Saturday, October 29, 2011

JR Review

Website: None (contact me if you need his info)
About: Barber Stylist who does locs and has them.

Why I went: A lot of the people I know personally go to him to get their locs done.  He did his wife's and they were great.  He seemed like a good person to start with.

Location: Laurel, MD

JR did my big chop.
Making the Appointment: Via text message or phone call.  I can't really plan ahead with JR.  I make contact the week I want my appointment.  Too far in advance, and I'm worried he'll forget.  When I do it that week, I'm worried I won't get in.
 
My Experience With the Venue: JR works out of shops that have one side for barbers and the other side are typical salons.  He can be found on the barber side.  The atmosphere is laid back.

My Experience With the Stylist: JR is concerned with your life.

Before I started going to JR.


My first set of twists.
The Process: JR washes and twists.  He uses a variety of products.  Twisting is done using Barry Fletcher Hair Serum.  The effect is glossy hair that's a bit sticky, but clear.

Time to Pay: Cash only.  After your first service, JR doesn't usually tell you how much the is due.

Overall Take: The only draw back is the ease of making an appointment.  Since my schedule gets so busy, like knowing that I can get in when I need to been seen.  His products aren't all natural, but they get a nice look.

Would I go back? Before finding Urban Nature? Yes.  Now, I'm not sure.

Would I recommend to others?  Yes especially men looking to a masculine atmosphere.

Urban Nature Silver Spring Review

Website: http://www.urbannaturestyles.com
About: Natural hair care salon with three locations in the DC metro area.

Why I went: Doing my hair myself is a lot of work.  I like the freedom it gives me, but there somethings that I need someone else to help with.  Since I started maintaining my hair, I noticed that the sizing of my locs was uneven.  There were some that were way too small and one at the front that was too big. I could go back to JR, who started them, but I wanted someone who was using natural products.  Why put all the effort in on my own to have it reversed by someone I was paying? And I didn't want to have to bring my products with me especially since I haven't figured out what mixtures I like best.

I started doing searches for salons that had stylists who did locs.  I eliminated places which did not show a product listing.  Then I read through the products listed for the remaining salons.  There was only one left standing: Urban Nature Styles. They listed the buttes used for maintenance.  In addition to that, I was able to make appointments online.  I was sold.

Location Selected: Silver Spring, MD

Making the Appointment: After selecting the location, I was able to read reviews left by other customers for each of the stylist.  I read through them and picked the stylist who had a review on loc service with a time that worked for me.  After I submitted my request, I waited for confirmation.  Confirmation was sent via email and text message after a few days.

My Experience With the Venue: I arrived for my appointment a few minutes early.  I was greeted by Angela.  While I waited for my stylist to arrive I was able to look at the products which would be used in my hair.  I smelled the butters available and selected the one to be used in my hair - TAMU, mango scented.  I started reading one of the books they had on natural hair while I waited.  There was only one seat up front so that led me to believe that they don't overbook and I wouldn't have to wait a long time.  The reception area isn't as professional looking (no desk, just a card table and two bookshelves one of which housed the credit card machine), but it serves its purpose.  And since there didn't seem to be a receptionist, no real point in doing too much.

Before
Before


My Experience With the Stylist: Kim started on time.  I first wanted a consultation.  I wanted a chance to go over my needs and get a feel for her.  She listened to my concerns about the sizing and asked me to point out the locs in question.  She then walked me to the back where she washed my hair.  That was followed by a herbal rinse.

Once back in the chair, Kim started to comb out the over sized loc up front.  She commented that it reminded her of when she combed out her locs.  That provided the opening I needed to find out about her loc experience.  Turns out she only had them for 8 months.  She didn't like being limited. Hmm.

The Process: Kim used the comb to twist the unlocked roots.  The rest was palm rolled.  In addition to the butter, a gel was added.  I failed to ask what it was, but based on feel, the lack of description on the jar, and the feel of my hair afterwards, I think it was aloe vera gel.  Drying took place under a hooded dryer.

After
After
Time to Pay: When it was time to pay, I expected about a $65 total.  If you book a consultation, you receive a $15 credit on any service greater than $65.  I assumed that would net out and just leave you with the price of the service.  My actual total before tip and the $1 charge for a credit card transaction was $75.  When I asked about it, she let me know that she didn't charge for the consultation, but since my locs had to be clipped all the way down, she charged by for beginner locs.  Really wish there was a description of what the differences in services were on the website.

Overall Take: The venue was nice.  The staff was professional, but not friendly.  Aside from Angela and Kim, no one said hello although I said so to each of them.  Kim was good, but not great.  I'm not really pleased by the fact that she didn't have the patience to keep her locs for longer.  How is she going to be able to help me when I get frustrated?  Also, there were two locs I asked her to join that now look less than perfect.  She didn't comb them out to combine them. Instead, the unlocked portion is twisted together and the two separate locs have been palm rolled as one.  The effect is a puffy loc.  I liked the process though.  I felt that she cared about my hair and the things that should be put in it.

