LOC DIARY ....FREEFORM FREEDOM

This Blog Has Moved

2009-04-05T18:56:00.002+01:00

YES, we have moved to a new blog @

http://realirising.blogspot.com

Holistic health, natural hair care and more!

Brunsli's Hair Ties!

2006-08-29T12:09:00.000+01:00

Brunsli's Hair Ties!

4 YEARS, 6 MONTHS + PICTURES!

2006-02-19T17:48:00.000Z

Wow.... been a while since I've posted up on the locs.

Hmmmm, not much to say. The routine:

MY LOC ROUTINE

I don't use conditioners now - I like to wash my locs regualrly and when the time feels right... usually 1-2 times a week.

For the moment, I have stopped using oils too.

~~~~~~~~~~~
I wash with:

~ African Balck Soap alone

Or

~ A mix: African bback soap, water, sandlewood/lemongrass eo's, aloe vera, baking soda, honey - in a mini bottle.

I don't measure, I just add what I feel is needed.

~~~~~~~~~~~

My usual spritz:

Aloe vera, rosemary eo, water, lemongrass eo

~~~~~~~~~~~

I brush my locs about 2 times a day (night and morning).

~~~~~~~~~~~

The only time I use olive oil is in the honey spritz:

1.5 cups of water
2 table spoons of olive oil
4 table spoons of honey

I use this to add some shine or when I want to hold a style. Keeps my ponytails up nicely.

~~~~~~~~~~~

To sleep: I feel like I should cover up but now I just use a silk/satin pillow case.

~~~~~~~~~~~

I let the roots do their own thing, but occasionally I will check to see if any are joining and seperate.

If I want to have a more mainicured look, I'll sleep in a satin scarf.

Not much for styling - usually a ponytail will do.

Covering my locs again now.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Daily supplements:
MSM tablet, 1-2 day
Flaxseed, not always
All in one vitamin/mineral tablet

@-->->>>-----

I haven't really being paying much attention to them, just letting them grow and do their thing. I'm happy to have made it this far and I'm glad I never cut them.

I've just been getting on with other stuff, trying to expand my work and stuff....

Still working on styling, been so lazy on that! I'm back under-wraps most days so I've been out shopping for materials, tams and hats as the old ones are so small now lol!

Mid-back length now and growing like crazy!

Pictures:

http://img341.imageshack.us/img341/1661/locs10ih.jpg

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/7646/locs23xr.jpg

I'll keep you updated!

peace, life 'n progress.

LOC PICS....

2005-09-07T19:00:00.000+01:00

Hey everyone!
Thanks for the comments!

I have kinda decided that for now I'll be putting my loc pics on hold until a few months or even the year 5 mark....

I'll see how it goes. At this moment in time, its pretty much the same - I'm still being style-less with it - just a bit longer now, thats probably all the difference.

I'll be back soon.

4 YEARS AND 1 MONTH

2005-09-04T19:05:00.000+01:00

Wow, I forgot to mention that...I passed my 4 year mark and my locs are nearly half way down my back.

Summer was amazing, the heat really seemed to make my hair grow like crazy! I must have clocked up atleast 3 inches...but I'm not going to count. I just can't wait until this time next year.... that will be the pass of my first real goal - making it to year 5 and looking over the years.

Still doing the simple routine - black soap, aloe vera and a good rosemary eo spritz. Done.

MY LOOSE HAIR FAVOURITES....

2005-05-01T13:57:00.000+01:00

BACK TO BLACK....

2005-04-10T20:02:00.000+01:00

I love colour, but after my phases of browns and sunlight colourings, I've gone back to having jet black locs....

AND the colour, or lack of colour, looked dazzling and healthy!
I wasn't expecting it.
There is something about black locs that looks so healthy, alive and vibrant.

I'm really liking it this way.

HERBS FOR HAIR....

2005-02-24T11:54:00.000Z

LINK 1

LINK 2

PROLONGED RINSING.... LEMONGRASS EO.....

2005-02-15T15:03:00.000Z

15 minutes of rinsing.... under the shower, squeezing my locs every minute or so.

Following a thread I read on a forum, I knew that the time I usually spend rinsing is not even close to as long as it should be.

I've been doing more rinses now ....
My love for lemongrass essential oil grows all the time...
It just picks me up as soon as I use my rinsing recipe:

1 part honey
2 parts water
Mixed well
a teeny drop of olive oil
4-6 drops of lemongrass essential oil mixed in well.

Massaged into wet locs and left for 5 mins....then rinsed for 15 mins....
The smell is so citrusy and vibrant. The steam just picks the lemongrass and clouds the batrhroom with a strong lemon smell. Mmmmmmm.

My locs now smell so fresh!

Great to use for times when you need a lift, like morning rinses or when you are feeling a little down.
I replace the lemongrass with sandlewood essential oil for night rinses, a very relaxing and spiritual enhancing oil.

If you buy any aromatherapy book, you will see that there are notes next to all the oils - high note essential oils are uplifting, base notes are relaxing oils to use.

My favourite this month -Definately Lemongrass eo.

BLOOGED! Rastafari Poems

2005-02-03T10:05:00.000Z

Rastafari Poems

MY LATCHED PARTS...

2005-02-02T15:39:00.000Z

Just did another washing session, I missed the fuzz -- As my locs dry, the hairs around my scalp and locs tend to get really straight again. So I love just getting the locs wet and rinsing to bring back the coils.

It was the same with my loose naps --every time I brushed them when they were dry, they would be frizzy straight, like wiry straight. Its only when my hair is wet that they return to being really curly and lovely.

