I found this remarkable series of newspaper articles from 2003 that traced the origins of human hair extensions. From the devout women in India who sacrifice their long hair at a Hindu temple, to the hair processing factories, and all the way to the corner beauty supply store and the braiding salon.
This is years old - but new to me.
It's really enlightening. It's a four-day written series, with a narrated slideshow (requires Shockwave). http://www.tennessean.com/special/hair/
There's also an audio recording of a roundtable discussion.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
In the Headlines...
It's been a while since I've blogged, so here's a summary of recent events:
New Shampoo.
I was running out of starter shampoo, so my consultant suggested I give Suave clarifying shampoo a try. I washed my hair with it for the first time yesterday, and I'm very pleased. It comes in this cool, clear bottle, has a light, pleasant scent... But the best part: It cost just $1.59! Cleans like the dickens, too. I used it diluted in a trigger spray bottle -- just as I do with the Sisterlocks product, and it works great and creates a nice lather. My consultant asked me to let her know if this product alters the feel of my hair too much, and I'm happy to report that so far, it hasn't. (Still braiding and banding, by the way.)
The count
Finally broke down and decided to count the locks. The grand total (unless I messed up): 504. I got curious because I had been reading posts on lockitup where people were complaining that they didn't have enough locks; some even took theirs down and got them redone. I feel blessed that mine turned out great, because this is one sister who isn't about to pick out 500-plus locks.
Natural hair meetup
The Michigan natural hair meetup on May 6 went well. I'd encourage sisters from other parts of the country to try the same thing.
It was such a beautiful experience, being in the room with so many other sisterlocked sisters. We were fortunate to have Dr. Cornwell's sister and niece there. We all learned many interesting tips, asked questions, answered questions, poked around in each other's hair and shared our testimonials. There were a couple of unlocked women there, and I believe this event will help them as they decide what they will do.
The biggest takeaway, however: Sisterlocks are like snowflakes. No two heads look alike. Everybody looked great, yet nobody looked the same: there were thick locks; thin locks; lush, curly locks; colored locks; loose-curl locks, micros, on and on. My favorite quote from one of the women there, looking around at everyone else: "I have a serious case of lock envy!"
Growing
On a personal note: My hair appears to be growing nicely, but it's one of those things that's so gradual, sometimes you can't really tell. I wear a headband less often now. Will post some pictures eventually. I'm two weeks away from my third-month Sisterlocks anniversary and my second retightening. That may be a good time to do it.
Peace,
Treklocs
New Shampoo.
I was running out of starter shampoo, so my consultant suggested I give Suave clarifying shampoo a try. I washed my hair with it for the first time yesterday, and I'm very pleased. It comes in this cool, clear bottle, has a light, pleasant scent... But the best part: It cost just $1.59! Cleans like the dickens, too. I used it diluted in a trigger spray bottle -- just as I do with the Sisterlocks product, and it works great and creates a nice lather. My consultant asked me to let her know if this product alters the feel of my hair too much, and I'm happy to report that so far, it hasn't. (Still braiding and banding, by the way.)
The count
Finally broke down and decided to count the locks. The grand total (unless I messed up): 504. I got curious because I had been reading posts on lockitup where people were complaining that they didn't have enough locks; some even took theirs down and got them redone. I feel blessed that mine turned out great, because this is one sister who isn't about to pick out 500-plus locks.
Natural hair meetup
The Michigan natural hair meetup on May 6 went well. I'd encourage sisters from other parts of the country to try the same thing.
It was such a beautiful experience, being in the room with so many other sisterlocked sisters. We were fortunate to have Dr. Cornwell's sister and niece there. We all learned many interesting tips, asked questions, answered questions, poked around in each other's hair and shared our testimonials. There were a couple of unlocked women there, and I believe this event will help them as they decide what they will do.
The biggest takeaway, however: Sisterlocks are like snowflakes. No two heads look alike. Everybody looked great, yet nobody looked the same: there were thick locks; thin locks; lush, curly locks; colored locks; loose-curl locks, micros, on and on. My favorite quote from one of the women there, looking around at everyone else: "I have a serious case of lock envy!"
