First Style Attempt and First Sisterlocks Sighting!!

Good morning y'all!  I thought I would post about my first styling attempt of my new Sisterlocks.  I was sent away from Salon Natur'elle with specific instructions to "leave my hair alone" for two weeks.  Welp, I'm very hard headed so I didn't listen, lol.

When I woke up, my locs were wiry and the curls that were there the day before were just about gone.  I had a long day ahead so I attempted to recreate the look my loctician had created the day before.  So off to the local beauty supply store I went.  I think subconsciously, the hard headed child that still lives in me knew this day would come so I was paying close attention to the products that my loctician used.  Here they are:

Lotta Body

$3.19

First up, "Lotta Body".  A texturizing setting lotion that is marketed to provide "maximum hold, beautiful body and unbelievable sheen.  Use on natural, relaxed or color-treated hair.

• Creates a firm, glossy hold
• Conditioning ingredients leave hair soft and smooth
• Adds incredible body and shine
•  Quick drying
• Non-flaking"

So these are all the promises they made, I hope they were right!   Now,  I am very familiar with "lotta body", it is a staple in the black woman's hair care world and has been around for decades probably.  I knew it could/would deliver these promises on relaxed hair, but I wasn't sure about natural hair.

Distilled Water

$1.79 (Distilled Water)

So, I have learned through other blogs something that makes a whole lotta sense, if I am going to wear my hair natural maybe I should keep as many chemicals out as possible.  Tap water, and bottled water have "added" chemicals for taste and health reasons, so maybe distilled water is the way.  Here is an explanation that I borrowed from this site.  You might wanna check it out, it's full of information.

 http://nadiasnotes.com/2010/10/11/qa-whats-the-difference-between-bottled-and-distilled-water-for-hair-purposes/ 

To summarize:

Distilled water is the product of distillation, meaning the original water source has been converted into steam and then cooled down until it condenses into its final distilled form. This means heavy minerals and metals such as salt and iron do not generally survive the conversion to steam and are left behind as residue. Distilled water contains only scant traces of the minerals contained in natural spring water and other water sources.

So, that leads me to another possible future purchase, a purifier for the kitchen faucet (and possibly the shower).  Those are the places that I plan to wash my hair in the future.  Can you believe that I haven't shampooed my own hair in years?  How could I?!?  What would I do with it after it got wet?!?  

Cold Wave Rods (sometimes referred to as "Perm Rods")

$.99

 I purchased 3 packages of these.  I opted for the "medium" size rods.  You can purchase them from (very small to extra large).  I only ended up using 1 1/2 packages.  Next time, I will part my locs more meticulously and apply more rods (to hopefully create more volume).

Rodding (rolling) the hair:

I combined the 8 oz. bottle of "Lotta Body" and 8 oz. distilled water in spray bottle. This concotion should last about a year, I imagine.  I didn't spray it directly on my hair instead opting to spray it on the bathroom vanity (two squirts per rod) and lift it from there with my fingers.  I lightly applied it to the ends of my hair (paying extra attention not to disturb my roots) and rolled the rod from end to root.  One of the first things I learned is that unfastening the rods before using them prevents frustration, like so:

This is the a picture of the front with rods in:

And then, the back:

The back was a little difficult to rod because I couldn't see what I was doing.  The next time, I will take more time with the back of my head and apply more rods.   The best part was that by the time, I showered and dressed, I had beautiful curls!!!  Quick huh??  No sitting under the "blow torch" (hair dryer) for an hour.  

I was semi-pleased with my work.  I popped a headband on and was out of the door to get my son to baseball practice, Go Lions!!!!  And then it was, off to Greek Fest!

My cousins, Stacy and her baby girl Madison (aka Maddie Paddie) joined me and we had a great time! Great food, music and dance!  If you can imagine meticlous line dancing, connected to a person (by the arms) on either side and lots of "foot work".  I watched in amazement for about an hour and finally got the nerve to join in.  I stood on the sideline and attempted to learn the foot work pattern, epic fail.  LOL...  So, I stand behind the line and try to mirror the obvious strongest dancer.  I am paying soooo much attention to his feet that I never look up at the other person beside me, but I know she's black because I see her feet, lol.  We are the only two "brave" blacks on the dance floor, lol.  Keep in mind that this is Memphis where distinct lines are drawn in the sand around race and ethnicity.

A very nice Greek lady (I assume) comes to assist us with learning the dance and "we get it"!!!!!  After the music ends, I finally look at the woman's face and she has BEAUTIFUL SISTERLOCKS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO HER WAIST!!!!!!!!!  I say, "OMG, you have Sisterlocks!!" She smiles and says, "yes I do, and I see that you have just got started too.  You'll never regret it!!  It's the best thing that's ever happened to my hair!"  First sighing y'all!!!!!  I was thrilled!!!

Well, I wanted to share a video of Greek dance so that you have a better idea of what we were doing: