Saturday, February 23, 2008

On Having Longer Length

I get bored with the same old style very easily so finding new ways to style my hair is definitely not a problem. It's more of how long it takes to get these styles that is the problem. Fortunately, updos usually take no more than fifteen minutes. Such as the one in these photos. I've got my single plaits for braidouts down to about 30 minutes and I don't want to spend more than 45 minutes on roller sets. So this means I'll be using more locs on each roller and I'm perfectly fine with that. Since I just got my wrapalocs order, I won't have to worry about the curls not lasting long enough.

On the flip side, the chore of washing it was it was a bit overwhelming at first. I remember when it was nothing for me to come home after work and wash my hair in 15 minutes, towel it dry and be out of the house afterward. That ritual is truly a thing of the past. The new ritual is to wash the loc ends 2.5 times and then wash my scalp only for 2.5 times.


Condition it, moisturize it, and blow dry out some of the wetness. If I do a braid out or roller set, this entire process is at least 2 hours. But my scalp and locs are getting so much cleaner now. I've commented on a few blogs how the dandruff that was getting trapped in my locs was very frustrating. Something else that seems to be a thing of the past, I hope.


As for lint, what lint? No linty particles shall come near these locs I say! I am all about avoidance. I just prefer this approach instead of dying, cutting, scrubbing, etc. Consultants are quite surprised as I get commented quite frequently, "I see you don't have a lint problem." That's exactly how I intend to keep it.



37 comments:

Sister-in-Locks said...

It's funny how we experience different perspectives during the different phases of our lock journey. I was lol with everything you were saying because I share the same sentiments.

Your hair has grown so much. it looks very nice. Have fun with the wrapalocs. Let me know what you think about the quality of the product. I wasn't so thrilled with the little nobs on the ends. They kept falling off.

Anonymous said...

good, your hair looks beeeyootiful!! I've come full cirlce with my locks: at first, the only way way i could style it was in a pineapple. Now, that it's getting longer, the only thing i want to do is put it up in a pineapple! lol!

ja stu sisterlock journey said...

Hi there gn,

Your hair is looking fabulous, I am off blogging for the time being, but I am still stalking (lol),Good to hear u.

still waters said...

long long time you and your locks are looking good GN!!! I feel you on the length of washing time (: I try to turn into real me time!!!!

one love still

Dee said...

you and your locs look GREAT! Your hair has grown so much and I love the fullness! I too feel your pain with length issues

N'Drea ~ the Storyteller said...

Wow, mi kyaan believe mi yeye dem, lol.

Girl, your hair has GROWN! Looking REALLY great.

Anonymous said...

The styles you've posted look wonderful on you and I can't wait to read your wrap-a-loc review.

I am so unimaginative and lazy when it comes to styling my hair. For some reason, most styles that I try go so wrong.

I can remember when I could wash my hair and let it air dry in the mornings. Nowadays I wash my hair in the morning (6am) and it stays damp for almost half the day, which I don't like at all....sigh.. guess I gotta pull out the trusty ole hair dryer.

muslimahlocs said...

your hair looks phenomenal! do you intend to let them grow, and grow and grow or do you think that you will eventually cut them?

Anonymous said...

Check you out DIVA...me likey (lol)!

Goodnapps said...

SIL - OMG, the different phases keep you on your toes for sure. I think that's definitely where the product innovation comes in.

You know you got me a lil paranoid about the wrapalocs now. But I shall try to still keep an open mind. Thanks so much for the compliments.

Sunsail - Thank you girl. I feel you on wanting to keep it out of the way. You have come full circle indeed.

Ja Stu - Thanks so much hon. So is that why I clicked on your blog and got some error messsage? I said to myself, I hope the blog stalkers have got you.

Still W - Thanks girlie. That is a positive way of looking at it. I'll have to keep that in mind.

Detra - Talk about somebody being MIA! It's so good to hear from you and thanks so much. For every plus I guess there is a minus, but it all balances out.

nDrea - Thank you so much hon. Sometimes I swear I can't believe my eyes either.

Meikmeika - Thank you so much girl. But I hope you haven't given up. Practice, practice, practice and the ones that turn out the best are the ones that you spend the least amount of time on.

I really hate that heavy wet feeling so I have to get rid of that.

Muslimahocs - Thank you lady. A little bit of both. Definitley no scissors for at least a few more years.

Tra - ooohhh. Thank you :)
I looked up that Diva wine you recommended. German, spatlese, affordable. Good deal. It's on my to buy list real soon.

Cluizel said...

WOW! You hair looks so beautiful!

Can't wait to see the wrapalocs set!

Quietspirit said...

Your hair is looking great. It's really growing. I'm looking forward to reading about your experience with the wrap-a-locs.

CardioBunny said...

Hey, your hair looks fabulous and it's growing so fast!

I'm going to look for Diva in my area too. Reislings and white blends are the only wines that I drink. I've tried venturing into reds but haven't found one that I like yet. Relax reisling is my favorite... it's cheap and has the perfect taste. They carry it at Wal-mart. I also LOVE Evolution and Conundrum which are blends.

NappTown said...

