My Natural HairStory

It has been forever

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 15:42:00 +0000

Okay, I know it has been like forever since I last posted. They were kidding when they say a baby changes everything…LOL!!! Motherhood has been a joy and I am so blessed beyond measure that mere words would not be able to articulate what God has done.

Regarding my hair, it is holding up very well. I am not sure if I can call them sisterlocks anymore because I have been a DIY’er for a while now. And I do not regret my decision at all to take on the challenge. My retightenings have been getting faster and faster, although I haven’t actually timed it because I fit it in when I can. I can just tell a difference in how much I can get done in a short amount of time.

I’m not sure if you can see in the picture that my hair is starting to get some hang time and it has thickened up, especially compared to installation. I look back and I realized I looked like a little “plucked chicken” LOL!!! And I loved every minute of it :-) In this pictures I am rocking a twist out. It's amazing that I can get this outcome just using water and twisting my hair. As far as products, I don't use anything but water on my hair. No oil at all. I wash my hair with diluted Selsun Blue and that's it. I probably need to do another ACV rinse soon, but my hair does better without all the products that are out there.

Again I will say, I wish I locked my hair a long time ago. Funny how I went from never doing the “nappy hair” thing, to loving my naps! It made me really think because recently I was visiting with family and I was spending some time with my niece who is bi-racial. She made the comment that she wished she had “white” hair and I almost fell out of my seat. But then I had to realize that I used to be the same way at her age (11 yrs old) and she has even more pressures than I had when it comes to the way she views herself, namely her hair. I just pray that I will be able to help her in her own self-awareness of what true beauty really means. Regardless of if your hair is straight or nappy.

Here are a few pictures of my little angel – Kaleb Joshua. It’s hard to believe that he will be 7 months old already. I am learning to cherish every moment, they go by so fast. He's killing me with those ears...LOL!

Labor of Love

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:37:00 +0000

It has been forever....once again since I last posted. A lot has changed since then. I am now a mom!!! Kaleb Joshua was born on November 11th. It was the the most amazing experience. I had him naturally in a birth pool. Everyone thought I was crazy to forego drugs, but I figured women have been doing this for years and nothing is impossible for God. I won't say it was easy, but it was worth it and I believe I will do it again, God willing.

As far as my hair goes, Sisterlocks are great for labor!!!Honestly, I was able to retighten my hair a week before I went into labor and the thought of not having to worry about hair was such a good feeling. As black women I know it is hard sometimes not the think so much about hair. But it's great when you don't have to worry about sweating out a perm or having braids installed that are too tight in efforts not to look a hot mess.

In the meantime, I hope to update with more recent pics since I will be home on maternity leave for a while. Thanks to those who were praying for a safe delivery. God has truly blessed my husband and I with the miracle of life.

It's Official - I've joined the DIY ranks

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 20:23:00 +0000

I'm so excited!!! Due to having some serious back issues with this pregnancy, I felt like sitting for 5-6 hours in my consultants chair was not going to work. I ordered my nappylocs tool and figured this would be the time to experiment. Well I think I did a pretty good job :-) I didn't keep track of how long it took me, but at least it was on my own time and I feel so empowered that I can do it myself.

Thanks to Kalia and Saabira for the information and the boost of confidence! I'll have to do better with keeping up the posts, but please know I haven't fell off the face of the earth.

Still loving my hair

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:17:00 +0000

I know....I know. I am the biggest slacker ever!! Blame it on the baby :-) So I have finally experienced what it is like to go through a first trimester of pregnancy. I can't say that it was bad, but I had no energy or motivation at all, and food was not my friend. Although you can't tell by the way my belly is looking, I actually lost 7 pounds!

The problem is, why couldn’t I lose the wait this easily before I became pregnant??? Oh well, God knows best so let me just go with the flow. I’m just excited about the whole experience.

My hair is growing and I can finally see some length. I was hanging out with my line sisters not long ago and I took a picture of a twist out that I did. I think it came out okay considering I only had it twisted for like 30 minutes before I had to leave. Hair is so easy now. I love the way it just sticks out really funky so I am enjoying this phase.

One major breakthrough was my consultant made record time on her retightening - 5 hours!! I know, to me it is still a bit much. But it is at least improving. Thanks to those on Lockitup who ensured me that as she gets more clients, her speed should increase.

