Sophia, Naturally ( My Life featuring Sisterlocks)

1st Sisterlocks Explosion Atlanta - Tomorrow

2010-12-03T09:45:00.002-05:00

Watch This! Good Inspiration or a Pleasant Reminder

2010-11-27T09:16:00.003-05:00

1st Annual Atlanta Sisterlocks Explosion

2010-11-14T20:36:00.001-05:00

Goapele's New Braid Style

2010-08-03T10:10:00.000-04:00

Who doesn't love Goapele? I know she was an inspiration or the inspiration for many of us to get locks. Now just look how lovely she looks with this braid style! She performed in Atlanta over the past weekend.

Just gorgeous! It's so hot like 100 degrees everyday with the heat index. What a perfect time for an updo!

Kelis: Amazing Natural Style

2010-07-12T15:07:00.004-04:00

Kelis has been a major fashion inspiration as of late. I remember her first album Kaleidoscope with her natural curls. So cute! I was an instant fan of her voice and hair.

I am happy to see she has returned to that as of late.

I was always a fan of her hair color now and then. But now I love her wardrobe as well. I like the way she plays with color and is playful but stylish with her wardrobe. What do you think? Agree? Disagree?

Where Are the Men?

2010-06-30T12:15:00.001-04:00

Hey Natural Hair Enthusiasts!

My blog is about to be officially post heavy for awhile, the ink is flowing (yeah I'm old school because I like to write my thoughts down first and create lists).

So, getting on with the typing,

I am wondering why there are not more men Sisterlocks Consultants. In my loose hair life, I had a male braider and a male hairstylist for heat styles. Is this a novelty of Atlanta, GA?

Photo of Calla Johnson (SL Consultant) and her beautiful client at 08 Hair Show

Male hairstylists always seemed to make my hair look better, grow more, and with less of a fuss to get in their chair (usually).

Don't get me wrong, I love my consultant. I would not trade her super fast retightenings for anyone in the world. If you are local and like quick retightenings and don't need a salon environment, I'd say check her out (Julia Stewart-Stackhaus).

Anyway, wouldn't it be nice to have some male consultants as an option?

Are you going to the Sisterlocks Homecoming?

2010-06-25T16:14:00.006-04:00

Bonjour Belles!

Are you going? I am thinking of being a vendor. I am curious about who I might see there or if any one was sharing rooms/splitting car costs kinda thing.

I have never been, and each year I have been told I am missing out on great people, sites, and gorgeous locks.

Have you been in a previous year? What was your experience like?

SL Photo from Sisterlocks Atlanta meet-up Spring 2008

Is Your Natural Hair a Fad?

2010-06-18T10:37:00.006-04:00

Is natural hair a fad? Naturally Sophia thinks YES! Hell yes! I can remember just a few short years ago maybe 2 at the most when natural hair was a niche. There were more attitudes of that looks good on you but not me. There was more an emphasis on weave too. But my how things have changed?

Now, there are so many natural blogs and products and etc. I can't even keep up with all of them. In a way this can't be good, natural hair= mass consumerism. Unlike the afros and natural hair of the 70's, which often just meant a curly head went without heat styling to reveal a beautiful afro, there are magic puddings, wet look conditioners, texturizers, etc.
It's more about a Natural Look than BEING Natural.
Looking natural is easier I think than being natural. It's easier to change a look than your way of being. What place does a blog have about being natural in a sea of blogs about looking natural?

Then, there's the trendiness. There are afros on the runways for even White models. Most of the images I see with Black models in popular magazines or on commercials have some type of natural weave, wig, or look. I used to have to look at only Black channels or Black media for those images. They are abundant now.

I think natural hair has become a movement, and I hope it's not a temporary one. I have locked in my natural hair so it's not a fad for me. Is it for you? Thoughts?

Furthermore, I think locs or locks, dreads, whatever you call them are less trendy and hence more permanent for those who wear them. It is easier to go from permed hair to natural and back than to go from perm to natural to locks and back to perm. You follow? So, when I see locks I always assume (sometimes wrongly) that its less of a trend for them and more a staple. What do you think? Please discuss.

Hair Tie Repair: FOR FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-06-10T11:22:00.006-04:00

So it's a fact, hair ties don't last forever. :(

I have a solution that will help!

If you have a hair tie that needs repair, send it to me. Yes immediately!

If you bought it from me, I will pay for the return shipping and fix it. By fix I mean I will repair elastic, fix a broken link, or glue a pendant together if need be.

If you bought the hair tie from someone else, I will fix it as long as you cover shipping costs (usually less than $2 in the continental US).

Yup hair tie repair for free! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

E-mail me: NaturallySophia@yahoo.com

Courtesy of http://www.AdornBySophia.com!

Baduspiration

2010-06-08T10:35:00.007-04:00

Remember when I said I had been being inspired? Well of course you do it was last week, LOL!
Well that was true.

This lady has really inspired me especially as of late.

"I'm not more daring. I'm more deliberate." (Erykah Badu in this month's (June 2010) Upscale).

Why? Because by viewing her "controversial" video, she called my attention to some artistic things in myself that I had been wanting to do but had not done because of how she terms it "group think".

It's amazing how we really are and what we can really do when we are not constantly thinking of how others perceive us or our body or our minds & hearts (our greatest assets).

Just for a second, I want to point out the fact that her "Window Seat" video controversy was over-rated. On regular TV (not cable) I just saw Scarlett Johansen and Sandra Bullock engaged in an open mouth kiss. Family Guy comes on 2 hours a day and features a known child predator and gay baby. Why in the hell is Erykah's video so shocking? It's because she was nude in a way that did not make her sexually suggestive. She wasn't gyrating or performing for an audience in the video. She seemed to be in control of her actions. No one pulled her clothes off her. To me, this made a statement and was artistically beautiful at the same time.

The song "Window Seat" itself was nice to: for me it was about balance in life and wanting to escape while still wanting to be missed.

If you have not seen the video, please check it out, and also tell me what you think:

I love this song too. It's called "20 Feet Tall". Isn't it a revelation? Who hasn't forgotten their own "height" at some point? It reminds me that we have everything we need already besides I really like the music.

Lyrics & Song below:

"My love what did I do

to make you fall

so far from me

And now I can recall

Cause of the fall

selective memory

Then you you built a wall

a 20 foot wall

so I couldn't see

But if I get off my off my knees

then I might recall I'm 20 feet tall"

I also like Erykah because she is willing to both challenge our perceptions of her and that of Black women at large. Remember when she came out with her first album? Lil Kim and Foxy Brown were at the top of the charts all naked and all erotic. Destiny's Child had just come out with an album. Erykah was a striking contrast to me because as I was a teenager she had locks which I wanted badly and was completely covered. This challenged my thoughts of how I could be viewed in my own little microcosm of high school.

Then, when she responded to her critics about having 3 babies outside of wedlock with 3 different fathers. Again, I was challenged by her response. She said that why wouldn't she give birth to 3 beautiful vessels that she is perfectly capable of taking care of in her own right. I couldn't think of a reason why not after reading her response.

Yay Baduism! on and on...

Do You Know What Today Is? It's My Anniversary!

2010-05-28T14:31:00.000-04:00

I was told I was missed. Thank you!

Many of you have e-mailed, instant messaged, etc. asking me if I was sick or had abandoned my blog. Well of course not! I have been living and being supernaturally inspired by life and growing up a bit. Also, I must say when you all ( bloggers, lurkers, enthusiasts) don't comment, naturally Sophia feels like she may have wasted her time a tiny bit because no one else shares their thoughts :) You know no one likes playing to an empty room. Ok I'm done whining now.

Great News! Something magical happened, my locks turned 3 today. They are out of the terrible 2s and have started to grow and calm down a bit. I must confess I have never missed my afro more, well more like half-fro because it always looked more like out than up. But I don't miss the maintenance of having a foot long plus fro. I have learned so much about Sisterlocks in the past 3 years. I'm going to post on things that personally helped me soon.

I'm growing out the color too. No more color at the roots. I read an article that suggested peroxide leads to premature grays (ouch!) in the May 2010 O Magazine. I love Oprah! I also love white hair but don't want to hasten the process.

Here are some things I have done in the past with my locks:

Here I am today:

And here's what I want to do in the future:

Please click on each one of these styles. Aren't they adorable?
Audrey's Beautiful Length & Texture

Chescaleigh's Braided Side Pony

Braided, Twisty Mohawk from Bglhonline.com

Docs Locs Pretty French Braid

The Swirly Bun in the 2nd Gallery

Goddess Curls

To celebrate, I am going to join the Locked Hair Blog Exchange !

Martine's Sisterlocks Part Deux!

2010-05-26T17:59:00.002-04:00

Marvelous Martine has a brand new set of Sisterlocks. She visited last month, and I was able to catch up with her and of course you know I wouldn't miss the opportunity to let you all know about the new SLs. To read about Martine's previous hair journeys start here.

She had them installed last November and says she has a better appreciation for Sisterlocks after being a loose natural. I was kind of surprised to hear her say this so I asked her why; and she named the ease, freedom, and styling versatility. She went on to say that continually styling loose natural hair with the array of products and maintenance makes her appreciate Sisterlocks more, saying it's even better the 2nd time around.This is Martine Bernard and extraordinary stylist Nijiyyah who mentored her while becoming a Sisterlock Consultant.

She also said that her experience of having loose natural hair makes her more empathetic to the challenges and fears of locking. She said now when she sees weaves, wigs, and extension braids and twists she understands the convenience and ease in a way she didn't see before her year of being a loose natural. Last summer, she had her hair twisted with extensions, stating how happy she was at the ease it allowed her while she visited Paris.

I asked Martine how she was emotionally regarding getting her second set of Sisterlocks installed. She cried she said. Again, I was not expecting this response. So I asked her why in the world she'd cry when she loved her first set so. She was just coming to closure with the loss of her first set, and then she was fine.

I asked her then about why she did not reattach her first set of locks to this set since she seemed to really miss them? And she told me in her own Zen way that what's done is done. She doesn't believe in changing or adding to her own locks once they are locked. I found this really beautiful; there is always something appealing to me about people that can accept themselves, their hair, and/or their body the way it is.

She now has smaller Sisterlocks about 450-500 when before she had about 350-375. She retightens them herself. Can you believe she didn't count either set. She just kind of said, she's happy it's not important the exact number. This made me feel a tad bit neurotic considering how much I obsessed over the number and size before I locked. I told her I felt her texture looked different. She said she never new how soft and different her texture was before she locked and had a loose natural because before her hair was so processed.

She also hasn't waited for length to start styling, coloring and accessorizing her locks.

C'est tres jolie! What an inspiration!? I greatly thank her for sharing her locking journey with me. It seems locks are truly a journey for her and not just a means to an end, not just a destination. I look forward to hearing the next steps. She would like to thank everyone for the acceptance, love and support they gave her through kind words, calls, e-mails and comments.

2010 Atlanta Hair Show Part II

2010-05-24T09:57:00.003-04:00

Here are more gorgeous hair pics from the show:

Atlanta Natural Hair Show 2010

2010-04-17T17:01:00.001-04:00

Where have I been blog, bloggers, blog fam? I have been feeling; not writing or thinking but feeling and working on some of my goals. :)

I missed you all and have decided to write again about the things I've wanted to share but have been too busy living to share.

First of all, I would like to share photos from the Atlanta Natural Hair Show 2010 by Taliah Waajid.

I was a vendor there this year also. You know I have to find a way to sell the 300 hair ties I have. LOL! I found more people selling them this year; but the quality was way lower than last year in my honest opinion. Needless to say, I had a blast!

It was fun, and I left feeling inspired.

Here I am with a couple of friends:

(from left Onyx Cherry Sisterlocked 3 years, moi, and B traditional locks for 5 years)

And here I am with the woman that installed my full mane of Sisterlocks. None other than the dynamic Jacqueline of HairstoYouNaturally.com! She was well worth the trip I made to Boston to have my locks installed nearly 3 years ago! Time flies. She is knowledgeable, consistent and a perfectionist no less. She is really amazing.

And the styles and models were amazingly, creatively styled. Here are just some teasers. ;p WOW! Look at the slide show for more highlights.

Just look at the artistry!

And Sisterlocks definitely represented. Here is consultant Roni with her entry style and client into the natural hair show:

This is the first Sisterlock Stylist of the Year Calla Johnson, who is infamous in Atlanta with her daughter (4 year old Sisterlocks). Just beautiful!

I can't forget my own current consultant Julia Stewart-Stackhaus who is fabu in her own right. And yes she was particularly talkative that weekend. LOL!

Finally Ponytails

2010-02-28T02:47:00.000-05:00

Ok so I can't front like I couldn't get my hair in a ponytail from day one. I could, but I could never quite do it in a way I liked. I am happy to report I was able to do at least one successful ponytail I deemed blog worthy.

Here is the front of the hairstyle I twisted one big twist into a ponytail of loose elastic bands. The other twist was made of a smaller twist going into a larger one that crossed over in a "y" shape into my ponytail.

Here are some side shots from the right side of the ponytail.

I just might do more with styles more often. Sisterlocks are as stylish and creative as you allow them to be.

A New Year, A New Color

2010-02-27T11:08:00.000-05:00

"If you want trouble, find yourself a redhead." ~Author Unknown

I have always admired red hair from Lucille Ball to Malcolm X. So, Naturally Sophia decided to become one herself.

Color Update! See above pic.

Yup I chose RED! ya know with brown not like fire engine red (well at least not yet).

How did I do it?

Well first I went with my staple: Naturtint. Except, it didn't color it red enough, it was more red but not quite red enough to be obvious. Now, to be fair, I only let it stay on my hair for 20 minutes. I colored it before work. It made a subtle difference, but not the punch I was looking for.

The next day, I came back and mixed some colors. I mixed Clairol 40 developer, Clairol Permanent Dye Reddest Sunset Red, Beautiful Collection Light Reddest Brown, and Adore Fire Red. Here is my disclaimer: don't do what I did because your hair can fall out or turn green. If you do it anyway, don't blame me.

I just did the part that was already blondish anyway because I did not want to bleach my hair again. I am thrilled with the result. It looks more red in person that in these pictures.

Now dear readers, let me confess something I am curious about but probably would never do in a million years. It's this:

Yuh Know? Fun Betty makes dye so the drapes can match the rug if you know what I mean. I mean aside from my fears of something burning or itching after using this product, I think it could be a cool thing to do at least once.

An Update: Sisterlocks Growth

2010-02-06T11:38:00.002-05:00

These photos were taken January 5th 2009, last year after cut and color, done by myself in the bathroom sink.

I cut my hair last year on January 4th into a chin length asymmetric bob and I coloured it blond in the front and chocolate in the back.

Who says you can't do anything with natural hair or locks? LOL!

Anywho, it had been ions since I updated my blog or my hair. It was starting to look brassy, and I was concerned about how my hair was growing out uneven, the way I cut it. I did not think of it growing out when I cut it. I was just focused on the style at the time.

So I started letting my mind run wild with ideas on how to correct the asymmetry. I thought to cut it at first. But then I said, "Nah, I want to grow it out". So then I said to myself in a tiny little sinister voice: "extensions. Yes!" You know the way Smeagol says "the precious" in Lord of the Rings. I asked H.D. how he felt about my hair's unevenness. He said I was crazy, and that my hair was perfect. He's so sweet and honest ;p sometimes. I started to think he was right...

These photos are 13 months later, from 02/05/2010 this year.

I consulted a three way mirror at the local Target near my job. H.D. was right; my hair was perfect. Not in a veneered way, each lock is a series of imperfections. They have knots, an array of curl patterns, and now colours too. But they are right as they are.

And then I thought I'd forgotten why I got locks in the first place. Aside from the other practical reasons, I got Sisterlocks as an experiment to prove that hair not chemically or heat treated is beautiful, that natural curly/coily hair is beautiful without the additive of human or synthetic hair.
So, here is my hair, again, as of 13 months after the above cut: 02/04/2010. You can see the length and the color difference. I did not keep up with the color. I measured about 3-6 inches of Sisterlocks growth judging from the color difference. For anyone concerned about growth or who may have contemplated a cut but was afraid of whether/how it would grow back, here is proof.

The next update will be color because this 2 tone brassiness has gotta go. LOL! Stay tuned!

Tis the Season! For Rollers?

