Hello Highlights

 In celebration of my 6 month Loc Extensions Anniversary....I had highlights added to the tips of my Loc Extensions.  My main Loc color is a 4/30 (afro kinky human hair). It's a nice color of a warm medium light brown.  A color that works for me. Not too light and not too dark.

The highlighted color on the tips of my Loc Extensions is 30. Adding the color produced a subtle depth and dimension.  Also....adding the color to the tips extended my Locs and helped to lenghten the Locs that were shorter than others and gave me a slightly fuller look.   Highlights were NOT added to all my Locs...but were added to most of them. 

I'm quite PLEASED with the results!  I got a bit of added length and color in one sitting.

INTERLOCKING

I'm having loc maintenance done at this 6 month mark to ensure I'm on the right path for the next 6 months. I'm in it for the long haul. I am at the point of searching for ease and convenience as I continue on my journey. I no longer want to palm roll the new growth soooo.....my next trip to my Locitian will be to interlock the new growth.  This will eliminate palm rolling and product buildup.  I can't wait!

My 6 MONTH JOURNEY UPDATE

Week Old Pipe Cleaner Cutls

Thought I'd "release" a photo of Me and My Loc Extensions @ 6 MONTHS!!!!  Yes Six Months...did I say 6 Months?????

This is ME and My Locs!!  Many have asked to see my Locs down so I decided to post these photos in HONOR of this Milestone...

THESE loc styles are a result of pipe cleaner curls from a week ago.  I made 2 pigtails and put the pipe cleaners on the ends....2 locs per pipe cleaner....no setting lotion ...just sprayed with water. Air dryed overnite.



Same Curls - Different Style

My hair has grown and my natural hair has loc "buds" at the place where my hair and the human hair loc extensions meet. There is abt 3 inches of new growth, I just palm roll as usual (and I AM doing it myself) with a twist gel.

I still find it AMAZING how versatile and FUN my Locs are.  DIFFERENT Looks on DIFFERENT Days. 

I normally wear my Locs in an Updo @ work and will wear it all week long...That way I control it AND it doesn't control me. It's suppose to be EASY and I like it like that. 

This Updo is just week old pipe cleaner curls rolled over like a French Roll in the back.

Same Curls in An Updo

The single Loc by my ear is my hair where one Loc Extension has slipped off. As you can see...my hair remained intact. My hair was nice and soft, not dry like you might have thought.  I thought against having another loc extension put back on it. Since I have a couple of these, I wanna watch them do their own thing....I have been palm rolling them like the rest of my hair.  It's loced halfway from where the loc extension started. The hair below the loced part is just Happy and Nappy.

Remember...hair locs from the TIP to the ROOT.



Loc PonyTail



If I'm not wearing curls...I lightly spray my hair with a natural oil and water mixture.  It moisturizes my hair underneath the Loc Extension and makes it easy to style for an Updo or a no curls or straight PonyTail.

Thanks for stopping by....this is my 6 Month Loc Journey Update....

Peace...Jay



Lastest Loc Updo

This is the loc updo that I  wore to Nappyfest 2011 in Columbia SC, Saturday, July 23rd.

Starting Point

This style was created with 2 pigtails on the top of the head and a ponytail in the back. The pigtails were just rolled and brought forth to the front of my head and pinned. The back ponytail was rolled and done the same way...just pinned it up.  Naturally Yours! Jay

The REAL DEAL-Hair Locking 101

Hey All....Just got back from Nappyfest 2011 in Columbia SC where I attended a seminar on Hair Locking 101 by Malaika-Tamu Cooper, Owner of Dreadz N Headz, Baltimore MD. That's her in the blue in the photo to the right.  Her locks are beautiful and all down her back. 

She's a Master Loctician and Sisterlock Consultant who travels worldwide to teach locking classes. The seminar was geared towards stylists interested in growing clientele by offering loc services. She shared a wealth of knowledge on how hair locks and the best ways to maintain healthly locs.

And here's what she shared on locking hair as it relates to Loc Extensions:

1. Hair locks from the TIP to the ROOT...Not from the ROOT to the TIP!
2. Loc Extensions can lock ....starting from the New Growth to the Root
3. Do Not Use Conditioner...Conditioner's purpose is to detangle hair. Locs are created with TANGLED hair.
4. Use natural oils to moisturize your scalp. Natural oils absorb into your scalp. It's food and nurishment
5. Hair is Skin - Scalp is Skin
6. The more locs you have...the more styling options you get
7. Sisterlocs have the most styling options
8. Partings are important
9. Triangle or Diamond partings allow for the most locks on your head
10. Loc Extensions are for those who are obsessed with length (this is TRUE! I am!)
11. To color locs...use Henna or Textures and Tones hair color (No ammonia or peroxide)
12. Listerine mouthwash can be used to cleanse the scalp (it's better than Seabreeze)

So what did I get out of this as I am entering my 4th month of locking thru my Loc Extensions?

4 Years Natural - Pre Loc Extensions Journey

Well....first...I'm reminded of my natural hair locking goals and the journey I signed up for...I wished to be locked for the rest of my life...however....true as it is...I am obsessed with length which led me to Loc EXTENSIONS.

So...if my natural hair which is in the loc extension is not actually gonna loc, according to Ms Cooper...and only the new growth to the root is gonna loc....I might be faced this situation down the road:

• Will i have to remove the loc extensions in order to have fully locked hair...from the TIP to the ROOTS?

