Anny's World

My Sisterlocks journey - year 1 (in pictures)

2020-04-05T20:03:00.004-07:00

I've already reached the one-year mark with my locs.

Please watch my videos on the subject to know how I'm dealing with it all. To sum it up, I would say that I'm very happy about my journey and I do not regret my decision.

Here is my one year of progress through pictures.

Sisterlocks day 4

Sisterlocks week one

Sisterlocks installation

Sisterlocks 2 weeks

Sisterlocks 1 month

Sisterlocks 6 weeks

Sisterlocks 3 months

Sisterlocks 4 months

Sisterlocks 5 months

Sisterlocks 5 months texture shot

Sisterlocks 7 months

Sisterlocks 8 months

Sisterlocks 1 year

1-year anniversary... Loc count!!! Build-up??? | Sisterlocks | Anny Keyz

2020-04-05T17:02:00.001-07:00

6 weeks update | Sisterlocks | Anny Keyz

2019-04-17T17:37:00.001-07:00

The decision | Sisterlocks | Anny Keyz

2019-03-22T16:17:00.001-07:00

My current regimen - spring 2017

2017-04-04T20:17:00.000-07:00

Hello stranger!

I've been on a long hiatus but I'm back to document my current regimen because it's a good one.

2016 was a rough year for my hair. It was actually the year I was supposed to see if my hair could grow longer than my breaking point. But I didn't make it... 🙁

Already in June, right after filming my length check video I could see that my hair was thin. I, right away, went to my dark place and mentally accepted that I was heading towards a setback.

The months went by and I could see my hair wasn't progressing. I was defeated... I stopped taking progress pics and stopped filming my length checks.

Six months went by and the new year had started. I had straightened my hair for my birthday in October and then for Christmas. My crown suffered the most breakage making my overall hair look thin and unhealthy (same as usual).

I was devastated...

I was this close to cutting my hair and calling my journey off altogether, but I didn't. I instead went on YouTube, watched a bunch of videos on excessive shedding and crown breakage and tried to build a new regimen that was more tailored to my needs.

My previous routine was:

Wash weekly (mostly cowash)
DC weekly
Protein treatment (when I felt like it, which was rarely)
Detangle not sectioning my hair
Style: wash and go all the time

This routine was not good enough for me.

My new routine is:

Prepoo with aloe vera gel and oil mix (olive oil and castor oil) - weekly
Wash with shampoo (Selsun Blue) in 6 sections - weekly
DC with Joico Moisture Recovery - weekly
Protein with ORS hair mayonnaise - every other week
Detangle in the 6 sections - weekly
Style: rollerset in twists - weekly

This prepoo helps to prep my hair for wash day. It definitely helps my hair with tangles from the beginning of the process.

I no longer cowash, especially in winter because I need to use Selsun Blue to medicate my itchy scalp.

The DC with Joico Moisture Recovery is luxurious (favorite DC ever!). The treatment is thick, smells nice and makes my hair feel really soft and hydrated for days!

I keep my hair in 6 sections the whole time to help the detangling process. I've lost less and less hair every week doing this and I'm ecstatic.

I thought for a long time that twists were never going to be part of my regimen, but last year, I came to the realization that wash and go's were no longer a staple for me. The single strand knots were overtaking my life and my tangle led to so much breakage at the crown.

I'm still tweaking my regimen here and there to make sure my crown gets the maximum hydration with the minimum irritation and hair loss.

I also take hair vitamins but I'm not completely sure they are helping any. They are hair, skin and nail vitamins and my nails have not shown any progress since I've started taking them.

I love my new regimen!

😃

Mommy favorite - Canon 70D - review

2016-11-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

I did it! I upgraded my Canon DSLR from the T4i to the 70D. I got a really good deal on it on Boxing Day 2015 and I went for it.

In 2016, Canon released the 80D, so I'm sure that during the 2016 Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day sales, the 70D will be sold for a steal. If you are in the market for this camera, now is the time to shop around for it. Do. Not. Sleep.

I have been using this camera for a few months already. Time does fly... And here is my very short review.