Anyways, back on topic --I was rinsing my locs today and looking through them. It seems that the latched parts of my locs look more shiny in appearrance from the rest of the freeform parts --probably due to the stretched affect it has on my hair texture, causing it to look really straight, bouncing off the light.

So I have a head full of shiny and matted parts lol!

I did like latching, but I think with thicker locs, the pattern shows more. If I had thinner locs, maybe it wouldn't have been so obvious and my locs will come together instead of branching into 2 entwined branches.

A CHANGING ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE LOCING PROCESS...

2005-01-30T15:37:00.000Z

After all the fuss and TLC from OYIN: and getting those cute curls, I went to bed last night and had a mad dream....

For some reason, my locs were really really long ... like butt length and I decided that it was time for a change. So I cut my locs from about 2-3 inches from the scalp and picked out the remaining of the locs... and had this amazing afro....

Which I let grow for about a year ...

Doing all the wash and go's mainly and having fun with a different style....

And then Christmas came, and I decided to get my hair braided up.... And I re-attached all my locs. Back to normal and and growing my locs again.

Its a funny thing that I had this dream as recently I have re-attaching and doing some minor loc surgery with a few that fell off at the back ... The black yarn really came in handy and it doesn't show at all.... I just kept wrapping the yarn through both locs and around until it looked like one again.

Who knows.... Maybe one day when my locs are much longer, I'll give that experiment a go for real and see how it all turns out.

I might have mentioned before that when I did have loose napps for all those years, I did not have the wealth of info that exists today -- My whole mindset on natural hair was terrible. If I knew then, what I now know -- I KNOW I would have had much more fun.

At the same time, my attitude towards locs has changed over the process too -- from only wanting and accepting manicured locs to falling into freeforming and rebelling from what neat locs are suppossed to look like.

And now I'm slowly seeing that my attitude is changing from loced for life to for whatever feels right. There is no need to feel that locs are permanent.

Hair grows, thats all it does -- and for the rest of my life it will do, in whatever style I want, I shouldn't tell my Self that having short hair is a bad thing or that cutting my locs would be a failed thing.... All those old mind conditioning is not healthy while I have my locs. Infact, its time to move away from all that and choose real freedom to enjoy what nappiness is all about.

Having locs should not be seen as a no going back process. If it feels right to just chop them off, do so and start again when you have had your fun with your loose naps. But I feel that whatever choice we make, make sure it is what we really want and willing to take the good/bad of it. Really thinking it through before doing it.

Saying that, I don't feel ready to cut mine off -- It might be a long wait or never, but I know that if I want to go back to having loose naps, then thats fine too.

After that dream and all the loc surgery I have been performing over the years, anything is possible.

At the 5 year mark, I'll observe my feeling towards my locs.
As for now, I love them way too much.

Just my feelings and thoughts.

PLOPPING....

2005-01-30T13:25:00.000Z

It sounds like some new exercise trend. 'Plopping' refers to a method of helping to create curl structure prior to diffusing or air drying that has become a favorite among NaturallyCurly.com members.

As described by a member, after one washes and conditions the hair, you apply product to wet hair and get ready to 'plop.' Put a t-shirt or aquis towel down on a chair - some use the toilet with seat down. Leaning over the towel/t-shirt with your head hanging down bent over from your waist, position the wet hair onto towel so the curls are all concentrated on top of the head. Then pull the towel taut against the top and sides of the head, grabbing the 2 sides and twisting them into long sausage rolls near each ear. Take these rolled up towel extensions and pull them to the nape of the neck and secure them by tying them together.

Says one reader, 'Then I put go about my morning routine — makeup, coffee, etc. The towel helps to absorb excess water while letting the curls 'set' into clumps. When you take the towel off, gently shake down the curls and diffuse 's' shaped, individual curly locks, with some volume at the roots.

If you want extra control, another member suggests spritzing on on some spray gel or scrunch in a bit more gel after you take the towel off.

Taken from this link

...This sounds like a good method for drying locs too.

LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT T?....

2005-01-30T13:02:00.000Z

A WHOLE LIST OF ONLINE SHOPS WITH NAPPY TEES

Taken from Afronappy's website:
http://www.napturalglory.com/index.html

I GAVE MY PLANTS THE OYIN: FULL WORKS!

2005-01-29T13:27:00.000Z

Today, my pack came. So quickly!

Pleasantly surprised to find the postman knocking at my door when I was expecting the plumber to come and fix my busted radiator.

And perfect timing too - today I felt that my locs needed a little TLC so I had all my stuff ready to treat them after all my work for the day was over....

So I gave my babies the OYIN: works - she even included a little pack of the Poo bar and the stick to go along with my gift pack :-)

The Shampoo bar was very lovely scented, glided right on my locs...and unlike other natural soaps, I didn't feel afraid to just rub the soap into my locs/scalp as there are no little bits in it, just pure smoothness. A gentle clean and doesn't leave that stripped feeling, just softness.

The conditioner --- This stuff smelled SO YUMMY! I mean, as soon as I put a little on my plants, they just ate it all up lol! It felt thin to the touch, but bursting with moisture and fragrance. Very refreshing. I massaged the conditioner into my locs, left them on for a few minutes and hesitated to rinse ... it was too good to let go!

The wonderful thing about freeforming is that there is plenty of loose hairs around the scalp area that gives me the added pleasure of touching my loose fuzzy naps ... And it is usually the first thing I notice after I use any product. If my loose curls are feeling good and healthy, then I know my locs are loving them too.

