2012 Goals

I've got a few hair goals for 2012:

1. Dye my hair.  I've dyed my hair before, but had to lighten it in order for it to show.  This time around, the plan is to use a recipe I found for hair lightening naturally.  Then, hopefully in time for my birthday, I'm aiming for a reddish color using henna.

2. Build my regimen. I'm in need of a gel/butter recipe that will help my locs to come together.  I've got lots of hairs that stray from the bulk of the loc and make  it look a bit like a loc-fro. I'm also thinking a deep conditioner may be necessary.  I love my daily moisturizer, but think I want to experiment with something that could be easier to apply.

3. Start styling.  I love my hair crinkly so I'm hoping to be able to do a braid out by the end of the year.  I'd also like to try pipe cleaner curls.

4. Fix the bald/thin spots.  When I was about sixteen I noticed that I had to bald patches near the front of my hairline.  I stopped relaxing my hair in hopes that that would help, but to no avail.  Eleven years later they are still there, but haven't seem to gotten better or worse.  Hopefully there's a recipe out there that can help.

5. Wear makeup.  I'm about as low maintenance as it gets.  That's great, but there are some days when I want to be more.  I want to get jazzy.  I want to feel different.  So we'll see how the eye makeup goes.

Love, Jasmine Shampoo Bar Review

Love, Jasmine are handmade, natural shampoo bars. On the website you can find a listing of ingredients all of which are easy to pronounce.  I decided to give them a try for several reasons - I will probably never make my own, I travel a lot and could put this in my carry-on without restriction, and why not support small business?

After 19 days without washing, I decided to put the Avocado Bar to the test.

19 days dry no wash

 

I've been using the daily moisturizer at least once a day, in the morning, but have used it right before bed some nights.  Surprisingly, my scalp still looks good.  I had one friend who actually thought I washed my hair on day 19 (before I actually did).

After wetting my hair, I was scared that it would get the grey look of product buildup and/or start to stink.  Neither happened.  Yay!

Following the product directions, I massaged the bar into my scalp and let it sit for a about five minutes.

Lather, rinse, repeat, and I was done.  My hair was clean and there was no desire to followup with another shampoo.  My hair was dry when I was done, but that was expected since the website says, "For optimal results, a deep conditioning regimen or moisturizer after washing hair is recommended."

Overall, I was pleased with the product.  I'm excited to try the Cinnamon bar.  I recommend this product to those with oily hair and/or frequent travelers.

Time To Buy Pins

11 months

Headed out to game night. Decided to do something different.  So excited it actually looks decent.  Looks like it may be time to buy some pins.

Interview with a Locstar: Celeste

When I decided to add "Interview with a Locstar" to the blog, I wasn't really sure where to start.  I thought of just interviewing people on the street, but that's a bit intimidating.  So I decided to start in my comfort zone.  I took a look at those with locs around me who I consider to be locstars.  To me, a locstar is someone you see who makes you proud to have locs.  They are poised and own their look.  They wear the locs, the locs don't wear them.

Celeste is the editor and publisher of a magazine which is housed in the building I work in.  I've seen her in the hallways and she stands out.  She has a cheerful smile, but don't be fooled you can sense that she's no pushover.  And, she's the only other person here with locs.

I know I may get dinged for some of this - did I already say that Celeste is a magazine editor - but I tried to quote her as best I could.  Consider this a paraphrase of our talk:

Celeste isn't new to locking.  She tried once before when her hair was short.  After a while, that wasn't working for her and she went back to twists and braids and let her hair grow out.  She wanted to be locked before she had a first child, but didn't start the current go round until her first child was about a year old.  She's been locked for almost two years now.

Me: Why did you decide to loc?

Celeste: I wanted to be a good example to my girls.  We're taught that straight, flowing hair is beautiful.  God made us all beautiful. Celebrities from Beyonce on down are wearing weaves.  Some days I'd like to be straight and flowing too, but what type of message [would I be] sending my daughters if they're not good enough the way they are?

In an effort to promote a speaking engagement, Celeste was asked to send in a photograph.  She selected one where she felt healthy.  She had lost about 75 pounds.  The coordinator wasn't impressed and requested a different picture.  Celeste sent in one pre-weight loss and it was accepted.  Both pictures were head shots so her weight couldn't be that big of a deciding factor.  There was very noticeable difference, in the first picture, Celeste has locs.  In the second her hair pressed.  According to the coordinator, the second picture was "more professional." This is the type of thing that makes her wonder, "Would I be taken more seriously if my hair was straight?"

Hmm

Of note: Celeste goes to Urban Nature Silver Spring and is styled by Ebony.

Daily Moisturizer

I originally selected this recipe because it is for hair growth. When I actually got around to making it though, I was interested in using it as a daily moisturizer so I didn't bother buying carrot or argan oil.

3/4 cup of coconut oil
2 tbsp jojoba oil
1/4 cup of olive oil

The original recipe called for 1 tablespoon of carrot or argan oil.

When the ingredients were combined, I had enough for three 2 ounce bottles.  The coconut oil causes the mixture to solidify, but if the room is warm or your rub it your hands first, it spreads easily.

As part of my test of how long I can go without washing my hair, I've been applying the oil at least once daily.  It's been 12 days since I washed it, but you couldn't tell by looking at my scalp. : )