Natural Journeys: My Sisterlocks and stuff

Sister-likes Knotty Boy: Sisterlocks

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:26:00 +0000

KnottyBoy.com

Justin Bieber, Drake and others aren't the only HOT things straight outta Canada...

This year I finally tried Knotty Boy products. I'm lovin' the Dread Shampoo Bar (with 3 Sisterlock'd heads in the house I chop it into thirds and we all shampoo awhile.) It lathers and rinses well and I love the tea tree scent! Then there is the Dreadlock Conditioning Spray... again, I love the Green Tea scent (my kids don't care for it--but WHAEVAH!!) I specifically wanted to try the Knotty Boy Natural MISTic Lock Deodorizer and Fragrance Spray for my dear daughters who have less than fresh heads @ times. I bought the Waterfall scent for them. After it arrived and we tried it, they felt that I should have gone with the Satsuma Spritz scent. They liked the idea of smelling like a "plump juicy orange!" Overall, the Knotty Boy products performed as promised. My SLs are noticeably softer to the touch with a spray of the conditioning product without ANY greasiness.

However, I must say that I don't like putting too much product on my hair as I am having a series of microdermabrasion treatments done on my face. My hair is long enough these days to get in my face thus having the potential of transferring that which is in my hair to my face and neck. Of course, the ingredients of KnottyBoy products are for the most part natural with Hempseed Oil reigning supreme. I also seems that with regular use Knotty Boy keep my Sisterlocks tight with minimal fuzziness after washing. I have become increasingly concerned that my oldest hair on the ends be conditioned as such I do still melt a dollop of Nutiva's raw, extra-virgin Organic Coconut Oil and pour a dime size drop of cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil in my hands then run my hands thru my SLs for extra moisture. Coconut and olive oils are proven to penetrate the hair, thickening the hair shaft and reducing breakage and split ends. These LONG COLD WINTERS here in my state are just brutal on hair and skin. Hmm... just writing about all this makes me want to grab another glass of water and drink up!

Anywhoo... KnottyBoy products ROCK my Sisterlocks! If you know of any other divine products particularly formulated for locs, you betta tell somebody... post your comment here!

2011 Brings Change

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 03:24:00 +0000

My expectations are high for 2011-- spirit, soul and body from hair to toe! My hair ends are re-locking nicely from my first style haircut back in February of 2010. While the cut has certainly grown-out, the result is still something I can work with. What else is new? Well... as you all know, my Sisterlocks where installed by Paulette Brown of Locks4Life Natural Hair Salon. Now, Paulette has moved to out-of-state. While it has been a long time since Paulette has actually retightened my hair herself, I will always well serviced by any one of the SL Consultants of L4L. For the past year, I've been in the chair of Sabrina Sampson. Then, Sabrina opened her own shop: Lock Envy Natural Hair Salon. So, in subsequent posts and videos I'll later create, I'll be rep-pin' Lock Envy! :-)

DON'T GET IT TWISTED, though... I've got NOTHING BUT LOVE for Locks4Life!!

What else? Well, I have been working on my skin. I've got wonderful pure makeup and natural hair, but my skin was so dry. I'm seeing a dermatologist, an old high school classmate--Dr. David Spurlin, on his Peau Claire Spa side. I have had my first series of microdermabrasion treatments, and WOW, can see a difference.
Then, there are my Sisterlock'd daughters... Their Sisterlocks are comin' along beautifully!

Confident, intelligent, beautiful, responsible and God-fearing... my babies: two-thirds of 'em pictured here.

Oh, and I have applied to the doctoral program...
Like I've said... my expectations for 2011 are HIGH! It's gonna be alright...

Whip My Sisterlocks Hair

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 03:52:00 +0000

We had so much fun putting this together! My three daughters 'bout break their necks dancing and performing Willow Smith's smash single "Whip My Hair" whenever they hear this tune. (Which is DAILY... since music is on-demand these days with YouTube, right?!)