My loose naps were flying with textured moistured curls after the wash! A sure sign that I have found a few products that are good for me!

Next, I lightly squeeze my locs with a towel and add a pea size amount of the shine and define on. A little of this stuff really goes a long way!

The stage I'm at right now ----
I'm sitting at this computer with damp locs and little curls at my scalp, they feel so cute! I'm guessing that all the moisture from the wash and the styling serum of shine and define has worked its magic into my curls.

When my locs are dry, I'll give them another zapp of the Greg juice. I tried this earleir, before washing my locs out of sheer curiousity and found it to be very soothing and the perfect remedy to my dry locs. I can't wait to use it again after my locs have dried a little.

That leaves 2 more products to try -- the lip balm and the whip pudding.

OYIN: is amazing! No other word for it,

I'd recommend it to any napps out there reading!

Its a sure thing!

SCALP MASSAGE...

2005-01-23T17:29:00.000Z

The Hair & Scalp Massage: Ayurvedic Secret for Gorgeous Hair
- Written by Shreelata Suresh - Submitted on 9/21/2004

WAITING ON MY OYIN: ....

2005-01-13T15:17:00.000Z

This is why I love the internet, a chance to 'meet' others and try out their products...

This lady is truly beautiful and talented....
I just bought the gift pack to try out her stuff and see how it works on my locs...

ENTER OYIN: AND BE PREPARED TO LOVE THE WEBSITE:
http://oyinhandmade.com/

NAPPY HAIR TIPS: http://oyinhandmade.com/oyin/index.php?p=20#more-20

AFRO

2005-01-05T01:00:00.000Z

THE WONDERS OF OLIVE OIL FOR LOCS...

2004-12-30T16:02:00.000Z

Thanks GG for posting a comment...
I did a few searches and to my knowledge, olive oil is a wonderful all around healthy choice to use on the body...aside from being wonderful to use on locs, it is a rich oil that heals the body:
http://www.garleo.com/page6.htm

Olive oil nourishes, conditions, and improves the strength and elasticity of your hair, while the couldn't-be-easier process is both stress-reducing and health-promoting. The best part is that it is easily absorbed and does not leave build-up that other products tend to do.

As always, it is important to clarify your locs no matter what routine you have to make sure that you give your locs a fresh start.

A little more info no how you can use olive oil:
http://www.care2.com/channels/solutions/bms/1000

Hope that helps!

A LOOK AT HEMP SEED OIL...

2004-12-15T16:53:00.000Z

Taken internally, it is thought by many to simulate growth of hair and nails, improve the health of the skin, and can even reduce inflammation from arthritis or related diseases.
While the hemp based shampoos and hair care products can offer the benefit of softer hair and skin, it can not be as supportive as taking the oil internally.

My experience is that it simulates growth of hair and nails, improves the health of the skin, and can reduce inflammation. I like the idea of having one good oil that supplies both omega-3s and GLA, without the need to take more capsules.

Some people experiment with adding hemp seed oil directly to their favorite shampoos and conditioners as a home grown custom recipe. Others will apply the oil directly to their hair as a form of conditioning. Not well suited as a hot oil treatment, the oil can still be applied to hair and left on overnight. It can also be used to oil braids, cornrows or other hair weaves.

If you wish to experiment by adding hemp oil to your hair start slowly with a little oil. If the formula works, you can slowly increase the amount you use.

The advantage that hemp seed offers is that it combines the benefits of omega 3 and omega 6 along with GLA. One product will supply what you need. If you take capsules this can be even more beneficial.

If you wish to take Hemp Seed Oil internally, there is good news. The oil has a distinct, earthy flavor and a light green color. Some people describe the taste of hemp seed oil is nutty. Many people enjoy the flavor.

TAKEN FROM THIS ARTICLE:
http://www.hairboutique.com/tips/tip091.htm

MY LONGER LOCS ARE MID-BACK....

2004-12-15T15:46:00.000Z

I remember not too long ago (or it seems that way anyways...) that I said I would be happy when the top locs on my head reach a proper shoulder length...and now they have.

I usually tie my locs up so its a strange feeling to have them hanging down and banging my back, my longest locs that have never been touched before are now touching mid-back!

In speaking to many of my loc friends, I'm so sure that its true to say that at one point of the journey to locdom, there is shrinkage, then a huge pause while everthing seems to stay a certain lentgth...and then HUGE growth coming from the roots directly as the shrinkage no longer occurs!

This is definately my HUGE growth time.... and it doesn't seem to be stopping any time soon. I was shocked when I was looking at the comparison pics again of April to now.... it really has been a few extra inches to the length.

I love it!

MORE ON OILS...

2004-12-10T01:15:00.000Z

MORE INFO ON A HUGE VARIETY OF OILS:
Hot Oil 411

MORE COMPARISON PICS FOR THIS YEAR...

2004-12-09T13:41:00.000Z

LAURYN'S LOCS

2004-12-08T11:48:00.000Z

...I LOVE THE DETAILS IN THESE PICS, just goes to show that you don't need to have really cultivated locs to look stunning!

AND HE WANTS TO TALK TO ME ABOUT SELF HARM!??! ...

2004-12-06T16:31:00.000Z

People's comments really don't bug me anymore...I just get on with things.
Its my head, I should be allowed to do what I want with it.
Same goes for their head...

But if someone I don't know goes out of their way to say to me that I am self harming myself for locing...don't expect me to be calm.
And this guy had a horrific relaxer in his hair... I really don't get why guys do it now?!?