It is a great camera. I film YouTube videos and the reason I wanted this camera was for the auto-focus in video improvements. Boy did it deliver! My video quality has improved greatly. I can actually set the camera to face detection and it will keep my face in focus while I film my beauty videos. I can show products, while I do reviews and it will focus on the product and focus back on my face after I finish showing the product. It is great! With my T4i, I had to lock the focus and disable Servo-AF because it was so jittery and noisy. And also had to take separate shots of products to show them closer.

The main reason I wanted to upgrade was for the video improvements of the camera. It takes beautiful pictures as well but my T4i did that very well too. I had no complaints about the photography aspect.

I recommend this camera even over the 80D if you can get a deal. It is amazing!

Professionals always say to get the cheapest camera that will suit your needs and spend money on glass (lenses). I agree with that. Since 2013, when I purchased my T4i, I've added a few lenses to my collection. My Rebel G lenses also work on my cameras. I'm in heaven...

One tip I have which goes against popular beliefs is to get the camera bundled with the kit lens. The newer kit lenses are amazing and they give you an STM lens which is the newer technology in terms of image stabilization and auto-focusing while video recording. Even on a T4i, an STM lens works a lot better.

Once again, I definitely recommend this camera. I give it 5 stars!

Haul #2 - Sephora, drugstore, online | Anny Keyz

2016-11-26T14:03:00.001-08:00

Mommy favorites - Canon Rebel T4i (and my Canon collection)

2016-11-19T04:57:00.000-08:00

OMG!!!!! I've fallen in love all over again! 15 years ago, in my early twenties I purchased my first real camera, a Canon SLR. It was the Canon Rebel G... It was the entry level SLR back then, it was not digital. I had purchased it with my earnings from my part-time job and I was really proud of it.

It worked with regular 35mm film and I had to pay to get all my pictures developed. I spent hours reading books on photography to be able to use my new gadget. I was in love... I've always had an interest for photography.

Mind you, I never really pursued it. I never took classes or anything of the sort. I read books and articles and my owner's manual through and through.

When digital photography came about, I wasn't impressed. I waited years before I purchased my first digital camera. And when I did, it was a Canon... As my first digital camera I got a point and shoot but it was a little more advance than the regular, cheaper ones. It was the Canon Powershot A95. It took gorgeous pictures.

This camera had a flip screen which is a functionality my husband and I always loved, it had 14 shooting mode with P and M included. You could film with this camera. All around, it was great! It last us a few years but not long enough to get our money's worth in my opinion. It worked with 4 AA batteries and a compact flash card which is much larger than an SD card.

After our Powershot started giving us some difficulty, we decided to get something I thought would be close to having a DSLR, we got the Canon Powershot SX20. I didn't really like that camera.

It was almost as expensive as the A95 which is not so bad, but the quality wasn't great. My pictures weren't impressive. Truthfully, I expected better.

After that, I got a small point and shoot, the Canon Powershot A2200. We wanted a small inexpensive Canon to bring when we didn't feel like bringing our bigger SX20.

Lastly, after 15 years, I went back to the Rebel... We purchased our DSLR, the T4i, after I made sure all the functionalities of the camera would suit my needs and wants.

I, of course, wanted a flip screen. I also wanted the camera to be able to record quality videos easily. I got all that and more with the T4i. I could have purchased the T3i, but mine was one sale and beating the price of a T3i at the time. However, for an amateur like me, the only notable difference between the two models is the touchscreen (but I LOVE this capability).

I love everything about my camera but specially the fact that it reignited the spark I had for photography way back when.

These days, my preferred models are my family, my kids, my nephew and niece, at family gatherings and weddings. The pictures are magnificent. And I know it's only the tip of the iceberg.

The only thing I can say about it is that the auto-focus in video mode isn't great. It's makes an annoying sound and it is way too sensitive. Other companies have had that functionality down for years but not Canon. Shooting You Tube videos and showing products with this camera is not as great as with the Sony DSLR for example.

