Six Months Sisterlocked!

(My 15-year-old daughter took this picture for me. I had just gotten home from work. This side swipe twist in the back is my go-to style when I don’t feel like wearing it all down. The back and sides is where I have the most length and to me shows the most growth, that’s why I always take my pics from the back. 😉 ) 

I’ve been locked for half a year. Let that sink in for a moment. Half. A. Year. Where did the time go? I’m going to do some reflecting if you don’t mind.

Tired of protective styles

A year or so ago I was at a crossroads with my natural hair. I was tired of doling out hundreds of dollars on braids. I was tired of protective styling when those protective styles were doing more harm to my scalp and hair than good. I needed more for myself and my natural hair. Suddenly I began to look seriously at locs as an option.

I started doing research on locs and the various types. That’s how I came across sisterlocks. Interestingly enough, I’ve always seen sisterlocks, I just never knew what they were called. The more I researched them, the more I wanted them. The rest is history. Getting sisterlocks or locs, in general, was the best hair decision I’ve made besides going natural. Now that I’m six months into my loc journey, I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed this hair freedom. No products. No styling tools. No spending hours in the mirror in the morning or the night before styling my hair for work or any place else.

Confidence and patience are key

In the beginning, I had a short rough patch with my sisterlocks. But after I figured out how to handle my new locs, I never had any major issues again. I can’t stress enough how confident you have to be to take on the loc journey. I had to have that same confidence when I decided to big chop and embrace my natural hair journey. It’s so easy for myself and others to say “Embrace the journey” but I’ve had to come to realize that isn’t easy for everyone to do. Locs have different stages and patience is needed to get through all of the stages. It breaks my heart to hear women say that they cover their locs with wigs or crochet braids because they aren’t in love with their locs yet. They don’t feel pretty with their locs. So many see photos of mature locs and think their brand new baby locs are going to look like that. No. That’s not how it works.

transformation & Growth

For the past six months, I’ve been watching my hair transform before my very eyes and it’s amazing! My hair has gone from having skinny ramen noodle looking locs to thicker locs with budding at the ends. I believe I’m in that stage where you think there isn’t any growth happening because the shrinkage is very real, but there really is growth. I look forward to seeing my locs “fall” more as they continue to mature, which will also show the growth and #HangTime.

I’ve never felt ugly with my locs. My confidence has never wavered with my locs. Sisterlocks have truly boosted my confidence. I feel more beautiful now than ever before. I can’t wait to see what the next six months bring.

Five Months Sisterlocked Collage

I’m super late posting this, but I had a very busy March/April! I made this collage in April and forgot to post it. During month five I noticed fullness and growth. I had some pretty bad slippage that I quickly corrected by braiding or plaiting my hair at night. That did the trick. Otherwise, nothing else significant has been going on with my locs.

Hair & styling routine

My hair routine is simple. I only use water on my hair and the Sisterlocks shampoo to wash. I’m still braiding and banding because…slippage. I keep my styles simple as you can see from the collage. I still haven’t tried any curling tools (other than sponge rollers in the very beginning) because I simply don’t want to at this point. When I want a wavy or curly look I’ll do a braid out or bantu knots. I’m pretty simple that way. And lazy. I mean let’s keep it all the way 100!!

never miss a retie

I have never missed a retightening appointment and I’m trying my best to stay on schedule no matter what. I can’t stress enough the importance of staying on top of your retie appointments. They are important to the health of your locs. I know life can get in the way and things out of your control happen all the time, but try to stay on schedule for your reties.

Still locked and loving it!