So, I went off on one....he wants to talk to me about Self harm and damage, standing there and telling me that he is a student doing Chemistry at uni....I'm like, 'you don't have to be doing a chemistry degree to figure out a few things....duh!'

Would you dream of going into a chemistry lab and putting the same chemicals on your arm, if you didn't know it was the same relaxer ingredients? Doubt it. And he wants to talk about self harm....

Some people are just crazy. He was looking for a fight, he got one.
I walked off with a grin.

SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE...

2004-12-06T15:08:00.000Z

MORE OF LENNY'S NAPS...

2004-12-04T21:32:00.000Z

ACCEPTANCE THROUGH DREADLOCKS...

2004-12-04T21:17:00.000Z

A WONDERFUL ARTICLE:
http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1264/is_7_30/ai_57388402

THESE LOCS ALWAYS BLOW MY MIND...

2004-12-04T21:09:00.000Z

A FEW MORE PICS...

2004-12-04T20:49:00.000Z

HEMP OIL, SHEA BUTTER AND OTHER SOAPS...

2004-12-04T20:16:00.000Z

I bought a few soaps....I have this new addiction to buying natural soaps and searching all the options...

I still say that my traditional black soap always comes first though, it always lathers up and smells just right. As a second wash, I always finish with another natural soap that contain oils.

I'm looking forward to my hemp oil soap and I heard shea butter is good too!

3 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS...

2004-12-02T11:00:00.000Z

I don't think the buzz of counting months will ever wear off until I get to the year 5 mark... Which is what my goal is.

After that, I'll probably get bored of counting each month lol, and maybe I'll suddenly realise that its been 10years already lol!

We'll see.

HOW TO....LOOSE ENDS...

2004-11-29T13:26:00.000Z

I'm still on a mission to get those curly ends...so I was given this info:
http://www.naani.com/how_do_you_remove_locks_.htm

The Technique

You'll need a pair of angled tweezers, metal nail file or any instrument with a smooth, yet knife-like edge. You want a utensil that will penetrate the dreadlock, but not rip it apart.
Shampoo your dreadlocks. Rinse thoroughly and towel dry. Doing this process on damp hair will minimize breakage.

Begin by snipping off a very small portion at the end of your dreadlocks. When I say small, I mean small. All you want to do is remove the rounded tip.

Take the tweezers. Using one of the prongs, insert the tweezer into a small section of the lock. Gently pull in a downward motion with the tweezers. If the prong does not work itself out easily, take the tweezer out, reinsert it and pull down again. After a bit of maneuvering, the hair should seperate.

If you began with braids, you will notices that the hair will begin to unravel like a braid normaly would. The same with two-strands. For those that started with palm-rolls, you will find that the hair will unravel just as easily as the dreadlock will always maintain it's internal structure.

This technique will not work of course if you manipulate/maintain your dreadlocks with methods other than palm-rolling/finger-twisting. Interlocking for example is similar to creating a series of knots and it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to undo these types of dreadlocks.
Continue unwinding the dreadlocks using the tweezers or like utensil until you are about .5-1 inch up the dreadlock. If you're doing the process correctly, you shoudn't see very much hair loss. The hair that does come out should be that which has naturally shed over years of dreadlocking so there is no need for alarm.

After you have freed the hairs, you'll notice all types of build-up/lint that has naturally or UNnaturally accumulated over time. Some dreadlocks will have more than others. Build-up in dreadlocks is natural to a degree but in the case of excessive debris, you may want to reexamine your maintenance routine.

It's up to you as to how far you want to go up the dreadlock. The lady I met began by loosening 1 inch of hair. Over the years, she continued the process and added to the loosened portion. She said that it'd look too awkward to have only an inch of unlocked hair and 30 inches of dreadlocks.

IMPORTANT: After you've completed your entire head, be sure to shampoo again. You'll need to wash away the lint, dirt and product residue.

A Word of *CAUTION*
If you're apprehensive about the technique, try it on one of your dreadlocks in a not-so-visible area. Undo 1/2 to 1 inch of the dreadlock. If you like what you see, keep going. If you don't, two-strand twist the end and let it relock. In some cases, the unlock'd hair may resist relocking so you may have to eventually snip off the end for uniformity.

Be sure to initiate the process slowly and methodically. Don't force the hairs apart...encourage them with a little pressure but too much will result in breakage.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OK, so I'm going to do just a few to begin with and see how it goes.

TEMPTING PRODUCTS....

2004-11-27T19:58:00.000Z

THESE PRODUCTS ARE REALLY TEMPTING ME!!!

TAKEN FROM THIS WONDERFUL WEBSITE:
http://oyinhandmade.com/oyin/index.php?p=23

AND THESE NATURAL SOAPS:
http://www.cioccolatina.co.uk/SOAP.html

If anyone has tried any of them, please write in and let me know ASAP!

MORE PICS TO CHECK OUT!!!...

2004-11-26T16:54:00.000Z

A few more pics of inspirational natural and loced hair:

NATURAL HAIR PHOTOS
LOC INSPIRATIONS

...be sure to check out pages 2 and 3 in each section...

SMILES-----I KNOW I SAID NO MORE UPDATES BUT....

2004-11-25T22:23:00.000Z

...I couldn't help my Self!

MISSING MY CURLY-Q'S....

2004-11-25T13:48:00.000Z

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE GORGEOUS LOCS:
((click on the title of this entry to go to website)) and this:
http://www.naani.com/tubby_s_locks_3_years__5_months.htm

..Isn't she just gorgeous!!!

