7 months

It is now 7 months (well tomorrow is) since my installation and I had my retightening yesterday.

Out of all the retightenings I have had this was the worse one I couldn't wait for it to be done my head was killing me.  Now you may ask why would it be after 7 months that this was so painful?  Apparently my hair is still soft and is not at the stage it should be at 7 months.  The exact words were "you're hair is in a terrible condition" urhhhh I think to myself what do you mean.  Now to me terrible condition means breakage, dry, brittle.  Surely my lovely hair that only two days ago I was boasting about how lovely it was couldn't be breaking, dry and brittle...but of course I was comparing that statement to the days of relaxers when someone said you hair was in a bad condition they meant just that.  This is not what my consultant meant I soon figured out. What she meant by this statement was that my hair was very soft and every other one she had to be pushing it up from the roots (hence the painful experience) to make it a bit firmer otherwise the locks would be very weak.

Now I was very confused as to why after 7 months it was only now that I was told that my hair was very soft and in a bad condition surely this couldn't have occurred in just 4 weeks?  What had I been doing to it I was asked urhhh nothing different from what I usually do.  Then I mentioned sauna to my friend Naomi who had just finished getting her hair retightened oops who told me to mention sauna... Is that what you have been doing why you hair is like this?  Well ah yeah but only once a month not every week I say guiltily.  No no saunas until your hair is locked nothing no oils no washing nothing.  Oh I say but but I have only washed it once in 7 months I proclaim and I don't go saunas often (I this moment had images of me in the sauna relaxing then in the steam room and coming out all nice and refreshed and thinking what I can't do this until my hair is locked longggggggg).

I don't think my consultant believed me she knew I must have been doing something else...So nearly four hours later and a reprimand that this time OK but next time I will be charged more..I say, could it be the twisting I do.  WHO WHAT twisting WHY my consultant exclaims in horror.   Double oops urrr me I two strand twist it ...WHY...Umm just to give it a different effect....NO if you had told me that before I would have charged you the full amount...But but I have always done this...Well that is probably why it is like that.

Actually the point I was trying to make it that after about three months I started to twist it no often and my hair has never taken so long to retighten.  So why now...I try to think.  My consultant said it is because I washed it.  I think surely not one wash no.  Then I admit that perhaps I have been playing around with it a a bit more this month but this is not because I was disobeying any strict instructions it is because I thought it was OK now at 7 months to be handling it a bit more I promise I wasn't deliberating trying to cause any more work to anyone I say to myself.  I must say I felt like a little dog who had been reprimanded and walked out with my tail between my legs!!! TUT TUT TUT

So this is a lesson to be learnt leave your hair alone let it do its think first (I know it is very difficult not to play with it) but you know if it is going cost me more money and hours of pain then perhaps I can hold off on the bantu knots etc just for a while LOL....

Pssst the above pictures are of my hair after my bantu knots.



And a day after retightening...

To wash or not to wash that is the question

Well sorry to keep you all hanging I nearly forgot....anyway this is how the story goes..

Umm the ends are soft...
It smells
It doesn't smell
Well no not at the moment but sometimes it does...
But there is no dandruff or anything
I know but I need to wash my hair
I'll see if Liz will let you braid and band...

Liz: it is still soft the ends might unravel
It smells
When does it smell after the gym
Yes then and sometimes in between
My husband says it smells
He is only saying that because he knows you haven't washed it...

Liz: ok if you want to wash it this is what you need to do

Yeah, yeah, yeah I got permission to wash my hair I got permission to wash my hair...Don't you think I put up a good argument!!!!! LOL  My husband says but ah nuh your head!!!

Hey I couldn't get to the shop fast enough to buy the T Gel Neutrogena shampoo and elastic bands...I would have washed it as soon as I got home but I had to go out that evening and you know what I actually liked the way it looked and really didn't want to spoil the style...

But Sunday 27 November three days away from 6 months I got out my coloured bands sat down and begun...

Kiss my damn teeth what a palaver...dem stupid little bands kept busting the room look liked a rainbow with multi coloured bands all over it where they kept flying away...30 minutes later with much larger plaits than I was advised I was finally braided and band and water hadn't even touched my head.  Cha....

