I Made My Own Hair Tie

Because I am a DIYer, I wanted to attempt to make my own hair tie. I knew it couldn't be that hard. I found out that it was easier than making a necklace. The circular design was originally purchased as a pair to make earrings, purchased at Michaels. It's hard to tell because of the bright reflections but its inscribed with the words "Be True To Yourself" and the toggle clasp (also purchased from Michaels) is inscribed with the word "smile". I used a 1mm elastic black cord which is kind of thin so I had to double it up. Next time I'll buy a thicker cord. Again sorry about the reflection, I couldn't get my camera to work the way I wanted.

Curls using pipe cleaners

Here are some pics after I curled my hair using pipe cleaners purchased from Michaels. I damped my hair just a little and applied Motions Foaming Wrap Lotion. There were a few pieces that I left out so I just pin curled those and they held just as tight as the curls that the pipe cleaners produced. To produce pin curls I just wrapped my hair around a pen (a pencil will do also) slide it out, hold with your finger and then secure with a bobby pin. The curls were very tight the first day but I just allowed them to fall naturally. They lasted for a 1.5 weeks and that's because I need to wash my hair. I'm sure they would have lasted at least 2 weeks.

Washing Little Me's Hair

Here is "little me" getting her hair washed. Her bath seat makes the process really easy for both of us. I wash her hair with black soap or Olive Oil Shampoo. As you see I don't braid and band and her hair hasn't unraveled much. During the summer months I wash her hair once a week but during the cold months I only wash it twice a week.

Voting For The Presidency

Voter turn out has been great this election year. I know of individuals who have never voted before in their life, that have voted for the very first time in this election. My 82 yr. old grandmother is one of them. It's not good that they haven't used their voting power in the past but I'm glad they decided to do it this time around. From the elderly to the very young many are interested in today's politics for the reason being the failing economy or the fact that history is in the making. I remember as a kid not thinking about the economy just having fun without worries economy woes. I think issues of today are forcing many people young and old to grow up.
Well, the day is nigh and we will have a new president. Let us remember that no matter who is chosen that God is still in control. Let us remember who our source is and who we look to for all of our help. Yes, we each have our own pick of who we want but no matter who it will be, we must always be in prayer for them during their entire term of service and that they are led by the holy spirit in all their decision making. Let us remember Obama's grandmother who passed away this afternoon and keep his entire family in prayer. I was hoping that she would be here until after the election but when God says it's time who are we to argue?
For those who haven't voted yet please please please get out their and make your vote count.

Combined Locs

Okay, I said to myself that I wouldn't combine any locs because I Loved the size that I created. Okay....well....now I'm taking it back. I noticed some locs that were thinning in the front and a few on the sides towards the crown of my head that were waaaayyyy smaller than the neighboring locs. So I joined them together and I like the new size. I see more definition and I think they may loc faster. I will say this I won't make them any bigger than they are now. That's my word and I'm sticking to it! :)
Okay, I found another way to combine locs on Youtube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gURRfqU1wi4&feature=related

The Newest and Youngest Loc'd Member of My Family

Yes, this is my baby, Lay-Lay. She's two years old (28 mos.) and she's my little miracle. I'm in the process of creating a blog about her. She was born prematurely and has been living with Cerebral Palsy. She has it but it doesn't have her. She's so determined and strong willed. We've already proclaimed healing in Jesus' name!!!!! Don't get me started praising the Lord all up and thru this blog!!!!! Oh well it's too late. :)

Okay....minutes later....I degress.......Intyway........mommy has loc'd the baby up early. My baby was blessed with a lot of hair.........whatintheworld!!!!!

Look at her trying to get into stuff!!!!

Post 6 Month Anniversary

Not too much has changed since my last pic until now. There are moments when I wish my hair would hurry up and loc on the ends. I consider myself a patient person and I admit that I still love my curly ends most of the time. Most importantly, I'm still enjoying the freedom of my braidlocs.

I've Been Tagged!

Here are the rules:
1. Link to the person that tagged you.....