I had a little time over the Thanksgiving holiday to put this together. Unfortunately, 2girlsbigsister was ill during the production but managed to get into Day 2 of trying to work this thing out. Ms.ZB was game from Day 1. Her "swag" was only minimally featured in front of the camera, but BAAAABBY that Ms.ZB has moves with attitude when this song is played.

As you can IMAGINE we ALL had headaches for awhile after rockin' out take after take, practicing and messing up! What great family FUN, though! Hilarious...

DON'T get it twisted... there is a MESSAGE TO OUR VIDEO! We are saying stay the course doin' YOU naturally. "Shake off" the haters and enjoy shakin' off relaxers, fake hair, running from the rain and water, etc. Loc'd hair is a JOURNEY... when you feel like giving up... THINK AGAIN!

Coloring Sisterlocks Cognac-ish

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:50:00 +0000

I'm glad our WATER BILL was paid... I colored my Sisterlocks! Which is a hellava RINSING process with Sisterlocks... WHEW! I have used semi-permanent color or rinses before, but never a permanent color like this one. Just tryin' to make sure I rinsed all product out of my SLs, I MUST have emptied our hot water tank for sure! :-)

As much as I LOVE sistahs who really go TRUE golden, auburn or copper with their locs, I'm still not that bold... YET! If I EVER DO IT, I'll probably get it done by a professional.What I really like in hair coloring Sisterlocks not withstanding is that TRUE tortoise shell 3-tone effect. That's a GOOD LOOK!! I think that requires some bleaching/highlighting that I'm NOT particularly comfortable with... at least, not as this time. It would seem to me that a sistah would be tempted to color much more often than perhaps she might have originally expected to maintain the effect. Anywhoooo... not yet for ME is all I can say...

After reading other Sisterlocks blogs I learned that folks were using a number of products to color their Sisterlocks ranging from henna, Loreal, Creme of Nature, Naturtint to Clairol, et al. I decided to go with the Naturtint brand. Naturtint boasts being "the first 100% permanent hair colorant without ammonia formulated with active vegetable ingredients." Plus, as permanent hair coloring goes Naturtint claims to be "ultra-mild." It came highly recommended from those in the blogosphere.
What I was going for was a cognac color that could primarily be seen in the sunlight... I mixed Golden Chestnut and Light Copper Chestnut. What I got was pretty much what I was looking for... I biggest tell-tell sign is that my greying hairline is now reddish-copper, but I trust that will pass with new growth.
In a few days I'll get a fresh retightening, can't wait to see how nice my Cognac (-ish) colored Sisterlocks will look then once I get to stylin' them and never failing to condition them now that I've entered the PERMANENT COLOR ZONE. I should have been conditioning it all along, huh?! I tend to only use a conditioner from time to time. Chemical is chemical is chemical, right?! Rinses, semi-permanent or permanent coloring in the end is probably all the same when you're supposed to be natural and chemical-free.. It ALL requires additional hair care being "color treated"... I'll be sure to use a homemade conditioning spritz daily and conditioner when I wash my Sisterlocks with more regularity now...

Any suggestions for conditioners for color treated Sisterlocks besides the obvious choice-- the Sisterlocks product line?!?

Happy 5th Year Sisterlock'd!

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:00:00 +0000

2005 -2010

Five years ago I made the decision to get Sisterlocks... and WOW, I'm lovin' my life from head to toe. FREEDOM come sunshine (sweat) or rain... I LOVE IT!

What I Hate About My Sisterlocks Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 14:32:00 +0000

Notice how perfectly blunt my freshly cut ends appear this first photo.

Now, examine how frayed my ends appear in the second film strip framed pic (albeit, cutely camouflaged with a curled set).

Take a closer look...below in this pic with my hair free-styled...