Growing
On a personal note: My hair appears to be growing nicely, but it's one of those things that's so gradual, sometimes you can't really tell. I wear a headband less often now. Will post some pictures eventually. I'm two weeks away from my third-month Sisterlocks anniversary and my second retightening. That may be a good time to do it.
Peace,
Treklocs
Saturday, March 24, 2007
That hair thing ... again!
I have a friend who is interested in Sisterlocks, especially since seeing mine. She's been wearing a press and curl for years, but is looking for an option that will give her more freedom to exercise.
She broached the subject with her husband recently. His reaction: "I'd be very disappointed."
My friend was so ticked that she thought about getting her locs right away! But she knew she wouldn't be doing it in the right spirit.
Anyway, her hubby later apologized and acknowledged that he had no right to tell her what to do with her hair.
I mention this because it illustrates a point that frustrates me: Why do we as African American women have to climb over so many hurdles just to be ourselves in this society?
On a positive note: I'm now nearly three weeks into SLs. Had my follow-up appointment earlier this week. My consultant says the locs are coming along quite well! She especially loves the way the ends are behaving. So that's a relief!
And I reached a milestone of sorts: A few days ago, I gave away my ceramic flat iron. No need for that anymore. (It never straightened my hair much anyway -- LOL.) I guess I'll have to give away my electric pressing comb, too. Gotta find another way to test the smoke detector. :-)
The collection of hair oils, creams, sprays, etc. will be next. This is going to be fun.
She broached the subject with her husband recently. His reaction: "I'd be very disappointed."
My friend was so ticked that she thought about getting her locs right away! But she knew she wouldn't be doing it in the right spirit.
Anyway, her hubby later apologized and acknowledged that he had no right to tell her what to do with her hair.
I mention this because it illustrates a point that frustrates me: Why do we as African American women have to climb over so many hurdles just to be ourselves in this society?
On a positive note: I'm now nearly three weeks into SLs. Had my follow-up appointment earlier this week. My consultant says the locs are coming along quite well! She especially loves the way the ends are behaving. So that's a relief!
And I reached a milestone of sorts: A few days ago, I gave away my ceramic flat iron. No need for that anymore. (It never straightened my hair much anyway -- LOL.) I guess I'll have to give away my electric pressing comb, too. Gotta find another way to test the smoke detector. :-)
The collection of hair oils, creams, sprays, etc. will be next. This is going to be fun.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Making my debut (2 days SL'd)
Two wonderful things have happened.
First and foremost, my husband says he loves my hair! He was fully supportive of my decision to get Sisterlocks, yet I still wondered how he would react once I really did it. He told me yesterday that he likes the locks a lot -- more than my previous style (microbraids with human-hair extensions. One reason, he said, is because it's my hair.
Now, ain't that a kick in the head?
My style also drew compliments during my first two days back at work, even from people I hardly know.
I guess I should count myself lucky. The same thickness and length (at least 5 inches of natural hair) that made my hair a pain to deal with loose** are working to my benefit now.
That's the beauty of Sisterlocks. Finally women with tightly coiled hair have something that works with, rather than against, the nature of our hair.
The first shampoo shrunk the locks, but it also made my hair look very full, with no parts showing except some parting at the hairline.
That was quite a relief. Until next time!
(** How tough was it? I literally had to duct-tape the comb attachment onto my blow dryer so it would stay put as I blow-dried my hair for the locking session, plus I lost even more of the few teeth left on the thing!)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Sisterlocked!
My locks were installed in a marathon, 17-hour session that started at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, March 5 and ended just before 2 a.m. on March 6. I am now officially Sisterlocked!
I can't believe how full they are. My consultant had me wash them when I got home (actually I waited until later this morning.) I braided and banded, washed and rinsed. then I removed the braids.
There was a good amount of shrinkage, which I expected, but it came out in this cute curly style.
I have a feeling I will be fully locked in no time!
I should have something profound to say. I'm just so grateful that I finally got off the fence and got my locs -- after so many years listening to the voice of doubt and fear. I plan to write a poem saying goodbye to my loose natural hair. Stay tuned.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
My first attempt at the Blog universe
Hello to everyone. I'm attempting to blog for the first time. I'm excited because in two days, I will be Sisterlocked -- after dragging my feet for at least five years. Please stay tuned. I'll try to keep up this blog as the journey gets underway and put up a few pictures.
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