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January 2010

Things Learned About My Tresses During Year One

• I don’t have to retwist every 4 weeks
• 8 weeks of not retwisting is just fine with me
• I do not like the look of latched locs on me
• I still compare my locs to others when their locs were at my stage
• A tam or crochet hat can be a girl’s best friend
• The “ugly phase” really did exist (for me that was months 4-8)
• Updos really do come in handy
• Curls really do come in handy
• I am still style challenged
• I may never learn how to flat-twist
• The “unkept” look of locs really isn’t so unkept to me
• I always thought I wanted sisterlocs, but adore the look of thicker locs more
• I can see myself combining later in my loc life
• I can see myself fully free-forming later in my loc like
• I still wonder what people think when they look at my locs
• Although during my relaxer days I had the “baddest bob”, I have had so many people stop me in passing to compliment my locs and ask about how I started and maintain them
• Two people at my church, who were already loose naturals, confirmed that they started locs because of my locs. Another mentioned that she is contemplating it
• My fear of starting locs in Corporate America was simply an internal fear
• I am glad that I started my locs just when I did. Any earlier, I may not have been ready and would have had to restart a few times
• I don’t miss my loose natural hair
• I do admire other people’s loose natural hair
• Black is the only way to go for me in terms of hair color
• 100% coconut oil is still one of the best products for my hair
• Growth/length is still important to me
• I think more about what I put in my body, which I think is a direct reflection of my loc’ing (I mean seriously, researching what different products do to my hair has really made me consider the effects of different ingredients in food and what they do to my body once consumed)
• Two-headed dragons don’t bother me at all
• A cute loc bob is not going to happen for me unless I cut the back of my hair (why I thought my growth pattern/shape would change just because I was loc’ing, I have no idea)
• Taking pictures of my hair weeks after a retwist and/or in its not so neat state is a good thing. It shows others who may be considering loc’ing or just starting, that loc’ed hair is not always maintained/neat, so they shouldn’t expect theirs to be

January 2009

Well, I have finally ventured into my loc journey. I remember when I first went natural, I didn't think I would ever loc. Then about two years ago, I suddenly felt like I would definitely loc my hair someday. I just did not know when. I actually thought I would do it many years down the line, but I surely didn't think it would be this soon.

But I twisted my hair January 18, 2009. For the first time, I actually parted my hair while twisting instead of my normal grab and twist routine. While doing the first row in the back, I thought to myself, "These may make a great start for my locs." From that point on, I knew I was loc'ing.

I like the size of my locs because I really like sisterlocs, but I can't imagine the time that goes into maintaining sisterlocs during a retwist. So, this size gives me the small, full look that I want but still large enough to take only a few hours for a monthly retwist session.

I always knew I would start my locs with two strand twists, just because they are easy for me and I am use to the look. And I thought, if I can make it past month 3 in two strand twists, I am sure I can fulfill my loc desires. But quite frankly, since those initial twists that started the journey, I have had no desire to go back to loose hair.

Even when I see gorgeous loose hair, my mind goes back to the amount of time that it took to maintain my loose hair. Then, I think of all the times that I would achieve a desired style on loose hair and it would last for a day or two if I was lucky. And that doesn't include the prestyle that would get me to the loose look.

Anyway, I can't really say that it was the frustration of maintaining my loose hair that brought me to locs. I kept my hair in twists a majority of time. I think twists became my style of choice because of the ease and the fact that my hair does not allow me to just wash n' go or easily do a loose style.

Because my hair is in twists 95% of the time, I don't see locs as being that much of a change in terms of style. I am loving the journey so far. I plan to maintain my locs on my own, as I did with my loose hair. But I do plan to go to a loctician every 4 to 6 months just for that professional touch.

I have stalked a number of loc albums and gotten great guidance from so many loc'ed sisters. My whole natural journey, from the very beginning, would have been so much more difficult without the advise of so many of you ladies.

I will keep my loose albums open. And I will continue to answer your questions regarding loose hair. I remember the beginning of my natural journey and how everyone was so open to help. Regardless of what chapter of my natural journey I am in, I want to make sure that I am just as open. So, feel free to continue asking questions regarding my loose hair photos if you have them.