I KNOW what is it... failing to band with consistency when washing. It is also the result of rubbing my hair against unfriendly materials on bedsheets, sofacovers, etc. I mention the sofa because I used to sleep on my sofa WITHOUT the cover and my hair looked AWESOME. I think because of the sofa's woolen upholstery. Note to self: QUICK FIX= remove the present sofacover AND sleep on the sofa regularly. (It is so good to blog and think with y'all readers...)

At times when I wear my Sisterlocks free-styled, I totally have an afro-like cloud around the top of my head as it was just the top layer of my hair that was cut back in February of this year. It's the funniest thing... Know what I do, though? I pat my 'fro and KEEP STEPPIN'! Granted, from THIS experience... I probably WON'T cut my hair again for another 5 years because I really feel like it's gonna be a long while for my ends to mature again. I seems that because I do pipecleaner curl my hair often my ends just get rubbed more... :-{

ANY other SUGGESTIONS about how to care for Sisterlocks after haircuts of mature locks? Any tricks of the natural hair trade out there, Sisterlocks family?? Leave comments!

Sisterlocks PipeCleaner Straw Set Vid

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 03:07:00 +0000

THIS I have got to try! Check it out!

A Sisterlocks ShapeCollage

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 00:22:00 +0000

This is the "and Stuff" of my Natural Journeys blog: cool websites like this one! Do check it out.

My Sisterlocks Haircut

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 18:14:00 +0000

Ooooo... I'm very pleased with my haircut. After taking Tony thru a montage of my web-based Sisterlocks photo albums and videos, he began to conceptualize my needs/desires.
Tony took care of my hair like I knew he would. It was so great seeing and talking with him again face-to-face. I haven't been in his chair for over eight years at least. I secretly had envied his well-kept traditional locs of back in the day. I knew locking was something I wanted to do, but I was hardly ready then-- on a number of levels.

Knowing what I know NOW about the Sisterlocks technique in terms of their care and distinction over other locking techniques, I HAVE TODAY what I envied in Tony's traditional locs. With Tony having been a former loc-wearer (two sets), I confidently placed my Sisterlocks in his care.I am thrilled to have tracked Tony Manson down to become a client of his again. I'm not the only one! I learned from Tony that many of his former clients keep his skills sharp. We (former clients) won't let Tony change his vocation like he has changed his hair. You won't cut ME off, Tony... I'll find you my dear brutha. [devilish smile]I am happy for him in that he has gotten back to an original love of writing... Not only is he a skillful stylist; he is a published author-- "When You Don't Know" and businessman these days!

Ms.ZB Has Sisterlocks

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 00:38:00 +0000

Introducing Ms.ZB! My second daughter with Sisterlocks. I'm so excited for her and SHE is lovin' her new look!

Ms.ZB's Sisterlocks Go Into Overtime

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 20:43:00 +0000

God bless Paulette, Ashlee and Atoya-- Certified Sisterlocks Consultants of Locks4Life!! It seemed to be Kids Day at the salon. There were two 6-year-olds in the shop during the beginning of Ms.ZB's Sisterlocks installing session. Well, after 9 hours and multiple breaks-- Paulette and Ashlee had become worn out over my baby's head with all of her moving, slouching, and sleeping curled into a ball in the salon chair. Plus, Ms.ZB is TENDER-HEADED!!

Then, Paulette made the dreaded announcement: "We are going to have to finish this another day."

Knowing how booked the Certified Consultants of Locks4Life are I wasn't sure when Day 2 would be... Turned out that it would be 3 days later. I KNEW Paulette and Ashley HAD TO HAVE BEEN WORN-OUT because they admitted to only having 3 move hours of work to go! I am very compliant with my SL Consultant Paulette so DID NOT press the issue...

So, Natural Journeys readers... check back for Ms.ZB's ultimate Sisterlocks reveal. For now... here's a glimpse of her early progress

Introducing Ms.ZB -Sisterlocks Cometh!