2009-12-30T16:12:00.000-05:00

You would think something as innocent as a "white elephant" gift exchange would go seamlessly and have nothing to do with hair at all. For those who don't know, the point of a white elephant exchange is to have fun. You can snag someone else's gift rather than selecting randomly from a table of gifts. In our work gift exchange, there was a $10 maximum.

Back to the story, so after watching toiletries, candles, stuffed animals, and the ever popular Snuggie being exchanged, it was my turn to pick.

Guess what I got?

A chia pet? No

The clapper? No

I got ...some rollers, hard plastic rollers that were tiny.

I was appalled. I know it was a joke, but I might as well have selected a brush and comb set. ;p

Because my gift was voted as among the most horrid, I was allowed to swap. This is what I got:

I am happy with the exchange!

Being Black & Chinese in China

2009-12-22T09:38:00.011-05:00

Lou, the Black Chinese girl, in this American Idol-esque competition has been the subject of national scrutiny regarding her complexion. People have written that she is not Chineses and needs to get out of China. China is not the melting pot that some places in America are. Although they have over 50 different ethnic group, the gene pool there is primarily Han.

It has been a shocking ordeal for someone who says she always considered herself just like every other Chinese girl."Sometimes people on the street would ask me, 'Why do you speak Chinese so well?' I'd just say, 'Because I'm Chinese!'" Lou said.

Best Hair Tie Sale Ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-20T13:42:00.004-05:00

Includes any item on www.adornbysophia.com!

What? Buy One (Yes Any Item), Get the Second One for Half Off (Item must be priced equal or less than the first item); Oh Yes! And with free shipping.

Why? Because I have too many darn hair ties! I have around 60 online and way more stored at home. I'm adding more daily!

How? Go to AdornbySophia.com, select the items you want, and e-mail me your order at naturallysophia@yahoo.com I will send you a neat little invoice showing you your 50% discount for each additional item you purchase. E.g. You purchase 2 hair ties that are regularly for $9.99 each. Then, you get one for$9.99 and the other for $4.99! Oh and don't forget about FREE SHIPPING!When? NOW until January 1st!

Thank You,
NaturallySophia

Interview Hair

2009-12-18T19:09:00.000-05:00

I had an interview recently but didn't get the job. I thought, but only for a second well 10 minutes, about my hair. I pulled it in a bun per the recommendation of some close friends with locks. I am glad I did. Here is how it turned out.

I have been trying to convince myself ever since that I did not get that job because it was not for me and that they chose the right people for that position giving me a better opportunity somewhere else. I do wonder though, just a tad, if my hair were straight would the outcome have been different. Afterall, they told me that I would fit in so many places there...

Hair Haters

2009-12-16T12:09:00.006-05:00

One of the reasons I have this blog is because it is an outlet to discuss reactions to natural hair. Recently, I have been experiencing some very negative comments about locks I'd like to share.

First Comment (from Black Male co-worker): "My mother would say why would you deform yourself like that intentionally?" He was referring to people that choose dreads/locs.

Second Comment: I was on my way to the airport with a guy friend. My mom was dropping us off. My mom who had not seen this friend in over 10 years decides to ask him, not about himself or what he's been doing, but about my hair. She says, "Do you like Sophia's hair?". He says, "no". I cringe and he continues, "She discussed it with me when she was considering them back in the day and I told her not to...". My mom just kinda smiled with satisfaction and was quiet the rest of the ride. I just laughed to myself.

My reaction: I think when people tell me they don't like my hair or natural hair, I see it not as them rejecting or disapproving me and/or my hair but their very own Blackness. Your judgments don't define others, they define yourself. The most important thing about your hair is how you feel about it. See above pic; I feel damn good!

Any Thoughts?

A Must See: Good Hair

2009-10-28T11:24:00.010-04:00

So many things to write and post about, so little time.

Let me start this post with "Good Hair". I saw the premiere in Atlanta first with my 2 locked gal pals and then again with the Atlanta Sisterlocks Meet-Up.

At the premiere, Nia Long and Chris Rock, Jason Griggers and Derek J (who you might have seen on Desperate Housewives of Atlanta) were there. Sorry about the quality of the photo. I had one of Chris Rock and Nia but it looks completely dark. I forgot my camera. Ahh! Such is life.

At the meet-up, I met blogger Meikmeka for the first time in person. She is a gem and Amba was there looking fab too.

Look at Meikmeka 's growth. Do you remember when she was concerned about placing her hair in a ponytail? My how time flies!

I want you to go see this movie. Here are a couple of things I learned from watching the film.

I learned that relaxer, sodium hydroxide, can dissolve a soda can and breaks down the protein bonds in your hair damaging follicles permanently.

I also found out that there is a black market for Indian weave hair where girls are asleep or watching a movie get their ponytails chopped off.

I also watched Chris Rock interview with Oprah regarding "Good Hair". Please go to hulu.com and watch the episode or go to this link to see highlights from that episode in the link below. One of my favorites includes Solange 's interview with Oprah.

http://www.oprah.com/dated/oprahshow/oprahshow-20090916-chris-rock-hair

Fall Preview: AdornbySophia.com

2009-09-26T15:18:00.003-04:00

Hey Blog Fam!

I have been busy in the lab creating items for www.AdornBySophia.com! Here are some below:

I have so much to post; we'll chat soon. Gotta go now. Miss all yuh!

Why Michelle Obama's Hair Matters

2009-09-04T17:51:00.000-04:00

So I was looking for this really glam photo of Michelle Obama. Afterall, I thought, it couldn't be hard to find. She is so very stylish and lovely. To my dismay, in my search for images, I saw her photo fused together with a photo of a monkey.

I was not surprised but disappointed and hurt.

I was searching for her picture to do a post about all the criticism of her hair and style that seems incessant to me. I was grasping for some clarity about why her hair really mattered. Finding that photo in conjunction with reading this article, has given me some perspective.

Please read the article Why Michelle Obama's Hair Matters and share your thoughts if you'd like.

Braided, Beaded Belles

2009-09-03T07:34:00.006-04:00

Beads and braids go together in perfect harmony. My friend once said, "Beads are a Black girl rite of passage". At the time I smiled at the cutely profound quaintness of this statement. Literally, maybe this is true for some but not all because not all black girls have braids or beads. Besides, since Black constitutes so many cultures, to call it an actual rite is a tad comical. But as with all sayings, there is some truth; I definitely rocked them back in the day. I remember a neighbor once shared in secret that her mom didn't know how to braid. I remember being utterly shocked. I couldn't wait to my mom braided and then beaded my hair. I remember suggesting how she could keep the beads on better by adding a rubberband through the last bead or by adding aluminum foil to each end as I'd seen other brown girls wear. I remember, long before I ever knew who Bo Derek was, running along and listening to the clink clank of my long, colorful beads. ;)

As you know now, I have fond memories of the style; and I love this inspiration. I swear when you look in the eyes of these girls you see nothing but possibility. And how well their braids fit them? I love it when that possibility has manifested into something positive. For instance, just look how far these beaded beauties have come.

I decided to do this post after watching 2 girls play a very complicated hand game. It looked like Patty Cake after red bull with complicated dance choreography. LOL! Anyway, they were cute and both had some kind of braids and beads.

NYU Professor Kyra D.Gaunt wrote
Cover photo by Raymond Depardon
Title: "USA,1981, New York City, Harlem District, 110th Street, Festival for the Police"

The Games Black Girls Play. Gaunt concludes that cheers, songs and chants orchestrated in conjunction with hand claps and foot stomps,teach girls "musical blackness," placing them socially in step with black tradition. The book examines the relationship between black girls' and pop culture (inconspicuously at times)and what their invisibility says about hip hop and music in the black community. You might think of "Mary Mack" differently. Many artist in pop culture/hip-hop have used these hand game rhymes as lyrics from Nelly to The Clipse. It's a worthwhile and charmingly lofty read.

If you watch this video below, you will smile. It is an ode to Black girls with natural hair. Umm inhale the nostalgia, marinate on fond memories, or just enjoy girls being pretty & happy, being themselves.

Who Taught You To Hate Yourself?

2009-09-02T07:51:00.002-04:00

There has been a whole lot of chatter about the Obama girls hair lately and around the subject of natural hair in America (e.g. Good Hair, movie to be released October 9th directed by Chris Rock and the NY times article here ).

I am happy that the Obama girls have natural hair and are allowed to show it. I think it is inspirational and daring. Self-love is always revolutionary especially by those who have been taught generationally to hate themselves and their attributes.

Recently, I shared with one of my co-workers that I have a blog about hair. She looked perplexed and kind of chuckled. She also happens to be White and completely didn't get why I would have a blog about natural hair. She just recently came to the conclusion that my hair is natural. The thing about racism is you don't have to be racist in order to participate. It's systematic and institutionalized, meaning that just by your existence in the system and the institution of America Or England or wherever you might be, you participate either with cognition or not.

A friend sent me this video. It is a mixture of views on natural hair, partially from the Tyra show that aired about brown girls and their hair choices. It's definitely worth viewing and made me think.

The Black Barbie Issue

2009-09-01T12:26:00.007-04:00

I know this is late, but I wanted to share it anyway. You may know from some of my earlier posts that I love ethnic dolls. So I had to snag the July 2009 issue of Vogue Italia at all costs. It features a mini issue that features all Black Barbies.

I was pleasantly surprised. The Barbies of today that are Black have more Afrocentric features. Stacy McBride-Irby, an African American designer, has worked on the latest line of ethnic Barbies called S.I.S. or So In Style.

My issue is always with Barbie's size. I like that she is now rocking natural looking hair more often but I want them to vary her size and allow her to wear flats more often than they do now. I have read:

If scaled into real life proportions, Barbie would be 5 feet, 9 inches, (1.75 m) measuring 36-18-33. This is concerning because so many of us are not this small or shaped this way. For example,

Lil Kim has said on numerous occasions, but most recently on Dancing With the Stars, that she wanted to look like Barbie. To me, altering your body to look like a plastic toy is unsettling. But I have come to a place where I accept other people's choices; all the while knowing that as long as I have sanity, I would and will never choose that.

Maybe I am being too serious, she is a toy. As long as girl's know she's a play thing and not necessarily something to emulate, I think it's fine. It is admirable, however, that she looks so young after 50 years with her many hundreds of careers.

In the actual issue, they even did a few short articles on African Americans also. One article that struck me was one on Toni Morrison, my favorite author.

For more photos, click Black Barbies Are All Dolled Up In July's Italian Vogue

Alopecia: The PCOS Diaries

2009-08-31T10:11:00.002-04:00

Me? Lose my hair? Never! It was always them other there. You know, them that perm, that overstyle, that heat. I was wrong both about what I thought and in judging. Now, albeit true, you can loose hair from dye, relaxers, and tension. But this is not what happened to me.

This week, I had to face the truth: it is me. It could be you. I am certain that someone reading this has, will have, or already has had some form of alopecia.

First, I'd like you to know this is not a pity party! I am too proud for your sympathy. Also, this is somewhat of a"fake" problem in my point of view. I still have a place to live, employment, food, and civil rights so let's put this in perspective (said for our mutual benefit =D).

But my hair did fall out. I attribute it to PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) and over the past few weeks I have lost about 10 locs from the scalp. I can't see a visible blad spot, but they appear to have fell from the scalp in the crown of my head.

First, I dismissed the notion that my hair was falling out. I had lost 2 locks to dye prior to now. So when I saw, the locks in the shower floor, I assumed it was the color. Then, when I found a few more the next week on my pillow, I said to myself that this can't be right. I have always had hair, everyone in my family does, and I have been good to my hair. Yup! De-nial! But when I was separating my locks with a gentle run through with my hands, and a Sisterlock came along between my pinkie and ring finger, it was clear. I have alopecia... at least temporarily.

What does it mean for me? I have to get healthy. PCOS is affecting everything in my life. It makes me tired, made me gain weight, makes me take meds, makes me depressed and worried, controls my hormones and thus mood from time to time. The symptoms of PCOS are wide and only the symptoms can be treated. For example, it causes crazy sporadic hair growth (not on your head) but on your face and other unwanted places. I had to treat it with laser hair removal. It also creates dark patches of skin from Insulin Resistance Syndrome. My symptoms are supposed to be treated with meds, each symptom it seems has a different medication. But the main medicine I was prescribed makes my stomach ill (Metformin). I am currently looking for an alternative.
This is how I plan to get healthy: increase probiotics, use natural progesterone, stop antibacterials, remove toxins I know about, and severely reduce the sugar in my diet. I know there is a correlation to insulin levels and PCOS. There is also info that suggests toxins and the lack of good bacteria in your body correlates to the occurrence of PCOS.

If you have PCOS, think you might, or suffer from another hormonal disorders, I am suggesting the resources below:
Official Web Site of John R. Lee, M.D. - progesterone and hormone expertise
Quick Links: PCOS & ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES - PCOS Message Board
Natural treatment for PCOS
The Struggle for Mastery in Insulin Action:: Alternative Pathways ...
Master Your Metabolism
A Patient's Guide to Pcos : Understanding--And Reversing-- ...

You may be wondering why I am sharing this info. I want women that have PCOS and/or alopecia to know that they are not alone. There are women who choose to wear their hair natural and have alopecia. I am now one of those women. I always thought I would have the option to go with no hair by choice. If I can wrangle my PCOS, this will still be an option. If not, I embrace the change.

Yes I have cried about this and lost sleep over it. I have not decided whether I will throw my locks away or attach them to my hair somehow. I don't feel bad for mourning the loss. To say "It's just hair." is like saying "My skin is just brown." Both statements are simplified to a fault and don't take into account societal views or the individuals experiences. Still in the end, what matters most is what you think of yourself. I know the Divine never allows obstacles that are random and that can not be overcome. I really think it's a wake up call to rid myself of PCOS. I know others like Colette Harris have done it. How encouraging this is!

So can I. I am. I will. This is my alopecia affirmation. It is for me, but I am sharing it because sharing it is for you.

Consultant Kudos

2009-08-30T17:24:00.007-04:00

I decided to share some more positive news about my Sisterlock Consultant.

Sometimes, Sisterlock Consultants get a bad rep. Now, in fact, some get a bad reputation because they do poor work or were deemed unprofessional or otherwise unfit by someone. Some get a bad rep by association or because of miscommunication. Others get the full blame because their clients did not follow their experienced advice which, in this case, I think is undeserving. For example, my consultant told me not to dye or cut my hair because my locks were not mature at the time. Did I do it anyway? Yes! Did I blame her when my locks further unraveled and bunched? No. Did I regret not heeding her advice? Not a first, not until a couple of my locks weakened and broke off in the middle ( I think from the dye).

I digress, the whole point of this post is to share some positive news about Julia Stewart Stackhaus. Her advise about hair texture, lock maturation, and shampooing is always spot on! In addition, she is always encouraging me to get fit and stay fit. Also, she recently retightened my hair in 3 and 1/2 hours after I had been away for 8 weeks. That, my blogger friends is worth celebrating. I only wish the Sisterlocks site had consultant review. I would give her 5 out of 5!Finding her has been a blessing to my journey and I wanted you all to know it! She maintains her lovely locks all by herself too. What more could I ask?

Evelyn's Inspirational Interview

2009-08-13T07:42:00.002-04:00

I am pleased to offer you an interview from a sister blogger and friend. She is a raw food enthusiast, avid blogger, and naturul hair connoisure. Naturally Sophia welcomes Evelyn of Evelyn's Raw Food Journey .

I asked her to allow me to have a natural hair interview with her and she was gracious enough to reply thoughtfully and provide an amazing interview. Kudos to her!

Recently she did the big chop. Having seen her gorgeous locks in person I was admittedly surprised and couldn't help inquire.

Right to Left: Evelyn, Yours Truly, & Former Blogger Onyx Cherry

She responded:

I was making changes and those changes included cutting off my locks. I loved the look of my locks, but deep down inside, I was not happy with my locks.
Cutting off my locks gave me a sense of release. I released old hurts, pains, and disappointments in my life and my hair was a part of that release. I am on a journey to becoming a healthier person and I had to start fresh with a clean mind, body and spirit and my hair was part of that. I believe that my hair is part of my spirit and when my spirit needed to a new beginning, I had to listen and make the necessary changes.
It wasn't easy parting with my locks, but once they were gone, I felt free in my spirit.

So, prior to this, what is your hair story?

Pressed hair around age 10/11

First relaxer at age 12.

Wore braid extensions 3 times. Finally stopped relaxing my hair at age 31.

