Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas All You Lovely Locked (And Unlocked) People!

Hope The Season Brings You Joys And Lots Of Time With Loved Ones!

Till Next Time, Have A Happy Holiday!

-Raxxie

Yay Me!

This is gonna be short I promise...

I found at least two buds on my ends, at least that's what I think they are. They are sizable, matted, condensed sections in the braid that I can't undo. To me, that's a bud... so... YAY ME!

Thank you, thank you. Goodnight.

Facebook: Fostering The Habit

As I've mentioned, I'm a lurker of natural hair pix! The last night as I browsed the Nappturality forums I stumbled upon a link to a Facebook group FULL of gorgeous locked folk. There are over 1000 members and 2100 pictures!

Even though this is CLEARLY unhealthy for someone like me (lol, yes I joined the group too) I decided to pass it on to my wonderful followers!

Every time I try to post links it doesn't work so I'll just type the URL and you can copy and paste it!

Enjoy!

URL: http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=2229060717&ref=mf

-Raxxie

Everybody Buds?

That's the question I posted on Nappturality.com last night. I had wondered because I'm a notorious lurker on Fotki.com and in looking at the journeys of many lockers I tend to see that softer textured napps don't have noticeable buds.

I thought that me, in my limited locking experience, was simply looking with an untrained eye. The answers I got on Nappturality pretty much confirmed my suspicions however, so I'm passing this info on to you ladies!

The verdict: Not everyone buds. It depends on your texture. I don't know how loosely textured you have to be to skip the budding step or how tightly coiled you have to be to see noticeable buds. I just find it interesting.

I'm in my third month now which means in the coming weeks (to the next couple months at most) I should be reaching the stage where I see some changes in my hair, including the emergence of buds (if I get them).

Thanks for reading ladies (and gentlemen, perhaps?). I shall indeed keep you updated from birth to maturity! If anyone has questions or suggested topics feel free to drop me a line! I love sharing what I know and looking up what I don't. Plus, I'd really like to interact with you ladies some more.

Take care, and have a GREAT holiday season!

Happy Nappiversary!!

Yesterday was my 2 year Nappiversary! It's so sad that I forget (month to month, and year to year). 2 years ago I decided I was tired of waiting for my hair to grow out the damaged ends so I cut them off.

(Before and After Shots)

That was a serious day (well, night actually) for me. My parents were not pleased but I knew why I had to do it. There was too much damage to correct and I wanted to find out what the REAL me looked like.

I played with it for a few weeks (maybe days, lol.. don't really remember) then because I was too insecure to really rock it put in braids. Then kinky twists for the next few months.



After those came out and I saw how much my hair grew it was a wrap! I went nuts for the rest of the year trying every style I saw till I fell in love with coils and braids. I wore those styles OUT! lol.

They brought me into 2009. I slacked off on the coils and stuck to braids mainly till I decided to solidify the relationship and make it permanent!

On October 12, 2009, I installed my last set of braids. Interestingly, my 2 month lociversary is the 12th and my 2 year nappiversary is the 13th! I guess I get bored towards the middle of the month and feel the urge to spice things up.

Today I stand before you on the cusp of my braidlock journey and I won't be looking back!

I have WAY more pictures on my fotki so feel free to check out my journey thus far. I love visitors.

Thanks for reading ladies!

Very Cute Loc Updo

I love this girl's tutorials! Make sure and check her out!



This is her youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/sistaanclyned



Seriously, go now... lol

Combinations

Hey everybody! Been a little while, sorry about that. Just finished exam week, and it feels so good!

Anyway, this will be short because not much has happened. Just letting you ladies know that I combined 10 of my locks. 3 in the back (where my hair is super straight) kept unwraveling. It drove me crazy because every time I washed, rinsed, or spritzed I had to redo them. So I combined them with adjacent locs. I twisted them together and knotted the ends. I hope they hold... they BETTER (lol).

I also combined 4, closer to the front because they were a little smaller than I realized.

