Let the Journey Begin!

Well, I finally took that leap! I braided my hair up this past Saturday. It took a whopping 12 hours! I'm sure it wouldn't have taken so long, but I took massive breaks! When it was finally time for me to go to bed Saturday night, I was just smitten with my new little braids. They had the cutest curly ends, but were quite stiff as to be expected.....but still smitten. I got into the bed with my computer and camera all set to take some pictures, but I couldn't find just the right pose. Go figure! When I got up Sunday morning to prepare for church, I took off my scarf and realized that all of my little plaits were flat. Oh dear! I sprayed them with my Happy-n-Nappy Dew to no avail. I tried flat twisting them in the front for a little style, but still nothing. This went on until about 9:50. (I was about to be really late for church.) I finally got so pissed at them that I went to the sink and rinsed them, considered taking all of them out! Oh, but wait.....the water was just what they needed! The water allowed them to relax a bit and not be so stiff. I put on a headband and hurried out the door. Alas, my bradelocz had received their identity.....only to find a new one the next day. LOL!

Monday, while I had nothing to do, I started to notice the fact that Ireally hated that center part. Why, oh why did I give myself a center part in the first place when I NEVER wear my hair with one. I decided that I would twist the roots and give myself a new SIDE part, more becoming of how I wear my hair. My hair was easy to twist considering the fact that my is already very naturally coily. Coincidentally, my braids and roots had already started to coil. I must say that I like it a lot better with the side part. My little bradelocz are starting to grow on me! Let the journey begin!

Bradelocz?? Perhaps!

Well, I received the Nappylocs Business in a Box. I still haven't sucessfully installed the test locks. The whole use of the nappylocs tool is much harder than it seemed. Even after I watched the video, it was still hard. Well, in my frustration, I rediscovered Cherie King's bradelocz (again). I then began searching Youtube videos and blogs for bradelocz (braidlocs). I actually found many more people that started their locz with bradelocz (braidlocs) rather than with the nappylocs approach. When I'm searching videos and blogs, I'm always looking for people that have a similar hair texture as mine. I know that everyone's hair is unique, but finding someone similar is very helpful.

During my search, I ran across Cherie King's bradelocz as I said earlier. I had seen this before. In fact, I even subscribed to her newsletter and eCourse. As I searched, I began seeing more and more nice locks that were started with braids. I continued to see equally as nice locks that were started in other ways. But because my hair is very soft, thick, and curly/coily, I think bradelocz may be my best choice.

Braid Out Gone Bad!

So yesterday I decided that I wanted to try a braid out. I've done twist and coil outs before but never a braid out. I shampooed my hair with my diluted Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Shampoo and then conditioned with Oyin's Honey Hemp Conditioner. After that I putin my leave-in concoction of Ojon restorative leave in and Cantu Shea Butter leave in. Then I proceeded to braid it with Aloe Vera Gel. I think that was the problem. The Aloe Vera gel by itself doesn't have enough holding/setting power. When I took down the braids this morning, it was a Hot Stretched Out Mess! Never fear, my head bands are ALWAYS close by. I put a little IC styling gel on the front and in the "kitchen" and made a puff. This was the biggest, fluffiest puff I've gotten since going natural. (Sorry that I don't have a pic of the back.) My hair is really growing! Thanks bad braid out for giving me the best puff ever!

On another note.......I received my nappylocs biz in a box yesterday! I'm so excited about starting my locks. The book suggests that you do test locks before actually locking your hair. I'll do that later this week. Hopefully, I'll take some pictures of the test locks. The process of locking using this tool is really going to be a long one. I realized yesterday and this morning (bad braid out) just how much hair I have. I suppose I'll be calling on my skillful niece for help with this endeavor! More on that later.

Mik

To Lock or not to Lock?

I just ordered the Nappylocs Biz in a Box. Will I lock my hair, or won't I? More to come later......

Mik