Loving Accessories

Greetings everyone!! Length + maturity = I really get to enjoy my accessories to the fullest. Pictured above I'm wearing the Betty Davis Tomoka Twist. Sensational is all I have to say about this collection. As a matter of fact, it describes all of the pieces on the site. More sets are definitely in my future.

Below are a few pics of me wearing my Loc Soc. A different variation of how I wore it here in the summer. Versatility is so great.





As for washing, I took advantage of Chosenvessel's Komaza product post by going to the site and purchasing a few samples of the shampoo with emu and tea tree oil. Since it helps alleviate the itching and dandruff, I've splurged on a full bottle purchase. I have absolutely nothing against the Nizoral, but I would like to stick with natural remedies if possible. I will admit that I really don't look forward to washing my hair anymore. But that's just another one of the growing pains I guess.

At first I just knew I would keep growing my hair until I could at least sit on it. Strictly from a maintenance perspective, that probably won't happen. I'm pretty confident no hair cuts up until I hit my 4th year. After that, I'll just have to go with whatever feelings are driving me when that point in time gets here. In the meantime, I'll keep looking at Audrey's gorgeous Sisterlocks to help keep me motivated.

Self-retightening is still in the works. Despite the $250 for the SL training, I definitely have no regrets on taking the class in July of this year. Initially it's tedious but still liberating. Life happens and you never know when a situation is going to arise prompting you to have to give it a go yourself. My first try was over 30 hrs, the second was in the neighborhood of 20. I only have ambitions to get down to 10-14. In a couple of weeks, I'll have another try to see how close I come to getting there.

Class or no class, knowing that you can touch up your locks if needed is truly no understatement.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2 Year Update

I am over the blog lazies long enough to do my two year update. Yeah baby! The below collage is my two year growth compared to my day one installation.

Next are photos of this years growth compared to my one year growth.

Despite the ups, despite the downs, you all know the speech - I love my hair! To all the newbies, keep toughing it out. The growing pains don't last forever.

At first tonight was just a wash. Then I wanted to do something different so I decided to single plait for a crinkle look. I did this back in January and loved the volume but the style was gone the next day. Therefore I wanted to keep the plaits in for at least 2-3 days, but then there is work. I thought about wearing a Loc Soc but only as a last resort. After putting in the plaits, I remembered some advice I gave Chosenvessel a while ago and I started to pin up the plaits. It's a bit on the eclectic side but hopefully I can pull it off. I'll take my Loc Soc with me to work just in case. I'll wear this up style until early next week and maybe my crinkles will have a fair chance.





A little bit of length does come in handy. Whoohoo!

Soft Spike Curls

Recently, I finally ordered another pack of small Soft Spikes. My first roller set was in October and I really liked the way it turned out. My curls were going pretty strong for about a week and a half - with no setting lotion. But when I ran out of soft spikes, I was really scrounging around. I found a few sponge rollers and still didn't have enough of those. I had to make a couple foil rods to finish up the last sections.

But this time around, I was able to make smaller sections and frame my face much better without the stress of running out of curlers. It took me about an hour and a half to roll my hair and I did use Crinkles and Curls setting foam. Then sat under the dryer for about 40 minutes as an insurance for it to be dry in the morning. When I unrolled it in the morning, I didn't finger comb the curls or anything. I don't mind the Miss Poodle America look since I have serious issues with spending hours on my hair and having nothing to show for it the next day. I won't have to worry about that this time around.

I don't think the pictures have the best clarity, but with my hair texture - it is what it is. Thank goodness I can finally appreciate it.

Me and the Toni

Hooray. My hair ties from Brunsli arrived today. They are soooo pretty. I love them. I was definitely afraid that the hair ties would be out of my league because of my short length. But not so with the mini and super lightweight Toni. With the blazing summer temperatures we are having right now, the timing is perfect. Brunsli, thank you thank you thank you!!! I love you and your creative talents my sista. Otherwise, me and anybody's ponytail would be many many months away. Although I am usually drawn to more flash and pizazz, you can now consider me a fan of Toni's simple simplicity.

Updo For The Weekend

I got my hair styled in this updo on Saturday by my lovely stylist Andreda Forte. I feel like Miss America. What makes it even more special for me is sporting the beautiful jewels that LaChanda got and brought to me in New York. But now I'm spoiled and I want more of them. Fortunately, a different stylist in the beauty salon recommended a local beautique for me to try.

I love updo styles and I feel I look better in short styles and updos anyway. I guess I always have. So more length equals more creativity. Creativity by somebody else that is. I have made a promise to myself to do my own braidouts and some roller sets when the time is right. Might even experiment from time to time. But overall, I love the magic hands of somebody else giving me that million dollar hairstyle that I know I wouldn't be able to achieve on my own. Just like the Loreal folks say, "I'm worth it!"

The other day I was back on Mia Simone's site going over some items I ordered but haven't received yet. Imagine my surprise when what did I see...my blog. I couldn't believe it. For a split second, I felt like a movie star. Oh yeah, from the looks of this photo, I think my hair is having a mini Brunsli phase. But since I love volume, bring it on!

Hair Clips Anyone

A little bit of length feels oh so good. So I bought some hair clips and a few headbands to celebrate. I also ordered a bottle of Khoret Amen Herbal Shampoo with Sea Moss by Carols Daughter. I'm hoping it will help with the dryness. Otherwise, I'm still in love with my
locks. I can't think of any other hairstyle where the older it gets, the better it looks. Oh yeah, I'm getting very excited about the Color Purple trip.

Twists - My first hairstyle

Since I am several months away from braidouts, spike curler sets and fancy updos - I will take what I can get. While flat twists are nothing new, it didn't occur to me to try them as a loc hairstyle until I saw pictures of Charm sporting her twists. Toss in some loc jewelery and voila. I love it, love it, love it. Since I'm not the DIY type, I went to my most recent hair stylist I had during the last of the perm era. She got to know first hand about my hair woes and was extremely supportive and encouraging with my decision to lock. In one hour, my hair was washed, styled and set under the dryer. Since I budgeted 2 hours, that left plenty of time for photo taking and an eyebrow touch-up.

Mia Simone Hair Jewelry

Starting with a TWA (teeny weeny afro) definitely has its pluses and minuses. On one hand, you get to experience your locking journey at various lengths which is quite exciting. But in the meantime, it gets very boring waiting for your hair to grow. As a way to spice up my hair a bit, I ordered some hair jewelry from Mia Simone's Boutique. I ordered 3 pairs of jewelry and I get compliments each time I wear them.

My order arrived within a week and I was pleasantly surprised I got some free gifts as well. The gifts included a small box to keep the jewelry in and a courtesy copy of Naturally You! magazine. Now that's service! Thank you so much Mia. I love the jewelry.