Please tell me about your to and away journey from SL?
In August 2005 I got sisterlocks installed. I researched locks and the different locking techniques and settled with sisterlocks because of the texture of my hair and the versatility that sisterlocks had to offer. While sisterlocked I wore my hair mostly freestyle, but I did do spike roller sets, braid outs, twist outs, and up dos I really loved my locks at the time. It took my hair about 1 1/2- 2 years to completely lock, but I had some curly ques even when I cut them of earlier this year. I wore my sisterlocks from August 2005 to February 2009. At the time when I cut off my locks, I was making healthy lifestyle changes and releasing the past and my hair was a part of my release. I would like to share that I am a licensed cosmetologist and have had training in natural hair care and techniques. I do believe that hair texture plays a role in how one's hair reacts to any type of locking technique. I love sisterlocks, but not for my hair at this time. I was noticing a problem with my hair line receding on the right side of my head. In the same area of my head, the area in general was thin. That was the only area of my head where I was having issues. Overall, I was very pleased with my sisterlocks and enjoyed rocking them.

What are your hair stats? Type, texture, pattern, size of locks previously.
I am a 4a, I think. I have very soft, cottony, airy hair type of hair texture. My curl pattern varies throughout my head, but I have spiral-coily medium lose curl pattern. My hair is also medium fine and not very thick. My lock size varied with the smaller locks being in the front and on the sides. The rest, I'd guess were medium-large.

Tell me about your first hair experiences? How did your family react and or style your hair as a child?
My first hair experiences were very pleasant experiences. I actually enjoyed my mother styling my hair. My mother never put heat to my hair, she would always style my hair using water and grease and she would always tell me that my hair was pretty. She kept my hair natural and would braid and put beads on my hair. I loved that so much. I don't remember my mother ever telling me that my hair needed to be fixed or was nappy and ugly. She gave my hair a lot of TLC. As I got older and had to live with my grandmother I had a totally different experience. I recall wearing my hair parted down the middle with cornrows or flat twists along with a bang, pony tails, etc. But my grandmother/aunt got tired of having to do my hair and started warm combing/pressing my hair, but they soon discovered that the pressing was not lasting so they had a relaxer put in my hair when I was 12 years old. I never understood why I had to get something put in my hair that burned the crap out of my head.

When did you first go natural? Why? If you returned to relaxers, why did you return to that?

I first went natural in the Fall of 2001(right after my husband popped the question...LOL). I went natural because, my hair got so mangled and tangled after taking out braid extensions, which resulted in a lot of breakage. I cut off the relaxed ends myself and rushed to Regis to have it shaped up. I quickly went back to putting chemicals in my hair. I got married in 2002 and for the wedding I was sporting a texturizer. Shortly after that, I returned to relaxing my hair. I returned to the chemicals, because I did not know how to care for my natural hair. The second time I went natural, I was more informed and had purchased natural hair books and was addicted to nappturality.com. My last relaxer was February 2003, got braid extensions in April 2003 and did the big chop in June 2003. I had the big chop planned and had a cosmetologist do the cut. I felt so free and so fine with my twa. The second time going natural, I knew how to care for my natural hair and was very confident rocking my twa.

How did you wear your hair at different stages in your life?

As a child I wore braids, pony-tails with a bang. The two braids/flat twists. My teenage years I wore the big hair. College years, wore my hair big, bobs, curled under most of the time. At my wedding, my hair was texturized. Out of college I wore curled under, french rolls, etc. Whenever I didn't want to do anything to my hair, I would wear my hair pulled back in a scrunchie; In my early 30s I became a natural sister and haven't looked back. Natural styles I've worn; twa, 2-strand twists, twist outs, braid outs, afro-puffs, curly puff, sisterlocks.

Did you have problems with your locks? What were they?I didn't have any problems with my locks.
It just took a long time for my hair to completely lock. I don't recall having any problems with my locks, other than what I mentioned earlier about the thinning on right front-side my head.

How do friends and family react to your hair?
My family is okay with my hair and have gotten use to my hair. When I first went natural my family had some issues with my hair. My mom and dad would ask me when I was going to fix my hair. I would tell them that its already fixed. But it died down when they saw that I wasn't changing my hair anytime soon. I do recall a lady from my church commenting on my sisterlocks and I didn't appreciate it at all. She said that she did not like my hair. My locks were probably shoulder length at the, and I quickly told her that this is all my hair (she thought my I had extensions). The comment came from a person with relaxed damaged hair with no edges. My friends don't comment, they also know I'm not changing and that I'm happy with my hair.

Attitudes like natural hair are contagious. How many people have you inspired? Any stories.

A young lady that I use to work with did the big chop not long after I did the big chop. I let her read some of my natural hair books and she did the big chop shortly after, but she did not stay natural for long. :( It was great knowing that I inspired her to wear her natural hair texture.

What did you like best and least about your sisterlocks?
I liked the versatility in the styling options that I had. The only thing I liked least was re-tightening time.

Do you have plans for your hair? A new style? Color?
At this time, I am working on maintaining a head of natural hair. Growing my natural hair long is my priority at this time. I've been thinking about color, but that's it.

What would you like readers to know about your hair journey?
I like for the readers to know that the longer I stay natural the more confident and free I am. Loving all of me, just the way I am. I'm embracing the natural and experiencing the peace.

Bold & Beautiful Inspiration

2009-08-11T10:12:00.004-04:00

Many people ask me about when/if I'm going to take my Sisterlocks out or what I am going to do once I take them out? I don't know when I'll part with Sisterlocks. But when I do, I will be bald or have hair less than inch long.

Here is my inspiration:

Top Left to Right: Noni Gasa, India Aire, Amber Rose and Grace Jones

Bottom Left to Right: Tennille Stoute, Erykah Badu, & Noemie Lenoir

And let's not forget Josephine Baker!

As you all know, Solange recently cut her hair too. Why you might ask?

This is reportedly from her twitter page:

"listen. if. i. wanted. to. make. a. statement. i. would. have. twitpic’d. photo shoot. ect. i. was. simply. taking. my. son. to. school. stupid. paps. took. pic. ive. had. my. hair. cut. like. this. for. two. weeks. i. was. NOT. inspired. by anyone. but. my. self. i. have. done. this. twice. in. my. life. i. was 16. i was 18. did. not care about your opinion. then. dont. care. now. dont. need. your. attention. or. your. co-sign. dont. want. a. edge. up. or a perm. because. im not trying. to make this “a style” or a statement. i. just. wanted. to. be. free. from. the. bondage. that. black. women sometimes. put. on. themselves. with. hair. this. phase. of. my. life. i. want to spend . the time. the energy. and the money. on something else. not in the hair salon. im. not. mad. at . all of you. that have made your opinions known. and have sent negative. energy. my way. i expected this of you. you. have. the right to have. an opinion. so. do. i."

What are your after locks plans?

Have you ever done the big chop?

Any comments, tips, or advice?

Retightening Rituals

2009-08-10T08:32:00.004-04:00

What I've noticed in the past year or so is that retightenings vary among consultants and DIYers greatly.

I want to get your feedback on a few things.

First, does your SL Consultant (or you for DIYers) mist your hair or retighten your hair damp? Or does she insist on it being dry?

Second, does your consultant (or you for DIYers) groom as she goes? By groom, I mean cut loose hair and pick lint out. Or is that a second appointment?

Speaking of cutting, do you or your consultant cut in between your locks at the scalp where the part is? Or do you pull or pop the locks apart? Any advantages or disadvantages either way?

If you DIY, do you take the day by day approach or do you finish at one time?

When you have a lot of new growth in between parts do you combine it into a nearby lock or do you make a new lock?

How often do you get a retightening?

I look forward to everyone weighing in on this one!!! :)

I Love My Locs Magazine

2009-08-09T08:42:00.001-04:00

The magazines I love are always going under. For example, Vibe, Suede, Vixen, Honey and now Domino are all defunct. So, I was happy when I found that I had another magazine to set my sights on! I am encouraging everyone who has the resources to purchase this magazine and the ones who don’t to download it.

If you have been lacking in locked or Queen inspiration, your eyes and mind are in for a treat. The magazine is available for purchase and download HERE.

Magazine/Photo Credits: by Kitty Soulflower

Promising Partnership

2009-08-08T20:42:00.000-04:00

I have partnered with http://www.zurique.net/ to further brand http://www.adornbysophia.com/ as a leader in handmade natural hair accessories. Here is what I have produced lately. I am currently working on a very special line. More details to come so stay tuned. ;p

Update to "Dreads Damaging?"

2009-08-07T08:08:00.005-04:00

Hello Bloggers,

In an effort to have transparent communication I am posting the e-mails I received and my response to of http://www.longlocks.com/ . In the post Dreads Damaging? , I addressed Susan (author/owner) about step number 8 in her highly acclaimed Ultimate Guide to Growing Long Hair, which is seriously comprehensive and has great tips. I invite you to read and follow her advice for growing healthy hair.

My only problem with the guide was in step 8.

She has since changed this statement regarding dreads

From:

"Dreads almost always have to be cut off to be removed and are tremendously damaging to hair."

To :

"Also, if you choose to style your hair in dreads, please consider it to be a permanent change. While the dreads themselves will remain healthy (in fact, many find this a great way to grow otherwise "ungrowable" hair), they unfortunately almost always have to be cut off to be removed and the hair involved usually cannot be "undreaded."

This is tons better! Kudos to Susan for making the improvements.

I erroneously stated that she did not reply to me immediately. She did! My spam filter blocked her e-mail. I apologize to her and to you for my inaccuracy.

Here is my response to her below:

Susan,

Thanks for your responses. I apologize for not replying sooner. I greatly appreciate your responses.

First, I'd like to clear some misunderstandings. My intention was not to ridicule you. As I wrote previously, my intention was to have a mutually beneficial dialogue about something you posted that was referenced in a national magazine. Lucky magazine initiated the public forum as I would not have read or even heard about your guide otherwise. I feel, along with my readers, that there was some ambiguity and negativity regarding this statement:

"Dreads almost always have to be cut off to be removed and are tremendously damaging to hair."

You have since, both changed this statement and educated me about my misunderstanding your sentence. I am happy you saw fit to change the statement; and I apologize you feel I misinterpreted your words and acted unfairly. The reason I didn't see your immediate response is because of my spam filter on my gmail account. I take full responsibility for this and apologize sincerely for not realizing that you responded.

Again, I think your guide, hair recipes, and hair accessories are all great. I appreciate you doing the research and corresponding with me. I wish you happiness, peace, and great fortune with your business.

Respectfully,

Sophia

This is her previous response to me:

Sophia, I am resending this as you state erroneously on your blog that I did not send you a response, which as you can see below, is incorrect.

If I have been misinformed by the many who have confirmed for me that removing dreads cannot usually be done at all, much less without leaving seriously damaged hair, I will be more than happy to change my article once I have substantiated information from a trusted professional source. I happen to love dreads and have absolutely nothing against them, and many of my long-time customers have absolutely beautiful dreads. Again, my statement referred only to removing them, not actually wearing them, and was well-researched before being included in my article.

There is nothing appropriate about ridiculing me in a public forum for something that is apparently a misunderstanding on your part, especially without including the response you were previously sent, and I hope you accept the responsibility of correcting your error. I have no hard feelings, as I do feel this was an honest mistake on your part, but I really don’t feel you are being fair in your representation of me nor or LongLocks, and would like to see this end on a happy note. Long hair, *any* kind or style of long hair, is *always* a good thing!

And this is her first e-mail reply to my post:

I think you misunderstood the statement. In order to be *removed* from hair, dreads almost always need to be cut off. Also, the hair that is actually in the dreads is destroyed and cannot be “undreaded.” Don’t worry, I always do my research first!

I have removed your comments from my blog, which really has nothing to do with LongLocks. You’ll find a “contact us” link in the menu on the left-hand side of every page of the LongLocks HairSticks Boutique if you need to grab our attention about anything LongLocks related.

As always, I am interested in your thoughts. Please share.

See It: Medicine for Melancholy

2009-08-03T20:21:00.005-04:00

I went to the Atlanta premiere of this movie. There isn't a reason why any 20 something, African American who has ever defied any racial stereotype would not both like and get this movie. I even think all others would appreciate it. My mom did.

The protagonist in the film is both interesting and charming. As you follow him and her through their day, you see many aspects that affect people of color as they live. This movie particularly addresses both race and class in a kind of non-preachy, matter of fact way through the main character's (Micah) perspective.

The female lead has an effortless way of being in the film. As the character continues to unfold, you see her depth and way of being in a clear unconviluded kind of point of view.

This movie is significant for me because it is a movie written and directed by a Black man who's female representation doesn't conjure men in women's gear fufilling some stereotype or another. It is also significant because it ties together the role of race in this "post modern" era with 2 young black people that don't necessarily identify with things perhaps society associates with Black culture.

Kudos to Barry Jenkins and company for making such a cool film with Wyatt Cenac (Micah, male lead) and Tracey Heggins (Jo, female lead).

Director Barry Jenkins and Rob Fields, who is a fellow blogger, hosted a dialogue after the movie about the film and the definition of being Black at this time in America. Farai Chideya gave a much needed feminine point of view to the discussion.

I would like Black female representation in films and on T.V. I mean sure a Black woman wrote Grey's Anatomy and Cheryl Dunye and Neema Barnette are both good African American filmakers among others. But I just feel our point of view, especially that of a Generation Y or Millenial Black woman is being overlooked. Maybe I will just be the change in the world I want to see and write my own film? Hmmm...

This movie will leave you thinking.

Fully Magnificent! The Nina Simone Tribute Atlanta

2009-08-01T21:46:00.009-04:00

I went to this awesome concert as The National Black Arts Festival (http://www.nbaf.org/) paid tribute to Nina Simone. It was phenomenal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don't think I have the words to express how wonderful it felt to be a part of the experience. Nina Simone was properly honoured last night. She is a legacy, a classically trained musician who composed over 500 songs whose body of work won 15 Grammies, an honorary doctorate of music, and supported the Civil Rights Movement in her songs.

The night was filled with stories of her strength and her tenderness. I really appreciated the insight from many of the people about Nina's character. For example, not only her daughter was there, but also her sister and former neighbor, the Sr. Vice President of the Coca Cola Company, Ingrid Saunders Jones.

It was definitely a night to remember. Four members of her band played. What a treat! Guitarist Al Shackman, bassist Chris White, percussionist Leopolo Fleming and British drummer Paul Robinson played as Lizz Wright, Joi, Lisa Simone Kelly (Nina Simone's daughter), and Dianne Reeves brought the house down! People had goosebumps, chills, and bursts of applause. Everyone has a night to remember. It was sold out, completely!

Lizz Wright appeared first onstage in a stunning rose and black evening gown with no shoes at all. She was stunning and definitely didn't need them. I had the perfect view sitting in the first balcony directly in the center. Lizz Wright, a sister GA native, (just listen to her astounding voice) sang a number of moving songs including "Lilac Wine" and "I Love You Porgy". If you don't have her album, you are missing a treat from a young, amazing vocalist.

Simone, appeared next, she gave a delightful rendition of "Work Song" and later a fantastic performance of "Feelin Good"

with audience participation included. Her locks were piled nicely atop her head and she looked very cat like and regal with an Afrocentric dress and wedges. She was tall and had a presence and command of the audience that went with her dynamic voice.

Atlanta's own Joi delivered my favorite "Ne Me Quitte Pas". She admirably didn't miss a single lyric. She also gave a notable performance of "To Be Young Gifted and Black". She held her own and is talented within her own right.

Dianne Reeves gave a spirited and playful performance of "Be My Husband".

The woman's voice is incredible. Se can make her voice sound soft and demure loud and powerful then both at the same time. It sounds like gospel, jazz, and blues. Then her voice sounds like it will only come from the left or then the right and turn itself into a percussion instrument and a flute the next. Wow! Just watch. This performance was not half as good as she performed at the show I went to was.

Nina Simone Tribute - Dianne Reeves

In the last performance, the four women sang "Four Women". I was not expecting to get 17 songs and 2 hours of continuous entertainment. It exceeded any expectations I had. By the way, I saw many young Sisterlocked sistahs who complemented me, awwh shucks! Must post recent pics. Also, it was the first time I've gone to a concert alone. How liberating?!

Friday Hair-Spiration

2009-07-31T13:30:00.007-04:00

So I decided to do some Hawt inspiration for Friday. Goapele has this song Milk & Honey which I'm lovin'. The photos are stills from the upcoming video.