I have been following her journey since....oh so long ago!
And what she did was she undid the bottom of her locs so that there would be this beautiful curly end look...

To think, I had waited so patiently at the beginning to have finished rounded ends...and now I'm seriously contemplating undoing the ends, like half an inch of it and letting it turning into little ringlets or waves, like it used to...

I'm going to give it a try to just one loc to start with and see if I like it for a while...

NOT MUCH TO REPORT...

2004-11-25T13:25:00.000Z

Things have gone into a Winter mode routine...Not much else is happening.

I did stop taking MSM for a while and started it up about 3 weeks ago ~~and YES, it does make a huge difference to my new growth. So I'm going to try to keep going with the intake.

My roots are mad lol! I like the feel of loose natural hair, that crinkle wave effect as I run my fingers through my scalp...Do you remeber those crimping irons (did I spell that right?!?)... its exactly the same texture.

A bit of both worlds now.

I CAN'T SEE ANY BEAUTY IN IT....

2004-11-05T19:54:00.000Z

I know this might sound very negative --but these are just MY thoughts... I'm entitled to that.
The more I see relaxed and straight wigs, I feel really annoyed.
I really hate them! I just think to my Self, why would anyone want to do that to their Self?

Then I remember, I too used to think that having straight hair was a dream come true... And the false ideas that I could get style my hair better if it was straight --it would be easier. Then my hair just 'died' on me with the chemicals. And it did more harm than good.

One extreme to another now?
Everyone has the right to do what they want to their Self, the only thing that really gets to me is picking up a 'black hair' mag that is meant to be for natural hair and finding that they are all styled on wigs with a curl!

I admit, things are changing, I see many naturals in London...
But there is still a LONG way to go on this trip.....

YEAR 3 AND 3 MONTHS...

2004-11-01T21:46:00.000Z

Another month gone....
And then before I know it, I'll be on to year 4 and beyond...

The cold is starting to really get my locs feeling brittle.
I haven't really started covering them up yet --but I will now.

SHE'S PROMOTING HAIR PRODUCTS...

2004-10-26T22:22:00.000+01:00

OK, so Beyonce is promoting hair products.... in a straight long wig?!? Does that make any sense?

Now, I have nothing against her personally...but you see where this is going right?!?

Its not right.

I'M A NAANI.COM MODEL... NEWS TO ME!...

2004-10-26T21:37:00.000+01:00

So, I made it into naani.com's gallery...

Thats great!

http://naani.com/alma_s_dreadlocks.htm
http://naani.com/alma_s_dreadlocks440.htm

Enjoy!

LOCS ON THE JOB....

2004-10-25T15:15:00.000+01:00

Don't let people fool you into thinking that just because you have locs, you can't look presentable and that it will affect your job interviews...

Believe me, I have been to so many in the last months and from what I've seen, keep it neat and do your work right --and things will pay off. People love confidence, good presentation and the ability to sell your Self well...

For those who want to say that there locs made them fail, then I see that as an excuse.

Its a good feeling to walk in, look smart and still be my Self.

THE SMOOTHER LOCS ARE...

2004-10-24T11:47:00.000+01:00

I notice that the locs that have the most bumps on them are the ones I kept tampering with as they were slowly locing...

All my top locs are bumpy, whereas my bottom locs aren't -- And I always used to mess around with the top ones while the bottom ones were left to do their thing...

So I'm glad I'm not touching or manipulating new growth to my locs, Maybe they'll smooth out now...

And if they don't --who cares! I love them anyways.

LONDON LOC HEADS... I SEE YOU!

2004-10-15T11:08:00.000+01:00

Now that I spend most of my time travelling around central London, I am so amazed to see how many loc heads are out there... from all races and walks of life.

I sometimes find my Self being stared at, or the occasional smile from another loc head passing by...

Just yesterday, I was hard at work doing my promotion work when this girl from another company, doing promotion too, was taking every opportunity to just stare at me... And she had the biggest thickest shoulder length locs I had ever seen... They were literally exploding out under the hat she wore and curtained her face, very beautiful!

"Let these plants be peace" ... those words come back into my mind.
Its a good feeling to see others out there... from all races feeling the vibe.

And yes... I am obsessed with hair lol!
I can't help it! I have a case of serious loc love.

NO TO DIRT

2004-10-02T15:14:00.000+01:00

At the bus stop, and I saw this man with long long locs, completely coated with something hard (I'm thinking wax) and it wasn't a pretty sight! The wax was covered in dirt. Now he wasn't a bum or anything like that, he was a clean cut guy who looked like he was on his way to work or something...

And people were subtly looking from his locs to mine, probably wondering if mine were dirty too!

Now this is what I have an issue with...I can accept any type of locs -but DIRT?!?
Sorry, I can't take the false assumptions that dirt will loc hair up, or wax.

After a topic I read, I realised just how careful we should be with what we use on our locs... I don't regret experimenting, but some of the products did leave my locs at the bottom with build-up which took time to remove.

And in the long run, I notice that the more simple the routine, the better the loc health.

Dirt is not an option.

PICS OF LOCS - AN INSPIRATION TO THICK LOCS

2004-10-01T19:30:00.000+01:00

When my locs get longer, I want them looking like this:

Many times, I have asked my Self if I want to cut my locs in half and get thinner locs...then I look at these pics and know that I still want my thick locs.

I'm in that funny stage where its not short, but its not long.

