Chloe's last post prior to install: Wash and twist...

My baby, no matter what she strikes a pose... Her test locks are doing fine. She is going to be my first install. I take the class this weekend Dec. 5-8 here in Atlanta :-) Depending on how comfortable I am, I may install her the next weekend Dec 12th probably in more than one sitting, but like her momma (me) she has a small head. So it may not be that bad.

Two hours later she is asleep and my leg is also, but we have a finished head. I washed it prior to twisting with the green tea by fantasia (see tools of trade post )

That handsome young man she is with is my son Lonnie ( He was kind enough to help me get my lock count...thanks son) Be sure to check back for Chloe's install update, and as always thanks so much for stopping by

After the roller set

Well...Here is how it turned out. I still have lots of gaps in the back it seems no matter how much care I put into sectioning it off. I have found that right after a roller set the curls are too tight and is much better on day two or three. I mist with WATER (I do that a lot) to relax the hair in areas that I feel are just too too tight. Yes, I have tried just curling the ends. Even though I sleep in a bonnet I have awlful bed head in the mornings so so flat in the back. Its filling in though.

Roller set

After washing I squeeze out the excess water from the braids, let air dry some then take down a damp section at a time and begin to roll. This time I braided loosely before rolling (looking for a different look) I use two types of rollers because I am still not sure what look I am looking for.

Love the comfort of lock loops, think I like the curl of the rod. So, I put a few rods in the back to see how the curl comes out. Although I have not asked my consultant about using lotta body for setting purposes. I have no desire to use it I simply sleep in my rollers for a good set. (I mentioned lotta body because I have heard others say they use it on mature locks, it is a great product I have used it many many years ago with and without a perm and loved it) For now I won't be using anything but water!

Tomorrow I will post curl pictures but no long commentary :-) I love my sisterlocks. They are definately not maintenance free but you grow to love the care you put into them. They become your babies.

Actual washing

I suds up my scalp real good and saturated the braids. I held my head over the sink and saw how dirty the drippings were. Maybe I don't need to wait 2 weeks between washing however my head did not feel dirty this time. I could certainly feel the difference after a good wash.

Tools of the trade

Hey if it seems like I am overkill, I am only sharing some of the things I had questions about the most. Things I felt like I did not know or did not know enough about. Some of the blogs I have seen speak in a language that infers you should know what they are talking about. The truth of the matter is I had a slight fear of braiding, and I certainly did not do any styling when I first got installed. I also had a great fear of washing. I thought I was the only one with extreme itchys...which by the way are almost all gone. The pure tea shampoo was great for that. Prior to the tea shampoo I was seriously reading all the blogs I could about oil for the scalp I am so glad I did not use anything other than water. Remember to ask your consultant what is best for you. She is the one who told me I could use the shampoo and I can see major changes for the good.....especially the itchys

The yellow bottle is water only! The pink bottle is my diluted shampoo (currently I use 1 part shampoo, and 3 parts water) The other bottle is my shampoo of course. I am also using this shampoo on Chloe while I wait to install her locks.

braiding and banding before the wash

This is the first time I braided and banded and washed in the shower. It sure was a lot easier in the shower. I was sure to watch the water pressure, and to rinse rinse rinse.

This is also how I got my lock count. My son of all people helped me count bundles of 20, and a few odd ones that added up to a lovely 437 locks

Another wash and set

Okay....I wish the people in my life were as excited about sisterlocks as I am, but they are NOT :-( so I will have to share all my excitement with you guys.

These first pictures are of how I used to band my hair for washing. I simply grab a few twist the ends preferably in the same direction then I would put a rubber band or terry cloth small loop to hold the ends. I always managed to get the shampoo down to the scalp which is the most important part. Cleaning the scalp.

But I have since started braiding and banding. I try to use to red bands so I can easily see them. that will be the next post

Happy Thanksgiving.....

Chloe Pictures

Just couldn't help myself is she not adorable? She takes freestyling to a whole"nutter" level :-)

Chloe now....

Currently she wears two strand twist which I do myself with a little jam and bee's wax. Lately the hair tries to lock after only 2 1/2 weeks and I use very little bee's wax

look close you will see her test locks installed on 11-14-09 lower right corner on nape of her neck. She is excited. I have shown her other babylock blogs and youtube so she will be an informed wearer. I am excited too.

More pictures

this is me and Chloe (my late bloomer; had her at 40 she is 4 now)

I was wearing the press and curl (cost as much as maintaining a perm and can be just as damaging at times )

Chloe had cornrolls which I did not do, but now that she has been wearing her twist her edges are filling in also.

this picture was Summer 2008 I cut my hair Summer 2009

I will be installing Chloe probably the weekend of 12-19-09 unless I feel real confident after taking the class on 12-5 thru 12-8, 2009 so keep an eye out for Chloes pictures. We are gonna share one blog :-)

Morning locks spritzed with water (this is a good hair day)

this is the morning hair....don king/princes dad (from the movie purple rain)

this is good picture of "cow licks" lets watch the progress together

a few pictures of my ends around the face

just some pictures of my ends..notice the edges those "cowlicks" are growing in already I cant believe it...

Morning Locks

Okay, These pictures are of just after removing my bonnet ( I only had it on for three days, I keep it on when laying around in bed or cleaning around the house..your hair will collect some dust ) I simply take bonnet off, run fingers thru hair and spritz with water ONLY. It is time to wash. I do very little to my hair. I have not experienced any bunching or budding but its only been a little over 2 1/2 months (11 weeks)

I can tell where some of the ends or starting to seal. I have found so many blogs to be helpful. I have do very little slipage (I expected more with my gray hair) I did have concerns about loose ends but I found in my research that loose ends help avoid excessive slippage. It makes sense. Yet somewhere I was told to watch for installers who are "lazy and leave most of your ends loose" but My consultant and I talked about my questions of loose ends. "I love my Sisterlocks"

So...I have some photos of a few of my ends around my face tell me what you think.

Also..I have had "cow licks" all my life and Katrina said they would start to fill in. I thought to myself sure they will. THEY ARE FILLING IN ALREADY. I have some photos of that also.

Hopefully all my blogs won't be so long. BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH B.....

photos from my install on 9-5-09