late night thoughts and a loc FAQ
I really should be asleep, but it isn't happening. But my head is full of random loc thoughts and now is as good of a time for a brain dump as any.
I'm really surprised at how fast my hair is growing. It was a lot harder to notice while my hair was loose - between shrinkage and breakage, I thought that the 1/2 inch a month thing didn't apply to me. But with locs, the new growth is obvious. I'm sticking to stretching out my latchings to every 2 months. I don't really like my hair right after it is latched and I'd rather have some extra growth to work with so it doesn't look as scalpy. Of course, that means I have to be more diligent about separating my locs after I wash - the extra growth and my lazy post-shampoo upkeep has led to some serious tangles.
Also, I am in love with head wraps, bands and head coverings right now. I'm not sure why - it hasn't been that cold so far. I just like the look of them and it gets me out of wild loc days.
And since I've been asked a lot of questions over the last couple of months (I must look more approachable), here is my loc FAQ.
How do you wash your hair?
Usually, I use shampoo and conditioner. If I feel like I have some extra buildup, I add some baking soda to diluted shampoo and finish with a apple cider vinegar rinse instead of my usual conditioner.
Can you take them out?
Technically, yes. However, because I have had them for about 18 months now and they are latched rather than twisted, this would be a long tedious process that I have no patience for.
How do you make them so soft and clean?
Shampoo and conditioner. Occasionally some oil.
How long are you going to keep them?
I don't know. Until I am ready to do something else. But the idea of salt and pepper locs appeals to me. Then again, so does a silver Afro.
How long are they going to grow?
I have no idea. I have never had really long hair - even the longest braid extensions I have had stopped just below the shoulder. When my loose hair got to my shoulders, I always ended up cutting it because the length annoyed me. I have fantasies of bra length locs, but I don't know if I have the patience to care for them. I usually look at people with long locs and wonder how long they take to dry and then envy their head wraps.
Can I touch your hair?
Well, since you asked first...
