Finally All Natural!

Yeah I did it! I finally cut off all of my permed ends!!! I was inspired by Dominica, because she cut off her ends and her hair was so cute. I was getting so frustrated with the permed ends because they would not hold a curl, and just looked damaged. I am happy that I kept the permed ends for so long because it allowed me time to ease into the natural world at my own pace. But it was time for a change. For the first time today I free styled my all natural hair. No curlers, no nothing just me. Can you tell I am excited? Here are pics of the process. Enjoy!

With my freshly cut and retightened hair

Loc Anniversary- A Year in Review

Yeah! I cannot believe it has already been one year! It feels like yesterday when my locks were installed. This has been a very hard year for me personally but I would not change a thing about my locks. No matter what I have been going though my hair looks good. My locks are stress-free and uniquely me! (That rhymes...I was a rapper in my past life) Anyway, so I thought I would give a year in review of things I have learned so far in my journey. Enjoy!

1. Less is better.

I don't need a lot of products to make my hair beautiful. Just some water mixed with a little Sisterlock moisture treatment to keep my permed ends from looking dry and I'm good to go!

2. Self-retighenings are hard but rewarding.

I took the retightening class when my locks were 9 months old. I have to drive 3 hours to the nearest consultant, so doing my own hair is ideal. I have done 3 retights and so far and it takes me forever. I don't want to rush because then I hook locks together. I have mourned the loss of 2 locks so far and don't want to lose anymore from rushing. It usually takes me two days to finish my hair. And I really have stay organized with my sections and parts to make sure I don't skip any locks. However, I am always so proud of myself when I'm finished. It is great to know that I can do my own hair for the first time in my life. No salons, no appointment times, no waiting, no spending tons of money. I am self-sufficient!!

3. Natural is beautiful cause its the real me.

Having natural hair means getting used to a new aesthetic. I have not seen my natural hair since I was 9 year old. So we are finally getting reacquainted. It weird to see new growth and not stress about getting a relaxer. New growth actually makes me happy now! I used to hate that my hair was so course and thick (and nappy) but now it is a wonderful blessing. I have never been so proud to be me.

4. Natural hair vs. Permed ends (My money is on the natural)

There is a war going on in my head! I started out with 2 inches of natural hair and 7 inches of permed hair. The permed hair was winning. Now I have 5 inches of sisterlocked natural hair and 4 inches of permed hair. Amazing!

5. Have fun, style, and be creative.

So folks say that you should not style your hair too much because it slows the locking process. That might be true but I just love styling my hair. I am a performer and do a show at least every other week, and I need to look good on stage. So styling is for me. Because I have permed ends I try to keep my hair curled. Normally, I use Lock Loops. They are quick, and easy to sleep in.

10 Months Strong

I still love my Sisterlocks! I had my permed ends trimmed last week. They are so stringy now and really don't hold a curl. I am getting more and more comfortable with my natural hair. It makes me feel unique and different. For the first time in my life people are meeting the true MochaC. I hold my head higher and feel proud just to be me...nappy and all.

I met a great consultant who trimmed my permed ends and gave me some advice about keeping my hair moisturized. I really wanted to color my hair but she advised that I wait a little longer. She told me to use the Sisterlock moisture treatment diluted to spray on my locks to keep them from being dry. I am going to try that next week. I still braid and band my hair when I wash it. This really keeps my hair from bunching.

Well this hair thing is truly an adventure. People still ask me, "How long are you going to keep those tiny braids in your hair?" I just laugh and explain that they are Sisterlocks. I'm enjoying my journey.

Here is a picture my husband took today of my locks. I set them the night before on perm rods.

1 Month

I love my hair! It is so beautiful and easy to manage. I go to the gym and sweat... my hair looks great. I walk out in humidity... my hair looks great. I sleep on my hair... wake up, fluff it and it looks great. I am so happy with my decision.

Right now I am all about some head bands. I am thinking about making my own. I've been reading in other blogs that Michael's has great pieces to make head bands with. I wear my hair curled during the week. I spritz my hair at night with a mixture of tea tree oil, jasmine oil, and jojoba oil. Then I roll it with the Lock Loops. These are great because they are easy to sleep on. The curls last about 3 days and then I curl it again. So simple. I go for my first retightening this weekend. Happy locking!

They are in!

My Sisterlocks were installed September 19, 2009. I just love them. I have 2 inches of new growth and 7 inches of permed hair. The process took 25 hours. My butt and neck were sore but I had a great consultant who had a lot of movies for us to watch during the process.

At work today no one even realized I had sisterlocks because my curls are so tight and looks like a normal roller set. I was scared to go to the gym tonight because I just got my Sisterlocks and I didn't want my curls to fall. I really sweated a lot, but my hair stayed in place. I wonder how it will hold up tonight. I'm so excited about this journey. I feel like I'm just getting to know my natural hair again. Its been a long time!

The Beginning

I'm Mocha C and I am getting Sisterlocks tomorrow. I am excited, yet nervous at the same time. I hope they turn out well. I received so much help and inspiration from other bloggers on their Sisterlock journey, that I decided to document my own. Enjoy!