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:55:00 +0000

CLICK TO ENLARGE PIC

3girlsmomma couldn't be any prouder right now...
Introducing my 6 year-old daughter - Ms.ZB! She has started her Sisterlocks journey. Her tests locks were installed today at Locks4Life by Master Sistapreneurer and Certified Sisterlocks Consultant, Paulette Brown.

Ms. ZB is most excited about me never raking a comb through her thick beautiful hair AGAIN!

Cutting my Sisterlocks

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:49:00 +0000

Yep... it's true! I'm going to cut my Sisterlocks. I have already tracked down my hairstylist from back in the late 90s using the Internet no doubt. I called the old salon and found that he didn't work there anymore. Further, no one there had kept up with him. Thankfully, somebody knew who I was talking about when I described him as I remembered him from back in the day. Luck for me, he had the distinct characteristic of traditional locs. I referred to him by his first name. (Can you believe I never even really knew his LAST NAME? Then again, maybe I did but had forgotten it.) All I KNEW FOR SURE WAS that I LOVED how he used to style-cut my relaxed hair.

So, naturally since I've been thinking about cutting my Sisterlocks-- not all OFF, but in long layers-- he was my FIRST choice for the job.

It was also lucky finding a working number for him online. Praise the Lord! When I contacted him by phone, guess what?! (I disrupted lunch with his sister, but...) He remembered me! It's been 10 years since I was his client. We chatted afterwards by text messaging. I can't wait to meet him again face-to-face.

You KNOW I'll post pics of my before and after. Hopefully, he'll let me photograph him for my blog!

It's a process...Unlock to lock: Poem

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 08:22:00 +0000

It's a process...Unlock to lock

From societal norms that bind
My thoughts, my actions, my mind
From expectations of whom I should be
Unofficial authors of my reality
I Must be UNLOCKED!

From false images projections beauty
Apart from me
That stifles and chains my innate creativity
From rules that say my hair must be straight
Or in a mainstream's line I will wait
I Must be UNLOCKED!

To seek truth and my life's meaning
Paying homage to REAL SELF and TRUE BEING
Finding connectedness to the mother
Gifts assigned to me as to no other
I SHALL BE UNLOCKED!

To take control of my life and my hair
And play rules my spirit calls fair
To let go days of perms, curls and press
To experience freedom in speech, styles and dress
I AM MOST TRULY LOCKED!

By Cynthia Raiford

Happy Nappy New Year 2010

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 01:11:00 +0000

My dear bruthas and sistas let's enter into this new decade with renewed vigor and life DESPITE the circumstances! We shall continue to OVERCOME... let us endure like GOOD SOLDIERS until the end.

Nice Hair & Frowning Face

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:55:00 +0000

Chinese and African American... A BEAUTIFUL Mix

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 15:25:00 +0000

A Facebook friend posted a CNN video about China's racial issues around Lou Jing born 20 years ago in Shanghai to a Chinese mother and an African-American father. Having visited China in 2001 myself pre-Sisterlocks back when my hair was braided, I was constantly gaucked at on the streets, photographed from a far and was asked to pose with natives while I was in China... and my dear Chinese brothers and sister KNEW I was a tourist! (See the photo with me another white guy with braids who befriended over the attention we recieved our braided hair. I had to take a pic of HIM. I joked with him that I had to come all the way to China to see the white guy all braided up...) I can only image how Lou Jing was viewed as clearly the "black pearl" she is.

Further, I couldn't help but think of the HAIR issues Lou Jing and her mom MUST have had-- and HAVE. Can you imagine?? See the video link below and take note of the wigs, hats and obvious attempts at chemical treatments to straighten Lou Jing's hair (i.e., hair breakage and chemical damage.)

Family and friends attempted to explain away Lou Jing's skin color with statements like the following:
"...it's because she likes dark chocolate. So her skin turned darker gradually."
Another classmate weighed in, "We said it's because she used to drink too much soy sauce."
Even Lou Jing's maternal grandmother admitted in a taped interview, "I told Lou Jing she was black because her mom was not very well and had to take Chinese medicine."

