HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

 

A very happy new year to everyone - especially all my sisters in the blogging community. Enjoy these photos of the girls. They've had a blast.

 

 

 

 

The new Nina... in all her Sisterlocks glory!!

Well it's finally done. Here's Nina with her 3 day old Sisterlocks. It took all of three and a half weeks as she's a very fidgety girl and I didn't want to put pressure on her. We did a tiny bit every day, (or not) as she chose. But she loves her new hair to bits and is so proud that she has hair like her sister Lala and mummy. I'll do some better close-ups in her next set of photos.
PS. The top photo will now open up directly in the blog window, the second one requires that you download to your PC first.

The Old Nina...

Here are a few pics of Nina taken the day we started her Sisterlocks installation. Her hair has a long curl pattern and is very soft but very, very elastic with a high shrink factor. She would not even allow me to comb after I washed and conditioned. She's too tenderheaded.

COMING UP- Bambina Nina's Sisterlocks

Well it's finally happening! Daughter number 2 is getting sisterlocked. Yesterday I finished the last of the front two sections of Nina's hair - many lollipops and one new barbie mobile phone later.(3 days of 2 30 min sessions). I'm giving her medium and small. Now there are 4 other sections to go.
I'll be posting pics as soon as I can get her to sit. The whole process I am doing totally at her pace. So will take a week I suspect. I'm thinking up new bribes.
She's the most tender headed baby I've ever met and if she isn't complaining while I put in the locks( it's sitting still which bugs her), it means Sisterlocks don't hurt when they are being put installed.
Nina HATES having a comb in her hair and hopefully this will help to resolve our hair battles. She has the softest blackest hair with a long curl pattern(almost straight in the front) yet very very elastic and shrinky, if you see what i mean?

Fall Routine - Freestyling

Nothing easier. Spritz, shake out your locks and out of the door good to go!!

Best For Sisterlocks -The hook or the clip?

Reading Sophia's recent posting about her retightening experiences in Atlanta and a few other blog comments got me thinking.
Which Sisterlocks tool is best: the hook tool or the clip?

First of all, Sisterlocks consultants are taught to use both tools during the training course. The Sisterlocks system, as we all know, was meticulously designed by Dr Cornwell with much thought about the tools which would produce the locking results that we all know and love.

BOTH tools were intended and designed for starting and maintaining Sisterlocks and each have their strengths. I think consultants choose their preferences and also take their cue from their trainers.

During my initial training in New York (Joanne herself participated in that) there was no particular emphasis on either tool - we were told to "master both". Since then I have met consultants and trainees who preferred one over the other for various reasons. At a refresher class I took this year, the trainers made their preference for the hook tool clear. Hence comments like "if you can't use the hook tool you don't know what you are about." Well I believe personal preference takes the lead. My sisterlocks were installed by a wonderful consultant in the DC area who used only the clip tool. Her locks, which she'd had for 4 years at the time, were gorgeous and mine were installed excellently. My sister Ama's sisterlocks were put in in London by a consultant who favors the clip tool. I've never thought to question as the results spoke for themselves.


Now there are instances where the clip tool is not so great (on the ends of thickish locks for instance) or when the hair is too short, or fragile and I believe there are other instances as well and yes it gives you a heck of a sore thumb!!, however, use of each tool demonstrates the skill of the consultant and used CORRECTLY, there is no reason why it should harm your Sisterlocks. I personally have had my hair damaged by rough use of the hook tool.

For the record, my preference was for the clip tool right from the start especially as a self-retightening tool. I don't think one should put down consultants who prefer this tool over the hook if they are working professionally and correctly. (no snags, no lumps, bumps or pain).

Thoughts on...Starting Sisterlocks From The Back

In the same way, we are trained to install Sisterlocks from the FRONT of the head which I've always strictly adhered to. Some consultants however, choose to start in the back, but still get excellent parting/sectioning results. They use care and attention to detail and follow the locking patterns. The main reason for starting in the front is because that is the most important section of a client's head. You logically need to focus your highest energy levels and attention to detail there. After 10 hours of work on the back of a client's head, you might not approach the front with the same energy out of sheer tiredness. What can I (or anyone) say against a consultant who starts at the back yet still has beautiful, even partings and sectioning in the front contrary to the standard Sisterlocks method?
This is not intended to start a debate on the issue in any way because there is no "right" answer in my opinion. The Home Office is the final authority on that.