Would I go back? Yes

Would I request the same stylist? Maybe.  I'd like to have Angela do my hair.  She was more personable, but she has an afro.  I may need to send an email to inquire of her personal loc experience.  If that doesn't work out, I may have to try a different location.

Would I recommend them to others? Definitely

Friday, October 28, 2011

Twist Like This Review

Twist Like This Herbal Putty




Per the website if its creator (www.barryfletcherproducts.com), "Twist Like This Herbal Putty [is a] multi-purpose styling [product which gives] firm hold [and a] glossy finish. For natural hair styling, twist, locs, braids texturizers. Contains african butter, soybean oil, bees wax, Aloe Vera, wheat germ, selenium, vitamin B&E."

I used it for maintenance on the recommendation of the stylist that started my locs. He let me know ahead of time to only use a small amount.  What he should have said was stuff will leave your hair ashy and sticky if you don't use just dabs.  If it was giving my hair the hold I was looking for, I wouldn't feel the need to put on more than just a dab.  I didn't try this product just once though.  On several occasions, I used the putty to retwist after washing and even without washing.  After washing, this product doesn't give the hold I need. Without washing, it worked pretty good to refresh my look.  Unfortunately, like regular putty this product is sticky. Overall, I'm sad I spent $10 on a 4 ounce bottle I probably won't touch again.

Pat Downs Not For Afros Only

Yesterday, I sat at my gate at Dayton International Airport replaying my security screening - my hair got pat down! For many naturalistas this is not an uncommon occurrence.  Although not an excuse, who knows what they may be concealing in that carefully sculpted coiffure? But for me, a person still forming her dreads, I was quite confused. To make matters more interesting I went through the body scanning machine. It decided that there was a square on my head that specifically needed to be examined.
The scanner fully highlighted in yellow what needed to be pat down.

So tell me, which of you put a metal plate in my head when i was asleep? And, have these machines been programmed for racial profiling?
 

Saturday, October 22, 2011

A Natural Hair Affair: Shea Butter

This is a post by MzDezy of A Natural Hair Affair. I found it useful and hope you do too.

A Natural Hair Affair: Shea Butter: Shea butter is one of my favorite products to use for my hair and skin. It's definitely something that can always be found in my house. Ther...

I Can Do It Myself - Basic Retwist

Paying someone to do my hair is quite costly and pretty inconvenient so I've decided to keep cost low and not walk around scratching my hair all day, I would do it myself.

The first time it retwisted my locs, they were four months old.  I washed using Dr. Bonner's Liquid Castille Soap and twisted with Twist Like This Herbal Putty.  End result, I was able to make it another two weeks, but I felt like I was messing with the size of the locs.  And my hair was sticky.

At nine months, I tried again.  This time I used a super diluted ACV rinse followed by a baking soda rinse.  Unimpressed by that, I went ahead with some regular shampoo.  When I finally felt my hair was clean, I retwisted using Hair Putty. Job complete? Yes.  Hair sticky? Yes.

A week later, I used by the 50/50 ACV rinse followed by regular shampoo and added tea tree oil.  Way less work to feel and look clean.  Hair Putty was still in rotation, so my hair was still sticky.

The next week I gathered all the ingredients to make shealoe and had a long afternoon ahead of me.
Before I started
1. 50/50 ACV rinse for 3 hours
After rinse
2. Garnier Nutrisse shampoo with a few drops of tea tree oil
After shampooing
3. Made shealoe

4. Retwist

5. Sat under dryer on low for 2 hours
I loved the shine though I'm not sure I comes through in the picture.


Shealoe Recipe

I found a recipe for shealoe (combination of shea butter and aloe vera gel) and decided to try it out.

 Ingredients
1/2 cup. Check out the Hair Affair link for shea butter descriptions.

2 tablespoons

1/4 cup

Plus some tea tree oil and peppermint oil


Directions
1. Microwave shea butter.  This wasn't in the original recipe, but since the butter is hard I seemed like the best way to get a nice consistency.  I made this twice.  The first time the butter was room temperature.  Mix with hand mixer until fluffy.
2. Mix in olive oil and aloe vera gel.
3. Mix in essential oils.
Final product using the warmed shea butter.

I stored it in an old hair grease container.
Once the mixture cools, it becomes firm again.  Rubbing it between my fingers before applying made it easy to use.  Also, when I went to use it the next week, I needed to add some olive oil to loosen it up.

Overall, shealoe was easy to make.  The only equipment I used was a bowl, hand mixer (with one blade), and tongue depressor (to mix by hand - I'm sure a spoon would have done the job too).  My hair was shiny, but almost greasy to the touch so I'm pretty sure I used to much.  I didn't need to use any spray or other moisturizer all week though.

Verdict: After 4 uses, I've decided that this isn't for me. I love all the ingredients, but the final firmness of the product is a turn off.  I'll keep searching for my perfect loc butter.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Tracking

Starting Line - mid-January 2011

I need to start tracking my progress. That was part of my issue when I started on this journey.  My wedding was months away and I had no idea what to expect.  Unfortunately, I hardly ever remember to take pics.  Hoping to get better.
6 months

5.5 months


Essential Oils

 Essential oils are concentrated hydrophobic liquids containing volatile aroma compounds from plants.  They are essential because they contain the "essence" of the plant.  They should be diluted since most should not be applied directly to the skin.