I know this picture is not the best on clarity, but you get the point. I’ll try to update with more pictures soon. Thanks for those checking up on me, you are the best!!

It's been a long time

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:38:00 +0000

It's funny how I thought I would be totally on top of this blogging thing and here I am the biggest slacker....LOL!!! I still need to update new photos. My MBA program has been taking up a lot of my time so I will be happy if I can just do an update every month :-)

I am still loving my sisterlocks. Besides my retightening times being still ridiculously long, I have no complaints. I just had my locks retightened on Monday and it took 6 hours this time. So it looks like I will be looking into the nappylocks tool here soon because I won't be able to have that type of time to just sit there after I have been at work all day. Not only do I work full time and go to school, I am 7 weeks PREGNANT!!! Yes, it is official. God has blessed us beyond measure and we are expecting our first child or children, depending on whether not I'm having twins. Soon enough, I will know :-)

Another Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 14:02:00 +0000

I have so much to be thankful for coming into this new year. Not only is it a new year, but I just turned a year older on the 4th. So Happy Birthday to me :-) I feel like I have learned and experienced so much in my 27 years of life. And yet I have so far to go. Well this is a short post as I am more in a contemplative mood right now. But I do have a couple of new pictures from Christmas and from New Years Day.

1st Retightening

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:26:00 +0000

As to be expected, I had lots of slippage in the back. But as I keep hearing patience, patience, patience!! Here are some pics after my long extended re-tightening session.

Initially my scalp started going crazy with dryness and all the drama that comes with it - flakes and itching. But I have determined that the sisterlock starter shampoo just isn't going to work for me. It actually felt like it was burning my scalp whenever I used it. I am down to washing my hair only weekly now with a natural shampoo. I can't quite remember the name of it right now since I am not at home, but it has been working so far. Hopefully this will help with the slippage since I am not washing so frequently.

I am in Greensboro, NC right now visiting with my husband's family for Christmas. I have to admit that I married into a wonderful family and that is a blessing itself. But thinking of blessings brings me to my next thought.

Warning: Non-hair topic

Lately, I have gotten so excited just to hear people say Merry Christmas. That's crazy that the true meaning of this season is getting lost in all of the "Happy Holidays" and "Seasons Greetings". There would be no season if there were no Jesus. I'm in no way trying to be politically correct. It just makes me so upset that people are afraid to say "Merry Christmas". The greatest gift that I could ever receive is the gift of life that Christ gave me. I can be free, and salvation is a gift. People spend so much time spending money they don't have, for things they don't want to buy for people they don't even like. What sense does this make? Now I understand that I am making a very general statement. However, the meaning of what Christmas represents is so lost nowadays. It is the celebration of Christ's birth, not the celebration of Santa Clause. I run the risk of being a "scrooge", but I do not want to lose myself in what people consider to be important in this season.

I am so thankful for Christ and the gift that he gave. It is not only for me, but for all who acknowledge Him as Lord and Savior. I want to encourage everyone to really think about the real reason you celebrate Christmas. Then maybe we won't be so timid to say....

Merry Christmas

Week 2

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 20:51:00 +0000

Hair with Sisterlocks has been a breeze. Outside of my scalp issues, I have no complaints. I have set up an appointment with a Dermatologist so hopefully he can shed some insight to my skin issues and the thinning hair on my crown. I will say though that I got to spend the say with all of my Disney friends on Saturday!! Kwesi and I had a blast. It was so wonderful to be a kid again. And the icing on the cake was that I was able to spend an entire day in the Florida sun, and not worry about sweating out my hair...LOL!! You can't beat that at all.

I am scheduled for a retightening session next Monday so I will have to update on how that goes.

Week 1

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 01:08:00 +0000

Life with SL’s has been a joy so far. The only problem I have been having is my scalp being dry and itchy. I was told not to put anything on it by my consultant, so I will try to stay diligent in the matter. However, snowflakes in Florida (dandruff J) just isn’t going to cut it. I have had some suggestions to do an ACV rinse and/or Sulfur 8 spray. (Thanks DolceNYC1!!) So I will have to see how that works. I have to admit that I had no idea what an ACV rinse was. But then it occurred to me, hey maybe she is talking about Apple Cider Vinegar…..Voila!! Although I don’t have the best memory, thank God it isn’t completely shot. I’m sure I will be reaching out soon to figure out exactly what I need to do for the rinse. But that is the advantage to having so many knowledgeable locked sisters and brothers on the web. I also heard back from a sister who advised that she has been washing her hair every 3-4 days since she has been locked and she uses Elasta QP for her scalp condition. It seems to work for her and she hasn’t had any problems so I may try that as well (Thanks Kim!!). I completed my first wash and it came out just fine. I think I have some minor slippage in the very back, but my hair is really soft in my “kitchen” so that is to be expected.