<a href="http://goapele.bandcamp.com/track/milk-honey">MILK &amp HONEY by Goapele</a>

I am feeling the entire look!

Dreads Damaging?

2009-07-30T12:19:00.007-04:00

Awhile ago, I was perusing through my May 2009 Lucky Magazine, I came across an article which pointed to the website http://www.longlocks.com/ as a top 5 hair website. You know, I had to go there! The magazine said to skip “cringe-inducing” homepage and go directly to their guide on how to grow long hair. I clicked on the site half-heartedly wanting to see a hidden site about natural curly hair or dreads/locks. I was hoping to see a nice page with beautiful people with locks like the one below. I saw a fairy-tale inspired looking homepage and clicked on the Ultimate Guide to Growing Long Hair. I’d plan to paraphrase or ask the author for permission to republish her tips on this blog when I came to this quote listed in step number 8, “Dreads almost always have to be cut off to be removed and are tremendously damaging to hair.”

Am I wrong for being hurt by this?

I try to do a whole lot to increase self-awareness and self-love especially to those with dreads. When people are still publishing this type of thing, I am taken aback. I think the author is simply not educated properly about locks/dreads. As a result, I thought I should inform her and depending on her response possibly Lucky Magazine. I think it is irresponsible to reference this site unless they at the magazine agree with those guide to which they referred.

Many of her other tips were great like avoiding chemicals, shampooing your hair after swimming, avoiding heat styling, and lessening friction. She even has awesome natural hair recipes on the site here: Hair Care Recipe Cookbook.

This is the post I sent her. It has since been removed on her blog and I haven't received a response.

Hello Susan,

I searched for your e-mail address and could not find it. I hope you will not mind me contacting you via your blog.

First, I'd like to thank you for your tips on how to grow long hair and your natural hair recipes. One day I am going to try the Natural Brunette Hair Dye.

I am writing you, however, to address a comment in step 8 of your rules. You stated that dreads have to be cut off and are damaging to hair. This is untrue. I have Sisterlocks now after years of having long hair. It has been a catalyst for growth. Please check out Sisterlocks.com, the founder has bum length hair. Mainly, I want you to know that properly taken care of locks grow without problems because of the lack of manipulation and chemicals.

I am sending this message in the spirit of sharing information. Also, I would like it if you removed the sentence about dreads since you now know that it is untrue and/or perhaps replace it with one suggesting properly maintained dreads/locks/locs as an alternative to chemical styling or extensions to achieve length.

I sincerely thank you for your time and look forward to your response.

Thanks Again,
Sophia, Naturally

By the way, I also included my e-mail address.

I eagerly await her response. What are your thoughts?

I regret that I failed to mention the emotional and healing benefit of accepting your hair and letting it be/grow.

A Few Fantastic Finds

2009-07-29T13:03:00.000-04:00

Hey Blogger Fam! I hope everyone is well. This is a long overdue post!

I want to give kudos to Carmen of http://www.tomokastwists.com/ a much needed, overdue "THANK YOU". I love my Tomoka's Twist and wear it more than most of the hair ties I make myself to keep my hair out of my face. I encourage any hair tie lover ( or non-hair tie lovers) to try one. A natural girl should have an arsenal of accessories. I purchased this one called Mudcloth. It's excellent! Be sure you get one too.

Also, in the spirit of supporting Black Business, I must give some more positive product recommendations. The owners of Nubian Heritage which I gave a rave review for their soaps. Well, From selling on a sidewalk in Harlem, Richelieu Dennis and Nyema Tubman transformed drops of scented oil into Sundial Creations, a business conglomerate that today includes 4 retail stores and a state of the art 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility.

The particular product I would like to highlight is from http://www.sheamoisture.com/ ; it's a combo pack of nice, creamy lotion and a large bar soap. I choose Coconut Hibiscus available at any Target store, online, or at the SheaMoisture.com site. I have heard wonderful things about the acne-fighting black soap and tea tree shaving products.

Well you don't have to take my word for it; here is an online review:

Fantastic soap and lotion!

Reviewer: Southern Lady (who gave it a 5 out of 5 )

This product is of excellent quality and a little goes a long way. The bar of soap is huge and really leaves skin smooth and soft. The lotion is extra thick, and it only take a small dab to smooth over the skin. It leaves a soft, clean, and moisturized feeling and really smells great.

The next product recommendation is for http://www.soulpurpose.com/ ! I love, LOVE their solid perfumes. It's a great option for those who want a lingering smell throughout the day without the over-powering nature of some alcohol based perfumes. It is a creamy, oil based perfume that lasts all day. I have the Brazilian Jack Fruit; H.D. likes Hollywood Fresh. I also have the Sugar-Shea Scrub which is an exfoliator and a moisturizer all in one. The perfect cure for clearing dead skin without dryness. Nadine Thompson is the founder of Soul Purpose. Kudos to another Black woman entrepreneur and sister blogger.

2 Cents on 2 Years

2009-06-13T13:53:00.005-04:00

My 2 year Sisterlocks anniversary came and went (May 25th/Memorial Day 2007). Will it be the terrible 2s or terrific 2s? So far, so good! I am considering getting a grooming to eliminate some lint and fuzz, but no major problems only fake ones. I am, maybe for the first time ever, really content with my hair and hair regimen. I am at peace with my hair.

I had been thinking about my hairstory for some time and finally arriving at a place where bunching doesn't matter to me, my one gripe with my Sisterlocks. After talking to Martine (famous SL consultant) about it, she said bunching is locking. Your hair is fine. I love that! Bunching=Locking. I had never thought about that before because I was too busy worried that my hair would look like this. LOL!

I'm kidding. I was actually thinking about something I read. It said that your birthing story and developments around your time of birth and as a kid, affects you now. No surprise there! But I started to think about how my hair was received into the world around me, with my family, and how I thought of my hair as a kid.

Well, here it goes! The complete Hairstory of Naturally Sophia:

This is me before my first year; as you can see, my first style was a bob. No wonder I keep going back to that. LOL!

ABOVE: My 1st Bob
BELOW: My last bob

Then around 14 months. Mom moved to the bun. Her favorite hair-do for me to this day. I like it too. One of the first styles I did after getting Sisterlocks was a bun.

My 1st Bun/Chignon

My Last Bun/ Chignon

And then there are those 3 ugly four letter words that have always followed me:

"LONG GOOD HAIR"
Yes, they make me cringe to this day. For along time that was the only compliment I ever received. It was an adjective that other people placed on me to describe my entire being. It either went this way "You got good hair and long too" or "You know her the one with the long pretty hair." It was a way to isolate me from the other little girls. I did feel isolated. I recall one woman told me as a child, " you have the prettiest hair I have ever seen." I was standing right next to her daughter, a little girl the same age with pigtails all over. She looked at me as if I had betrayed her. I had nothing to do with it. Naturally, I loved and resented my hair. I loved the affection and attention but hated the isolation. From an early age, I resented the fact that the praise I was shown was tied to my hair that I realized was impermanent while enjoying the praise all the while. Complicated for a 6 year old!

People constantly wanted to play in my hair. I still don't like that even now. And my mom, who loved daily combings and weekly washings is/was heavy handed. I hated getting it combed.

I still get the "good hair" comments. Fortunately, those comments don't define me anymore. They define the speaker. And long? Who cares? Not me. I don't care about length.

DISCLAIMER :) But I recognize I have always had long hair (relatively) for those of you who will remind me what it's like not to have it.

Sincerely I feel the longer your hair is, the more maintenance there is to clean it, groom it, and style it. One thing that was very freeing to me was to cut my hair. But not only to cut it, but to stop straightening it. Yes, I was a former heat addict. I longed for my hair to be straight without a perm/relaxer (I've never had one). So, I heavily invested in straightening balms and pomades, flat irons, cast iron hot combs, and the "Dominican" salon. Here is a photo of me after a severe heat straightening back in the day.

Less than a year after I cut my hair in college, I started my first set of (traditional) locks. Ah yes! And let me not forget the wild and free stage.

Here I am with my peeps! Both have Sisterlocks! Read this and that. :)

I finally decided on Sisterlocks after a period of regression and exploration after combing out my traditional, 1st set of locks. Those were gone because of peer pressure and family inclination to berate me because of my wild head with messy locks. In this period, I tried everything from hand tied weave, sewn-ins, wigs, color, and braids. None of them seem to work for me.

I am happy with my hair now as it is despite what the critics say. Yes, this includes the Sisterlock critics who say use this shampoo or that, locks should be smaller/larger, and that my hair and it's bunching is a problem.

For me, being natural on its highest level is an intangible thing. You feel it but can't always grab it. I feel after a certain point, the things that used to matter don't matter anymore.

My list of progressively unimportant things include:

Press N Curls

Hot Combs

$20 wash and wraps (never lasted longer than 4 days)

Lottabody Setting Lotion (mostly alcohol)

Braids with Kanekalon

Micro Braids ( too much work to remove)

Cornrows ( too tight)

Weave ( I still have packs in my house, ugh)

Bronner Brothers Pump It Up ( seriously it's marketed as spritz but I know it's glue)

Dominican Salons

Flat Irons (heat damage)

Sitting under the Dryer for 2 hours (more heat damage)

Pro Style Gel (flakes, dries hair)

Making My Own Shampoo

Leaving Organic Materials in My Hair ( I used to shampoo my hair with blended aloe vera and leave the green plant material in my traditional locks, I know, ewww)

Umbrellas (used to not leave home without it)

Shower Caps

Afro Picks

Cholesterol ( used instead of shampoo)

Blow Dryers (well pencil this one in, my consultant says I need to have my hair dry more, faster)

One day I hope to add Sisterlocks and Retightenings to the list. But I am enjoying the journey all the way. Thanks for letting me share my 2 year old thoughts with you. By the way, if you are reading this you have good hair too. There is no good or bad. Hair doesn't misbehave; people do.

Here I am today 2 years and 2 weeks after the initial install. (Today's pic coming soon).

New Stuff at www.AdornBySophia.com!

2009-06-04T09:59:00.004-04:00

Hi accessory lovers! Just in case you haven't been to www.AdornBySophia.com. Here is what you've been missing and all with FREE SHIPPING!

Natural Hair T.V. Sightings

2009-05-26T16:31:00.005-04:00

A few weekends ago, I watched about 6 hours of TV from Friday Night to Monday morning. But this particular weekend, I watched with the purpose of finding Black womyn with natural hair who were featured in commercials or on TV for longer than 10 seconds. Out of the hundreds of people I watched on TV in that time span, I could only find these few actresses that fell into the above criteria.

Now, I grant that I did not watch TV One or BET (I don't usually). I watched local and world news, Sunday Morning on CBS, and parts of a movie, and Cold Case. Sorry I can't remember which movie but they had no Black characters in the main roles. Oh yeah I was clicking through and saw Tempest Bledsoe on Pet Stars.

I found 5 Black actresses with natural hair that were featured in TV or commercial roles.

When you watch television, do you lock stalk too? Because I am an afro aficionado, I look for those too and brown people in general.

I observed that all the Black womyn I saw were featured with White people exclusively. Interesting?! In the context that I typically see Black womyn in real life, this situation is rare. Maybe because I live in Atlanta with a high percentage of African-Americans? Maybe not! What are your thoughts? Are these "token" roles, a validation issue/stereotype or simply a coincidence?

1. Crestor- The woman has beautiful, blond curly locks.

2. Nancy Giles- Don't you just love her? She is cleaning her closet on CBS Sunday Morning. This is something I need to do.

3. E-harmony- Do you think this is a real couple or just an act?

4.Tempest Bledsoe. She was on an episode of Pet Stars on Animal Planet. I heard she married "Ron" , Dwayne Wanye's friend on a Different World.

5. Tracie Thoms from Rent, Deathproof, and Cold Case. I saw her on Cold Case. I really am a huge fan.

Queen Nat @ My Black is Beautiful

2009-05-24T16:11:00.000-04:00

The event was a bust!

We waited in line for hours. It was far too many people for the event. Slots were filled up and the security guy was mean! The event venue and staff could not accomodate the people.

The only positive aspects were getting to talk about locks, hanging out with my friends and meeting Queen Nat of Queen Nat's Loc Journey.

She is as sweet as she looks. And I love her Sisterlocks. Each one has a little perfect coily, curly-que on the end.

Nichelle Nichols on Zoe as Uhura

2009-05-21T20:44:00.009-04:00

I recently read Brunsli's and Brigette's posts on Zoe Saldana as Uhura in the recent, awesome Star Trek movie.

Brigette inquired:

Speaking of Nichelle Nichols, was she at any of the premieres? Has she said anything publically about Zoe's refurbished role?

According to Ian Cullen of SciFiPulse.Net, Nichols said,

“I thought it was fantastic, because it was a prequel. It is not like they are replacing Uhura from the point in time where we left of with the films, which would be their right to do…This was a prequel, the months before, the time before, and ends with our going off on that five year mission where no man or woman has gone before. And I thought that it is marvelous. I got a call from JJ and he invited me to lunch and ask me how I felt. He did me the honor and I thought that was unbelievable. I went on the set and they were shooting, and I was being very quiet and then all of a sudden everything stops. I mean the actors just stopped in place. The saw me walk in and they were in their lines, and went like “and sir we have the….” And that was such an honor bestowed upon me. I went “Oh, I’m sorry” and everyone laughed.”

You can listen to all of Nichelle Nichols interview here at jonja.net.

Saldana who took on the role of Uhura in the new J.J Abrams movie spoke about how great it was to meet Nichelle Nichols:

“Yes, I did meet her, and I was so humbled to have met such an icon. She’s an amazing woman and a strong human being. That was very interesting... I felt like the entire cast and myself were honored to be filling in the shoes of the original [Starship] Enterprise [cast]. We really hope we don’t disappoint.”

I think the movie is exceptional given the movies that are out. I love that it is a pre-quel and not a true remake. Zoe did fabulously as Uhura. Go see it if you haven't already!

The PCOS Diaries

2009-05-21T20:27:00.005-04:00

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome affects 10% of all women! I am one of those womyn.

I have been taking the Metformin (generic glucophage, a nasty little pill they give to people who are insulin resistant) more consistently. Insulin resistance is a symptom of PCOS. I find that if I take it during a meal after eating the first half of it it doesn't make me as nauseated. It could be worse some women have alopecia due to PCOS. :(

I have been running everyday this week after work. I have recently acquired P90X. Any reviews? And I have also ordered my swim gear. More details to follow. I want to kick off the weight and kick the dis-ease/disease off now and for good.

I like running outdoors. It gives me time to think. Lately, I have been thinking I need to be in a career where I directly help other people. All of my most intimate friends and family seem to agree. I work in a technical field and I appreciate my job. I love solving problems. I do not appreciate the 45-70 hour commute each way or the fact that I don't feel like I am giving back or contributing positively to anything other than the financial bottom line.

My cousin and close friend who is an RN advised me that the cysts can burst and cause injections. UGH! I really do not like that the more I find out about this nightmare of a thing, the more things their are to consider. I also do not like that there is no assistance for prevention of this hideous thing in our health care system. It appears to be entirely an endocrine disorder that few OB-GYNs even know to look for in women. I feel it starts with a combination of these: weight gain, absence of probiotics/good bacteria, overuse of anti-biotics, and the use of synthetic hormones. I have researched the matter in great detail.

I am managing. I changed my diet again. It will change soon. Currently, it includes little to no carbs, less coffee, a whole lot more protein (more on this later) and I eat every 4 hours. I read a book on how toxins in our environment changes our metabolism. As a result, I eat no synthetic products like non-dairy creamer or margarine. I don't use Styrofoam. I don't leave liquids in plastic bottles in the car. Some plastics release toxins at high temperatures. It has been a complete lifestyle change. I incorporate new rules everyday and eat mostly organic because I am trying to avoid growth hormones, pesticides, and genetically modified foods.

I am approaching my last laser hair removal treatment. Thank goodness. I am tired of the burning and break-outs due to the laser...le sigh. The pros outweigh the cons. No stubble, no five o'clock shadow, ROTFL! Yes, a symptom of PCOS is high testosterone levels, which means more hair.

I am off for a run now (indoors). It's getting dark and raining a little.

Sharing a Moment at the Dogwood Festival

2009-05-19T16:15:00.007-04:00

Hey Blogger Fam! I wanted to share this with you.

I saw a beautiful image (photo) at the park, not the image below.

One Himba woman (above is a photo of a Himba woman) was manicuring the locks of another Himba(African tribe) woman. Himbas matte their hair and natural fibers with mud to form locks.