Oh.. random piece of added info. Since I was getting slightly obsessed with retightening (I just LOVE how it looks after I retighten) I've made a vow to hold off till the new year. No more latching till January. Knowing me though, I'll probably do it on the 1st! Haha.. aww well.

Thanks for reading ladies!

Musings #5 : To Wash Or Not To Wash??

In October and part of November I washed every week. I was used to wetting my hair often so it was natural to wash that often. Then I started reading in hair boards how baby lockers should refrain from washing too often.

After reading it in numerous places I decided to stretch the time between my washes. I ended up stretching it to 3 weeks (eww). I was overjoyed when I got to the end of that period because I was DESPERATE to wash my hair at that point.

It's been another few weeks since I've shampooed (though I have rinsed a few times). This time it wasn't a conscious effort but rather a lack of time due to finals (grr!). I've experienced the look and feel of my hair after using both regimens and I've decided to go back to weekly washes.


In the beginning my hair unraveled a lot because of the water as well as the moisturizing ingredients in my spritz and shampoo.

Since then I've changed my spritz and shampoo. My hair has also condensed a bit since then and no longer has an unraveling problem (save one tediously annoying loc at my nape). I think by this point I can stand to wash more often as long as I don't over moisturize. Cleanliness is next to Godliness as they say, so I'll err on the side of cleanliness.

1st Updo Attempt!

I fear that I need to protect my ends..

From last nappiversary to this coming one (next week) I see VERY little growth and that bothers me.

I've been told that it's likely just a matter of shrinkage (which makes sense) but I think I'll protect my ends nevertheless.

At first I decided to get out my satin scarves and wrap it up everyday to protect them but after more thought I remembered that hair can be styled up as well as down (lol.. duh).

So for the rest of the winter I'll be experimenting with updos and various other styles to keep my ends off my clothes.

Hopefully when it gets warm again my hair will have passed this awkward length.

Musings #4 : Lop-Sided!

One side of my hair is noticiably longer than the other.

It didn't bother me when I was a loose natural because when it all shrunk, there was no way to tell. Now though, I can see it a lot more clearly. One side (left) hangs better than the other (right). The shorter side sticks up, which I'm not particularilty fond of.

My hair has grown a little bit since I started locking, but the left is still growing faster.

Do you ladies know if it'll even out one day or will I ultimately have to cut it evenly? I'd rather not go at my hair with scissors again.. like.. ever! (lol)

Thanks for reading!

Month 2

I'm in month 2 now.. still getting along.

I'm pretty sure that there's nothing I can do to speed along my locking journey (lol.. duh).

I guess it's something that everyone has to realize at some point. It bothered me before but now I'm just enjoying it in the stage it's in.

I see my hair changing little by little.

I'm just going to do what I know my hair needs me to do and not fret at it stretching out the locking stages.


I added glycerin to the water + peppermint EO mix. Not adding extra oils, but I need the glycerin.

Hope I can stop experimenting soon and just stick with one thing.

Thanks for reading my lovlies!

-Raxxie

1st Retightening!

Yepp, I did it.

It was last Sunday night (Nov 8). It took 3 hours (roughly) and I was pleased with the results.

I went to Walmart that evening and bought a latch hook for $1 and some change. By the way, I LOVE using the latch hook.

Some people complain that retightening takes a long time but I'm a DIYer when it comes to my hair. Always have been. It usually takes me 6-7 hours to braid my hair (not including washing time or DC time) so this 3 hour thing is NOT a problem at all. Especially considering that this was my 1st time since I KNOW I'll get faster as I go along.

Its great. I LOVE my hair!

BTW.. yesterday was the 12th... so I'm OFFICIALLY in month 2 now! Yay!

Musings #3 : More Product Discussions

I appreciate your patience ladies as I figure out this whole product thing. Every time I think I've figured it out, my hair says something different. I know it does well with the previous spritz (with the castor oil, vegetable glycerin, and aloe) but since I wanted it to mat and bud faster, I decided to let it go.