Well for now....I am enjoying my journey and once again...I LOVE MY HAIR! I am not about to ponder over this and this style is working for me ...time and time again. 

My Loc Extensions Install - April 2011

Unless I am ordered by the LAW...to take down my extensions....Im gonna live with them and they with me....for as long as we shall BOTH have each other...

PEACE..Jay

NappyFest 2011-Columbia SC

It's All About the Curls

Well, I took my Loc Extensions to a new height with Pipe Cleaner Curls...and I'm crazy about them! It took a minute...but I've arrived.     

I started out with damp locs and added a dab of loc gel to each Loc Extension and rolled 2 Locs per pipe cleaner. It took about 60 pipe cleaners to achieve the final results. And...about 1 hour to roll. 

I looked like this only overnight over the weekend. Only a Mother could love me.  Although, if I had to do any face time in public...I was prepared to bend the pipe cleaners in a style and hit the streets. Do what you gotta do!

I let them air dry overnight and when I took them out...Whoa...the curls appeared. It was like a MIRACLE...where did these spiral curls come from?    I was and still am amazed.  I just dont know what to do with myself. 

Naturally Yours..Jay

Jay's Loc Extensions Journey Blog: Loc Extensions Install-April 2011

Jay's Loc Extensions Journey Blog: Loc Extensions Install-April 2011

1st Loc Extension Retwist-May 2011



I was really excited and looking forward to my Loc Extensions retwisted appt.  It's the monthly maintenance on Locs....For years...I've been looking for "a once a month hairstyle!"  The best part about it...is that I can do my own retwists once the Locking process begins....(we'll see...)

Unfortunately...this was NOT the retwisting visit I had hope for. My hair had not grown enough to do a retwisting.  It turned out that I was not in need of a retwist but more in need of maintenance. I had a few Locs that needed lengthening and a few had slipped out that needed to be replaced. So I gladly sat for the appt.  Afterwards, I fell in love with my Locs once again...they looked beautiful and the French Braid hairstyle was awesome!

My instructions were to come back in another month...for a retwist. Was told I can wash my own hair.  I plan to do this by grouping sections of my Locs with a band...and wash my scalp area with a moisturizing shampoo.

In the meantime...I will continue to lightly spray Locs with a water and oil solution and moisture my scalp with a Shea Butter/Coconut Oil/Castor Oil hair recipe.

Loc Extensions Install-April 2011



BEFORE



I went to see my Loctician a week before my scheduled appt for a consultation. After being Natural for 4 years....I wanted to make sure I was making the right decision.

The consulation included prepping my hair instructions prior to the appt and a tester Loc Extension to get a look and feel and to do a "test drive."



I was told to bring Afro Kinky Human Hair by Beverly Johnson with me  for the appt. I wanted my hair lighter so I selected  hair color 4/30. I got several packs.



AFTER



I deep conditioned my Natural Hair with Motions Protein Conditioner Treatment.  Followed by a hot oil treatment for extra moisture.  I arrived to my appt with a 'Fro...and walked out with Loc Extensions...so natural looking.  My Sister said that it looked like I have been locing for YEARs!!! What a great compliment!

So now...when folks ask me how long I've been locking?...I simply say "5 years!"

Thanks Sis!

I LUV My Hair-Maintenance



April 2011



Although I've only had my Loc Extensions for a little over a month...I've been quite pleased with them...They're light and EASY...and maintenance is relatively low.



May 2011

Maintenance- Daily

Naturally...I sleep with a satin/silk scarf with hair pulled back into a low ponytail. I moisture my edges with either caster oil or a shea butter mix to protect my hairline...real quick and simple to do.

In the morning....I remove the scarf and lightly spritz head all over with water and my favorite natural oil of the day mixture. (extra virgin olive oil, sesame seed oil etc.)



April 2011

I rub a small dab of shea butter on my hands and lightly smooth thru my Locs. I let my hair breathe and get air so it can become ONE with the Universe...(smiles) while I get ready for work.

Because I am still in the beginning locing stage...i wear my hair in a bun or ponytail..and off to work I go. So simple and so, so. easy. 



Maintenance - Weekly



May 2011

Unable to wash my hair during the first few weeks of adding the extensions...(I'm Cool with that!) I just put my hair in 4 pigtail sections...and spritz water and a light leave in condition to my scalp and root area only and let air dry.

Maintenance - Monthly

Wash hair the same way with the 4 pigtails and use a moisturizing shampoo...very important! Use a plastic bottle with a pointy nozzle (looks like a condiment container) pour a small amount of shampoo in it and fill it up with water....direct it to the scalp area only and massage it in. You do not need a lot of lather. When you rinse the shampoo out the residual with run thru the Loc Extensions...Lightly towel dry with a DARK TOWEL...(lint control) and then moisturize the roots...let air dry.  And that's it!



Maintenance - Every Other Month

Retwist new growth with your favorite locking gel after washing/moisturizing.  I am currently using Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Gel.

FINALLY!!!

My Natural Hairstyle Journey is over! I've finally discovered the style, color and hair to end the search of my Natural Hair Journey that began 4 years ago. No more Twists and Twist Outs, Bantu Knots, Braids and Braid Outs....No More! Praise the Lord.  What a rollercoaster ride I've been on just to arrive to the style I swore I'd never wear! 

Locs....or more commonly known as "Dreadlocks." I dont use the latter word...so hence my newfound Journey down a new path...my last path...a Journey of Loc Extenstions...Yay! .....And let the Church say AMEN!

A couple of photos from my Natural Hair Journey...in 2010!!