Seeing the Back of My Head

My OCD gets the best of me at times...So, I've been trying to figure out how in the world I'm going to see the back of my head when I coil my hair for my locs. I tried leaning a mirror against my tub/shower stall while I stand with my back to my bathroom mirror, but I was too far away. I couldn't see. So, I tried to think of a space that was narrow where I could get close to the mirror behind me and this is what I concocted.

For the actual set up, I'll have an additional TV tray on my right side with 2 boxes for the mirror. I'll just move the mirror back and forth. It will be a little tight but TV trays are easy to move so it won't be a big deal. I'm glad that I figured out how I could sit while I do it.

Loc Notes

This will be the placeholder post that I will continue to update regarding loc care and maintenance best practices.

Starting Locs with Coils

• Great video by carmelcherie where she shows how she starts her new set of locs. She shows how to make the coil tight initially.

Starting Locs with Braidlocs

• I think it is key to remember not to braid them too tightly. All the shed hair that intertwines in the braids and makes the locs, need room to fall into etc.

Stages of Development

1. Start out with coils/twists/braids
2. Hair begins to bud/sprout - Coils no longer wash out, may notice knots in coils and at the end or in the middle. Coils may be puffy and lose shape.
3. Teen/locking - hair may start to look like locs, knots/peas have expanded and they drop.

Product Use and Preventing Buildup

1. Shampoo

• Paul Mitchell Three is recommended as a regular clarifying shampoo to use once or twice monthly. JC Penney carries Paul Mitchell products. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
• Ohter recommended clarifying shampoos: Pantene Clarifying Anti-Residue Shampoo, Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo, Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo.
• There is conflicting information about Dr. Bronner's and whether or not it causes build up since it leaves something behind.
• Some have used dishwashing liquid for a deep cleaning/clarifying. Just make sure you REALLY do a good rinse (15-20 minutes) and moisturize aftewards
• The key I realized was the hottest water that you can stand and letting the shampoo sit for a good 20 minutes or so before you grab small sections of locs and squeeze.

2. Extra Clarification

• Apple Cider Vinegar rinses are popular. Dilute the ACV in a spray bottle, spray, put on a plastic cap and sit for 30 minutes - hour, rinse thoroughly.

3. Deep Conditioning

• Deep Conditioning - Some have reported good results with coconut milk

Retwisting

• Aloe vera gel is good for retwisting because it washes out with water

General Tips

• If a product is solid at room temperature, it doesn't belong in your locs.
• Use clear products and dilute them.

Signs of buildup

• White gunk in locs
• Locs that aren't pliable and don't move and blow with the wind
• Slower drying time

Spritzes 

• Purified water, veg. glycerin and essential oils (rosemary, peppermint, a hint of sage)
• Bottled Purified Water, EVOO, Peppermint Oil ~ I love the tingling feeling it gives my scalp, Coconut Oil ~ My favorite scent in the world.
• Water, veggie glycerin, rose hip seed oil, vitamin E oil, lavender EO, peppermint EO, and aloe vera juice. 
• 50% spring water, and about 50% aloe vera juice. I then add a bit of sweet almond oil, coconut oil and any scented oil I'm in the mood for.
• 6 oz aloe juice, 12-15 drops fav essential oil (I like lavendar and lemon), a couple of drops to a small capful glycerin
• 8oz aloe vera juice, 8 drops lemongrass, 8 drops rosemary, a dash of jojoba in the winter only
• Oyin Juice and Berries, Greg's Juice and Frank Juice is recommended. The website says: purified water infused with horsetail, lavender, nettle, roses, and chamomile; organic flaxseeds; aloe vera juice; vegetable glycerine; essences of lavender, sweet orange, ylang ylang; grapefruit seed extract; citric acid, fragrance. It is naturally preserved with grapefruit seed extract and citric acid.

Essential Oils

• My all-time fave essential oil mix is ylang ylang, lavendar and grapefruit
• With ALL essential oil it is a MUST to use a carrier oil (such as your olive oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba, coconut oil) along with a certain amount of the EO being used. This is because using the EO without a carrier oil can cause skin irritation. Even though you put the EO in glycerin, you are at risk for irritation. ALSO because an oil was not used to help carry the scent, the alcohol in the EO evaporated and the scent began to fade and was gone long before you woke up.
• I live in Richmond and I get all of my essential oils from the Flea Market on Jahnke Road. There's a lady in the back who has a booth full of essential oils. I just bought five little bottles for $14. Every oil I named, she had. Give her a try. Plus, she is very resourceful.

Washing Locs

• Dilute shampoo with water and use a spray bottle.
• Series by thecozmo: description of the process, demonstration of the first shampoo and rinse (focus on scalp), demonstration of the second shampoo and rinse (focus on locs by squeezing the shampoo through them to get to the core of the loc)
• Separating locs: thecozmo, ninezerosofficial 

Drying Locs

• The ShamWow towel has been recommended because it absorbs a lot of water which decreases air drying time. Microfiber towels like the Aquis towel are used too.
• Keeping locs clean and free of buildup seems to decrease air drying time.
• There are advisories against using heat.
• One person on NP said she points 2 fans at her head

Retightening Locs

• 4-6 weeks seems to be the optimum length of time between retightening sessions. Retightening/retwisting too frequently can thin locs and lead to breakage.
• It's important to separate your locs after washing.
• "She also said the key to not thinning your babies and possibly damaging and losing them is to not retwist tightly. She said give it a gentle twist once or twice and then leave it. She said don’t be pressed to get every single hair in place. If you're heavy handed frequent retwisting is certainly not for you."

Styling Locs

• Pipe cleaner curls: tight, loose
• Side swoops
• Basketweave
• Large pincurls
• Pin curl updo

Long Locs

• Summer Updo (basketweave in front and bun on top)
• Unisex loc knots (basketweave in front and knots in back)
• Braids on side, tuck and roll with bangs
• Hump made with knots
• Flat twists on side, hump, basketweave and braid in back

Maybe the topic is hair again

I'm not blogging consistently about anything anywhere. I have another blog but I'll continue the hair commentary on this side.

So, I recently did the Big Chop after wearing my hair relaxed for 2 years. Although I say I should have loced my hair instead of relaxing it at that time, I probably wouldn't have been successful at that time. My frustration was at an all time high and I would have needed to figure out a way to get past all of those emotions and take the time to research locing.

I plan to loc sometime next year. I initially said that as soon as I get 3 inches, I'm going to loc but I may wait a little longer. I'm not sure. There are no hard and fast rules. I still worry about the ugly stage, but it will be so I'll just have to accept it. I'm thinking that the ugly stage might be more tolerable if my hair is longer but the thing is my shrinkage is a beast...I'm talking about a good 75%, maybe more. Do you see this...

Incredible! So my point is...a few extra inches won't matter at all because my hair won't show it. I may as well start my locs sooner rather than later and maybe once they loc, I'll start showing length. It might be less frustrating. I don't really know of course; this is pure speculation. Someone on NP said, your hair grows around and then down. Around for the first year and then down after that. 

I think this time (before I have 3 inches) is good. I'm doing a lot of research, taking notes. I need to organize them better though. I may create a blog post that I constantly update with my "plans" regarding care and maintenance. I have several playlists in YouTube too:

1. Loc Maintenance
2. Loc Tutorials
3. Loc Journeys