Test Coils

Here we go. I couldn't wait and as soon as my family left, I got started on my test coils. They didn't take me long at all. I didn't use multiple mirrors to ensure the parts were straight. This is just a test run to get an idea of what they will look like.

I didn't wash my hair first. I just spritzed it with water and used aloe vera gel. My hair already had conditioner in it.

I don't love the look on me, but the truth is...this is where I have to start and the sooner I start, the sooner I can leave this phase. I'm going to wear these through the weekend. I will probably wash them out Monday morning before I go to work.

I may also wash them on Sunday to see how well they stay put to get an idea of what I'll have to contend with later. I may go ahead and start my loc journey in December instead of waiting until February.

After sleeping...

I wore a satin cap and it stayed on my head very well. The back is visibly smushed. I should have probably made sure my hair was completely dry before going to sleep, but I didn't and I was too lazy to get the dryer. I'm not sure if that would have made a difference or not.

The last row at the bottom is going to give me problems. This hair is the softest on my head and has the loosest coil. I may end up using a different method on it later.

I need a tam...I'm not sure if they would give me a lint problem but they sure are cute...from Esty:

Crochet Boho Tam MUSTARD

 

Classic French Beret

Maybe July

My is pretty much 2". At this growth rate, I'll have about 6" in July. This morning...I think I'll start my locs in July and take the risk of having crazy looking hair at Homecoming. It's going to be a lot easier than dealing with tangles and having to stretch my hair weekly. This is what I'm thinking...this morning.

Maybe Braidlocs

They always seem to look scalpy in the beginning but they would be easier to maintain in the early stages. The parts would probably stay intact. 

These are pictures from 1year and 4 months after my first BC. I don't even think I wore these out of the house I hated them so much. If I decide to start my locs with braids, I would make them a lot smaller...of course.

I dunno...my hair is about 5 inches or so here...

Pushing Back My Start Date

I have a wedding to attend next year, I'm going to attend homecoming and I am not feeling these practice coils.

My hair, with the exception of the back is extremely tightly coiled. So, at this length, my coils will not be elongated. Looking back at my first attempt at coils during my first journey, when I had about 1 year of growth, I can deal with this...

They don't stay this perfect looking for long, but at least they look like coils.

Since homecoming is probably in October, I'm going to have an opportunity to find and practice some stretched quick styles. My hair actually appears to be growing a little faster than I thought and my goal is to retain all of the length I gain. Looking back at my last journey I did several big trims along the way because my ends were raggedy. I think I'll have 2 inches by the end of the month and I appear to be gaining 1/2 inch a month. At this rate, I'll have 7 inches of hair by the time I begin my locs, which might be a good thing. There will be more hair inside each coil to mat. I have serious shrinkage so they'll still look short, but that's not a problem for me. I want to enjoy them at different lengths.

So, that's may plan today :)