2. Post the rules on your blog
3. Share 6 non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself that have not been shared already
4. Tag 6 random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs
5. Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

I was tagged by

Saabira: http://saabira8.blogspot.com/
Anthia-ofo: http://ofoslocs.blogspot.com/

locmocha: http://locmocha.blogspot.com/

black doll: http://virtuous-sisterlocks.blogspot.com/ all at the same time. Is it cheating to wrap it all up at one time?

Six non-important things/habits/quirks about myself........

1. I Love sweets. I add sugar to things that just aren't natural like green beans, pinto beans, soup. I know I need to cut back. I'm trying y'all. That might be why I can't lose the fat around my waist. It's not cute to be petite with a fat stomach. I'm not in denial, I keep it covered.

2. I like to sing, write poetry, songs and admire and make art (jewelry).

3. I'm a bill hoarder. It's hard for me to throw them away....I feel one day I'm going to need them but I know I won't.

4. I dislike cooking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But I love to eat good home cooked meals. Isn't that crazy.

5. I am a procrastinator. I'm trying to do better. Help me Lord!!!!!

6. I like to watch cartoons....especially my childhood cartoons not this generations. Y'all remember Tweety and Sylvester, Roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote, Bugs bunny, Daffy, Elmer Fud, the Smurfs, on and on and on and on. They take me back and away from the frustrations of today.

Tag You're It!!!!!!!!!!

http://happilynappilynish.blogspot.com/

http://naturalandlovinit.blogspot.com/

Due to my lack of time I wasn't able to complete my list but I'm sure I'll get the opportunity when I'm tagged again. There were people I wanted to tag but they had been tagged recently and I didn't want to take them through it again so soon.

I can see some actual growth now!

at 4 months

at 5 months

Can you see a difference?

Before and After Retightening

Fuzzy roots before retightening

After retightening

African Black Soap aka Alata Soap

Okay, I'm sure most of you have heard about black soap. I've been reading about it on different blogs and decided to do my own research. What I found was that it could be really beneficial for myhair and skin. I did say I was trying to go towardsnatural products and away from chemicals so why not give it try. I found an African grocery store that sells it. During my research this is a little of what I've learned:

Brief summary of Organic African Black Soap: This is the type of Black Soap intended for use on sensitive skin and hair. African Black Soap - Traditionally made in Ghana, West Africa (this kind is also made in Nigeria, West Africa) Totally organic, this black soap is the REAL thing! The major difference between this and the some other Black Soaps is that it does not contain fragrance, which some skin types are sensitive to. Black Soap is also known as Anago Soap or Alata Soap in Ghana, and as Ose Dudu in Nigeria. Our Black Soap is made from roasted cocoa (chocolate) pods, plantain skins ashes mixed with palm oil. Black Soap is especially recommended for the very young and the elderly, or anyone with tender skin. It leaves the skin smooth and soft. We have added the moisturizing pure African shea butter. Raw Black Soap is prized for its quality antiseptic properties and for its gentleness on the skin and hair.


If you haven't used this soap before, it's a little bit crumbly in nature and softer than most soaps. It has a delicate texture & a natural earthy smell. It is not oily or scented. Black Soap or African Black Soap also known as Anago Soap or Alata soap, originates from West Africa. It has been used for centuries in countries like Ghana and Nigeria. It's methods and secrets have been passed down from generation to generation to keep the soap close to mother nature and avoid exploitation & imitations. This African Black Soap is not the mass produced African Black Soap in boxes all over the market.

(original state)

I cut off a piece of the soap and formed it into a ball. When its dry it's crumbly but once you add a little water its easy to shape. I took this picture to get a contrast shot of the black soap compared to a regular bar of Dove soap.

Okay now after using it I found that my skin is softer, especially on my face. I'm very sensitive and break out easily. It's sooooo gentle and leaves your skin squeaky clean...I mean no residue left behind. No it doesn't have a lovely fragrance but it does have a clean natural smell. You can put on the "smell goods" afterwards.

I also washed my hair with it and my hair feels pretty good but it does anyway after a wash. No complaints. Here are some pics of my hair after washing it with the black soap. I think I will see more results once I start using it on a regular basis. The purpose was to try a natural product...I did and I like.