They both looked like they were good friends. The one styling looked as if, " I must fix it, she is already so beautiful, every hair must be in place".

The one getting her hair fixed looked as if she knew her girlfriend was going to hook her hair up!

The text said:Nobody sees a flower -- really -- it is so small it takes time -- we haven't time -- and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time. ~Georgia O'Keefee.

It brought tears to my eyes and made me think of my girlfriends and my mom who is an avid gardener and can call any plant by description alone.

BTW, the flower linked is my favorite flower. :)

The Baltimore Natural Hair Expo

2009-05-18T08:31:00.026-04:00

This trip was short and impromptu!

HD and I drove from ATL to Baltimore to work the expo. Although I didn't get to see the actual Baltimore or do things in the city, because (a) we were tired and (b) we were in Pikesville, an hour away from B-more. I did get a chance to run into some bloggers, some of which highlighted my store on youtube!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First, I got a chance to reconnect with Sunsail who I hadn't seen in 2 years. She and the Count were awesome to visit. It was wonderful seeing them. Sunsail , Count, H.D., Yours Truly

Sunsail wanted to see my cut, but unfortunately it's grown out. I thought I cut off all the "S" curls (joking) on the ends but I see they have unraveled. I just love our highlights. Really Cute!

I also met Msshelle75 who um hasn't updated her blog in awhile but has these beautiful 4 year old Sisterlocks. I envy the style. Whoa!

Myself and Msshelle75
I love this style. It's simple but intricate. Also, very beautiful without being overdone.
Here are pictures of some of the items I sold at the show. If you are interested, please view my latest inventory at http://www.adornbysophia.com/ or e-mail me.

Here is some video praise for jewelry from AdornBySophia.com from ShidaNatural

and here is more from SheSingsLovely on the link below. Thanks for the love ladies!

Natural Hair Care Exposition (Baltimore)

I encourage you to watch both videos to get their perspective on the hair show as well.

I met many exceptional women. Of those, I met one woman that gave awesome advice on how to market my items and a loctician who I encouraged to take the Sisterlocks class. I am going to post their info soon.

One of the things I loved was the kids with natural hair. How freeing it was to see so many of them!

These 2 are sisters who have a Sisterlocked mom. The one on the right has new Sisterlocks and the one on the left braids her own braids and has natural hair.

And how cute is this girl's hair? I think she and her hair are just adorable! :)

Overall, it was a tiring and exhilarating trip.

Knaps© At The Atlanta Natural Hair Show

2009-05-09T20:38:00.003-04:00

I made a mistake in the earlier posts about the Natural Hair Show. I left out Monica of Knaps© - I Love Me. Please pardon the oversight. Blame it on my head and not my heart. I met her and she is very sweet, slim, and pretty. Please go to her site; she also sells beautiful t-shirts!

I wish we had exchanged photos to show you, but we didn't. Click here to see her purchase at the hair show. She purchased this Simone Hair Tie.

My favorite shirt from her reads" You don't have to like my hair, I it enough for the both of us."

Sisterlocks Are Worth Every Cent!!!!

2009-05-08T15:08:00.022-04:00

I decided to blog about the expense of Sisterlocks. Many newly natural womyn have inquired regarding the cost of Sisterlocks.

Here's the deal? It is expensive at first! BUT...

You may save money and will save time in the long haul!

First, let me clarify one thing. Sisterlocks are microlocks interlocked with your very own natural hair. Many women have approached me thinking Sisterlocks are some type of weave; that's not the case. You are paying for the time, which took my consultant 33 hours, of interlocking strands of hair.

Here's what I mean, if you get your hair done at the salon now, like I used to, you spend at least $50- $100 a month. That's $600- $1200 a year. Now if you buy products, wigs, or weaves add that in;brushes and combs go here too. Once, you have that amount, add the daily time you spend styling your hair seperately. Yes, time is money!

My grand total in 2006 before I got Sisterlocks was $2500 for that year of 3 hour long hair appointments, braids, cornrows with weave, sewn-in weaves, ceramic irons, and many, many styling products.

In May 2007, I spent far less than that on my hair. I got my locks installed and received 4 retightenings that year. Out of respect for my consultants, I won't reveal the price. However, I can say that it was far less than the $2500 I spent in the prior year.

I encourage you to add your expenses on hair now when you contemplate the cost of Sisterlocks. You will get your hair retightened 8-9 times a year if you go every 6 weeks for $95-$160 depending on how much your consultant charges. If you visit a trainee, your amount will be less though your sessions may be longer. You can also retighten your hair yourself!

You will not be buying products with Sisterlocks unless you are a product junkie. In the first year, you really only need shampoo. You won't be buying hair I assume. You will save on relaxers if you are starting with relaxed hair. You will save money and time on those expensive salon trips.

And the greatest investment you can make is in YOU!

One of the greatest selling points of Sisterlocks is the time savings.

You only have to style your hair at will. You wake up with your hair "done". I used to spend an hour each day before work detangling, twisting, and combing to make my natural look halfway tamed. Just look at this style by Kalia-dewdrop. She created it without using a mirror!

You will not have to worry about detangling, washing, drying, and moisturizing your natural hair. Just look at me, it took the consultant an hour to comb and brush my hair! I spent an hour on hair each day before work.

You also won't have to be tempted to make mad dashes for errands like this:

Why you might ask? Because you will wake with your hair "done" and ready to go!

And you won't have to worry about your track showing, like this. You know she has no idea she has that going on!

I have not yet met one woman after getting Sisterlocks tell me they regretted getting them or the expense.

Sisterlock Sisters what is your take on the expense? I welcome those who may be contemplating Sisterlocks to ask questions too.

UPDATE: FOR THE EXACT OPPOSITE CONCLUSION GO TO BRUNSLI's BLOG!

Kinky Rhonnie Tagged Me!

2009-05-02T16:29:00.006-04:00

Thanks Kinky Rhonnie. And Shea reminded me about posting everyday until the 15th. I have some to make up. But I will be posting those momentarily. Thank you for really paying attention Shea!

What's your current obsession?
FitDay.com; I am on a renewed health kick.

What's your must have fashion need?
I have no needs now only many, many wants ;p

What are you wearing right now? Dark Blue Jeans, Black Sandal Stilettos, an Ethnic/Geometric Print Tank (Black/White), a Black Crochet Bolero

What's your favorite food?
A toss up between Thai, Soul, and Caribbean

What do you do for fun? Blog, Clearly, LOL!

What made today special? I waited for over a hour in line for a free event, but I enjoyed the company of my gal pals which made it worth it.

What would you like to learn to do? Make bar soaps and perfume

What's the last thing you bought? lunch

What are you listening/watching right now? Complete silence now, just me and the computer

What's your favorite weather? Tropical, warm but breezy

What's your one goal in life? to live with as few regrets as possible

What do you think of the person that tagged you? As she described, I feel we have known each other all our lives. I only wish she were local so we could hang out sometime.

If you can have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you like it to be? Paris, Miami, Atlanta, and San Francisco in that order. I dream big!

What would you like to have in your hands right now? A check to a multi-million dollar winning lottery ticket. LOL!

If you can swap lives with anyone in the world for one day who would it be and why?

This one is tough. I can only be me. Maybe the Da'lai Lama...I'd love to have the stillness, meditation skills, and contentment he possesses

If you can go anywhere in the world for the next hour where would you go? Rio

What language would you like to learn? Arabic

What do you look for in a friend? Realness, fun, and loyalty

Who do you want to meet in person?
All my blogger friends!

What's your favorite type of music? I don't just have one. I love reggae, house, and jazz the most right now.

What's your dream job? Entrepeneurship but Still working on this one...LOL!

Do you admire anyone's style? Yes, other than my own, Michelle Obama, Rhianna, Sophia Loren, Sarah Jessica Parker, Dita Von Tesse and always Naomi Campbell

Describe your personal style?Boho Glam

What's your favorite t.v show? Project Runway among others

What's your favorite ice cream flavor? Butter Pecan

What's your favorite makeup brand? MAC

What's your all time favorite perfume? Extravagance by Givenchy

What's you fondest childhood memory? being at the lake with my family

What is a current life goal you are working on right now? Faith

What is one item in your home you have more of than anything else? clothes and shoes (books make a close third)

Rules:
1.)Respond: answer the questions on your blog.

2.)Replace one question that you dislike with a question of your own invention, add one more question of your own.

3.)Tag eight other people

Amba
Meikmeika
Muslimahlocs
Nihuru
Onyx Cherry
Sogolocs
Southern Girl
Sunsail

Natural Inspiration: Jourdana Phillips

2009-05-02T15:55:00.006-04:00

Yes, this is her real hair. How fab!?

Source: Slides-Models

Source: VNY Models

Source: Models.com

I have been following her for about year now when I first saw her photos from Spring Fashion Week last year. Since I am blogging everyday until the 15th, I decided to bring some Fierceness back. It never hurts to see beautiful natural women. They are my inspirations.

Don't you love how she has that " I just rolled outta bed and threw this on?" glow going on here?

Source: Slides-Models

And look at her all made up; I love the front braid.

Source: Glamour.com

I love her limbs and sometimes wish I was 5'10"! ok all the time wish I was 5'10"+ LOL! How elegant!?

Source: Coutorture by Francois Guillot/Getty Images.

Source: NYMag

Source: Slides-Models

Atlanta Natural Hair Show 2009 Part II

2009-05-01T10:58:00.010-04:00

The thing I enjoyed most about the natural hair show was catching up with my blogger friends.

Guess who I got to meet?

Naadi of http://naadiiheadz.blogspot.com/. I love her energy. She has the kind of spirit that you can spend all day with; I loved our talks.

I also got a chance to buy a gorgeous headband from Taylor of http://www.taylormadelocks.com/! She has 10 years of beautiful locks. Just look! If it weren't for her I would have never met my consultant Julia.

I also got my hair retightened by Martine, Jacqueline, and Julia! What a treat. I wish the hair show was every month.

Martine and Jacqueline retightened the very front. Martine told me she had to combine 2 locks as one was literally hanging on by about 2 hairs. So, I have one 2 headed dragon that I wasn't thrilled about at first. I have named her Gemini and she let me know from my attempts to twist her together in one lock that she is resisting. Even my loc is a rebel! Wow!

Atlanta Natural Hair Show 2009

2009-04-21T10:33:00.018-04:00

I have been delinquent in blogging, forgive me. I have been so busy. Where's the time? I will be doing one post a day for the rest of May, stay tuned.

ok, The hair show was phenomenal. It was the first time I participated as a vendor. I sold my jewelry and hair ties/lock clips galore. I saw many bloggers and familiar faces including

CurlyNikki

Naturally Leslie

and my dear blogger friend: Kinky Rhonnie of Kinky Rhonnie's Spot

I just want to take that shirt. If you're reading this, tell me where you got it from. Or if anyone knows, please reply.

I went 3 months without a retightening. Can you believe it? Well, as fate would have it, Julia ended up retightening my hair at the show. I had 2-3 inches of new growth, and I certainly hated waiting at the moment. Doesn't my expression tell it all?

Julia is a renaissance woman! In addition to being a fabulous consultant and mom, she is a fitness competitor and model. Many have asked me who she is and how to get in contact with her. And is she certified? Well heck yeah! Here is her e-mail and phone, and please tell her where you received her info.

404-718-9371 or jstewartstackhaus@yahoo.com

I want to take a moment to highlight my very first consultant Jacqueline. I love her! I wish she would have moved here just for my retightenings. I know it's selfish, but it's true. She is such a perfectionist.

She opted to have her hair cut and styled here at the hair show as well. Please visit her website and fotki page.

http://www.hairstoyounaturally.com/
http://public.fotki.com/Jlmashby/my_sisterlocks_journeys/

If you are in the northeast or willing to travel to Boston, she is an awesome consultant especially if you want micros. Can you believe she wanted me to take down some locks so she could move my center part a few centimeters over? I am so not joking. But that just goes to show the amount of effort she puts into locking.

She got a cut and style here while at the show:

Here is a slideshow for the rest of the show. Enjoy:

AdornBySophia.com Clearance!!!

2009-04-10T11:21:00.010-04:00

Shop the $9.99 sale on select items while supplies last with Free Shipping at http://www.adornbysophia.com/ !

Take advantage of my overbuying now!

I am doing a clearance special to clear inventory to welcome in my new shipment of Spring accessories coming soon!

As a result, you get to take advantage of the best special on the web for a limited time only.

Magnificient Martine

2009-04-07T08:10:00.012-04:00

Look who showed up at my door! None other than marvelous Martine Bernard, expert and famous Sisterlock Consultant and Stylist! For anyone who hasn't met Martine, you would be taken by her voice, her beauty, her grace, her style, her open mind, and her smile. I love her company! She is fun, smart, tres chic, and professional. I could go on and on but I won't. She allowed me to do this very special natural hair interview.

For those of you who don't know, Martine's hair loss story initially appeared on Brunsli's blog. She was so grateful to Brunsli and to the community for the outpouring of love and kindness. She is still developing how she feels about her long to short hair transition. While we were conversing, I told her that her face, hair and entire being were so beautiful. To me, she looks even younger if that were possible. Just look.

NOW

Who would not want to have this perfect skin and beautiful smile? Her hair is still beautiful and is a nice accompaniment to her beautiful face.

THEN

Wow! Doesn't she look younger and revitalized?!

During our time together, I asked her about her cut. How did she feel once she cut it? Who cut it?

Martine said that a dear friend cut her hair. And she sobbed once she looked in the mirror.

She noted that her hair was dark, very short, and didn't cover her back (where she has a tiny, barely noticeable birthmark). Those were her first thoughts as she was sobbing. Then, she was angry. She missed her hair and felt she had to cut it rather than repair her locks. Why you might ask. I did.

Martine said, "You can glue a dinner plate back together and make it work, but the plate will never be the same again. My hair cut is my new dinner plate."

She went on to say that she was hurt that we have to go through these hair issues compared to our straighter hair sisters. However, she has grown in her processing emotionally and mentally.

She said, using an analogy,

"I thought I was this regular cake, ordinary but good, and the Sisterlocks were this incredible icing that made me Great. But now I realize that I am this outstanding cake."
I told her that the icing (her hair) was great now too. I asked her about this gorgeous color and her maintenance.

She just picks her hair out with a pick or her fingers and just goes. She loves feeling her scalp and running her fingers through her hair after almost 10 years. Her color is a red with an orange base and fits her perfectly. Don't you think?

I asked her what she wanted you to know about her experience.

She said, "I never thought my hair could fall out from tension alopecia. It was always strong. I learned that regardless of your hair type too tight braiding may cause any hair to fall out." She emphasized that braiding wasn't the culprit, but that over styling in tight styles and tight braiding will take a toll on even the strongest hair.

Martine is loving the freedom and plans to play with her hair before starting her next set of Sisterlocks. She was covering her loss of hair with scarves and headbands. She loves that she's progressed from feeling she needs to cover her hair because of her previous hair loss. I feel although she has cut her hair, she has gained a new outlook on locks, hair, and herself.

She is making a conscious effort to hold her head up high and remind herself that she is beautiful inside and out regardless of her hair. Anyone of us would struggle if we felt we had to cut our hair, but even more so, after having waist length beautiful hair. .Many of her clients have started to cry or become overwhelmed when seeing Martine's short look. Can you imagine the emotional toll that would take on you? But Martine has gone through this whole experience with style and grace, much stronger with each day.

The comments on Brunsli's initial post and Reflecting with Martine made a huge impact on Martine. She profusely thanks everyone for their support especially Brunsli for doing such a good job with her expose'! She told me she read many of the comments over again to brighten her day when she first cut her hair. She is still transitioning as anyone would but especially as she is well-know for her previously blazing red locks. Let's all continue to support Martine as she goes on positively in her new experience.

Hair Show This Weekend

2009-04-02T08:26:00.003-04:00

Hello All! I hope to see you at this hair show. It is a great place to meet consultants, see styles, try products, and purchase goods. I had so much fun last year .

I will be a vendor this year! YAY! So, I want to encourage you, if you are interested, to purchase hair ties before the show. I will not have some of them for sale again. Many of you have e-mailed me about unique items long after they have been sold. I have been consciously trying not to source items from retail stores as of late. If you see an item that looks one of a kind, it probably is. My aim is to focus on natural, local materials to make hair accessories. I have so much new stock that I am revamping my site. Please stay tuned.

I hope to see you all there this weekend. The tickets are $15 each for Saturday or Sunday. Here is the address:

AmericasMart Atlanta Building Two, 240 Peachtree Street N.W.Atlanta, Georgia

www.naturalhairshow.org

Best Meet-Up Yet

2009-03-29T14:44:00.019-04:00

Dr. Cornwell visits again. We had an interesting and informative meet-up. Little known info: You can go to http://www.sisterlocks.com/ and get info right off of the guestbook. You don't have to track bloggers down to get the info you need! Just kidding. I love it when you e-mail me, but the general info is on the Sisterlocks site.

Caption: Please believe that this photo doesn't nearly capture how beautiful her hair is.

What a wonderful time we all had! Of course, I am talking about the Atlanta Sisterlocks Meet-Up yesterday. D. Joanne Cornwell graced us with her presence. She came with a new spirit and resolve. We talked about, ironically, blogging, the future of Sisterlocks, and branding. Great discussion group!

Guess who I met for the first time in person? None other than Black Russian ! She is very sweet and has a warm spirit. Not to mention clearly a business woman!

I also caught up with Onyx Cherry .

Then, there was the lovely Amba in her dress from Ghana.

Here are some beautiful newly locked ladies. Check out Sarah's blog.

Here is Paulette, a Sisterlock consultant and expert, and her beautiful mane of http://www.locks4life.com/. She has very well-maintained, tiny Sisterlocks. She could easily have 800-900 Sisterlocks.

Below is my favorite photo from the event. They were having a conversation and I asked them to look like they still were. Excellent models! The young woman on the left is a Sisterlocks trainee and photographer. And the beautiful lady on the right is a proud member of the ATL Sisterlocks Meet-up! Yea-uh (said like Lil' John)!

Here I am in mid conversation with the Lady of Honour!

A Visit from a Beautiful Stranger

2009-03-25T16:48:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I got a call from Amba telling me Dr. Joanne Cornwell would be in Atlanta this weekend to attend the March Sisterlocks Consultant training class. I'm also excited.

Although it's a little short notice, we are trying to get together for a Meet and Greet Reception this weekend. Please see the Atlanta Sisterlocks Meetup Site for details.THE ATLANTA SISTERLOCKS (TM)MEETUP is proud to sponsor a:MEET and GREET RECEPTIONwith DR. JOANNE CORNWELL, originator of Sisterlocks(TM)ON: Saturday 28 March, 2009TIME : 6pm-9pmWHERE? : TBA
We have the pleasure to invite you to meet Dr. Joanne Cornwell who will be in Atlanta visiting the Sisterlocks Consultant Training Class.Dr Joanne Cornwell is an Associate Professor of Africana Studies and French at San Diego State University, Her revolutionary hair care management system allows those with tightly textured hair to take advantage of today's hairstyles without altering the natural texture of their hair.This event is open to Sisterlocks wearers, consultants, trainees and women who are interested in getting or simply knowing more about Sisterlocks. Come and meet and get to know Dr. Cornwell personally and see Dr Cornwell's fabulous Sisterlocks in person.

Hurry and book your places now. Limited Seating. Please RSVP to: ambambigg@gmail.com or naturalhair-50@meetup.com or call (404)4049352286 or contact me for details

New Hair Goodies

2009-03-24T16:10:00.005-04:00

These hair ties are inspired by Bohemia, Africa and Jazz. I got super creative and am working to make them even more unique and one of a kind. I plan to be at the Natural Hair Show the first weekend in April selling them with some other accessories I made.

As always, I love feedback. What would you like to see? Which ones do you like? Find more here

Springtime is Pedicure Time

2009-03-21T09:54:00.000-04:00

I decided to come up for air from making my hair accessories and jewelry to get my feet done.

I haven't decided where I am going yet.

Sometimes, I go to a Black Owned spot in Atlanta. It is far from where I live and work, the people there usually act like I'm doing them or favor, gossip constantly, and charge higher prices. Why are so many Black businesses this way? It makes it hard to support the cause.

Or I usually go to a Vietnamese shop. The lady (Nancy) is nice and very entertaining that does both my feet and brows so meticulously. However, I am concerned because they do not sanitize between clients. They wash the utensils off or not, and keep it moving. Recently, I saw an article about this on the news:

This comes from not cleaning out foot spas with bleach to kill bacteria. This fungus can withstand a cleaning with hot water and soap. Me no likey! not to mention if things aren't cleaned with bleach you can get a toenail fungal infection.

I need to find a clean pedicure place without community unsanitary tools and that is also economical. This is the conundrum.

And also has anyone done the foot detox? Thoughts?My co-worker thinks it's a scam. Read about it here.

Has anyone had the Fish Pedicure? Would you let fish do this to your feet?

People swear by it, but I am very apprehensive. I guess it's the germaphobe in me surfacing. What do you think?

Have you ever had an outstanding, economical pedicure or the opposite? I would love to read about it. Also, especially if you are local, recommend your pedicure shop please.

Spring has Sprung at AdornbySophia.com

2009-03-17T10:07:00.009-04:00

Seeing is believing! Cute, unique, one of a kind, and with FREE SHIPPING! What more could you want?

To see all the available hair adornments go here

All the jewelry is at http://www.adornbysophia.com/

Product Reviews that are Natural Hair Friendly

2009-03-14T09:01:00.006-04:00

So, I have been so in a haze of hair ties and jewelry lately that I forgot about my other hobby, blogging, LOL!

I am overdue for some product reviews. My first review is of Jason's Natural Biotin Shampoo:

Description from the Manufacturer's Website:

No Lauryl/Laureth Sulfates
This revitalizing shampoo is formulated to gently cleanse scalp and helps to alleviate dry, itchy scalp, damaged hair and split ends. Biotin, Planthenol-3 and selected botanicals combined with 3 proteins help energize the scalp and promote natural and healthy looking hair.For Thinning, Dry, or Damaged Hair; pH 5.5; Revitalizes & Promotes Healthy Growth; Biotin & Polysorbate 60; UV Sun Protection.Bio-degradable; no animal by-products; no animal testing.

Directions from Manufacturer's Website:
Apply to wet hair. Work into a lather and massage thoroughly. Rinse and repeat.

LOL! Always "rinse and repeat". I want to mention that it is not tested on animals and is certified organic.

I love this one. I swear the best things in life are cheap if not free. I bought this shampoo fro $3.50 from Ross rather than spending a fortune at Whole Paycheck (Whole Foods Market).

It is enriched with marigold, ginseng, and chamomile. I was smelling my hair for hours even with my cold. It left my scalp clean without making my hair feel extra dry or brittle. This was a good deal all the way! :)

I tried this shampoo too awhile back; it was also on sale because that's how I roll! LOL! I have to just say I love this because it is multi-functional. It is a body was as well as a shampoo. It gives a fruity herbal scent kinda like Orange tea with Agave nectar, but you definitely smell the coconut and bergamot too. It is super lathering but not organic. Now, I like it better on my skin than hair. But it worked as a shampoo. It left it clean, but that's it. It doesn't have any long lasting fragrance which is good not to interfere with your perfume; and it doesn't have any extra cleansing or moisturizers in it. So if you want just clean, this is the shampoo for you. If you are fortunate enough to travel alot, this is great because it is 2 for 1, a body and hair shampoo which is my favorite thing about this deal. Plus, I only paid $12 for the 40 ounce; it was a steal!

Info from the manufacturer:

This fast lathering, quick-rinsing shampoo is a well-balanced and nourishing formula.

Pure Basic revitalizes, adds shine and entices you with its peach, tart apple and bergamot aromatherapy

All Hair Types pH Level: 5.7-6.7

Commitment to Purity: 100% Vegan - Free of Synthetic Dyes - DEA

Winner of the Hair Tie Contest

2009-03-12T10:39:00.006-04:00

I seriously had a hard time deciding which one was the winner. So, I put all the names in a bowl, and selected one. Kinky Rhonnie of http://kinkyrhonnie.blogspot.com/ won! I will shipping her the Toille Hair Tie per her entry as soon as she e-mails me her info. YAY!

Kinky Rhonnie please e-mail me at naturallysophia@yahoo.com

Thank you all for playing. There will be more giveaways soon.

The Spring Collection Free Give Away!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-11T11:22:00.008-04:00

I am releasing my spring line of Hair Ties and Jewelry today! Yay!

To kick it off, I am offering a free give away. Whoever can pick one item they like most and write back about it in the comments section may win either the Kate or Lavender& Lilac Hair Tie!

This means you can win a free hair tie and all you have to do is comment. The best response will receive the hair tie.

Remember all of the items are handmade and come with free shipping. I am adding them to my Etsy store NaturallySophia and http://www.adornbysophia.com/ right now!

Hair Ties on Etsy

2009-03-04T19:35:00.004-05:00

Hi there lock stars. I have started posting some of my hair accessories on Etsy.com too. I am adding more by the day. Please keep checking back.

Here is my Etsy page: NaturallySophia

Thank you for supporting www.adornbysophia.com!
I look forward to your views on Etsy too!

Look All Yuh! I Won Something!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-03-03T17:39:00.000-05:00

Evelyn author of http://eves-journey.blogspot.com/ nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger Award.

I was so flattered that anyone would pic me as a nominee. She wrote that my blog is interesting and that I creatively post. Wow! Gee Thanks. When I blog, it feels like I put so much work in for no one to notice. I am glad at least one person did. People tell me all the time that they read it, but comments are scant sometimes. It's not as fun for me if people don't engage. So thank you Evelyn for the award.

By request, I have to tell you (7) things that I love and to also nominate (7) other bloggers for the Kreativ Blogger Award.

(7) Things that I love.

I love so much. This is the behavior I try to do most. Love is all around me. I take it with me wherever I go. Love can be subtle enough to penetrate any obstruction, and powerful enough to save anything. I am a lover of love not only that carnal, romantic love but also the unselfish, by any means necessary tough kind of love.

1.The Most High/God(dess). The greatest gift is the gift of Life. How can you not love the Life Giver?

2. The Sun. Everybody loves the sunshine but me especially. It changes my mood. I love to sun bathe; I love rooms with the windows exposed so I can sit in front of it with a good book and just feel warm.

3. My family especially my mom and dad. Many people have children, not all of them parent. Of those who parent, not all of them do it well. I am in the minority of people who have received those 2 self-sacrificing, loving parents who parent well.

4. Quiet. When I am not constantly infiltrated with other people's sound tracks, I think clearer, am more creative and can do any task better than I would with noise.

5. Music & Movies. I particularly love these activities because I can do them alone or with friends, and it's fun either way. I love all types of music and concerts. I specifically like movies that are foreign or independent films but also comedies. I tend to lean towards the underground in music and like my films with a meaning.

6. Reading. Who doesn't appreciate a curling up with some hot cocoa and a good book. I tend to like authors like Pahlo Cohelo, Toni Morrison, and Alice Walker. I thought of creating a book club several times because I just can't seem to find a book club in my area that is what I'm seeking. the ore you know, the more you grow right?

7. Dancing. I love dancing and swimming actually because they are work outs that don't feel like it. If I go dancing every weekend, I am consistently 20 pounds lighter than I am now. I like just letting the vibrations from the music guide me. I especially like dancing with a partner, but I will dance all by myself.

Here is one tangible thing I love just cuz: Lush "Honey I Washed the Kids" Soap. It is divine! Honey and cocoa with a real honey comb on top of it to exfoliate. I swear adding a lot of simple things you love can make you so much happier.

I thought long and hard about the 7 other blogs I would nominate. Here they go in no specific order:

1) http://veganguineapig.blogspot.com/

I was sold from the first time I saw this blog. She said that she spent over $50 looking for the right vegan cheese. If any of you have ever attempted to eat a cheese substitute, you can relate. As many of you know, I am a vegetarian and look forward to cutting eggs and cheese out of my diet which are the only animal foods I eat.

2) http://www.chookooloonks.com/blog/

I love this blog. It is a photo blog that has gorgeous photos and awesome content. I actually followed it before it was a photo blog with a link I found on TriniGourmet.com. I feel its content reflects experiences most people can relate to.

3) http://www.mindspill.bygbaby.com/

His blog is just interesting. That's all I can say. He is an artist; so it's part photo blog. His photos are as interesting and varied as his subjects. I particularly like his posts on food, movies, and parenting.

4) http://therealkesh.blogspot.com/

Her blog posts appeal to the free side of me. The one that is forever wearing textured pantyhose under tweed pantsuits. The one that wants to move to Paris instead of going to grad school.

5)http://makefetchhappen.blogspot.com/

J'adore Brigitte! She and her blog are pure fashion fabulous with a focus on ethnicity in fashion and modeling. In my head, I imagine us as BFFs who shop together. She has interesting perspectives on popular culture in general and an eye for the truly fierce.

6) http://abagond.wordpress.com/

He is a writer. Everyday he writes about something. He has an appreciation for Black women that I find refreshing. Abagond writes well about interesting topics. His blog is all great content. What more could you want?

7) http://www.whataboutourdaughters.com/

Seriously, I get the news I care about from here. I feel happy to be in the same blogosphere as someone so relevant and cognizant.

And just because I am a rebel, here's number 8:

http://invisible-cinema.blogspot.com/

It is about Black womyn in film (or the lack thereof). The best thing is that she posts trailers for films that you would never hear about or see. Her viewpoints are both poignant and clear.

www.AdornbySophia.com

2009-03-02T13:45:00.004-05:00

Hi Everyone! Because I experienced severe withdrawal symptoms from the closing of Brunsli's Hair Tie store coupled with the fact that I could not find ties with the je ne sais quoi I was looking for, I decided to make and sell my own.

This is just a sample of what I am offering with Free Shipping for the Grand Opening!

If you would like to purchase any of these, you can visit my site www.adornbysophia.com

If you need more pictures, just e-mail me. I look forward to your support. :) More pictures are coming soon.

Sisterlocks: the Complete List of Resources

2009-02-24T20:25:00.003-05:00

I was looking high and low for a comprehensive site on Sisterlocks when I first locked my hair a couple of years ago. I found a few blogs and the Sisterlocks.com site. But I had to search for info and ask questions. If you are contemplating Sisterlocks, you should too. You may find it a chore to get all the info you need. I have complied this list for you. I hope it's helpful.

Sisterlocks: Is a method of locking hair into micro dreadlocks founded by Joanne Cornwell. A certified Sisterlocks consultant should install your locks. A complete list of consultants and official trainees are on the site http://www.sisterlocks.com/

What is the method? : It involves crocheting/knitting your hair from the ends to the scalp.

Can I add hair?: What about Sisterlocks Extensions?:

The method was not designed for hair to be added. If you have any doubts about that, see Dr. Joanne Cornwell. Many Sisterlocks Consultants offer extensions onto the locks as a separate service. I would caution against this but to each, their own. You can find info about this on http://www.youtube.com/

The intention of Sisterlocks is to offer natural hair care management without chemicals or extensions. I think you are beautiful and don't need anyone else's hair to be. I also do not believe in supporting the Koreans and Indians in purchasing hair making them rich and lowering our self-esteem.

Can I wash Sisterlocks? :

Yes, Sisterlocks is your own hair. Of course, you can wash your own hair.

Sisterlocks seems permanent. Are Sisterlocks permanent?:

No is the short answer. However, removing Sisterlocks is very difficult. It takes a lot of money and time to start Sisterlocks. It would be a considerable loss of an investment in both time and money to immediately take Sisterlocks down.

Here are the stories of 2 women who have taken down Sisterlocks:

http://myrealhair.blogspot.com/
http://public.fotki.com/Jlmashby/my_sisterlocks_journeys/

Can Sisterlocks be dyed? :

Sisterlocks can be dyed. Please see a competent colorist with locked hair experience.

Sisterlocks don't seem to have any styling options. I like doing lots of things with my hair. Will I be limited?:

No! Look at just a few of the things I have done. You aren't limited at all.

You are not limited at all. You can curl Sisterlocks with any type of rollers though soft, spongy rollers work best. You may also crimp your hair by braiding it together damp with water and/or styling lotion (mousse), then unraveling it dry.

Some Sisterlocks resources have been more helpful than others for my personal Sisterlocks journey. Here is a list of the links I have most frequented since my journey:

http://www.sisterlocks.com/

http://mysisterlocks.blogspot.com/

http://sisterlocksvnappylocscourtcasenappylocswon.com/

http://brunsli.blogspot.com/

http://www.coilsncurls.com/

Why are Sisterlocks so expensive? :
In short, Sisterlocks are expensive because they are teeny tiny and take a whole lot of work to put in...My consultant spent 33 hours on my head and many of my locks are smaller than toothpicks. How much would you want to get paid for that kind of work if you were a hair care professional?