Anyways in the shower I go and I was like you know what if it unravels it does but I don't think it will...So....ahhhhhhh water on my head how refreshing lovely...ahhh hold on not too long now you don't want to get them to soaking wet...oh my this aint a proper wash...I get out my T Gel shampoo put a little in my head and massage gently as instructed.

Ahhhhhh water on my head again...not too much now...remember ends could unravel damn man I can't enjoy this experience as much as I wanted.  Ohhh just one more wash just one more OK a little massage gently...Here we go again... Lovely.

Out you come now.  Now to take them silly bands off and undo the plaits...Umm actually quite easy to undo.

Blot with a towel and hey shake those locks urrr well I think hey are still locks they look a it like a fuzzy afro....Anyway shake those locks...My son says OK mum yes your hair has grown.

Lets air dry now KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR HAIR!!!

Slowly they dry and I feel each stage umm curly, fizzy, oh dear what will the outcome be...

umm a bit fizzy...but it aint dry yet...

And you know what they came out fine.  No unravelling at all.  It dried fine and kept the same style...Although Liz said no oil I did rub a bit in the middle of my hand and massage the scalp.  The I put a little bit of lavender essential oil in my spray bottle and sprayed my hair in the morning.  Result lovely soft light hair.  I was only advised to wash it the once though and the amount effort it took it may just take another six months before water touches this head again....

SIX MONTHS!!!

Yeah it is my six months anniversary doesn't time....

Progress...well...it has definitely grown and much fuller than when I started off.  Actually I bumped into a woman I always see at the station the other day and she said "oh I am so glad I bumped into you..I am really fed up of my hair I don't know what to do...your hair looks so full and thick.."  I thought me thick hair never...Anyways after blocking up the peoples shop with our sisterlocks' discussion (cost being one of the topics "people say it is too expensive she says") we exchanged numbers and I told her to have a look on the website etc to get an idea of what its all about.  We shall see if she goes ahead.

It makes me wonder sometimes what people are scared of I mean it is your own lovely beautiful natural hair what is the problem...Some say oh it is permanent urrrr yeah it is....I can't change the style urrrrrr yes you can...

This takes me back to the wedding I went to last week...A simple thing like perm rods and there I had a beautiful head of hair.  I spent most of the wedding looking for the natural hairstyles how many did I see?  Not much at all...Not saying the weaves and relaxers didn't look good but hey I felt so good showing my natural hair and nobody could say it didn't look good....

The changes over the last six months...

Well if you look back you can see my cute but hairless look..and if you compare to now well I now have a full head of thick hair.  Over the past six months I have twisted it, brought all the hair bands in the shop you can think of in all different colours and styles...curled it with perm rods..There have been moments when I just look at it and think you know I am going to leave you alone...I ain't going to bother just let you do you think....My iphone is full of pictures of the different stages...Boy have I become vain - its "take a picture of my hair..take a picture of the back"  When will I get bored....

Do I still love my hair?  Definitely yes there are times I think it looks a bit messy but I think that is just me.  There are times I want to put it up and spend all night with hair pins and bobbles only to give up when it just won't stretch to the length I need.  But not one day have I thought I hate this I wish I'd never done it...Every day, every month is different.  A twist over night a few months ago has a different effect to a twist over night now...It changes and will continue to change...

The only thing I dont like is the every increasing amount of silver in my head...yes them dreaded grey hairs and to make it worse my husband keeps pointing them out..."yu hed white like" he said one day...I immediately looked in the mirror to see if I had dropped something white on my head...only to realise he was talking about my grey hair Love you so much hubby!!!!

Well as for the locking process well I think I am a long way off.  I went for my retighening and although Liz said "your hair is coming along Carol" they still said the ends were soft and I still have to stick to 4 months retightening and some of them were still really soft....

OK the big question.  I refrained from asking as soon as they put their hands in my head...I waited until they both finished and at a very quick speed and asked CAN I WASH MY HAIR....