So I'm just hoping to get on the long side very soon.

I have seen many friends with locs of 10 years + and all have told me that if you want healthy locs when they are long and aged, be sure to keep 'em thick. Most of them have slowly joined their locs over the years so the locs have gone thicker, then cut the thin ends when they were ripping off.

HAVING FUN WITH HATS AGAIN...

2004-10-01T19:15:00.000+01:00

OCT. 1ST - 3 YEARS AND 2 MONTHS!

Got all my hats out again, the cold weather is back so I'm looking out for more ways to jazz up these locs. OK, so I hate styling it, so the next best thing is getting a nice hat or headwrap on.

I can just tell this Winter is gonna be a killer!

FREEFORMING AND ASSUMPTIONS

2004-09-28T17:16:00.000+01:00

FREEFORMING....
why do people assume it looks 'untidy', 'too fat', 'not acceptable', 'ugly' and 'not the way to go'.
Freeforming is not any of those things...

Its volume, Its trust in knowing your locs will grow ni their own time. It is about being free.

I have seen so many gorgeous locs out there...all freeform, all full of volume, healthy and thick...

Freeforming is not negative.

NOT AGAIN - I COULDN'T!

2004-09-28T16:51:00.000+01:00

OK, I'm getting even more weird urges to shave my head and have a short hair look....

I see it everywhere, in the underground, the shops, the people around me...

Or am I just rooting out for them now lol?!?

Either way, I love the look. It really brings out the feminine features in everyone.

But if I had to go through the locing again....

I stop my thoughts. NO way.

I couldn't do it all over again.

JUST ADD THIS TO YOUR PRODUCTS...

2004-09-26T14:21:00.000+01:00

Simple solutions to making any commercial product work well with your hair...

A few things you can add to any product for more:

~essential oils of your choice
~honey
~extra virgin olive oil
~Any other oil you like
~Milk
~Beaten eggs

Most of them work well mixed in with conditioners... then washed out, but its for you to try!

A personal favourite of mine: honet and extra virgin olive oil...
I add it to almost everything!

MY NEW CONDITIONER...

2004-09-20T14:46:00.000+01:00

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL....

Cheap, easy to use, doesn't leave my locs feeling oily after the last and final rinse, takes on the smell of my shampoo (black soap) and leaves my locs SO soft for days....

Pure accident, but glad to have tried this out! It actually works better than any commercial conditioner that I've used in the past...

OK, so I did say that I was not going to use oils... but this method seems to work out just fine.

OK -YES, I ADMIT... I AM OBSESSED WITH HIM!

2004-09-15T09:01:00.000+01:00

...AND CAN YOU BLAME ME?!?

I am unlucky - This guy comes into London Jazz cafe and I'm always the last to hear about it! Just last week, and I know now!!!

Oh well, there's always the next 2 years to wait again. AH!

A LITTLE BRUSHING GOES A LONG WAY...

2004-09-13T23:07:00.000+01:00

What would I do if I didn't have my brush?!?

Anytime, at any point... If my locs are dry... a little water and a 3 minute brush does the trick! Thats it.

This Summer has been all about letting my locs out and free... no headwraps! And I've had more compliments from strangers than ever before!

Definately the longest time I've gone for without wearing a wrap -and I love it! I can't handle having my locs over my face -I did all that hiding behind the hair thing when I had extension braids so I keep them well out of eyes and face.

I'm not one to style -so a loose ponytail usually does the trick.

MORE HOME MADE RECIPES

2004-09-13T13:57:00.000+01:00

I put together a few yummy and cheap home made recipes that I found on http://www.care2.com ...

Loving it!

http://groups.msn.com/HOLISTICLOCING/recipeposts.msnw

Don't forget to click on the next button for more recipes on the next page!

"SHE'S GONE ON THE BLACK SIDE NOW..."

2004-09-06T09:25:00.000+01:00

...still hearing this statement. As a biracial person with locs, I feel many associate my locing journey with a militant Black image...

During the 3 yeas of locing, I have been fortunate enough to meet a few men/women of biracial origin who have experienced the exact same thing as me... Non-Black family members and their false assumptions, the surprised looks when I tell someone I have European family and the usual questions on a testing level....

Being natural seems OK, but as soon as we loc up...people assume that we no longer want to associate with the non-Black side of things...

Let me clear up a few things...
~I am a Roots girl ( both Spiritually and cultural) ...how can I be so without accepting my own?
~How is growing locs a Black only thing when I see many non-Black people with locs too?
~Why is my locs a threat to my heritage at all?

I am equally proud of both sides- yet they do not define me... I am just 'me' -but society will want me to tick a box as an 'ethnic minority' ...

I embrace both of my cultural backgrounds with open arms -whetehr they choose to do the same to me is another story.

For me, locing is a Spiritual realm ... not a Black declaration.

NO PRODUCTS CHALLENGE

2004-09-04T10:08:00.000+01:00

Sept. 1st 2004:
3 YEARS AND 1 MONTH LOCING

Simple is best -but how simple can I go with routine?

For the rest of this month, I'll just use my black soap and conditioner to wash -nothing else, only a pure water spritz if I need some moisture or to brush locs with...

I'll get back to you on the results... hopefully, my locs won't be too dry!

JUST WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS MATURE...

2004-08-26T20:44:00.000+01:00

I'm brushing my locs and spotting all these empty pockets in my locs, never nooticed that before!

So I guess they might just be permanent -or maybe they're just buds half way down my locs...

OK, so I'm still maturing yet...