Wow! Really...

See the video here

Hair Wars: Good Hair vs My Nappy Roots Movies

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:47:00 +0000

Between waiting on a group of my girlfriends and tryin' to arrange childcare for us to see Chris Rock's GOOD HAIR movie, can you believe I STILL have NOT SEEN it yet?? Now, I've learned that My Nappy ROOTS: A Journey through Black Hair-itage [http://www.mynappyrootsthemovement.com/] is another one I need to see. This one includes our own Dr. JoAnne Cornwell as an ethnic hair care industry contributor amongst a host of others.

I'm on a quest today to find both of these movies... now that at this moment I can't see them to find them showing in my local area.

Natural Journeys Readers, do you know where to see movies Good Hair and My Nappy Roots anywhere nationalwide? DO TELL...

Seems I am so late about knowledge of the Nappy Roots movie (2006) that I missed that there was a lawsuit between the two movies! Movie maker,
Regina Kimbell claimed her movie, My Nappy Roots, a documentary that she made in 2005, was the inspiration behind Rock's Good Hair, and sued him for a cool $5 million... hair wars indeed. [http://www.radaronline.com/category/tags/my-nappy-roots] Rock won out. "Rock states that Nappy Roots, unlike Good Hair, is more a historical take on the topic of black hair care rather than an entertainment one." I'm glad both approaches to the topic exist. Oftentimes, documentaries DON'T get seen by the masses, but satire has a wide appeal. It's the frustration with the satirical that motives folks to seek out the deeper issues on a thing and locate the documentary.

I want to see both movies now especially after seeing Dr. JoAnne Cornwell's videos... have YOU seen 'em? Check 'em out here:

Isn't Dr. C's hair just STUNNING!?! Wow!

Valana Minerals in Whole Foods Store

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 02:06:00 +0000

Facebook | Valana Minerals: "Valana Minerals I'm so excited to announce this news! Valana Minerals will be carried in Whole Foods Market. The first store to pick up our entire line is the Sugar Land, Texas store. This is a big step in the evolution of the company. Thanks to all of our fabulous customers and everyone else who made this possible."

When Valerie posted this status report on Facebook, I was soooooooooo thrilled for her and her business. Readers, I have got to tell you... if you are brown like me and have EVER wasted money on foundation, blush, lipstick, and eyeshadow because it just DID NOT WORK against your skintone... YOU MUST DO YOURSELF A FAVOR and check out Valana Minerals. I wear Valana Minerals DAILY now because it works for ME! It's just an amazing JOY for me to "beauty-up" behind makeup that not only MATCHES and COMPLEMENTS MY SKINTONES but is 100% vegan and natural. I'm telling you I'm like a preteen who is JUST now being allowed to wear makeup... and I'll be 42 years old in a few weeks!! My daughter will see me apply my makeup and will ask,"Why are you getting all made up, momma... we are just going around the corner?" lol (darn kids...)

Allow me to save you 10% OFF Valana Minerals purchases of $50 or more. My discount code is by request only. Send your requests to vmdiscountcode@esandb.com

A Sample Purchases Program is available as well...

My SpringLocks Results

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 00:47:00 +0000

You've seen her YouTube videos all over the web... no doubt, you've seen the results of her beautiful SpringLocks techique on her client Antoinette's Sisterlocks. I recently placed an order for her most recent instructional video. Now... you, my Natural Journeys readers, already know that pipecleaners are my curling tool of choice among hair spools, SoftSpikes, the Wrap-A-Loc tool, and bantu knots. Truly, it's all in the technique because the tools are simple. Those who are "in the know" you must compensate... and I ain't mad at 'em! Go forth my dear sistahprenuers!

