New Hits Counter added

I left this quite late but I decided today to see if there are people who really visit my blog LOL. It helps to know you’re out there; I am guilty of silently lurking on blogs on occasion. If you’re out there, feel free to comment :)

My hair is not perfect

Love:
1. My hair has transitioned from being thin to thick as my locks have developed. I just now need the thickness to develop into length.
2. That I have become less worried about how my hair will turn out and mistakes that I make when retightening including putting holes in a few locks.
3. That I can spritz shake and go if I cannot be bothered to style my hair.
4. That my hair is unique to me and that I do not have to think as I once did before going natural of new looks to not look like everyone else.
5. That my hair is stronger and my each individual hair strand is thicker and less prone to breakage.
6. That I do not own a comb, but a piece of metal - the Nappylocs Tool which is the only thing I use to retighten my hair. I began with the micro Nappylocs tool for the front parts of my hair but now use the small tool all over my hair due to the thickness of it.
7. That family and friends now understand that my sisterlocks are here to stay and are not just yet another one of my hairstyle phase.
8. That I do not have to worry about the price of human hair anymore.

9. That I only have to use the small nappylocks tool, instead of alternating between the micro and small size when I first began self-retightening.

Dislike:
1. That some of my locks have come out at the back meaning that the length at the back does not look as long as it should be. I have about 4 locks missing in the back. I think I need to get some kinky hair to put in the back, as re-attaching an already damaged lock does not appeal and having a baby lock would make my hair length look very funny. For now I have let the hair grow free until I decide whether I will do this myself or go back to my consultant.
2. Some locks are thin in places, one currently being a lock at the front and near the root. This makes my thinning locks hang differently.
3. One or two locks have a lump that needs to be cut off - this was due to me retightening in a hurry and not being able to smooth them out.
4. I have a few thin locks that I have married together that need the ends cut off.
5. Dandruff being a pain to get out and is attached in some of my locks

I intend to solve some of my hair problems myself or by visiting my consultant for a maintenance check-up.

Although my hair has a few imperfections, this does not compare to how happy I am with how my hair is progressing!

Hair Routine and Products

Routine and Products overview: I have not become the product junkie which I once was when I first went natural. My hair in 2009 has become more moisture thirsty, drier and prone to dandruff at the front.

Current routine (2009)

In 2009 I decided to introduce a few products that worked well with my natural hair namely ORS Moisturizer, Herbal Essence Conditioner and eventually the Herbal Essence Shampoo. As my hair has stopped slipping I may also experiment with essential oils that I can use on hair and body– most likely coconut oil and lavendar oil.

I have not become the product junkie I once was and have stuck to select products that I feel work. I have not had to ACV (Apple Cidar Vinegar) rinse my hair since having sisterlocks so I am keen not to have to clarify my hair by sticking to as few products as possible to avoid any build-up.

1. Wash hair every 3 weeks with Neutrogena T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for greasy hair - I find one wash is enough, as when I have done two washes my hair becomes too stiff and feels stripped of all moisture.
2. Condition hair on alternate washes with Herbal Essence Silk and Shine avoiding applying too much conditioner to the unlocked ends of my hair at the front.
3. Separate hair
4. Apply to the dry scalp Organic Route Stimulator Moisturizer mixed with a tiny bit of rosemary oil. I find the oil helps to seal in the ORS Moisturizer which usually is not enough to combat dryness.
5. Apply to dry hair length IC Fantasia Olive Oil Moisturizing serum by section hair and rubbing through - this product is a very light, doesn't require too much of it and has a pleasant smell.

6. Apply spritz mix of water and essential oils (currently extra virgin olive oil and rosemary oil). I occasionally replace the olive oil with jojoba oil.

7. Use spritz mix daily and top up on scalp moisture with ORS Olive Oil moisturizer on an as needed basis.

6. Apply spritz mix of water and essential oils (currently extra virgin olive oil and rosemary oil). I occasionally replace the olive oil with jojoba oil.

7. Use spritz mix daily and top up on scalp moisture with ORS Olive Oil moisturizer on an as needed basis.

8. Retighten every 3 weeks following washing hair and moisturizing it (not leaving it longer than 4 weeks). This has been quite hard for me to do as can be seen in my previous posts, but I intend to make more of an effort.

Old routine:

This was prior to my locks getting thicker and locking (edit deleted word: maturing - as I don't think my hair has matured yet).
1. Wash hair every 3 weeks with Neutrogena T-Gel Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for greasy hair
2. Separate hair
3. Apply Cocois to dry scalp
4. Spritz with water and rosemary oil
5. Retighten every 3 weeks following washing and moisturising hair
6. Use daily water and rosemary oil spritz to ends of hair and scalp if needed