The Wedding

Oh my I have a wedding to go to....what do I do with my hair....and it is a christian wedding too...I can hear them now "she come to wedding wid locks" (face mek up)..plus this weren't to be no youngster wedding that wouldn't be a problem...the bride and bridegroom were 70+.

OK so I thought what to do have to have a different style....so out came my perm rods remember them?  Yeah the good ole leisure curl... I had one of those grew my hair and spots too!!!!

So I sprayed my hair with water and set up my hair with perm rods ...I had already bought a little flower ting to put in somewhere not sure where...

Well the result...

The complete outfit...

So somebody tell me what was I worried about!!!

5 months (well a little over)

Well where have I  been?  My 5 months mark has gone and I haven't done an update.  It is now into the six month and what's happening.

OK I had my retightening on 26 October and it was only 2 and a half hours this time but it was a painful 2 and a half hours.  There I was sitting there next to a woman who was squeaking and wincing every time a lock was done.  I said mine don't hurt - really... I spoke too soon next minute I was the one wincing and pushing up my shoulders - serves me right.  Boy I couldn't wait for it to end.   It looked good though but as per normal I don't look directly into the mirror but wait until I go into the loos to examine my hair - no idea why as looking in the mirror was one of the main things I did when I went to the hairdressers when I use to relax my hair...perhaps I feel I am insulting them by examining my hair as soon as they have done it....

The big question CAN I WASH MY HAIR,  I NEED TO WASH MY HAIR IT SMELLS....Guess what no, the ends are too soft, it will unravel blah, blah, blah, blah.  Next time next time....Hey you have been telling me this since day one next time next time and now 5 months down the line you are still telling me next time....Now although I was adamant I was going to wash my hair no matter what I just couldn't it's like eating the forbidden fruit you just feel someone will be watching you and spying on you and you would feel so guilty for doing so.  I want when I wash my hair to enjoy the experience I don't want to feel guilty as I if I have done something bad...and I want to listen to my consultant I really do....

I don't know what others have experienced but is this right not to wash your hair for 5 months...I have even just read a site that said not washing your hair causes it not to lock...advice please....

Now what is my hair doing I am asking...it is changing yes it is doing that but the front what is going on with the front it is still loose at the ends and fizzy..urghhhh... I also find that depending on how I twist it at night will give me different results in the morning I get too tight curls or loose curls...experiment experiment....

Now last week was the first time since I had my hair sisterlocked that I felt a slight bit of envy when a girl at work came in with her long flowing lace wig and it occurred to me that oh I can't do that now (well I could but I don't think it would sit well)...oh she looks glamourous...I don't feel glam...oh Christmas is coming that's the time when I would get my hair done for Christmas.  Yes I felt a slight twinge of envy...but it didn't last long I went home twisted my hair at night in the morning put on my head band and glam puss I was.....

I know I should enjoy this stage but I really can't wait until it has got a bit harder so I can manoeuvre it bit more you know put it up and all sorts its still a bit too short...but patience is a virtue they say....

4 Months

Well it is now 4 months since installation.  What's new well nothing much it is growing yes is it locking no idea.  The front is still kinda loose but the back isn't.  Went for my retightening and still can't wash it but hey never mind Liz knows best so I aint gonna argue.  I really don't like the way the front is all loose though and doesn't lie flat but I suppose every month is a different phase....

The following pictures were taken about a week before my next scheduled retightening...

I curled my hair with perm rods....

            

Twisted the night before...

And

 

 

After my retight.....

So continue with water spritz I will.....

3 months sisterlocks

Well, well, well 3 months.  Seems like just the other day I was sitting in the chair in my consultants house making this big change and now it is three months.  Doesn't time fly.

How's it been?  Well my hair has changed every month as you can see by my previous pictures.  Although sometimes I wonder if it is doing anything at all!!!  I have had no major problems at all slight itching but nothing drastic.  I have continued to spritz with water for three months - ok occasionally I spray a little of gylcerine and rosewater (introduced to me by my lovely friend Naomi) but only a couple of times.  I have not greased my scalp or spray anything else on my hair.  Can you imagine the state it would have been if I had been putting oils and stuff on my hair -  remember no water apart from the daily spritz has touched this head.

