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.
My locs are just long enough that they are getting in my eyes, so I have abandoned the part and latched my hair straight back. After going two months without latching (just separating between washings), I had a lot of growth to tend to. I'm looking forward to being able to style my hair a bit - as much as I like the ease of short hair, I miss having the styling options that I had with my loose natural hair.
Cold weather came in early this year - who knew? Over time, I've reduced the amount of time and product that I put into my hair and I've moving more into letting it do it's own thing. I'm stretching out the time between latchings from 1 month to 2 - actually I'm due for one now. I tried baking soda rinses and found that the baking soda helped more if I mixed it with my diluted shampoo. The ACV rinses have been great for my hair. And brushing my hair a few times a weeks has really helped with the constant battle against lint. Products currently in use (bolded if essential, italics if I am trying it out) Clarifying shampoo - Nature's Gate Rainwater Clarifying Shampoo Daily: Spritz with water and Oyin spritz as needed. Brush as needed. Alternating weeks: Shampoo with added baking soda and condition OR shampoo as usual followed by ACV rinse. Add oil or Oyin spritz as needed Every 6-8 weeks: Latch hair after shampoo.
Shampoo - Oyin Grand Poo Bar
Conditioner - Oyin's Honey Hemp Conditioner
Styling (latching/palm rolling) - none
Daily Moisturizer - Water, Oyin's Greg Juice, Oyin Juice and Berries
Supplements - Women's One a Day
Post rinsing or shampoo - Nasabb Kelechi Hair Oil
My hair is really growing now! I'm happy with the growth but I've had to pull out my headbands and hair clips to keep my hair out of my eyes. I've been alternating ACV rinses and baking soda rinses each week and my hair feels great.
I tried a baking soda rinse last week and I didn't see much difference in my hair. But I'm not sure if I had the correct ratio of baking soda to water, so I will give it another shot this weekend or next. I also need to get back in the habit of sleeping in a scarf - I haven't been consistent with the satin pillow and I've noticed a lot of lint lately.
Freshly latched, washed, rinsed, etc. I don't like my hair right after I latch it - too many spaces and it just doesn't lay nicely for a few days. But it is starting to show some growth for a change.
I haven't updated a while because the last few months have been very hectic. I also neglected my hair maintenance beyond the regular wash, condition, and separation.
As this has been a very hot and humid last couple of weeks, my hair and scalp were begging for some extra attention. So I decided to try out an ACV (apple cider vinegar) rinse. I consulted the loc forum on Nappturality and found that the recommended ratio was 1 oz of ACV to 4 oz of water. I was worried about the smell, so I did about a 1/8 ratio. Then I hopped in the shower, did an ACV pre-shampoo rinse, shampooed my hair, put the rest of the ACV rinse on my hair and covered with a shower cap for 15 minutes. Then I rinsed.
Now that my hair is dry and latched, it does feel a little bit drier than normal, but my scalp feels great. There is no vinegar scent at all in my hair. I'll have to see how it feels and looks in the morning but so far, I am quite pleased with the results.
A year ago, I looked into the mirror and decided that the twists were staying in.
I added some old pictures of my loose natural hair. They can be found here:
I also put all of my loced hair photos into a collection here:
Not much to report otherwise. I misplaced my camera so I haven't taken any new loc pictures. There isn't much change other than a tiny bit of growth and a need for latching sometime in the next 3 weeks. It is blazing hot, but the humidity (and Greg Juice) have helped keep my hair soft and moist. I really want to go ahead and try out my new bottle of Juice and Berries, but I have an older bottle of Greg Juice to use up. I may just give the Greg Juice to my mom so I can get started with the Juice and Berries.
Products currently in use (bolded if essential, italics if I am trying it out)
Clarifying shampoo - Nature's Gate Rainwater Clarifying Shampoo
Shampoo - Oyin Grand Poo Bar, Trader Joe's Citrus Shampoo
Conditioner - Oyin's Honey Hemp Conditioner
Styling (latching/palm rolling) - none
Daily Moisturizer - Water, Oyin's Greg Juice, Oyin Juice and Berries
Supplements - Women's One a Day
Post rinsing or shampoo - Nasabb Kelechi Hair Oil
Every two weeks:
Wash with clarifying shampoo and condition. Add oil and air dry.
2-3 times per week:
Shampoo, add oil and air dry
1-2 times per week (depending on the state of my hair):
Rinse hair in shower, add oil or Greg Juice as needed.
Daily:
Spritz with water and Greg Juice as needed.
