock)which is time consuming.
2. You actually have to pull the NL tool through the new growth for each turn.
3. As my locks swell from locking I may have to purchase the larger sized one.

With the SL tool or even the latch hook you don't have to do the first two things. You push the tool through the new growth wrap the lock around it and then pull through like crocheting (lol) which has to be much faster. Even still after taking the class I will have the option of using either tool and I will be 100% certain that I'm doing the correct pattern and rotation for my hair.

Whats your thoughts on it?

Day 2 in who knows how many!!!

Well, another two hours in to my retightening and its coming along well. What a tedious process that I have embarked on but I'm loving the feeling of self satisfaction. After I was done I can see the change in my locks (i.e the length, the density). As I'm retightening I can feel the difference in some locks, I can see, well feel if my hair is growing thin by the root and what areas has a growth spurt. I probably won't be done with my whole head until Friday, but honestly I don't think another consultant will see me for a retightening. Its definitely not about the price, but I feel accomplished by doing this for myself.....
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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.

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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2nd Retightening Pics

I haven't done anything with my hair since my retightening besides a little spritz but styling has been just a freestyle with a braidout if you can even see from Friday. Going forward I'm going to make sure that when I get my retightenings that my middle part is prevalent so that for the few days that its tight I have a look I can wear. I don't know if you all experience a bit of stiffness the first few days after that you can't place your looks anywhere.....as I looked in the mirror this morning I said "I LOVE MY HAIR"!!!!

My Parts are Back...2nd Re-tightening

After 5 hours and 45 minutes I am now complete with my 2nd re-tightening. It was 7 weeks in since my last one and I have no plans to go that long again. I had one slip out and I actually put it back in myself I don't think I can do it again if I tried. I didn't lose any locks but two were combined in this session my consultant felt one was just too thin. Other than that my re-tightening went as planned. I asked about coloring my tips and my consultant felt that 6 months would be safe, so another few months for that. Who knows by that point I may actually change my mind. Its been so long since I had my hair done that the tightness of my scalp feels good. The picture is on the ride home. Better ones to come once I take my cornrows out, but I see that my locks look fuller this time around.



On another note, last night I washed my hair and used the last of my SL starter shampoo so I purchased the Jamaican Mango and Lime tingle shampoo. I figure its made for traditional locks and have no detangling ingredients so I should be in good shape. Have any of you used any other shampoo besides the SL?









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Pics

The first picture is of me the morning after my re-tightening can you see the difference in length just from my bang alone. Woohoo!!! I'm excited to start documenting my length and hopefully I can retain it all.

The second picture is my second attempt with my Lock Loops. I feel like I'm from the Dorothy Dandridge (spelling) era, but I love the look. I want to try rolling them all going vertical so I can get more of a drop curl look. Results to come....

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