And I think I have discovered that I have another issue, Hand in Hair Disease, which I think some people affectionately call it. I can’t seem to stop. Hopefully this will get better as time goes on, but at least I was warned that this might happen. Can I say again that…I LOVE MY SISTERLOCKS!!

I am also a member of the LIU yahoo group, and I get so much encouragement from everyone. I work in Corporate America and I always had an issue with my hair. I have mostly only worked with people who, in an effort to not offend anyone, do not look like myself. So the countless issues of not getting my hair wet in the rain, humidity, products and hair accessories to bring while traveling, etc. Not to mention the emotional roller coaster as a black woman, just trying to fit in.

Well those issues became even more evident when I decided to go natural. Not only was I going to be a black woman in a society who does not understand my struggles, but I would have to do it with a nappy headed fro. Many people did not understand my decision to cut my hair off. And it was sad because most of the “verbal” opposition came from my own kind. Now how is it that we are always talking about “keeping it real”, but the person who is saying it louder than anyone else has my skin complexion with purple eyes and blonde weave down to their ankles. Okay, an exaggeration at best, but when will it end? It is hard enough when some people at my office look at me like I am a germ or something. Mind you I am just as qualified as they are or more. Or could it be it is in my own head. That’s a thought! Nevertheless, I came to the conclusion that no matter what anyone thinks, it is more important of how I view myself. It is very easy to get caught up in our own insecurities. If is isn’t someone else doing it, chances are we are going to condemn ourselves at some point. I am learning that I do not need to seek the approval of other people. My validation in Christ is more than enough. My favorite passage says that I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139). Well if the creator of the universe says that I am wonderfully made, and in His very own image, who am I to look down on that very thing that He says is “good”. So in all my naps, (say it with me) I declare “I HAVE GOOD HAIR”. (Hey, that rhymes…hehe)

Now...a shout out to my other biggest fan. Introducing Eko (like Echo), my American Bulldog puppy. He keeps me company and seems to enjoy watching me fool with my hair :-) He also doesn't mind when I pour out all the details of my day before I can talk to my husband. He just listens and loves the fact that I am spending time with him. Who knew taking care of dog would be like having a child!! Not that I even remontely know what that is like, but at least I am learning patience before my babies do decide to bless me with their presence.

I LOVE MY SISTERLOCKS!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 00:23:00 +0000

After not getting any sleep at all, I got up early the day after Thanksgiving. Now mind you I totally over-ate, which is something I admit to being guilty of especially during the holidays. Nonetheless, I got up with this sense of anxiety about what I was about to do. I had already made up my mind, but I was going to actually do it. My husband still in the bed with his eyes still closed gave me the words I needed to hear. He said "Honey, you're doing the right thing. Don't focus on the process, but focus on the outcome. But appreciate the process." God knew what I needed to hear because I hadn't even said a word to my husband. So I gathered the strength and drove to my consultants' home. Another thing to be thankful for, she only lives 20 minutes away from my house.

Audrey, my sisterlocks consultant is such a sweet lady. I knew that I would be spending a significant amount of time with her over a two day period so that was a relief. She has a sweet spirit about her and her family is wonderful as well. And after 20.5 hours, I have officially joined the sisterlock family. Please let me know what you think about my new locks. I'll have to update with more pictures when I actually put on some earrings or something :-).

I included a picture of my thinning spot at the crown of my head so that I can keep track of the progress for all those sisters out there like me with this problem. My hair is very uneven and I started my SLs with my hair as short as 2 inches in some areas and up to five inches in others.

And I have to give a shout out to my #1 Supporter, my husband Kwesi. I am so blessed to have someone like him in my life. And as I have no idea where this journey is going to take me, I am glad that I won't have to do it alone.