Nevertheless, it's a great camera and I am really happy with my purchase. I've had it for almost a year now. But I knew I would love at least as much as my Rebel G.

Rice and beans | Haitian Recipe Hack! | Anny Keyz

2016-08-13T06:46:00.001-07:00

New YouTuber tag | My favorite YouTuber, mean comments, my camera, editi...

2016-06-22T19:02:00.001-07:00

GRWM Church Glam | Anny Keyz

2016-06-07T15:58:00.001-07:00

Drugstore Haul May 2016 | Anny Keyz

2016-05-23T08:57:00.001-07:00

GRWM Date Night makeup look | Anny Keyz

2016-05-08T18:43:00.001-07:00

Eden BodyWorks Pudding Soufflé Review | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-04-30T01:39:00.001-07:00

Perm Rod Set on Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-04-21T19:59:00.001-07:00

2 years length check - commentaries

2016-03-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Commentaries on my 2 year post big chop video

In all, I can say that the simple regimen that I’ve been following is definitely working for me. I was wondering if I would wish my hair was longer at this point, but no. I am very happy with the growth so far.

I haven’t faced major setbacks. The only bad notes regarding this particular journey were things that I was already expecting.

1. My crown area is still the most difficult area. I will put much more effort into keeping it healthy during my third year because I’m noticing more tangles and knots, therefore more breakage and less length compared to the rest of my hair.

2. My scalp, although much improved, it is still sensitive and I can’t let go of the care I give it otherwise it will suffer and I will suffer right along with it.

I’ve started coloring my hair because my critical eye is noticing the grays even more when I edit my videos and I felt the urge to color them. I, of course, don’t use bleach or ammonia. I had planned on trying to use the color that doesn’t dry out my hair. But I've been noticing increased dryness. I will definitely discontinue use of regular box dyes and use dark rinses and glosses. And since the grey hairs are few, I can also use the color sticks or such products.

I’m slowly starting to try different styles. But the wash and go remains my go to style. I was able to improve my perm rod set. I straightened my hair but I didn't really like how it turned out so I didn't post too many pictures or film a video wearing it in this style. I'm still trying to figure out the best method for straightening fine natural hair. My hair is silky and smooth except for the ends. Not a good look, for me...

I'll be sharing my third year regimen soon... Not much will change but I have to add some improvements to ensure good results.

Please check out my previous post for my 2 year length check video.

Deuces for now...

2 year length check | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-03-24T20:43:00.001-07:00

The Curly Girl Tag | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-03-15T21:16:00.001-07:00

My go to everyday face | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-02-25T04:58:00.001-08:00

GRWM - Simple makeup and third day hair | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-02-12T18:24:00.001-08:00

As I Am Coconut Cowash Review | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-02-04T19:33:00.001-08:00

5 minute makeup challenge | Anny Keyz

2016-01-26T20:41:00.001-08:00

My Foundation Collection | Anny Keyz

2016-01-15T19:45:00.001-08:00

2015 Regimen and favorites | Natural Hair | Anny Keyz

2016-01-07T16:46:00.001-08:00

Blog month - What did you do to your hair today?

2015-11-10T04:00:00.002-08:00

I decided to try and post more this month since I just found out that November is Blog Post Month.

Today, I woke up happy and ready to tackle my last workday of the week. I didn't wake up early to workout. I haven't done this in months. But it's still on my nighttime to do list for tomorrow.

I thanked God for my husband and my family, for the rested sleep and for the fact that our 3-year-old did not join us this time.

What did I do to my hair?

Like most days, I sport a wash and go that I had set the Sunday before. My hair is still too short to pineapple so I sleep on a satin pillowcase. In the morning my hair is a mess but that's easily fixed.

Every morning I either spray my hair or wet it in the shower. This morning I wet it in the shower. Then, I shake my head to loosen the squished curls. I blot with a microfiber cloth if it's too wet. That's it after that, my hair is back to being cute and I can get ready to be on my way.

By lunchtime, My hair is dry because I only wet it a little. Just enough to reactivate the curls.

I'd love more tips and tricks.

What will you do to your hair this winter?