You can justify the cost with time, and I also encourage you to compare it on a yearly basis with how much you are spending now.

Sisterlocks are still to expensive! What are my options for small locks?

Nappylocs is the first alternative that comes to mind. You can read more on how to do the method yourself at http://www.nappylocs.com/.

You can do small traditional locks started by a single or 2 strand twist where you interlock when the locks grow out with a latch hook (craft tool sold at beauty supply and craft stores) or your own hands.

You could braid your hair in tiny braids and retighten your hair with a tool.

Do professional women have Sisterlocks? Can I get or keep a job with Sisterlocks?

Yes! Yes! Just look at Docs Locs. She is very poised, articulate and an M.D. no less.

I have gotten one job offer and 2 promotions since my Sisterlocks were installed. Personally, at my previous place of employment, I noticed only other Black people view natural hair as unprofessional.

Can I transition from perm or a relaxer?

Yes you may. Many with Sisterlocks choose this route:
Blackluvdmom
Brunsli
Caughtintheact
Chocolata
Drea
Mel
NappyTexanGirl
Vee

Will my hair be thin/thick, grow longer, or shrink?

It is important to realize that Sisterlocks will look like your own hair. If your hair is thin, I guarantee your Sisterlocks will make your hair appear thicker; but not thicker than someone with a thick head full of Sisterlocks.

Yes, your hair will grow without shedding! You may experience your hair appearing shorter after you lock it while it is still maturing. But everytime you blink you will have to get your hair retightened. I kid! Not literally but often (every 4-8 weeks). Your hair may also grow in between your parts and sprout where there was never hair before...

What is retightening?

Retightening will take place after your hair has grown out a bit. It is a way of maintaining the strength of your locks by interlocking the hair. A certified consultant or trainee can retighten it for you. But you may retighten it yourself.

What Did He Say?

2009-02-24T10:16:00.003-05:00

This is what Rapper David Banner said:

At a recent appearance at South Carolina State University, rapper David Banner stunned the audience when he made the statement that “Blacks Don’t Love Themselves.”

More importantly, he uses Black women who perm their hair as an example of black on black crime and media control.

In a question-and-answer session, Banner challenged black women in attendance to explain why they perm and straighten their hair. In response came the defense that “hair perming” is equated with being able to get a decent job as a professional and not being viewed as a threat by bosses who are usually of a different race.

“This is what I mean when I say black people don’t love themselves,” Banner said. “Perming your hair is a clear example of ‘black-on-black crime’ and media control. Black-on-black crime is not just a black person committing a violent act against another black person.

Focusing deeper on the media’s impact, Banner said the continuing depiction of blacks as aggressive and as a threat to society lowers the value of black life.”Blacks have accepted the way they are portrayed in the media as a reality,” Banner said. “This sad reality makes it easier for a black person to commit a crime against other people of color.”

Naturally, Sophia thinks that I don't recall Mr. Banner ever featuring a natural hair model/women in any one of his videos. Nor do I recall his songs uplifting black women. Also, in his raps, he glamorizes criminal behavior.

The PCOS Diaries

2009-02-17T17:20:00.000-05:00

1. Today my face is on fire and swollen. It burns from laser hair removal. Because of PCOS, I felt the need to get the removal which is just a reduction. I will still have my signature mustache but it will be more like peach fuzz than a true 'stache just not the accompanying stubble, 5 o'clock shadow, and beard that started to appear.

2. My stomach is giving birth to itself. Metformin (generic Glucophage) is making me feel this way.

3. The topical Progesterone and Yaz is making my hormones rage out of control.

I know some that read this blog have PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) and/or IRS (Insulin Resistancy Sydrome). How is it going? How do you cope?

My Latest Sisterlocks Updo

2009-02-15T16:39:00.001-05:00

I twisted my hair in 5 large twists angled around my head. I clipped the back with a Basic Hair Clip. I secured the back with hair pins. I finished with Jane Carter Leave-In Conditioner to pat down the fuzzy bits et Voila!

Sisterlocks Mythbusters

2009-02-14T20:24:00.001-05:00

I did an informal poll of my friends with locks, and now that I have done a post of Natural Hair Myths, I am going to address just Sisterlock myths.

The first myth is that they are dirty- you can't wash them as often as you like.

I think all loc wearers have gotten this at one time:

Do You Wash Your Hair?

Of course you can wash your hair as often as you like.

I will say that if you wash them early in the process as a newbie it can cause slippage. The Sisterlocks would have to be redone if that occurs. But it is your hair; and if you braid and band it, the slipping will be prevented for the most part.

2nd Myth: They are not versatile.

Sisterlocks are versatile. They are not versatile in the "wanna add different chemicals and weave every other day" sense. But to date, I have done so much with my hair. You can color it, style it, and cut it. If you'd like to see my initial install consultant's photos, click here . You can style it as you would loose hair.

3rd myth: Men do not like women with locks.

It depends on the man. All the men I like, like women with locks. Would you really want to be with a man who didn't embrace your natural hair?

4th myth: They're expensive.

ok, yes Sisterlocks initially cost a whole lot of $. But please consider how much you pay on your current hairstyle now. For example, I would get my hair done almost every week for $25 and pay for weave occasionally, deep conditioning, and haircuts. Then, I would pay to style my hair at home with $ spent on flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers.

Now I only pay occasionally to get my hair retightened if I don't do it myself. In the past year, I have gotten my hair retightened only 6 times. When I multiply those 6 times times the amount I paid, it's far less than I paid at the salon and the beauty supply store 3 years ago.

Then, you must consider time is money. Instead of spending an hour on my hair every morning before work, I spend maybe 15 minutes, once every month if I want an updo or something. I do not spend the 2 -3 hours at the salon every week that I used to spend. In the past year, I have spent 1/16 of the time I spent on my hair in the years before that.

5th myth: They're too small, they'll fall off.

They are small but they won't break like some free form locks and traditional locks do. You can have a healthy set of traditional locks or free from locks though! But specifically, those locks can be more prone to breakage from over twisting at the scalp and/or weight. Interlocking the hair keeps any size locks strong and attached to the hair growing from the scalp. The smallness of the locks allows for more versatility in styling.

6th myth: People that have Sisterlocks are not natural.

This myth goes back to Natural Hair Myth Busting! . There is some ambiguity around the word natural. You don't have to be natural to have Sisterlocks. Many womyn with Sisterlocks do some very unnatural things in my opinion. My hair is natural in the sense that it grows out of my scalp without using any chemicals that straighten the hair. However, my hair is dyed. To some, this is unnatural. But many people with freeform locs, say that the constant grooming and manipulation of Sisterlocks renders them an unnatural style. I think it's important that you define the word for yourself. To me, no chemicals + no added hair = natural. I encourage you to make your own equation and share it please.

Are there any myths I left out?

SC's Natural Hair Interview

2009-02-13T20:23:00.010-05:00

Awhile ago, one of my friend's did the big chop (meaning she cut off all her relaxer). No holding on to the inches of length. No premeditated plan to grow her hair out. No transition period.

I decided to interview her. I like her quiet courage and easy going nature.

NS: Please tell me about your hair history, hairstory if you will :)?

SC: I grew up having my hair natural until I was 12. I am from Mississippi and that is just what we all did at a certain age. No one even thought of keeping their natural hair as an option.

NS: Ok, so as a teenager, after the relaxer, what styles did you wear?

SC: My first cut was a mushroom; after that I cut it short in the front, and it was long in the back.

NS: Ha! The black girl mullet! I had that cut too. Nothing after that?

SC: Nah! I'm about easy maintenance and I just put it in a ponytails. I kept telling myself that after high school, I would do more with it. Then I said that after college, I would do more. Well from age 15-32, I did the ponytail.

NS: What? Really? No weave? I have seen your hair done on occasion.

SC: I did weaves on a few occasions for special events. I got my hair done occasionally but daily I would wear a ponytail. It damaged my hair.

NS: How so? at the scalp? at the base of the ponytail?

SC: It (the ponytails) tore my hair in the middle of my head where I wore the ponytail. It broke off where the ponytail started.

NS: ok, so I understand you are a low maintenance person when it comes to your hair. But what made you think that it was the perm?

SC: I have never really been a fan of the salon or the perm. I only got perms every 3-4 months. I was ready because my hair was unhealthy. I was also going to the gym every morning like I do now. The ponytails were really getting old. Also, my husband was tired of the ponytail. Every time we were out and there was a woman with a short natural, he would introduce us and ask her about her hair.

NS: So your husband prefers natural hair?
SC: Yes. He had been mentioning it to me for awhile. I cut it off on our first wedding anniversary.
NS: ok, it is important that womyn reading my blog get that. Many womyn still think men only prefer yaki or relaxers or anything but their hair.
But what made you decide to cut it off all at once?

SC: It was time. I went to Urbanbella http://www.urbanbella.net/ ( natural hair salon) in Atlanta, and they showed me what I could do to grow it out, some styles to wear etc. Or, the lady said, we can cut it off right now. I chose the second option.

NS: How did you feel?

SC: I am still in shock (laughs).

NS: You surprised yourself huh? How is it now that it has been 7 months ago? How did your family and friends respond?

SC: As far as maintenance, it's easy. I wash my hair everyday just about with Hair Rules . I put some leave in stuff to kinda make it even when I pat it down. I love it.

My friends were just as shocked as me but were nice, lots of compliments. My mom was surprised. i went home to Mississippi and my little cousin (6 year old girl) said, "Why you got your hair like a boy?". I said, "You don't like it huh?" She said, "ut ah". LOL! At the bank, this woman (teller) referred to me as sir.

NS: Hmm, Do you feel masculine? Do you feel any different? Any changes?

SC: No! I was dressed with a cap on that day, and she didn't even look up. If anything, I walk with my head up now. I feel (pauses) stronger.

NS: Stronger?

SC: More confident. When I first got it cut, I bought some make-up. That lasted for only a month. I felt I needed to dress it up more. I dress up now a little more. When I want to be fancy, I wear a headband.

NS: LOL from a 3 hour salon trip to a headband. Makes a huge difference. Don't you love not using umbrellas and shower caps?

SC: Yeah, I love how easy it is. All kinds of people give me compliments! I workout everyday without worrying.

NS: Good! What's next? A huge fro?

SC: Well, I don't know. I just take it as it comes. I have no plans for my hair. I see my friend's hair who has dreads. They are longer and longer every time we see each other. One day, I might just lock it. But for right now, I am just liking it. Ya know I didn't even know what my curl pattern was or that I had one.

NS: Nice. Thanks for sharing your story. I know you will inspire, encourage someone.

Natural Births

2009-02-13T17:37:00.002-05:00

2 of my most favorite natural womyn inspirations had babies this year.

1.Erykah Badu gave birth to baby girl Mars Merkaba on February 4th shown here with the baby's father Jay Electronica.

On Twitter she explained that "her eyes are looking right into mine. She struggles to focus. So much in her. I wonder where she just came from. I mean ... her spirit."

Badu, who has two children from previous relationships named Seven Sirius (with Outkast's Andre 3000) and Puma Rose Sabti (with rapper the D.O.C.), did not explain the origin of the name. According to Crystalinks.com, the word Merkaba refers to a "divine light vehicle allegedly used by ascended masers to connect with and reach those in tune with the higher realms." The vehicle is described as a kind of three-dimensional Star of David that "transports spirit/body from one dimension to another." In the Bible, the Merkabah is described as a chariot made of angels with four wings and four faces that represent the four directions and take the form of a man, a lion, an ox and an eagle.

2. Lisa Bonet (Lilakoi Moon) gave birth to a baby boy on December 15th (my mom's birthday) named Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa.

This is the family minus Zoe ( Lola, Jason, Lisa pregnant with baby boy Nakoa)

Bonet gave birth on Dec. 15 to Nakoa-Wolf Manakauapo Namakaeha Momoa, as per her agent, Tracy Christian. Bonet’s longtime lover, Jason Momoa, is the star of Stargate Atlantis and his mother was the first to announce the baby’s arrival. She posted on the fan forums on her son’s official Web site and also mentioned what the baby’s unique name meant. Nakoa stands for “warrior” and Mana means “strength/spirit.” Kaua is “rain” and Po is “dark” and that refers to the day he was born (it was a bad, rainy night in Los Angeles). His middle name, Namakaeha, is the same as his dad’s. The name is pronounced Na-Ko-Ah Wolf Mana-Ka-Ooh-Ah-Po Namma-Kay-Ah-Ha Mo-Moa, a Hawaiian source told Access Hollywood.

Natural Hair Myth Busting!

2009-02-09T14:57:00.003-05:00

I decided to do a post about common myths involving Sisterlocks. But then I realize first I have to address some common myths about natural hair.

The first myth is that natural hair is not professional. And along with this myth is the myth that people with natural hair belong to certain subcultures (activists, poets, hippies or criminals).

Seeing is believing. So, first I have posted a variety of people that have natural hair. My aim here is to show that natural hair isn't a certain look that belongs to a certain type of person. From top to bottom (Rapper Lil' Wayne; Whoopi Goldberg, award winning actress and grandmother of 3 sporting a chic look by Christian Siriano ; Sanyika Calloway Boyce, a financial expert and entrepreneur who has been featured on Good Morning America; Professor and famous activist Angela Davis)

So who has natural hair? Criminals? Yes some criminals have natural hair. Please understand that I am not saying all rappers are criminals. Activist? Yes some political activist have natural hair. Conservatives? Yes some conservatives have natural hair. Lesbians? Yes some lesbians have natural hair. Lawyers? Yes some lawyers have natural hair.

When you decide to go natural or keep your natural hair, you have to consider it will be you with the natural. If you are a professional, it will be you as the professional being you are with natural hair. If you are not a rapper and you have locks, then it can't be true that only rappers have locks. Got it?

So, natural hair does not belong to a certain subculture. Natural hair belongs to the wearer.

The next myth I have heard is that natural hair is too masculine for women. Or I have heard women say men will not like me with natural hair.

This is untrue. If you are not masculine to begin with, how you wear your hair won't change that. There are plenty of attractive men of all races who not only like but prefer natural hair.

My next post is about myths specifically related to Sisterlocks.

But I would like to hear your thoughts about the myths surrounding natural hair in general.

I Am a Left-Parter? How about you?

2009-02-06T16:12:00.010-05:00

Siblings and sociologists John and Catherine Walter have researched how a person's image is affected by his or her hair part. Whether you part your hair on the left or right side of your head -- or not at all -- influences how others perceive you and possibly even how you perceive yourself. The idea behind their theory is that your hair part alters how others interact with you, thus altering how you interact with them, and so on.

Warning! The theory is a tad bit sexist, but here’s a link that discusses the study.

This is the hair-part breakdown, according to the Walters:

Men who part their hair on the left are often popular and successful. People perceive them as strong.

Women who part their hair on the left are considered reliable and intelligent. It's a smart move for those who work in politics or business.

Men who part their hair on the right are seen as radical and open. These men should be strong enough to overcome the stigma against men with this part.

Women who part their hair on the right are viewed as gentle and feminine. Because it is a more traditional style, it can affect how seriously they are taken.

People who don't part their hair, can't part their hair due to baldness or use a center part come across as trustworthy and wise.

I don't know about you. But I like my hair parted to the left with not that much scalp showing. I really dislike all my parts showing after retightening it.

How about you? Please cast your vote:

Come to This Hair Show

2009-02-04T16:53:00.003-05:00

Greetings!

The Taliah Waajid Natural Hair Show will be the first week of April.

If you are in the area and would like to participate with poetry or spoken word, here's some info:

Poet and Spoken Word artist call Sunday February 22, 2009 @3:00pm The Grounds Coffee Shop Spoken Word artist, unique entertainers and Poets Get the exposure you need.Contact: TaRon Johnson, Poet's Corner coodinator

The New Year Atlanta Sisterlocks Meet-Up

2009-02-01T20:06:00.009-05:00

Yesterday, was the first meet-up of the year. This is the first time that everyone who confirmed via RSVP came. I am so happy about that!

There were some really good conversations about professionalism and locks, blogging, and products; I always enjoy every one's lock stories. There were many who just arrived to Atlanta.