CONFESSION TIME ~ITS NORMAL RIGHT?!?

2004-08-26T10:27:00.000+01:00

Even though I LOVE my locs and accept them for all they are...

~I still get those urges to shave them all off and try out a teeny weeny afro in a bright colour. Or I'll see a huge Afro and think -What if?

~I do get loc envy when I see thinner locs that can be shaped into more styles than mine, for now. My thick locs laugh off all my attempts to do a french braid or twists.

~I miss loose hair and how my fuzzies used to curl up when wet.

Yes, its natural to get those feelings -But then I remember why I loced up in the first place...
The no hassle of just waking up and not bothering to style it at all.
The way it grows and thickens with time.
The process that I went throguh in inner transforming my Self.
The never ending project that is my locs -And what they will grow into in the future.

Thats all I need to know.

THE CASE OF H.I.L HABIT...

2004-08-25T10:51:00.000+01:00

H.I.L ===> HAND IN LOCS

Its become a BAD ahbit, and its even getting in the way as I work my fingers through my unloced roots and untangle them...

I've got atleast 2 inches of unloced hair at the base of each loc... I'm wonderring if that goes away after a while or if it is because my H.I.L ....

Gotta stop.

STILL THE DUMB QUESTIONS...

2004-08-22T22:45:00.000+01:00

I think it has FINALLY hit on my family that my locs are permanent -yes, even after all this time, they had a small hope that I would turn around and say 'Its gone!'...

Now why can't people just be accepting in life? Really....its not their hair, I'm not asking them to loc up, just to keep their mouths shut when they feel the urge to come out with bad comments... And they should know me better, I'm not a stranger. So why judge things on a physical basis?

I guess its probably because its not all been physical -I have changed, I have grown just that little stronger to know that I don't need anyone's acceptance and beauty is truly a personal thing...

When it comes down to it, I love my family, but they KNOW that they need to accept me -all of it.... The good and the bad in their eyes.

The rest is a choice they need to make. I've made mine.

I NEVER REALLY NOTICED UNTIL NOW....

2004-08-21T21:52:00.000+01:00

Its true to say one thing -I never really noticed how fast my hair grows until now -or how quick the stages go by... until now.

I was looking through old photos, the change is amazing! I miss all the days of fuzziness -simply because I wish I had enjoyed the experience of having the mad loc stages...

I miss how my locs used to stand up on end and have so much volume...
I miss those curly ends...
I miss having my braids fuzz up...

My locs have come a long way -my only advice to anyone who is a newbie locer -enjoy all the stages! They pass so quickly, like life itself... Its not worth worrying about.

The 3 year mark is not only a symbol of my loc stages -it is a symbol of my comittment to the whole Spiritual lifestyle, in so many ways.... the changing of my thoughts, the actions and the way things have moved forward in the last 3 years... so fast!

STILL ON THE STUFF... MSM TABS AND OTHERS...

2004-08-21T21:33:00.000+01:00

Still on my daily intake of MSM -I take about 3 tabs a day. I've been taking it since last Summer and I love the results!

Higher Nature MSM 1000mg 90 tablets
http://www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/detail/868276.html
Vegetarian organic sulphur supplement

Recommended Dosage
Take 1-3 tablets daily with meals,beginning with 1 tablet and building gradually, or as your health professional advises. Drink extra water for the first few weeks. A daily multi-vitamin is also recommended.

Ingredients
Methyl sulphonyl methane pulv.,Sea Calcium™, microcrystalline cellulose, silica, magnesium stearate (veg source), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose coating.

Nutritional Information
Each tablet typically provides Methyl sulphonyl methane (MSM) 1000mg.

Other Information
MSM is a natural source of organic sulphur produced in the upper atmosphere. It is the primary source of organic sulphur used by living organisms. The protein in connective tissue that is so important in body structure, relies on sulphur, which is also important in many enzymes and other body materials.

____________________________

Its more to do with my general health -I love that my nails and hair seem to be showing signs of healthy changes, along with healthy eating and a little exercise. There is no magic pill that will promote hair growth, but I do feel that a healthy body goes a LONG way...

I aslo take 2 garlic tabs, and 2 cod liver oil tabs during the day -complete with a multi vitamin.
I know, it may sound a lot but its just been a habit so far!

I hardly ever eat 2 real meals a day, but I make sure that I eat a good breakfast. I try my best to eat a healthy meal afterwards, either at night or during the lunch hour. I'm making excuses, but I'm always on the run for food... so I keep my food simple and healthy. Yet, I still feel I lack the extra nutrients my body needs. Thats where my tabs act as a back-up... Just incase.

In an ideal world, I would only be eating the food to get these nutrients but extra never seems to hurt. I'm working on it.

NOT MUCH CHANGE NOW...

2004-08-19T20:59:00.000+01:00

From wetr locs to dry locs...

My locs used to look completely different when wet -very bumpy and thick... then as it dried over the hour it would slowly get thinner and the bumps will smooth out...

Its been 2 months since I have seen change to this -my locs are starting to look very much the same, no matter what... I'm taking this as a sign that it is slowly maturing. It gives me the freedom to know that when I wash my locs in the morning, my locs remain as is through the day...

I'll always have bumpy locs -thats not the issue. Itsd just nice to know that the journey is still working in subtle ways.

Loc on...

A TRIP IN EUROPE

2004-08-16T12:46:00.000+01:00

My travels through Holland and Spain -reminds me how amazing it is to travel around and see the world again.