Thoughts On..."Bad" Consultants

To Sophia in particular(and anyone else who has had bad consultant experiences) I say please don't be put off by negative experiences you've had. We do have choice - well at least most of us do- and you can and will find another more suitable consultant. The beauty of the Sisterlocks system is the individuality of each person's locking journey. Mistakes for the most part can be ironed out, reversed and corrected by an experienced consultant if caught in time. Find another consultant and also take the time to let your consultant know if you are not satisfied or if her behavior or practices are substandard. Some consultants will do better with constructive criticism if they are told I'm sure. As a consultant trainee (who has submitted documentation and paperwork for certification and is awaiting a verdict from the Home Office), I so realize the importance of keeping to the high standards of our Sisterlocks training. It is our advertisement to the world. At the same time it can be daunting, especially for newer trainees to be under the spotlight of clients who have extremely high expectations.
My rule of thumb is find a consultant whose work is good, with whom you have a connection, who has the right attitude and you are sorted. And always find yourself a back up!!

Natural Girls Beautiful

Here is Soila and one of her close friends Zora aren't they beautiful? Both have locks and love their hair natural and free.

Friday in the garden-2

Friday in the garden

 

It was nice and warm this evening and Friday to boot. Decided to take the opportunity for a few shots in the garden with the girls before the sun went down next to our jasmine bush- smelling heavenly. Thank God for Fridays and family.

Mother and Daughter. Thoughts On Swimming with Sisterlocks

After taking the pics of Soila, I thought I'd let hubby take a shot of us together. I think it's great to have her all locked up and she simply is great about retightenings. As I said in the post before we had just finished retightening which was quite a job because of the length of time we had left in between and because she swam nearly every day this summer.(we have a pool). Neither she nor I use a cap for swimming
a) because I can't find one that fits snugly over our locks and my big head and
b) because we tore her very first swim cap trying to put it on her head.
It didn't do much harm I don't think, except for extra swelling and puffiness on daughter's locks. Mine are totally locked. I was slightly worried about the effect on my hair color but really I haven't noticed any greeness. I always rinse my hair and Soila's after swimming but do not necessarily wash because we swam most every day in the summer often twice daily. I prefer a once-a-week wash because I have dry hair. What do other frequent swimmers do to protect their Sisterlocks? Any thoughts? I also deep conditioned once a week. Anyone know of good swim caps for lock wearers?

Behold - One Diva Daughter!!

Here at last are a few long promised photos of our daughter Soila(affectionately known as Lala). Her Sisterlocks are now exactly a year old. DH took the pics this evening after the last section of her hair was retightened. Lala is four and has wanted hair like mummy's ever since she could talk. She sat patiently while I locked her hair last year over a period of a week or was it 10 days doing only a little bit at a time so as not to wear her out. She wears them with pride.

UPDATES Galore!! I promise

I haven't kept up with this blog for so long. It's disgraceful. Period. I've turned over a new leaf and am going to pick it up again, inspired by my twin sister. Thanks to all who have ever visited this blog and left comments. I must say I was really embarrassed to find out because I got swamped with moving here, settling and all and as Maryee said READING blogs can be so addictive. In my case so addictive I forgot to update my own!! Anyway, please all give me another chance and stay on the journey with me. Thanks to so many of your journeys which are such an inspiration and soooo interesting. God bless and read on down for my updates and new pics. I still have to post the promised photos of my four year old's Sisterlocks which are exactly a year old...bait...

Update -2: Compare the Sisters

Isn't it annoying the fact that you can be genetically identical to a person yet your hair grows differently? Ama and I both have Sisterlocks and granted, she had hers a year and a half before mine, BUT... hers were at least two inches shorter than mine when she started AND she had relaxed hair on the ends. Mine was all natural.
I've given up hoping mine will catch up.....


The first photo was taken in Ghana this Easter. The second was taken last Thanksgiving when Ama came to pay us a visit.


I swear I don't seem to much difference in my length, since then. It must be the humidity and the hot tropical sun in Ghana which does her hair so much good...

More pics

More photos from FSO. Enjoy!!

Update -1: Growth

Here's a shot showing new length and a do-it-yourself coloring job.(smile). My sisterlocks are 4 years old now. Wonder why they aren't even longer? Still having them put in is the best hair decision I've ever made.

For Sisters Only

After many months of absence I have taken a vow to make sure I update my blog regularly. I really admire the veterans who manage to accomplish this.
My last blog entry was to tell about our relocation to Hot 'Lanta where my sisterlock journey continues unabated....
We have settled in well and love our new home. I have made many new friends and recently new Sisterlocks consultant friends and that has been wonderful...Well I'll be posting a ton of photos but let me start with this latest.
Yesterday(Sat 09/15) and today, myself and a group of Sisterlocks consultants led by veterans Wanda Washington and Calla Johnson manned a booth at For Sisters Only - an annual fun-filled event showcasing African American businesses and entertainers, beauty and hair care. We had a blast!! There was a lot of interest and response with tons of questions. Many women were seeing Sisterlocks in the flesh for the first time after having believed all along they were extensions!!
Here are a few photos. Yesterday -group photo - Myself, Sharon and Natalie. Today(day 2), Calla (who sports stunning red sisterlocks) styled my hair on the platform into this elegant chignon!!

I felt like a queen!!