Lady C below is from Colorado:

Look how her hair grew in just 6 months:

And Amba's friend below always makes me miss my traditional locs. She has this great natural light brownish color too:

Jane Carter represented their line, a little late but worth the wait. I purchased the scalp serum .
Here are the ingredients for the scalp serum:

SCALP NOURISHING SERUM: Pure essential oils of: grapefruit, cedarwood, rosemary, ylang ylang, palmarosa, nettle, vitamins A,D,E in a hybrid safflower base.

Here are the ingredients for the leave-in conditioner:

REVITALIZING LEAVE IN: Purified Water, Extracts of Aloe Vera, Comfrey, Watercress, Myrrh, Panthenol, Essential Oils, Anthemis Noblis Flower, Symphytum OfficinalLeaf, Equisetum Arvense, Urtica Dioica (Nettle), Rosemarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Lawsonia Inermis (Henna), Butoxyethenol, Polyquarternium11, Soyamid DEA, PPG30, Cetyl Ether, Oleth-3 Phosphate, Hydantoin,

Both of these products can be found at Whole Foods. I like the Jane Carter Solution's Leave-in Conditioner. It smells good and has a light water base. I haven't used the essential oil scalp serum yet (future product review), but I know tea tree oil works like a charm at a better price.

Lush Life

2009-01-28T13:24:00.009-05:00

My new shampoo:

I have switched to this solid bar called Trichomania from Lush Cosmetics http://www.lushusa.com/. I start with damp hair and work up a nice lather scratching my scalp working from the back of my head to the front. It rinses of clean while providing minimal moisture, leaving a wonderful coconut smell that does not overpower.

It contains:
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Stearic Acid, Creamed Coconut (Cocos nucifera), Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Cocamide DEA, Lecithin, Perfume, Vetivert Oil (Vetiveria zizanoides).

All of the chemicals in green have a level of 0-2 out of 10 according to http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/ rendering the product to be mild, vegan and nearly free from carcinogens and toxins.

By contrast, the product above, Bumble and Bumble Wild Child Curl Conscious Shampoo has a ranking of 10 out of 10 on the cosmetic database. This means ingredients in this product are linked to:

Cancer
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
Violations, restrictions & warnings
Allergies/immunotoxicity
Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive),

Notice the packaging has KINKY displayed across it. Call me a conspiracy theorist but doesn't it seem odd that such a hazardous product would be marketed at one with Kinky hair?

La Dawn: Another Sisterlocks Success Story

2009-01-27T20:38:00.013-05:00

So for my next interview, I bring you my big niece who has phenomenal Sisterlocks and a very interesting hairstory.
Here she is in 2007 (shown in the middle with the highlights on the tips), approximately one year after her Sisterlocks were installed.

Dawn has only had a relaxer once in her life. She permed her hair in high school. She said that she wanted to fit in and the "mushroom" she rocked at the time was poofy. Peer pressure rears its ugly head again.

At that point, she grew her relaxed hair out in braids. After all the relaxer was removed, she grew a large Afro which she cut completely off. I asked her why she cut her fro. She replied that her son was very small at the time, and she needed a low maintenance style. "My hair has to follow my lifestyle, not the other way around", she said. What an enlightening view!

Here she is in 2005, she was going through periods of growing her natural out a few inches.

She kept it versatile with color and scarves/wraps. She still wraps her hair from time to time to keep inquisitive fingers out. ;p

Three years ago she decided to Sisterlock her hair. Excellent consultant (trainee) Jacqueline Ashby, who has been installing Sisterlocks for almost 6 years, installed Brotherlocks sized locs for her as she wanted her locks a little larger.

Now her hair has constricted to near micro Sisterlocks. And look at the growth? What a difference 3 years makes?

Dawn always wears her hair in cute styles. She curls her hair with Soft Spikes often; she also styles it regularly, rarely wearing it in a "freestyle".

I asked Dawn what were the most significant things she noticed about her locs since starting them. Here they are:

She said because she is an educational consultant, it is wonderful to see young brown girls inquire and compliment her hair. She always encourages them to explore options outside of chemicals.

Also, she would not recommend starting Sisterlocks from relaxer mainly because of alopecia she developed from Depo Provera. Depo Provera weakened follicles in an already sparse area of Dawn's head. She believes she lost hair because of the medicine. She said if she had a perm at the time, she would have attributed it to chemical damage. "Having natural hair, I was able to see what Depo was doing to my hair. Ya know what I mean? I have shed many locks. I don't mind it because those locs had a different weaker hair texture from the birth control. Now my hair is growing back strong."Dawn noted that not enough testing is done on how medications affect hair growth and cells in the long term. Her point is if you are on medications and adding chemicals to your hair, how could you narrow down any specific problems that may arise with your scalp and/or hair.

She has a very active lifestyle. She bicycles or walks to work and runs errands the same way using the transit system in Boston. She also works out almost daily alternating between swimming, yoga, and pilates in addition to having a teenage son. Sisterlocks are ideal for activity.

She shampoos her hair with Johnson's Baby Shampoo, Neutrogena, or Dr. Bronner's castile soap in Almond. Sometimes she uses a leave in spray (Trader Joe's Tea Tree) or mousse for holding curls. Less can definitely be more with products.

I asked her if she had any more things she would like to do with Sisterlocks. She said the dye kind of dried her locks out; so she doesn't think she will dye for awhile... She told me at first she thought she would grow them out for 9 years. But for now, she loves having the shorter length. She wants to explore more things to do with short Sisterlocks. She told me she has always preferred short hair, and many Sisterlocks styles are centered on length. I agree; I think more time should be dedicated to styling options for short hair with Sisterlocks across the sisterhood.

Even More Locked Inspiration

2009-01-21T17:12:00.005-05:00

I know I have been needing some locked inspiration lately. I decided to share these beautiful locs with you. Artist Salakida has some of the most beautiful locks that I have seen.

To sample her self-titled album go here:

http://www.emusic.com/album/10938/10938295.html?fref=700329

My Daddy Didn't Even Do This

2009-01-21T12:02:00.006-05:00

Photos courtesy of Clifton Green.

Ok, so awhile ago I found an article that caught my eye. It was about a White father, who happens to be an Atlantan, that does his adopted Ethiopian daughter's hair. His name is Clifton Green, and he is an outstanding guy who gave me the permission to post the photos and blog about him.

I must admit it made me a tad jealous that my dad never did my hair though he was/is always there for me.

Clifton Green believes in keeping his daughter's (Miriam's) hair natural. Yay! She initially had bald patches from malnutrition. He ended up doing her hair as his wife was pregnant at the time of Miriam's arrival. When her hair grew, he got ideas from African-American families who had children with natural hair.

This is him styling it before church. He does have a rat tail comb; but, I guess, a fork would do. She has so much hair. He is sectioning the hair with elastic bands to twist to the ends and securing the ends with barrettes.

Here is a photo of all her hair products. Amazing! You know I had to tell him about Sisterlocks and who the only thing I use is shampoo...Vaseline is a no-no. He said he prefers Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Hair.

Here is the final result:

Clifton and Miriam plan to tackle cornrows next. He wrote that he has a long way to go, lol!

Seriously Considering Sisterlocks

2009-01-15T17:57:00.005-05:00

Occasionally, I get some serious blogger love. I had to share parts of this e-mail from Tiffany because it really made my day! It also has valuable info for those who may be attempting the transition. Her words are in this color.

Sophia, I LOVE the blog and have read every post (and every blog linked to your blog).

OMG! Someone actually reads e-v-e-r-y post, even the rants, even the random ones. Whoa! And she noticed I carefully select each blog linked to my blog. I am in awe.

I have wanted locks for about 5 years, but changed my mind many times after being discouraged from those "who don't know any better" (including my husband).

We all know about the nay sayers. Liberate yourself my sistah; do what you want to do. Life is very short!

But this time I am arming myself with all the information I can, to prepare for this transition of my life.

Preparation is the best policy, ya know besides honesty.

I have been free of the chemicals for about 7 months (WoooHoo! Congrats) ,and I currently go to natural stylist every other week who does the twists/twistout, cornrows, ionic flat iron, etc (she does not do sisterlocks)........

My hair is seriously damaged around the nape area due to three straight years of excessive weave, treebraids, micros blah.blah,blah, so I am trying to get it healthy right now... My edges were almost as bad as Susan Taylors (please don't get me wrong I am not talking about Susan, I love her but the cornrows are killing her hairline). I noticed. The choir says Amen!

I really do put alot of trust in what you say, so I feel comfortable telling you that I am looking for a colsulatant in the Atlanta area to talk to.

Trust? We have this kind of relationship? Awh shucks!

It looks like you are in the sisterlocks "circle" so you know whos SLs look good, who does a good job/who does not, who is professional/who is not, who is fast/who isn't, basically--- who will be a bit patient and won't mind schooling a indecisive sister who doesn't make many decisions on her own.

ok, I am in the circle and now you are too. Please attend the next meet-up. A few consultants will always be there.

I am going to ask you to do your own research here in Atlanta. I failed to do that for a consultant and suffered some serious foolishness as you know.

I also think that you may be a bit PARTICULAR (like myself) {Who me? No! LMAO ;)} and not one exceptant of what isn't top notch. I see that you had a bus. card for your consultant, Julia, on your blog, and actually, she was the first person that I considered calling (even before I read your blog) because sheis listed in my area, but I am willing to travel where-ever in the metro Atl area for the best person.

Julia is a great consultant. She has never missed a strand and is hella fast. I know no one faster than she. But she does work from home and has a small child which may be a con for you. It didn't deter me, but I have heard others complain about that sort of thing. I like Julia also because she believes in holistic body care and has a great high energy vibe. She answered all my questions and promptly returned my phone calls. Would you believe some people didn't even call me back when I looked for a consultant?

If there are some other specific names you want to inquire about, ask away. I don't know all of them; but I have heard of most of them, which are really good or really bad.

Also, I am a teacher, and had not really planned to get my SLs until either spring break (April), or the very beginning of the summer (like after Mem. Day, in May). Would contacting a consultant now be too premature... I don't want for it to appear that I am wasting any ones time... but I am really, really interested.

It is never too early to start the interview process. Heck I bugged Brunsli for weeks with questions! LOL!

Sisterlocks are too expensive, time-consuming, and semi-permanent to really wait until the last minute to start finding a consultant. It helps to know what size/look you want, and it helps to ask specific questions that are important to you like:

How long do your retightenings take?

How much do you charge?

Are you in a salon?

Do you have locks?

Who does your locks?

May I see photos of your work? Call your clients?

It's good you teach; I really admire people in education. Also,I think your timing is good because it corresponds to the Natural Hair Show in April. There may be deals for the show.

If I didn't tell you before You are MY sisterlocks idol.... I love your style and the effort you have put into this blog is amazing....You're a sisterlock fairy godmother( They need to put you on the site:)

Thanks for the compliments; literally, I am still blushing. They would never put me on the site mainly because they don't condone using other methods of hair locking which I am open too (e.g. lock glue, Nappylocs). And also any official Sisterlocks info has to come from Dr. Joanne Cornwell. She is the Oprah of Sisterlocks. But I wish they would update it; and make it younger and more cool.

Hope to see you at the next Meet-Up Tiffany!

Cut & Color: A New Hair-Do for the Year!

2009-01-06T12:12:00.008-05:00

So, here is the cut. I cut an asymmetrical bob. The other side is shorter.

Are you seeing a color difference too? I did a very unnatural thing.

I tossed the henna to the side and pulled out the Clairol & the bleach.

And I so think it was worth it!

Guess What I Did to My Sisterlocks?!

2009-01-03T19:47:00.006-05:00

I CUT IT! Yes I did! And then,

I cut it some MORE!

Wait, I wasn't finish. I cut it even MORE:

I cut 6 inches off in some places. Less can definitely be more!

A Bittersweet New Year

2009-01-01T18:45:00.001-05:00

This year started with the loss of a beloved relative that is missed dearly. It made it hard to speak to anyone or even get out of the bed after I heard the news. But as it is said, "This too shall pass." And as my double cousin ( our dads are brothers & moms sisters) said, "The only thing we are promised is death."

Directly before the New Year, around November, I started 3 of my 4 New Year's Resolutions which are:

1. Be more organized.

I realized that I could not do this without purging clutter. I purged from all over the house but especially the closets.

So accordingly, I got rid of 8 large boxes of clothes, shoes, and accessories. I also threw away papers that were years and years old. So, I am off to a good start. It's the habits that I have that need improvement. I plan to throw away mail daily and hang up my clothes after the laundry rather than tossing them in a basket. I also reorganized my closet and bought a nifty rack for my shirts that I keep in the guest bedroom.

2. Lose weight.

I have lost around 30 pounds from the time I first got Sisterlocks. I plan to reign in on carbs, cheese, and soft drinks this year. I consistently worked out twice a week in 2008. I plan to step that up as much as possible this year. I feel motivated after watching more of the Biggest Loser marathon than I'd care to admit.

3. Develop consistency in my Spiritual Practice.

I would like to increase my temple/church time to at least twice per month. I would also like to chant/pray/meditate at least an hour daily in addition to keeping a spiritual journal. So far, I have been going to yoga class once-twice a week. I feel ready to begin my daily practice on my own.

4. Do my own Sisterlocks.

I retightened my hair myself after 3 months of growth with the Nappylocs tool. I curved it per Onyx Cherry to keep from joining my micro locks. It took me days, but I finished. The photo below is her using the small Nappylocs tool to retighten her locks. I use the micro tool and find that it is still too big for the locks around my hairline.

I like doing it myself because it's not as tight and I can cut the strands that have grown together rather than popping them apart like my consultant does. I saved around $200 which I desperately needed during these tough economic times. I see that trend continuing through the New Year. I love my consultant. No one is faster than her, and I always have good conversations with her. But doing my own hair has to be the norm for now. I will see her as an occasional treat, maybe every six months or so.

Honorable Mention: Me and my darling Heartbreaker Decepticon went on our first date this day 4 years ago!!!!!!!

Grooming- DIY

2008-12-30T17:31:00.004-05:00

Shown above: my Sisterlock before grooming

Just before the Holiday Season, I started grooming my locks here and there. I highly recommend it. I took a small scissor and cut out bunching, cut off weak parts of locks, and lint.

I am aware that many of you already do this. I am not a "neat freak" when it comes to my locks; I prefer them a bit messy so I never groomed them before now. But I like the occasional grooming since I tried it; it has made my locks look less shaggy though they are still unique.

Words of caution: Do not cut into the rotation. It will cause your locks to shed and possibly unravel.

One of my resolutions since my 18 month locksiversary was to become more of a DIY (Do-It-Yourself-er).

Mission Accomplished!

Sorry about the blurry photos. I tried to show the strands of loose hair/fuzz I cut away from the lock. The photo below shows the lock after the trim. Again sorry about the resolution of the photo.

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T17:19:00.006-05:00

Artwork by award winning illustrator Jan Spivey Gilchrist!

Today I had great fun with my extended family. I cooked, sang Christmas Carols, ate, and watched movies with the entire family today. I feel happy and tired all at once. Next year, we plan to have a formal event. Sounds fun; I volunteered to help coordinate the event.

And I hope your Christmas was Merry! I sent out some unconventional Christmas cards I bought at the Black Expo in July. I just fell in love with the artist's work. She had gorgeous waist length, free form locks too. What wasn't there to love?

Here is more of Jan Spivey Gilchrist's work:

Another Locked Inspiration- Miriam Chemmoss

2008-12-20T16:59:00.001-05:00

It's peculiar and wonderful how much inspiration is all around us that we ignore, physically and spiritually. When we are inspired, then we inspire others. Look at how the natural movement has grown.

Having said that, I would like to introduce Miriam Chemmoss, a beautiful East African singer, to those of you who could use a little locked inspiration. Admire her voice and her locks.

Holiday Party Fab

2008-12-14T09:37:00.003-05:00

So, recently me and you know who headed to a holiday party. There was veggie food, drinks, and dancing/music galore. I had a good time. See:

I did a quick lock loops set and took out the rollers with some of my hair damp. I had to because I was rushing as usual. I used a blow dryer after taking the loops out and wasn't completely satisfied with my hair when I left home. But I got lots of compliments, so I guess all is well that ends well.

My mommy made my shrug/shawl. She is such a talented seamstress. She also hemmed my pants and told me to switch earrings before I left. I appreciate having such a good mommy with style and skills. Thanks mom!

Vegan Stuffing- Delicious

2008-12-10T12:42:00.000-05:00