Turbie Twist, Product Review

One of my favorite products to use after washing my Sisterlocks is the Turbie Twist.   It's a super absorbent soft hair towel that absorbs excess water.  It's comfortable and easy to use.  Most importantly, no lint worries.  And the costs - less than $5.  I like to give as gifts to my new Sisterlocks clients.  You can find at Sally's, Bed Bath & Beyond, Ross and occasionally, WalMart.   Check out their website for more retailers.

I towel dry locks, separate, moisturize, then use Turbie Twist to absorb additional water until I'm ready to set locks.  I find my locks dry faster because the Turbie Twist absorbs more moisture.

It's also great lock protection working around the house, in the yard or when you just want them out of the way. 

On those rare lazy days when I allow myself to vegetate, turn off the phone, log off fb, twitter and Instagram to do nothing but lay around, eat and watch a Housewives marathon - it's me, my couch, the DVR and my Turbie Twist.  I own three: white, pink and yellow.

Kofi ~ Sisterlocks 8yr/7m

Consultant:  Gretchel "Gigi" Johnson, Dallas | Fort Worth, TX

Hairstyle:  Caruso Steam Curler Set

Pipe Cleaner Set

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope 2014 will be all that you hoped for and more.

I experimented with a pipe cleaner set for the first time, an inexpensive, protective hair style that last for weeks.  You can purchase 100 pipe cleaners for under $4 at Michaels, Hobby Lobby and most craft stores. I've provided step-by-step details of the process.

NOTE:  Not recommended for the newly locked.  The end of the pipe cleaners can tend to snag locks.

10-Day Old Pipe Cleaner Set

I found this great pipe cleaner set tutorial (click here) by ChescaLocs on YouTube . Although she has traditional locks, I modified her steps omitting the gel and the twisting.

Kofi's Steps

1.  Washed and conditioned with Avalon Lemon Clarifying Shampoo & Conditioner; 

2. Moisturized with small amounts of jojoba and coconut oil;

3.  Towel dried hair;

4.  Followed tutorial with damp locks, omitting gel.  I did not use setting lotion.  

5.  3-6 locks per pipe cleaner in front; 6-10 locks in back.  Total roll time approximately 45-minutes.

6.  Left pipe cleaners in over night.  (It's vital that locks be COMPLETELY DRY before removing pipe cleaners.)

Set last for 14 days or more or until washed.  I wore a lock sock at night and did nothing each morning. 

Pipe Cleaner Set

Week 1 - Removed pipe cleaners and did nothing for a protective style. 

Protective Style

    

Week 2 - Separated locks for an extremely tight curl.  Perfect for up do's. 

Separated locks for tight curls

 

Pipe Cleaner Up Do

Pipe Cleaner Up Do

For New Year's Eve, I softened the curls by setting dry locks with the Caruso Steam Curlers for a soft, feminine, curly style.

10-Day Old Pipe Cleaner Set, Softened with Caruso Steam Curlers

Here I am at 14 plus days, still lots of body and curls.  Time to wash and decide how I'd like to style my Sisterlocks next.  Or perhaps, I'll wash and do absolutely nothing; that's the beauty and simplicity of Sisterlocks!  (Click any photo for greater detail.)  

A video pictorial of my Pipe Cleaner process.  

BlaqKofi's Inaugural 2014 Calendar Order Now!

I'm proud to offer my inaugural 2014 BlaqKofi wall calendar full of detailed natural hair photos. Makes a great gift and provides natural hair inspiration throughout the year.

Order yours today for only $17.95 + shipping and handling.

Kofi, Certified Sisterlocks Consultant

Life Coach

Motivational Speaker

(Click photo for greater detail)

Eight years ago yesterday, I discovered the beauty and freedom of Sisterlocks.  Gretchel "Gigi" Johnson in the Dallas/Ft Worth area installed approximately 469 locks over a two-day, 12 hr period.  

It was the beginning of a love affair, not only with my natural hair, but with my inner self. I love them as much today as I did 8 years ago. Sisterlocks, not a hairstyle, but a lifestyle. Thank you, Dr. Cornwell!

Kofi's Sisterlocks

Locked:  June 9-10, 2005

Consultant:  Gretchel "GiGi" Johnson, TX

A Vocal Tribute to Little Angels, RIP

Click here for a beautiful vocal tribute to the little angels of Sandy Hook Elementary

A Tribute to My Ethiopian Queens

QueenM & QueenN

Two years ago I had the honor of locking my first and only child clients.  They were two little Ethiopian queens new to the United States and our world.  Read my blog post of our beginning and how their adoptive mom found me here.

Yesterday, I completed their last retightenings before the girls and their family relocate to another state.  I'm so blessed to have been a part of their lives.  They have such authentic joy and in turn spread it to those around them.  No matter what mood I was in before, I was always happy to see the girls, buoyed by their energy and reluctant to see them go.  They in turn always wanted to take me home with them.  Were it not for the two hour distance, I'm certain I would have been happily adopted as well.

We spent countless hours watching movies.  As each took their turn in my chair, they couldn't wait to introduce me to their movie choice.  I learned so much from watching these movies with them. And when their entire family made the trip, it was like being with my family.  