Goodness your hair has grown so much. It looks great! I used do braid outs now I just freestyle a lot. I am in the in between stage of almost having long hair LOL! Can't wait to see the wrapaloc style on you. I think it will look nice

Aya said...

Gosh!!! How long and pretty your locks are. I like your partial up-do.

Lakia said...

I have yet to master the updo. I think the only thing I got down packed is the freestlye. Your locks are looking more and more beautiful with each post.

V @ Locks-N-Motion said...

Wow your lock look great! They have grown so much! I love the up-do.

Goodnapps said...

Cluizel - Thanks so much. I just put my first set in last night for the wrapalocs. LOL. It's worth a blog moment.


Quietspirit - Thanks so much. It will be interesting to see how it turns out.

Southerngirl - Thanks so much for the compliments. As for the wine, it took me forever to warm up to reds. Try some tastings to see if anything catches your fancy.

Napptown - Thank you so much. I feel you on the in between stage. I think I have one more year to go before I feel I have that "perfect" length.

Aya - Thank you so much. The partials are so easy and quick.

Lakia - Thank you so much. It's probably easier than you think. I was never one to style my own hair prior to locking. Now I kinda look forward to it. It's pretty much a flat twist but you're grabbing a lot more hair for the bun so to speak. Or less if you choose.

Sistalocd - Thank you so much hon.

Shanessence said...

You're looking fabulous, my dear! Do you still go to Paulette for retightenings or are you doing your own 'do now? Also, what shampoo, conditioners, and moisturizers do you use?

Again, fabulous hair!

Naturally Sophia said...

Love the partial updo. You and your locks are cute!

Goodnapps said...

Shan - Thank you so much girl. I go to Paulette once or twice a year now. I've tried some local consultants and do it on my own from time to time. I'm definitely no die hard DIYer.

For shampoos and such, I really stick with the SL family of products. Even when I digress to try something else, I end up finding I like the SL products better.

Naturally Sophia - Thanks so much girl. Have you moved to Miami yet? I'm going to be in the ATL for the hair show in April and would love a gathering if possible.

Abena Abena said...

Tanya~ great update and your hair looks so healthy, nice job :) When I was reading this post regarding the work you have to put into your locks now that your hair is longer, I was just nodding my head with a BIG YES....:)

Chocolata said...

Wow! Your hair looks great. Do you feel like your hair is getting longer by the day? It seems like once you hit year 2 the growth is just explosive.

I love your styling too!

Mel said...

Wow, your hair has really grown, it looks fantastic!

dreamangel75 said...

Your locks look beautiful in the photos! Ah, lint... I am learning to keep lint away from my locks too. It seems like my hair attracts them! I had to cut about an inch or so on a few locks due to lint getting caught up in them.

Goodnapps said...

Chosen - Thank you so much. Good to know I wasn't being over emotional when I entered this phase. Sometimes you just never know if it's just you.

Chocolata - Thanks girl. The answer is yes and you are so right.

Mel - Thank you girlie.


Dreamangel - Thanks so much. Sorry to hear of your lint issue but it's good to nip it in the bud early.

Maryee said...

I shampooed mine yesterday and took my time. I also mixed the shampoo with the conditioner on my last round. I must say I used about 4-5 different shampoos in a certain order for a reason. Prior to shampooing I soaked my hair/scalp with vitamin E and olive oil. When it was all said and done, my locks looked shiny, healthy and hardly any noticeable lint or white speckles. Thanks for sharing.

Goodnapps said...

Maryee - Mixing the shampoo w/conditioner. Hmm. I never would of thought of that and it sounds like such a good idea I will try. Thank you!

Jena Evans said...

Looking great and the wrap alot curls are "tight"! Pun intended!

Blessings~

Anonymous said...

We started just 2 months apart with different locing techniques as I have traditional locs. Yours are looking really good and have really grown alot from the first pics.

Creyole said...

I'm speechless...either I've not checked blogs lately or your hair has just plain grown like crazy!

Keep up the good work, looking too good!

Valenciajaz said...

Your hair looks great! What specifically do you do to avoid the lint? I just dyed mine and it's as if it's not there and I want to keep it away this time.

Goodnapps said...

Jen - girl you are too funny. Thank you so much.

Kathryn - thank you so much. You've had quite a bit of growth yourself.

Creyole - hmmm. Perhaps a lil bit of both. Thank you so much girlie.

Val - Thank you so much. I avoid coats, sweaters, hats, towels, sheets, etc that have linty fabrics. Keep them covered at night and do frequent inspections. If I have a linty sweater that I must wear, I wear my locks up.

z said...

I no longer braid and band but I do divide my hair into say 15 large sections, secure them with hair bands and then wash only my scalp. This makes it easier for the shampoo to reach my scalp and makes squeezing the water out of my locks go a lot faster.

You are right though, washing takes more time then I expected since my locks are getting longer.

Anonymous said...

Your hair looks great!!!!

KnottyAuthor said...

wow your length is amazing! you look great T!

Goodnapps said...

Dewdrop - That is definitely a good idea. I'm waiting for my hair too get a bit longer as it will help deal with the layers. I get enough grief with my layers doing braidouts.

Locksuluv/Chele - thank you so much ladies!!