At my last retightening I thought yeah I am going to be able to enjoy the luxury of water runnimg through my hair, washing away two months of sweat and grime, leaving me with sweet smelling hair...OK dream on until the next retightening.  No I was told No still too soft wait.  Oh OK whatever you say - dirt never killed nobody!!!!  Well actually you know my hair doesn't smell, it doesn't look dirty no one would know water hasn't touched it.  My hair looks good.

YES MY HAIR LOOKS GOOD I AM SAYING THAT - no self doubt walk with confidence.  I listened to a blog on YouTube and this fellow sisterlocker was giving some tips on styling short hair and at the end of listing certain vital points the last point was WALK WITH CONFIDENCE IF YOU DONT HAVE CONFIDENCE NONE OF THESE TIPS ARE OF ANY USE.  She is so right I thought as I now this really relates to me.

Self Doubt

Why am I so unsure about my hair now? I wasn't before when I had the relaxer and the it was thin and lifeless I was never so critical but now its like I am looking for constant reassurance that my hair is looking good.  If you look at my hair my immediate reaction is "What's wrong with my hair"?   My little niece bless her greeted me the other day and immediately her eyes wondered to my hair.  What was my reaction "What's wrong with my hair" her mother said nothing your hair looks nice.  On the other hand if you don't make a comment I think "It don't look right they didn't say anything"...  If someone does compliment I search their face to see if they are telling the truth or I give a surprised "Thank you".  Even my consultant said my hair was looking cute.  So what is the problem I have been asking myself?  You know the answer - just years of miseducation, years of thinking my natural hair was no good, years of thinking perms; relaxers, braids, weaves were the only solution to having a good hairstyle that's what it is.  All I need to be now is to be reeducated!! Do I like my hair?  YES I LOVE MY HAIR it is just taking a bit of getting use to....but I am getting there when I am getting bored I twist it up at night and hey presto new hair in the morning!!!

Hey guess what head bands don't look too bad anymore...

Day before 2nd retightening

Thought I would do a little update on my sisterlocks if only to get rid of the last depressing title.

It is now 11 weeks since I have had my sisterlocks installed.  I am due for a 2nd retightening tomorrow and my sisterlocks are a lot better than my 1st retightening.  The reason - I have left them alone and worn my bandana to the gym as instructed by my consultant.  I haven't noticed any slippage this time so that is really good.  The hairline is a bit messy but that's OK.

I am still trying to find someway of styling it but nothing really works.  I tried the headband that's ok but after a while it feels like a clamp around my head screaming to be released from the pressure.  I  have tried little hair clips umm well OK but pointless as my sister pointed out hair clips are to hold something in place and seeing as my hair wasn't out of place what's the point of the hair clip!!!

One thing I do do though, because I think it looks a bit messy when it is due to be retightened, is to twist it.  It comes out all curly and looks a bit longer - I got this tip from one of the many blogs I read.  I like this look it makes me feel like I have just done my hair again.

One thing I am not liking these grey roots at all.  I have read may blogs advising not to colour until your locks have settled ie a year after WHAT my head will be completely grey by then.  Yeah I understand the disadvantages but when people start pointing out my grey hair (which was never on show before) at only 11 weeks can you imagine what I will look like after a year - I will be able to dress up as a black santa claus...So I doubt if I will wait until 1 year - may wait another couple of months but will see after my retightening as them greys don't usually show as much then....

I twisted it the night before...

Week of Terror

Well what a week hey.  I cannot remember feeling so apprehensive.  How could this have happened.
Watching the events unfold on the tele were horrific so I cannot imagine actually being in the midst of it all it must have been so terrifying.  People lost their homes everything gone why?  Because groups of criminals saw the death of another as an opportunity to loot, wreck and destroy people's lives and livelihoods.

As we all sat there watching the TV in horror I thanked god that my 13 year's arse was planted on the settee watching in amazement at what was going on.  He showed no inclination to go out and join in the rioting because he knows that is not what decent young people do.  Unfortunately that is not thinking of a lot of youths these days.