I'm very pleased with my results!! Thanks Phyllis-the Videotician for sharing. I love the Web for learning ANYTHING about which I'm ignorant. My photos posted here show my good and BAD technique and my really nice results-- for the FIRST TIME. I've been rockin' my long lasting set for a week now. LOVE IT!

Lacefront Wig+Infant Child = FOOLISHNESS

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:34:00 +0000

Isn't she just a human baby doll... precious in all her ways?!?!
Can you believe that the mom who did this to her child is quoted as saying, “It’s never too early for my baby to start looking glamorous like Beyonce!”

I pray this was just a joke... poor lil baby.

I read about this story here

It just ain't right!!

My Sisterlocks Hot Oil Experiment

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:19:00 +0000

CLICK TO ENLARGE PICS

It has been a long time now since I have applied any type of oil directly to my hair. So this hot oil treatment was an adventure for me. It was truly WEIRD having my hair actually quite GREASY even after washing out the oil treatment.

It was so worth doing, however. I had noticed my hair becoming brittle in spots and even experiencing breakage in a few locs. So I began changing my washing regime to include more moisturizing shampoo and conditioning. I went back to my old Sisterlocks Moisture Treatment and distilled water spritz bottle for daily use as well as making a conscious effort to DRINK MORE WATER.

In Rememberance of Grand: Sand and Sable by Coty

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:52:00 +0000

I cannot express how beside myself with joy I was to find one of my old favorite colognes from "back in the day" at Walmart of all places-- Sand and Sable by Coty. Granted, this fragrance was never outrageously expensive to begin with, but it was hard to come by.

Funny thing, I had just recently surfed the Web weeks back to discover who sold it. Who knew that my local Walmart had it all the time. My now deceased grandmother --Pauline Daniels-- turned me on the this fragrance back in the late 1980s and I have never forgotten about it. At this very moment, after giving my Sisterlocks a needed hot oil treatment, taking a hot shower, and applying my Sand and Sable after over 20 years since the last time, my thoughts turn to my "Grand"... may she RIP.

Sisterlocks Meet Bookr

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Oh, the things you can create on the Web... I LOVE IT!! I learned about BOOKr today. It is a site that allows you to upload pictures and add text. The pages turn like a real book. I WILL BE USING this for many other applications beyond this blog. It is such a very cool, EZ to use and fun site!!
<<<<<<< Click CORNERS of a page to turn the book's pages >>>>>>>

Alright, my Natural Journeys readers... I'm putting out a challenge. I wanna see YOU published online! Above is my "book". Recycle it by adding your own pics or create you own. Either way, send me the link to your Bookr creation. Tell your hair story!! I'll be your first reader.

To add to my book, click the banner below the book. Once there, click RECYCLE. You'll have the opportunity to add to my book there.

To create new one, click CREATE NEW here

Sisterlocks Touch Lives

noreply@blogger.com (3girlsmomma) — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 15:09:00 +0000

Take one of the longest locs you have on your head... go ahead, hold a single loc between you thumb and index fingers, examine its end... Now, think who started your locs (You? Established loctician? Friend? SL-trainee? Family-member?) Now, consider all those who have retightened your locs, mended your locs... or touched your hair to get it to its present state.

Can you list their names? I have been SL'd 4 years. As I really began to think about how a single loc has a story, I considered my own. Paulette Brown-- started my locs as a SL trainee at her kitchen table after working her 9-to-5 job (I'm one of her "qualifying heads" towards Sisterlocks Certification). Today, she has quit her old 9-to-5. She owns her own shop in multiple locations. Her salon serves to offer experience for several other SL-trainees-- many of whom were her own clients.

Here's my longest loc... from it end to the root we've interacted with Paulette, Ericka, Atoya, myself, Robin, Ashlee, Nicole, Terrie, et al (I'm sure I'm missing somebody...) Each of these ladies have gone on to do great things for themselves, their families and certainly others with her Sisterlocks training.