Blog Fail!

So... *twiddles thumbs* it's been a couple months now and I'm supposed to be well into a blog change that was supposed to help me write short posts 5 days a week. You know: 

Yeah, that idea failed... with the exception of Book Review Tuesdays. (I actually really enjoy talking about books on here.) I believe that the main reason why that idea didn't work out as well as I thought was because I kept running out of ideas. (Again with the exception of posting book reviews.) Consider the aforementioned disbanded.

Well, back to the idea board!

Loc'd Up Thursdays: Locs and Summer

Hey all! I know it's been a while. It's the middle of June and warm weather is here to stay. Thank goodness!

My maintenance for my locs changes a bit in the summer. Instead of using a mixture of coconut, olive and castor oil, I stick to using coconut oil. It's a much lighter oil that stays a liquid at room temp. I usually apply it every couple of days instead of every other day.

You know what's also good for locs? WATER! Drinking it and spritzing it on your locs when you wake up in the morning. Ahhh, moisture! Whether the weather is cool, hot, humid, rainy or windy, your body needs water.

Might I suggest the app "Plant Nanny" if you need reminders...

Now that my hair is longer, I have more occasions where I need to get my hair off of my neck and face. I've love my locs but they sure know how to make me hot. (Also, when it's humid and my hair brushes up against my neck and shoulders I'm more likely to think that some giant bug is crawling on me.)

So, to remedy that, I do my version of messy bun. It's my go to do when I'm chilling at home, showering or sleeping. Nothing is ever tight. It's always very loose and I make sure that the bun is on top and not "slouching" so that it pulls on the locs in the front.

I think my profile looks funny

As far as washing, I still stick to washing my hair once a week and I still use Shea Moisture's African Black Soap Shampoo. I still do a deep clean ACV rinse every 1-2 months when I'm ready to retwist them, followed with a wash and conditioner. 

To this day I still retwist with water and it works for me. Not only is there less gunk to wash out later, but I save money by not having to go out and buy loc gel. I will say that I have used it a couple of times to retwist locs in the back of my hair (where the hair is much softer and the curl pattern is looser) that have come undone a day or two after I retwisted my locs . I don't do this often, only when water has proven not to work.

And that's it for now. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them in the comment box below or on my Facebook page. :)

Loc'd Up Thursdays: "Can I Touch Your Hair?"

You're going about your day, locs (or natural hair) looking good and fresh, when someone you don't know or barely know comes up to you with bright, wide eyes and asks:

"Can I touch your hair?"

How would you answer? Honestly. Would you say yes, no or walk away without responding?

Me? My first instinct would be to say no simply because you're a foreigner in my introvert bubble. But there are times when I might make an exception. For example, if it's a family member or friend, if it's a small child that has asked nicely or someone who has asked me about my hair and shows a genuine interest in learning about something that's different.

Some people perceive another person touching their hair as a negative thing. The idea of another stranger entering their personal space simply to touch hair that looks different makes them uncomfortable. It makes them feel like an animal in a petting zoo. And the feeling is very valid.

I can also see things through a different lens, too. I understand that some people are truly curious. They just want to know more about our hair and some people are in awe. Black people, women in particular, are rising up and learning to accept their God given skin color and hair type as something that's unique and beautiful. Our hair texture doesn't look, feel, or behave like what is so commonly shown in the media. I believe that if Black natural hair on women and men were shown in the media just as often as Non-Black hair then there would be little need for this topic.

So if my saying yes to a curious person helps them appreciate differences, then I will say yes. That doesn't mean that my answer to anyone will always be yes. I could be having a bad hair day and my answer to anyone including family and close friends will be no. It just means that I am a little more open towards helping others appreciate differences.

DISCLAIMER: This does NOT mean that Barb is giving you permission to go up to a random black woman's hair and just touch it. Children included. Not only is it beyond rude but you run the chance of getting chewed out or slapped back into last week. Can't say I didn't warn you. The best course of action is to ask. If they say no, accept their answer, respect their wishes, and move on. If they say yes, don't run your hands through their hair like you're their lover. Touch the ends of the hair gently. If you're sick, just touched something sticky or didn't wash your hands after using the bathroom, please don't bother asking at all.

Loc'd Up Thursdays: 3 Simple Tips

Hey loc-lovers, I just wanted to share a few helpful tips that I've learned over the years.

3 Super Simple Tips for Loc Wearers

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Use a small, empty applicator bottle to make oiling your scalp and roots easier. It's even better if you can get one that has a top to help prevent spills.

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When it's cold outside and your locs are starting to feel dry, add some coconut oil to your oil mixture.

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Stuck in a bad-smelling environment, be sure to wrap your locs up to help keep them smelling fresh and clean.

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Have any tips to add, feel free to comment. :)

Loc'd Up Thursdays - The "Ugly" Stage

Created via fotor.com

What's up loc-wearers?? It's a new day and I want Thursday posts to be all about locs. Styles, maintenance, personal updates, products, tips, etc. So, let's get to it! Just a quick reminder, I'm not a loctician. I am simply someone sharing their experiences. What works for me may not work for you and vice versa.

In the past few weeks, I've had two people ask me about my locs. Both individuals wanted to know how long I've had them, if I maintain them myself and how I got past the "ugly" stage.

What is the "ugly" stage, anyways? It's like puberty for locs. They do whatever they want. At this point, only the ends of the locs are developing that matted, interlocking appearance while the rest of the locs have yet to catch up. This means that locs won't always lay down and can stick up or out at odd angles.

So how do you skip over it? Some people do loc extensions but since I know absolutely nothing about that process, I won't suggest it to you. All I can say is that you have to ride it through. The "ugly" stage is a growing phase for your hair and for you. It is a test of confidence and patience. Things that are good-looking and beautiful don't pop up overnight. There's always a growing stage whether you see it or not. So when you're feeling self-conscious about your locs, don't threaten to get the scissors. Embrace its current stage and take extra special care of them. Before you know it, they'll be longer and have a more mature appearance.

In the mean time grab a spray bottle of water and visit YouTube for style tutorials. Experiment with head wraps. (Not everyday!) Invest in some hair pins when you really need to maintain a neat appearance. Talk to a loctician about coloring. Head over to Etsy or Amazon for some loc jewelry. Treat yourself to a scalp massage. Write an ode to your locs.

Remember, when feel like your locs aren't looking up to par, don't forget to put on an extra dose of confidence before leaving the house. Every loc model on social media or loc'd person in public had to go through some sort of "ugly" stage. Just rock it and keep being the best you you can be. You just may get a compliment from a loc-admirer who may be too afraid to start their journey. 😉