My new Braidlocks!

Hello again. After hours of researching (in nappturality and other people's blogs) I finally got my braidlocks installed. While I am happy that I got them done and the freedom they offer me, I am not pleased, however, that she didn't do what I asked. Before I start griping about my experience, I want to say some positive things first. I like being able to spend only 5 minutes styling my hair. I am proud to embrace my nappiness and wear it like a badge of honor. I no longer feel like I'm trying to be something or someone God didn't intend me to be. I feel like my hair, like me, is beautiful in it's natural state. My perception of permies' hair has changed. I used to think of their hair (my former hair) as neat and acceptable and beautiful. Now I see it as broken. You see, in order to get nappy hair straight, you have to break it's natural structure. Weaken it. Our hair is never stronger than in it's natural state. I have been transformed. I have transcended from my former ideal of beautiful hair. Having said that, I will now tell you why I'm not happy with my hair.

First of all, I can braid hair myself. See the photos of my daughter's braidlocks and that will remove any lingering doubt. In fact, I did her hair exactly how I wanted my to be done. I didn't do my own braids because I knew I wouldn't have time to do my own and it would be difficult Before picking out what I thought was the right braider, I called around, asked questions, explained what I wanted and showed her photos when I went for consult. Based upon what she told me, I thought she understood where I was going. Well, she made the part base or grid too big. I told her that I wanted micro sized braids with small bases. I explained to her that the braids will eventually swell and will correspond with the grid's base size. Anyway, about 70% of my head is done incorrectly. I paid her $90 and I still have to go behind what she did and break them down from 1 to 3 or sometimes 4 braids. I'm not a happy girl. The whole point of having someone else do it was so I would get what I wanted and save myself some time. I got neither. The only reason I'm posting my photos is because I may want to look back on this moment one day, but I was so upset with my hair that I didn't even want to take the photos in the first place. I was going for the micro lock look. I can't even find someone willing to help me with my re-braid and my budget won't allow for another salon visit. I'm disappointed. I'll update later. Anyhow, check out the pics.

My Daughter's Lock Journey Has Begun!!

omg! that's the basic reaction to my daughter's hair. she is now braidlocked (bradeloc'd)! it took me exactly 7 days. yes, an entire week to install her microlocks. because she was still attending school and i'm still breastfeeding my other baby girl (7 mos. old), i could only do a couple hours a night.I wanted them to be micro/small. the outer perimeter are smaller than the middle of her head. she LOVES them! they fit her personality. i love the styling freedom and the endless options. i owe all of you ladies out there a debt of gratitude for being generous with your shared stories, trials and tribulations, tips and tricks. you have helped us establish a new chapter in our lives. i am posting some before/during/after photos. i enjoy watching her hair every day it seems to change each day in some form. i just look at her and smile and i know we made the right choice. i already heard a naysayer mention that "...dreads aren't supposed to be that small". i rolled my eyes. this comes from a permie who wears long flowing weaves more often than not. what i wanted to say was, "no, our hair isn't supposed to be Caucasian straight. if it were to be so, it would grow out of our scalps that way and you wouldn't have to buy it from the store." but being me, polite and soft-spoken (most of the time), i kept this to myself. perhaps the next person who mentions something like that won't escape so easily. to borrow again from that often quoted statement made by marcus garvey : remove the kinks from your brain, not your hair!

*help*please*

i spent another weekend obsessing over locs. i stalked just about every blog relating to all types of different locs! with each one i am more inspired, although i am still a bit apprehensive. i don't know why exactly. i've been natural for 5+ years already. i am pretty comfortable with my natural hair. i just think i need to talk to someone who actually has locs. i think i need a little push to get me off the fence. problem is, no one has replied to my requests nor comments. i visit other blogs and i leave comments and questions in hopes that at least Some One will communicate with me. so far, no good. (sigh) *help*please*

i went to anais karim's fotki and was amazed at her hair! she started out with micro bradelocz. i want mine to be that size for styling flexibility, however, i don't know if i can maintain it by myself.

i did a few test locs on myself. (i misplaced my camera and will post the pics soon) i made teeny tiny twists and used a small amount of styling gel to keep them together. i must say that i liked the result! i expected the ends to curl and wave but i didn't expect the entire length of my hair to do it too. my hair looks like very slim telephone cords. lol. my husband admired them and my 8 year old daughter liked them so much she wants me to do hers too! i will be looking on the web for little girls who have micro locs to show her what she can expect. i'm confident that i can maintain her locs. i'll be using the latching method. i never put relaxer in her hair. i tried to instill in her the true beauty of her natural hair. i'm glad to see that she likes locs.