Hair Products

I will admit I'm not committed to one product. I will switch it up in a heart beat. Whatever works I will use. I am trying to go more towards natural products and away from chemicals found in most shampoos and moisturizers. I've mentioned some of the products that are in the pics on the post labeled "hair maintenance". I've added two other products, Olive Oil Formula by Palmers and Olive Oil Shampoo by Organics to the list. After a wash I'll choose one spray product to use for that week and stick with that. I do this to avoid build up. One day I will find one product and commit to it.

Styles

Braid out on slightly damp hair w/o products

Updo

Try'n som'tin different

Almost there

Here braids have swollen and there's much shrinkage. Curly q's are still present. The back is definitely loc'n faster.

Maintenance

Maintaining locs are pretty simple in my opinion.

Washing:
I wash my hair every 7-10 days. I use Creme of Nature shampoo and when I have to battle dandruff I use Head and Shoulders. For the first three months I banded every time I washed by placing the bands from root to tip instead of braiding. Since the fourth month I have only been separating them with band at the root. I've tried to wash without banding but it seemed to create more frizz. Maybe it's just because I've entered in the frizz stage. I didn't wash it like that again just in case I was the cause.

Moisture:
I don't apply a lot of heavy products because I want my hair to loc faster. I have looser curl pattern in the front and sides of my hair and it may take a while for my ends to seal. I feel if I use too much moisture my ends will be curly while the back is loc'd. Anyway, I've been using Nature's Shine Organic Root Stimulator, African Pride's Braid Sheen Spray w/Tea Tree & Peppermint Oil and Softsheen-Carson's Sta-Sof-Fro's Hair & Scalp Spray conditioner with Lanolin. I only use one product at a time and I only apply maybe 2-3 times a week when needed. I also spritz my hair with a little water now and again when I'm trying to get rid of bed head.

Styling:
I've only curled my braidlocs a few times. I've used small perm rods, soft curlers (the ones with the wires to tie) and pipe cleaners. The down fall with the pipe cleaners is that the material sheds from the wire. So get a color close to your own hair color. They all get the job done.
I've also worn braid outs and plenty of updo's. Next time I do it I'll take a pic and post it.
I mainly free style most of the time to prevent too much manipulation (like Mr. Brown would say "manipudip") so my hair will loc faster.

Night:
I cover my head with a satin cap or with a black nylon scarf. Most nights I separate my hair with bands to keep my locs stretched out to prevent shrinkage.

Retightening:
Latchhook. I'm going to try to make my own tool using cooper. I've seen it on Youtube and it looks so much like the nappy tool I've seen on line. I'm all about saving money. I'll post it when I actually do it and find that it works.

Color:
I want to color my hair but I don't want to slow down the loc'n process. Actually I like the hair color left on the ends of my hair. I've been advised to wait at least a year before I color.

Preloc'd days

In The Beginning

My locs were installed on March 4th thru March 6th, 2008. Yes it took me three days to complete! I decided to do it over the span of three so it would be a stress free process but it still was stressful trying to get those parts straight. I think my head is crook-ed. I asked for help from my mom and my 12 year old daughter. Yes, they could part a straight line but it was diagnal. So again I had to depend on me to get the job done. I can see where I got tired on some of the braids because they are bigger than desired but hey I can live with it as is. I felt so liberated after it was completed. I felt I had made the right choice. People saw my braids and said they were cute but commented on the take down process. Of course I wasn't taking them down, which I shared with some folks and others I just didn't feel like they would understand what I was doing and why I was doing it. I retighten every 4-6 weeks. The first time was purely experimental but I was determined to do it myself because I couldn't afford to allow anyone else to maintain them. During my perm days I always did my own touch ups and my own sets, wraps and up do's. When I was younger my mom couldn't afford to send me and my sister to the beauty parlor that often so I had to learn to profect the styling process myself and I did without breaking or having my hair fall out from poor management of my hair with chemicals. Well, prior to loc'n I did research on the net for a couple of months and found so many helpful sites. Now, four months later I feel loc'd.