Products for Sisterlocks

During the holiday break I purchased a few hair accessories and products.

Large Soft Spike Curlers - looser curl. Not as comfortable to sleep in as the small ones. They may take longer to soften because they're thicker, or I'm not rolling them right. Time will tell. Remember how sponge rollers become softer with use? Same thing... Someone on LockItUp questioned if she should toss them after use. Despite their look, they are quite durable and reuseable - just like the old sponge rollers. Brunsli's (see December 14 post) in love with them and wears the style well.

I'm wearing a large Soft Spike Curl set in this photo of TRA and myself.

Caruso Steam Curlers

- My first one just stopped working one day. Rather than saving $3 and waiting for mail order, I went to Sally's and picked up a new one. This time I purchased the $5.99 insurance which covers it for 3 yrs. I figured a smart thing to do since my first had such a short life. And if it mysteriously starts to work again, cool. I'll have two.

I do enjoy having two sets of curlers (see results in this pic, although the set immediately fell after I got this shot...lol) The curlers themselves have a much shorter life than the old sponge rollers we used to use. Maybe the steam makes them deterioate faster. Be sure and toss them when they began to tear or you'll be picking small pieces of red foam from your locks.

I love the Caruso look, but it doesn't hold as well as my locks become longer. B and Leighann had the same issue with Carusos as their locks grew. Which is why I hope the jumbo ssc become a good alternative.

Sisterlocks Herbal Spray Moisturizer - I wanted to try something for my occassional itchy scalp and see how I liked using a moisturizer once in a while. My scalp and locks felt better after it's use, but I didn't necessarily like the "feel" of having something on my locks. Perhaps it's the mineral oil that's in the hsm, which isn't recommended for natural hair or our scalp. It's important to me to remain as natural as possible and product free. Besides the natural shampoos and conditioners I use, my only product concession has been Lottabody setting lotion. Gigi, my consultant said it was ok for use.

Sisterlocks Moisture Treatment - I use once a month for a deep moisture treatment. Recommend diluting with water for even distribution because it has a cream consistency and a little works well and rinses out easier. Cut the tip off of a color applicator and use to apply or use a spray bottle. I got this suggestion from the "How to wash your Sisterlocks" video. I'm going to go to an every-other-month treatment because it works so well.

Turbie Twist - Recommended by B. I finally got around to buying one. It's inexpensive at Sally's. Maybe $4.99. Works great for drying your locks after a shampoo, wraps easily.

Look for more post soon. I'm iced in on a three day weekend and in a writing mood...

DFW Gathering 2 B Rescheduled - Freezing Rain & Ice

Freezing rain and treacherous ice has caused the rescheduling of this weekend's DFW Sisterlocks Gathering in Waco! I will miss everyone.

Those who confirmed, expect an email from Maryee with rescheduling details.

DFW ladies, keep checking in. I'll have a major announcement regarding a Sisterlocks event in late March. You won't want to miss it.


Peace & blessings,

Blaq

19-Months-To-Da Day & TRA

I've made a tradition of posting on my monthly Sisterloc'versary. This month is particularly special, not only because I have been locked for 1 year and 7 months; but because I got to share it with two of the most beautiful (inside and out), fun, locked sistuhs and friends that I know - my consultant Gigi and my girl TRA!

TRA won't be able to join us in Waco, so it was good to spend a litle time with her while she was getting retightened. She always keeps me rollin! Her braidlocks are thick and beautiful with slammin' highlights. Be sure and check out her blog soon for some great shots we took with my new camera.

Gigi "the director" got this shot of us. She wouldn't allow me to take her pic. I'mo get you though Gigi! I'm grateful to have discovered Sisterlocks, LockItUp and wonderful new friends.

And the Sisterlocks journey continues...

BlaqKofi & TRA

Freestyle, SSC, Caruso's & Mango & Lime

I've settled comfortably into a weekly wash. I actually love washing my hair now. I no longer dread it. I was in the shower on Saturday, somewhat rushing through my shampoo as usual and the light bulb came on! Just as I can't expect to manipulate my natural hair as I did with processed hair, the same holds true for shampooing.

For the first time I actually engaged in the process of patiently shampooing my locks AND enjoying it. (I'll blog more about that in an upcoming post.) It was a very enjoyable experience that took me to a whole new level of appreciation and love for my locks. (I can only imagine it's akin to how those who love retightening their own locks feel.)

I washed with Avalon Lemon Clarifying Shampoo. I use a clarifier every other wash. Avalon works great, is natural, reasonably priced and I can get it at my local Whole Foods. No special trips and no waiting for mail order.

But then I realized that I didn't have any conditioner on hand. I didn't want to use the SL Moisture Treatment since I had just used it last week. (Moisture treatment should only be done once a month.)

I began rummaging through my bathroom cabinets and came across some Jamican Mango & Lime (JML) Protein Conditioner that Brunsli tried, didn't like and mailed to me months earlier. I thought, no other choice. Let's try it.

I was pleasantly, pleasantly surprised. My locks felt very moisturized and soft afterwards. And there was this sheen to them! I didn't even have to use my normal 10-15 drops of jojoba oil. Crickett of LockItUp is a big fan of JML products. Now I understand why. I'm not a product junkie. I'll stick with what works for quite some time until I decide that I'd like to try something new. But I will definitely purchase more of their products - the protein conditioner for sure. Thanks, B!

After a wash, my locks hold a really good curl. I started the week with a freestyle. Then used the jumbo Caruso Steam Curlers to give the locks a loose curl (my favorite look). A couple of days later, I set the locks with soft spike curlers (SSC) with a Lottabody/water solution.

When I set with the SSC, I put my locks up in a pineapple at night and sometimes cover with a silk scarf. The next morning, I finger comb and go. The curls continue to loosen and this style can last a week or more.

I've truly enjoyed playing around with my locks this week. Tonight as I rolled them with bendable curlers, I looked around my bathroom and saw, Caruso's, SSC, bendable curlers, scarves, decorative hair pins & B -ties. I pay as much or more attention to my hair now than I did when I was permed. But it's fun and a joy rather than a chore.

I find myself shopping for hair accessories, scarves, headbands, hair clips and anything fun to jazz up my styles just as I did with permed hair.

That is indeed the beauty of natural hair freedom ladies and gentlmen and, of course, Sisterlocks!