Test Locs

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 02:14:00 +0000

So after doing tons of research and completely admiring so many beautiful women with sisterlocks, I have decided to start my own sisterlock journey. I am scheduled for my installation on Friday and Saturday November 23th and 24th. Funny how I said that I would never lock my hair. Maybe because I have always had a negative view of "dreadlocks". Heck, it took me this long to even consider going natural. It is interesting that the guy that used to do my hair when it was permed was the one who told me he was no longer going to put a relaxer in my head. He started flat ironing my hair and at the time I was working out pretty regularly and going to the gym with natural roots and relaxed ends was not pretty. So I started wearing braids, wigs, and kinky twists and the rest is history. I stopped relaxing my hair in the fall of 2006, and I did the BIG CHOP on March 30, 2007.

Here are some pics before the realization that I didn't have to perm my hair. I was another one who felt like her hair had to be straight in order to be considered "well kept".

One of my old favorites : 1/2 Wig

Kinky Twists Microbraids

Someone please remind me again why I would sit for 12 hours straight to have this done to myself, only to have to get them redone every 6-8 weeks!!!

The things we do to look good...LOL

Now I could act like cutting my perm out was the most liberating experience of my life, but I hated it.....well at least initially. I came home and cried to my husband saying that I looked like a boy with girly earrings on :-( Thank God I have a supportive husband!! Be he assured me that I looked fine. I went to a natural hair care stylist who performed the "BC" and she styled what hair I had left with comb coils. It had a hard time looking at myself in the mirror. But after about a whooping 2 days I fell in love with myself. It was me!! Finally, no weaves, no extensions, no creamy crack, just me!! That is when I felt liberated. I had so many people give me compliments. I only had a handful to ask "why did you cut all your hair off". So that definitely helped.

But one thing I needed to realize was that my validation in who I am and how I look is not in other people. I'm so thankful that I made that decision. And God had to work on me to realize that I am only validated in Him. That how he views me and my hair will reflect in who I am and will have nothing to do with how my hair looks. LIBERATION LADIES!!! The Creator of the ends of the earth loves me, and loves my hair! This is how he created me. No need to be something that I am not. I never thought I would have a spiritual experience with my hair, but I am learning a lot as I go through this process.

Okay, so I'm really about to get personal. Well personal at least in my own mind. I have been thinning at the crown of my head for a while now. It seems to be getting worse. So since there is nothing impossible for God, I am literally praying that my hair grows back. So I am going to include pictures so you can see just how bad it is. I am getting locked by a sisterlock consultant trainee so I hope everything will go well. I have expressed my concerns to her and hopefully I will be able to cover that spot somewhat. One of the biggest concerns that I have read about is the "scalpiness effect" as I call it. So this is going to be an emotional time for me I can already tell. But hopefully you all will help me get through it. But here goes...

I know the question might be asked, "have you seen a dermatologist?" I have not, which is what I need to do. To be honest, I have been afraid and I have been avoiding it. So I may need a little more encouragement to get there. I just don't want to hear that I have permanent hair loss. And to think it could have been caused by years of damaging chemicals and tension of weaves. Hindsight is always 20/20.

Free Jena 6

noreply@blogger.com (Kwasmrs) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:59:00 +0000

Okay, so I am getting into this blogging thing....finally. I have been online for so long reading other people's blogs about natural hair, I have been to countless websites, and have nearly put my eyes out looking at pictures. So here I am folks. I hope that this will find someone out there like myself going through the process of being her true self, in mind, body and spirit.

I have to say thank you to all those who take time to write blogs. My goodness, some are very elaborate. I guess I am lucky if I can stay consistent in updating mine :-) But here goes...

This is the style that I normally wear my hair in. I like it, not much to it. I call it a chunky fro. I twist it at night and then undo the twists in the morning and this is how it comes out. Yes, I do this every single night which is probably not the best thing for my hair. I seem to have all these little hair balls everywhere from my hair coming out with I do it. I have heard that the only time I should do my hair is when it wet. But for some reason when I am twisting my hair when it is wet, it irritates my fingers. It's almost like I am rubbing off my fingerprints. That is the best way I know how to explain it.

This picture was taken on September 20th, wearing my all black in support of Jena Six. It is so sad what is still going on in our country today. But we have to take a stand, it is not over.