When I did let it go, my hair was all kinds of dry but it started matting! I didn't have much issue with itchy scalp because of the peppermint EO.

What I've done now is to add a little of the peppermint EO to my previous spritz after watering it down. That seems to give me the needed moisture without overdoing it.

Last week I spritz with the previous 2X and with the water+peppermint everyday. They seem to be balancing each other out which I like.

It's moisturized enough that my hair doesn't have that brillo pad thing going on, but not so much that I feel my progress slowing down.

I probably need to get a grip either way though, I can't really expect my hair to bud in the 1st month (which I'm still in). I've asked numerous people and the consensus is that they started noticing the beginning of budding at 2-3 months. Very few people I asked noticed it in their first month. Plus, my hair texture is pretty soft and loose (though still afro-worthy) so I'll let it take its time.



ps. Month 1 is all but over.. where did the time go???

4 Followers Strong!

Raxxiloxx is growing!

We are now 4 followers strong! Yay! I appreciate each of you, and I'm honored that you've decided to read along with me on my journey.

Thanks so much ladies!

SashaLocz, Yahvinah, Dahtee, Enoir.. you rock!

-Raxxie

Oye.. Swine Flu

Ok, this isn't a lock-related post.

I just feel like talking.

I haven't blogged really this week, sorry for that. I've been super busy, plus I feel germs trying to get me sick.

I've been keeping them at bay so far, gladly, but I can still feel it.

Let's just HOPE I don't come down with the dreaded SWINE FLU!

dun dun duuuuuuuun!

New Product List...

Had to reformulate:


-Water + Peppermint EO spritz

-Liquid Glycerin Soap

That's all!

Phew!

That was difficult

It's a relief at the same time too.. all I have to buy for the next two years is EO and glycerin soap! Pretty awesome!

My Ends!!!

My ends are matting! HA! I feel thick, fuzzy, masses of hair on my ends and silkier masses all down the lengths... I feel accomplished!






And the magic keeps coming...

I May Like This...

It's been a few days since I cut back on spritzing and I've noticed a difference. No more unraveling issues.

I've also been wrapping my hair at night since Sunday which has helped it look fresher in the mornings. That's great because the "slept on" look was the reason I spritzed and rinsed so often.

I got rid of my moisturizing shampoos which was hard! And even HARDER.. I've given up the conditioner! Oye.. that's hard to even type! lol. *sigh*

I fought it, I argued about it, I hummed and hawed, but I know I'll appreciate it when I see my 1st real bud.

Oh, random.. but I DID see a psudobud yesterday and just about scared my roommate to death! I was so excited! As I was playing with my hair I noticed a braid that wouldn't come undone because of matted hair at the end! HA! Triumph!

1 down.. a million to go!

Musings #2 : "Please don't lock your hair!"

So today I got my 1st negative comment with regards to my locking journey! I was sitting in class with a friend when she reached over, played with my hair a bit, then said, "Please don't dread, or lock, or whatever you call it!"

I was a little taken aback. Not that I didn't know she was opposed to me locking my hair, but I just didn't expect it right then. I laughed a little before asking but then said, "Why?"

Then she said, "Because that's what everyone's doing!"

Um.. pause... isn't that a good thing? I will admit that quite a few people have decided to lock lately, both male and female alike. But, is that suddenly a reason not to? If I were to get a perm she would have been satisfied I'm sure, even though FAR more women on campus have a perm!

Oh well, I felt a little honored to be honest. Not only will I rock my locks even harder now that I'm aware that some friends have a problem with it, (lol, rebel) I feel inducted into the fold. =P I'm "one of THOSE people" now. Ain't it grand??

Argh!

As a loose napp I LOVED wetting my hair. Water was the love of my life. Lately though I'm realizing that perhaps I shouldn't be wetting my hair daily. *sigh*

I'm seeing more unraveling than I'd like. I also think I'm spritzing too often. I'm only going to wet my hair when I wash it and cut back on my spritzing too.