The most worrying part of this was when I was told the Sony building in Enfield had been set alight.  Oh my god I thought this is getting closer.  What is going to happen next.  I could not sleep not only from worry but from the singing of police sirens, fire engines and helicopters outside.  Where am I a war zone?

Thoughts of supposing they come knocking my door while we are asleep, I have to leave my son at home although old enough how would he manage faced with gangs of angry youths shall I stay at home or just pray to god for peace.  I chose the latter. Fortunately, God answered my prayers and no further event took place the next evening well not in London anyway they moved on elsewhere.

Well we can only pray for our safety and our kids safety nobody knows what is around the corner.  Were we expecting riots, looting, murders, arson - NO we certainly weren't but it happened.

Take care of yourselves.

Its 2 months

Hey well long time no chat on my blog.  It has been two months since my installation.  Nothing much really has happened it's just there looking good and growing yes growing (yeah I know not an usual thing for hair to do but you know what I mean).  You know why I emphasise the growing - well because so many people have said "its growing" uhhh yes it does do that you know!!!!  I suppose what they mean is they actually notice the growth more now...I am sure my hair has always grown but no way did they notice it like they do now....

Well as I said in my last blog there was a bit of "slippage" (hey note learning the terminology) and I was told to "keep my hands outta my hair" I am sure all you lock sisters have been told that - but it is just so lovely to feel they look so cute you just want to sit there are wind them around your fingers.

You know what I just can't wait to do - WASH MY HAIR I can't wait and I am going to take a whole afternoon to do just that it will be such a pleasure to have the water run through my hair....cos it kinda needs a good wash now...

Another thing for all those women out there who think because they work in the corporate field they can't do sisterlocks their hair well you know what I work in he city for a big law firm where you can't get any more corporate than that you know posher than posh....Well going out to lunch one day one of the top partners said in his lardy dah voice "I have wanted to say something every time I walk pass your desk I really love your hair it really suits you"...well I said thank you with a big smile and called my friend Naomi to share the news....

OK so you want some pictures here goes:

Day 1

Remember the "chicken look" as my mum called it

Now two months later

and a special one going out to help my friend Naomi enjoy her birthday....

Gotta add this one....

my boy.....

1st retightening

Wow time flies it  will be 7 weeks on Tuesday 19 July since I have had my sisterlocks installed and on Thursday 14 July I had my first retightening yippee.  I must say it needed it well I thought so anyway I had a few at the front that were just completely undone and a few in the middle and to me it look untidy.  But saying that it must be just me who doesn't like a hair out of place as everyone else said it looked good.

The retightening took 3 hours but why didn't someone warn me - it HOT yes I was wiggling in my seat trying not to disturb my consultant thinking it must me my fault cos if I did keep my hand outa my head then there wouldn't have been so much repair work to do.

Liz made me laugh all the things you with you hand in your hair she just knows "wear a bandana when you go to the a gym a cotton one and when you take if off and it is all wet don't run you hand through it saying "its wet""  I had to laugh that is exactly what I do and I must admit I have only worn my bandana once.

I was a bit disappointed though as I thought now I can finally wash my hair but now wait until the next time I was instructed - your hair is soft and the end curly if you wash it it will all unravel.  Ohhhhhhhh I so wanted to have that water running through my hair washing away weeks of sweat yuk...but dirt not gonna kill me and if I remember rightly dem weave heads never got washed for weeks...so a few more weeks aint gonna kill me and plus I don't want to ruin what lovely Liz has done.

Well I feel alive again the hair is look neat and tidy and it is getting thicker growing outwards though not downwards but still a big difference from when I first did it.  Here are some pictures for you to see before and after.....enjoy.

Remember this day of installation...

Before retightening and

below after retightening...

  One day dem pepper grains will be long enough to lock lol...

You know what I like the most the colour.  I dyed it before I had my sisterlocks installed and I thought it didn't show but since I have had my sisterlocks installed the colour really shows up.

Bye for now....

Experimenting

So the relaxer had disappeared without me chopping it result left with an afro look at these - PS these were only home viewing not brave enough to venture out on the street...

The last style with extensions....