My loc responses weren't too bad -I remember in the days when I would only see a Black face every other month or so -people would literally stare at me as I walked through Madrid. And they weren't very subtle with their language, thinking I couldn't understand what they were talking about... bad memories of old days.

Seems like times have changed, I was nervous to come 'home' and see family that have been out of life for years -I feel more at home in my 'home' town Madrid than ever before. Its nice to see that people are more accepting of me. I think its more curiousity than anything else.

Amsterdam was a pleasure as always, a few days of looking around, meeting new people and experiencing the culture. I love that city. Definately my 'loc capital of Europe' award! So many loc heads walking the streets. I wouldn't mind spending more time here in future.

IT TAKES ALL FORMS...

2004-08-16T10:58:00.000+01:00

Its refreshing to see natural hair everywhere I go now... I'm not even 'trying' to spot them, they just show up in their Big afros and bushy locs... I love it! And it seems every culture and race has caught on.

I have always loved locs on everyone -no matter what their race is. Recently on a trip to Amsterdam, there were so many white people with locs who smiled back it was unbelievable! Locs come in all forms, and I love them!

People have asked why my website is geared towards afro hair -the simple answer is that I can only work with what I know about my experiences -being that I have afro hair, I talk through that experience. But in reality, locs of any texture comes down to simple loc routines. Afro hair is beautiful -but knowing that everyone can appreciate an experience , no matter what race, is a great thought!

Locs are truly peace.

SUMMER GROWTH....crazy

2004-08-16T00:53:00.000+01:00

Is it me or does hair really grow faster during the Summer months?!?

**touches roots to check...

I have atleast 1 inch of unloced hair at the base of each loc and since Summer began I almost know that my roots have grown 3 inches or so... madness.

**ATTENTION! The loc vibe....

2004-08-16T00:39:00.000+01:00

...Summer is here -well kind of... UK weather has a bad habit of liftinng our hopes up high and then killing it with sharp down pours of bucket loads. Thats ok, I always come prepared.

This is the first Summer that I have really been so free with my locs, letting them out. To be honest, half of the reason is that it is WAY TOO hot to be wearing headwraps. I always seem to find head wraps comforting, like a protection barrier from the outside world -where my crown picks up nasty vibes and pollution. So removing it was a big step, it felt very...weird and vulnerable to be letting my locs out loose in the air.

Then I catch people on the bus staring at them like.... not sure what like. I get the strong urge to ask them what their thoughts are -yet I don't care , just curious I guess. I've gone past caring what people think of me or what I look like, what I do or what I say.... its not worth the hassle. So much time was wasted in the past with my anxious thoughts of what others might feel about things -now I just take a deep breath and get on with life.

I must say, I do enjoy the respect many people have given me -I'm not a Rasta woman, nor do I ever pretend to be -but if I am greeted, I'll be sure to give them the nod back and smile. Its a nice connection. And if they ask -I say I'm just a spiritual woman. No harm in that, no bad reactions either.

I do feel that some people feel automatically more 'radical' around me, and relax with others -but maybe thats just because they don't know me. And people tend to approach me on the streets very often now for culture events and workshops -I'm not complaining. It has been a great chance to meet many new people. I feel it has more to do with my inner confidence now than anything physical.

My old friends still treat me the same -yet inner change is a process they got used to seeing in me as I gradually showed more of my love for more spiritual and natural living in recent months... every day is about growth. And people need to accept that we can't always remain the same -we all change, its just nice to have old friends who really see the changes with time!

I'm getting strong urges to colour only a few of my locs -I did a few colour sessions before and one left me with a huge orange blob on the top of my head that I didn't like, so I re-dyed it back to dark brown. The sun just plays with colours now, like a henna do... I like.

Let these plants of mine be peace.

STILL EXPERIMENTING

2004-08-16T00:22:00.000+01:00

I know I said I would be keeping things very simple... but the new found freedom of mixing ingredients at home has been a whole new way of experimenting -I like that I can actually take control of what i put on my locs ... not just take chances...

Every ingredient has its own unique effect on my locs -combining all the good results of each ingredient with others to boost and I'm left with a whole heap of bottles and potions. Even my fridge has a section just for fresh ingredient spritzs and creams... drives everyone mad lol!

I give each experiment 2 weeks before I decide if it works or not -some products seemed bad for my locs through the first few days and suddenly turned good results after a week or so -so you just never know! I love it!

...Off to make a new batch of stuff...

YEAR 3 mark...

2004-08-16T00:12:00.000+01:00

This is where I'll be posting up more loc thoughts...
I still can't believe that it has already been 3 years of locing. My choice to start using homemade products and natural soaps to wash my locs have really left my hair at its softest -ever! Even when I had loose naps, it wasn't this soft!

I can't help but wonder how amazing time has been over the last 3 years -the explosion of natural hair information has been a seriosu revolution. To think that in this day and age, we still feel the need to 'be' something we are not is so crazy!

A growth experience is really all about internal change -the locs have been just a direct reflection of my changes through the 3 years of locing.

And now that I have taken this conscious step to take change into another level -it can only really get better!

Over the last year, my locs have seen a huge growth spurt -I've probbably said all this in previous posts on my locs, but now that my shrinkage has completely stopped, the length is coming directly from the roots.

As my hair is loosely curled, I'm SO glad that I joined my locs together... I need that strong base at the roots to hold the weight of my locs, which are starting to get heavy. The bottom part is especially dense and hard -the oldest part of my loc.

I can't wait to have my locs flowing down my back -2 years.....

Time flies.