Let me give it a try at spritzing once every two days.

Locking is about trial and error... So here goes...

2 Week Mark (well.. tomorrow) And Lovin It

Photo: 1 Week Later =) | 2009 (Oct - Dec) album | Raxxiloxx [New Journey] | Fotki.com

Pleasant Surprise..

After the one conditioner rinse I did, I've noticed how much better my hair absorbs my spritz. Before, it felt more like it was sitting on top of my hair. Now it seems to soak it in. Its retaining more moisture now. Yay!

So I'll be using it again. Wash and conditioner rinse my hair once a week, then spritz daily.

It feels so good, I can't keep my hands out of it! Lol.

I should revamp my products list

I Did It!!!

Ok, so I did it. I conditioned. I diluted conditioner (Giovanni: Smooth As Silk) in a spray bottle and saturated my hair with it. Then I rinsed it off in the shower. I HAD to! My hair was way more dry than necessary.

The reasons I'd read for not using conditioner were all related to build-up and unraveling. I have braids so there's little risk of unraveling and I diluted it (a LOT) and rinsed thoroughly. I'm not terribly worried about build-up, plus there are ways to combat it if need be.

Nevertheless.. my hair feels GREAT now. lol. SOOOO much softer, no brillo-pad ends for me.

I don't think I'll do this too often, just in case.

1st Wash

So yesterday morning I did my 1st wash post-installation. I was happy when I did it (cuz it felt clean), but today not so much. My hair feels SUPER dry! I'm gonna have to figure something out here with moisture retention for this winter.. hmm.. I might dilute some conditioner in a spray bottle and try that.. I'll just spray it in before my next shower and rinse thoroughly.. we'll see..

Musings #1

What have I noticed thus far? My hair doesn't lay down as it used to. Conditioner and shea butter used to make it lay down. It defies gravity. Anyone else notice this happen?

Raxxiloxx : Fotki Page... come check me out!

Photo: Finished Braids | 4th Quarter - Braidlocks??? album | Raxxiloxx [New Journey] | Fotki.com

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Starter Products

Ok, so what am I using to do this?

Shampoo and spritz (that's it)

Shampoo: Giovanni Smooth as Silk - for now I'll stick with that, mostly to finish the bottle. Its a pretty good shampoo (not my favorite from the line), and it's a natural shampoo with good ingredients

Spritz: Water, Soy & Canola Oil (its all i had), Aloe Vera Gel, & Vegetable Glycerin - Still tweaking the ratios but it's doing the trick for the most part

For now, this is what I use. I know it'll change in time because right now I', just trying to finish my old shampoo bottles.

Routine: Wash weekly with shampoo
Rinse (while in the shower) and spritz daily

That's it so far. Can't wait for my 1st re-tightening! Yay!

1st Week.. Yay!

It's been almost a week since I got started.

I began on Monday October 12, 2009. I did the braids myself. Some people number their starter locks, I however did not.. Lol.

One of the things I learned in my reading is that in the beginning, conditioner is the enemy leave ins especially, they cause buildup). Routines should be simple and everything needs to be kept clean.

As a loose natural I fell in love with my conditioner so this was a little hard for me to grasp but I gave it a try.

Surprisingly I've been spritzing daily and rinsing daily (in the shower) and I haven't missed the conditioner at all! I thought my hair would be super dry but it isn't.

Week one down, 100 million to go... http://public.fotki.com/Raxxie/

And So It Begins...

I JUST started my locking journey and decided to start this blog. Reasons? Well, there are many! 1st, I'm a braidlocker. There are a few blogs available with information out there but I found so few (even fewer that were current) that I figured there was a need for a current resource. 2nd, other than personal photo galleries, there are few documentations of what to expect in your first few years of locking. And the 3rd reason? I'm just excited! =) Stay tuned!