Each holiday was a new experience for the girls and they were always anxious to share it with me.  Read about just one of their expressions of love to me here.   On yesterday, our last day together, once again they came bearing gifts and cards - impatiently waiting for me to open them.

The Queens & Kofi - our last retightening.

QueenN's Install Day

QueenM's Install Day

QueenM & QueenN

QueenN

QueenM

The Queens Over Two Years

As I wrote in 2010... "when QueenN and QueenM look at me as an African-American woman, I want them to see WHAT their locks can become AND the limitless possibilities of WHO they can become ~ that is my highest honor."  In a day and time when our innocent little ones are being sacrificed like lambs, it's healing to my heart to witness the love of this family.  A heartfelt thank you to Susan, Jeff, Noah, Gideon, Naomi and Mary for allowing me to be a part of your journey and your family.  It has been my highest honor.  And to the girls, we'll see each other again, "pinky swear."  ~Love, Kofi

The girls & their family.  First install day, 2010.

Today I Voted

Today I voted
No one told me I cldn’t

Today I voted
I didn’t have to march
I didn’t have to go to jail
I didn’t even have to sit in

Today I voted
My clothes are dry
No power hoses in sight

Today I voted
No menacing dogs
And their ferocious bites

Today I voted
I wasn’t cursed,
beat, or killed

Today I voted
for the brave before me
Today I voted for them

 And today I voted
for him…

~Kofi


Mr. President

Trim

Last October I got my locks layered.  This October, I decided on a trim.  Why trim my locks?

Trimming is done for various reasons including:

• Improving the appearance of locks
• Making locks even
• Preventing split ends
• Eliminating split ends
• Getting rid of damage
• Adds ease of styling

Our locks do not grow uniformly.  Each lock grows independent of the others.  The first two pics below are after the trim and retightening.  The third pic is prior to the trim.  Notice the uneven, scraggly ends. The ends of our locks are the oldest and therefore, require extra attention and care.  Although only 1/4 to 1/2 an inch was trimmed, my locks feel so much lighter and look much healthier. 

Typically a hair trim involves 1/2 to an inch of hair and should only be done after locks have settled.  Please discuss with your consultant prior to trimming or cutting locks.   

After trim

After trim and retightening

Prior to trim and retightening

Kofi's Vacation ~ Photos & Video

Hello world... I am Kofi.  

Life is great and

I'm still lovin' my Sisterlocks!

I invite you to enjoy photos and a video from my recent Caribbean vacation.  It was special on so many levels:  my first vacation with my biological sister, Gladys; having my first client, Monica traveling with us, and so much more that I will share in upcoming posts.  It was simply an amazing time of sun, fun, food, discovery, sisterhood and Sisterlocks.

I had a joyous time taking photos and making new friends.  It was a humbling experience to meet several of my readers, many who have followed me for years.  Thank you so much, Laura for the invitation and thanks to all of the sisters for showing Kofi such loving energy. 

To my sis, Gladys.  We can roll together anytime!    

So, so much to share with my readers.  I'll post detailed photos and share more in the coming weeks about all that's happening in my Blaq world.  And, of course, my perspective on all things Sisterlocks.

Introducing:  LaKia, "Naturally, of Course" Sisterlocks Consultant, Maryland.  A Natural Awakenings reader and new friend.  The inside matches the outside, not to mention those slammin' Sisterlocks.

Until next time...remember

 Life is to be enjoyed - not endured.

~Kofi

Kofi's Locks - 7yrs

iRock Sisterlocks!

Week old retite - remnants of 2-day old Caruso Set

Kofi

I know you didn't give up on Kofi.  Still here, increasing my level of consciousness, learning to live my life out loud and help others do the same.  Evolving from BlaqKofi to Kofi.  More in love with my Sisterlocks than ever.  Well...you see why, THEY ARE SLAMMIN'!!!!     

Join me for the next chapter of Natural Awakenings...

New posts coming soon!

Caruso Curl Set
(Click photos for greater detail)

• Washed, conditioned & moisturized locks
• Air dry naturally
• Set with Caruso Curlers
• Roll Time: 10-15 min (Practice & you'll get faster.)
• Setting Time: 10-15 minutes
• Total time: 30
  
  One of my favorite sets.
  Pros: Fast, soft curls, shows more of true length
  Cons: Set last 1-2 days

 

 *Please follow your Consultants guidance regarding product use.

**Carusos are not useful or effective during the "plumping or fat" stage of the lock process. 

Kofi's Sisterlocks 7yrs

A Greater Good (Off Topic)

RIP Trayvon Martin

Your coming and going was for a greater good.

Traveling Sisterlocks

I recently had the privilege of retightening two guests, Lisa and Kim from Little Rock, Arkansas, who are regularly maintained by the one-and-only Certified Sisterlocks Consultant, Theo Jennings of Memphis, Tennessee.  Ladies, I enjoyed your spirits and your beautiful Sisterlocks.  

It was the weekend of the "Traveling Sisterlocks" as I serviced clients from Arkansas, Kansas and Texas.  Today, I feature and salute them for their commitment to natural freedom, to Sisterlocks and to BlaqKofi.  It is an honor and I thank you.