BEGINNINGS

http://youtu.be/aLWH3SklBQU

Found this video I did a while ago documenting how my loc journey all began. I don't believe I'll be doing anymore videos of the journey. Instead the process will be documented here. Have a watch and remember to share. 

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

I've gone three months without re tightening my locs. In that period I've realized I just don't like short hair... Not on myself and not as a permanent look. I have been taking full advantage of the last time I probably will be able to wear a wig and was sporting a sassy short number.

In that three month period I also embraced the fact that I love change as much as it may seem like indecisiveness or confusion to some. Its me. The way I dress and wear my hair are expressions of how I maybe feeling. I never anticipated growing and cultivating locs to be quite this trying and now that I've come this far in my journey my advice for anyone thinking of starting their journey is not to do it for the look and appeal of it.

It's way, way deeper than that. Wearing my hair natural has been  the best choice I've made for my hair ever! Deciding to loc was another significant choice I made based on the lessons I need to learn in my life and the appreciation and honour of beauty in my natural state. I've reinstalled loc extensions at a more realistic length this time around I believe. These extensions came from Barbados from someone who changed their journey and cut their own locs. I always get a startled reaction from others at this point in the story. It's the same process as buying weave. That hair came off someone's head as well. The hair was cleansed thoroughly after it was removed. My sister actually wore the same extensions when she was trying to start her own locs but she eventually decided to wear her loose natural hair. A choice that suits her very well. So once again they were removed and cleansed.

I find them much lighter than the first set of extensions I wore and I guess that's because those were synthetic kinky twists, covered with human afro kinky hair. I am able to achieve defined braid outs and throw it in one for my work outs keeping it out of my face to prevent breakouts on my forehead. I love them. I can manage them and wear them confidently as i continue my journey.
After some thought I will be returning to palm rolling instead of interlocking to avoid splitting and maintain thickness. Some of my locs are thinner in some parts of my head and I'm attributing it to differing densities of hair at those sections. After this next change I will be paying more attention to hair health and methods of maintenance on my won. Stay tuned for an upcoming post on my current routine! Happy new year and blessings for 2014 to all! More photos to follow.