Lavender
  • Encourage new follicle growth - fight alopecia
  • Disinfects scalp 
  • Antifungal
Peppermint
  • Stimulates hair follicles
  • Promotes hair growth
  • pH balancer  - good for oily and dry scalp
  • Moisturize hair shaft
  • Remove dandruff
  • Add shine and gloss
Rosemary
  • Promote hair and scalp health
  • Increase circulation
  • Stimulate follicles
  • Remove dandruff
Tea Tree
  • Disinfectant
  • Promoting hair growth
  • Helps with dry and oily hair

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse

Basic ACV Rinse

Mix ACV and water in a spray bottle using a 1:1 ratio.  Spray onto hair and scalp and massage in.  Leave on for 15 minutes to 3 hours.  Rinse out with warm water.

Different ratios work for different people - or so they say.  I've decided to try this one for 4 weeks, to determine what changes should be made for me.  I've hoping for shiny hair and less dandruff.

Verdict: After 7 weeks of weekly usage before shampooing, this is a yes.  I have less dandruff and that's huge.  I'm going to see what happens if I space out the frequency.

The Why

A Listing of Ingredients in the Recipes Provided and the Purpose They Serve:

*My scalp is extremely dry and I suffer from seborrheic dermatitis so most of my recipes are geared toward scalp relief.*

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) - the benefits go on, but I'm concentrating on the aspects that matter to me.
  • Balance pH of scalp
  • Thicken hair
  • Remove dead skin cells
  • Aid with itchy scalp and dandruff
  • Give hair body and luster
  • Hair cleanse
  • Remove buildup and residue
  • Close cuticles


Shea Butter
  • Moisturizes
  • Adds luster to hair - Truth,  I made some shealoe to twist my hair, and there was a definite difference.
  • Treats dry scalp - hmm, undecided




Aloe Vera Gel
  • Contains enzymes which stimulate hair growth
  • Reduces dandruff
  • Can be used to tighten locs
  • Drys out scalp (helping to give that dread look?) so be sure to mix with oil before applying to retain moisture




Olive Oil
  • Moisturizes
  • Improve strength and elasticity
  • Natural conditioner - adds shine and makes hair soft
  • Helps with split ends





Mango Butter
  • Relieves itchy skin
  • Moisturizes and smooth rough skin
  • Treats eczema and dermatitis


Coconut Oil
  • Conditions
  • Helps regrow damaged hair
  • Dandruff relief
  • Helps retain moisture
  • Contains fatty acids which are anti-dandruff agents
Liquid  Lanolin
  • Moisturizes
  • Helps heal chapped skin (winter is coming)


Sweet Almond Oil
  • Protein source
  • Contains Vitamin E
  • Shiny hair
  • Conditions
  • Carrier oil

Jojoba Oil
  • Relieve dryness
  • Mend split ends
  • Smooth frizziness
  • Conditions
  • Antibacterial
  • Cleanse scalp
  • Protect hair when swimming
  • Prevent thinning hair
  • Natural sheen

Avocado Oil
  • Carrier oil
  • Contains proteins, vitamins A, D, E and B6, magnesium, copper, iron, amino acids and folic acid
  • Natural sunscreen




Ylang Ylang Oil
  • Hair re-growth
  • Conditions
  • Anti-seborrhoeic
  • Balances oily and dry skin






 Wheat Germ Oil
  • Increases lost moisture to the hair while adding shine, strength, and softness.  
  • Helps keep the hair cuticle closed and free of breakage.
  • Tends to build up on scalp.  Hmm
  • Of note: It has a "nutty" scent which I am not a fan of




Honey
  • Moisturizer
  • Low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide which had lightening properties




Glycerin
  • Attracts moisture (from the air or you)








Jamaican Black Castor Oil (JBCO)
  • Moisturize, thicken, strengthen and increase hair growth

            Finallly Starting

            I  first wanted to loc my hair in 2004, but after finding out how much it was going to cost to actually start I promptly put a relaxer  back in.

            Eventually I stopped relaxing my hair (2010) in hopes that I would, I don't know... I guess I really just wanted a change.
            Relaxer free for six or so months as of September 2011.
            And change I did.  I did the "Big Chop" in September 2010.
            Big Chop - September 2011
             That was fun for a while, but when it got about an two inches long, I was just frustrated.  I didn't care for my mini-fro and couldn't think of how to manage it.  So, I decided to start locking. 

            First set of twists - January 2011
            June 2011 - Water still makes them fat.
            So I used that to my advantage and turned it into a twisted 'fro.
            Time to re-contain them - July 2011
            The hard part about locking though was no one was able to help me.  Yeah, I have a guy who does it for me, but that gets to be expensive.  And besides, I like being able to do my own hair.  When I did searches for advice online, I couldn't find any thing that really spoke to me.  So I decided I would speak to the world.  Follow me as I chart my journey - I'm about 8.5 months in.