Guess who's back!

One year 4 months. Feels like eternity.So much has happened during this seemingly short time and now I'm back! My hair has been through so much. As you all know I started locs and I was so motivated in the beggining that I even let go and cut off the relaxed hair that I had clinged on to.

My hair texture being mostly 4a worked against this new locking venture. One month, two months, three, four........seven months and my hair would still puff into an afro after a wash. I was getting so frustrated but I kept on going, still not willing to stand down. Finally at 8 months my locs started to behave. This was after using molasses instead of gel to retwist and a little crotchet.

Things were starteing to look up. I would try to style my hair every now and then but the length was so awkward amd styling options were so limited. This really got to me. Also the fact that i couldn't wash my hair daily and that my hair seemed scarce when locked. Still, I kept going. One and a half years into it, disappointment after disappointment with my hair and hairdressers as well, I began to entertain the thought of giving up.

This was not an easy idea to toy with. I mean, I didn't even know how to do it if I wanted out. Shaving was not an option for me although my hairdressers all said that is was the only way out. I just couldn't shave!!! Honestly that was the only thing that made me stay a little longer with the locs. Deep inside my decision had been made. I searched the internet, particularly YouTube and found videos of ladies who had taken down their locs of 6yrs, some, even 10yrs! Yaaay! There was hope. I started with one just to see and sure enough after some conditioner application I was able to detangle it. My work had just began.

After that I washed my hair to remove all product then I conditioned overnight. The next day I continue what I had already started. 8 good days. That's how long it took. I was glad that I didn't make that decision any later! I expected hair loss and indeed I lost a lot of hair in the process but thank God I have lots so it's negligible. I can't explain how happy I am to have a fro. I love it. The freedom to was my hair even daily, the styling options plus my hair is fully natural. No regrets though. I am happy with my choices so far.

Moral of the post,
Yes you can undo locs
I missed posting. Glad to be back :)

May Update

Talk about one crazy month. May was a busy one so let me fill you in on what I have been up to. I finally took down my braids after struggling to stay a full month with them. I truly missed my weekly wash and deep conditioning. Just my usual hair care routine.

In terms of maintenance I just did scalp cleanses with warm water and sprayed some sheen afterwards. So far I am still going strong with my decision to lock my hair which has stirred up a lot of mixed reactions. I am happy and patient enough to wait for best results.

On wash days, which so far have not been consistent, I do (ACV) Apple Cider Vinegar rinses to get rid of build up which is now inevitable because of the gel I am using. It says no build up but....oh well...it is there :-/

So after braids I wanted to go for a different look. I did some styling and some Afro Kinky extentions since my locks are not long enough for styling. This is it.

Side bun,

Took this down a week and a half later, washed and retwisted my hair on my own! Hard work!!
This was my retwisting attempt.

Now rocking a Sleek synthetic wig so my hair still gets to breath When I'm in the house.<strange having short hair> 0-o

Still using Stylin dreads moulding gel because I am currently so confused about products. Lots of opinions out there but keeping it simple for now before they lock because too many products can actually slow down the locking process so less is more!!

A lock journey requires so much more patience than a normal hair journey. So far I continue to shock myself  with how patient I am. Still excited and motivated!!

My hair is currently a hot mess. Due for a retwist. A professional one lol! Keep it locked for more updates.

ps; I created a new page on the blog "Events" so that y'all can know what I'm up to and I can keep you posted on the events that I attend so make sure you check it out. Thank you!!
xoxo

Back and keepin it LOCKED :-)

Hi beauties! I am finally back had quite an eventful month and missed blogging but now that I have the chance, let me update you on the changes I have made. 

So for a while now I have been eyeing dreadlocks. I have always had this curiosity about locks but I never thought I would actually gather the courage to do it. Recently my curiosity and hence interest has grown significantly so I decided to take a leap of faith and do this.

Why dreadlocks? Well I am still on a hair journey and I still wanted my hair all natural so I see this as a long term hairstyle. I see dreadlocks as a very appropriate hairstyle for Africans. Our hair was made for this. So anyway dreadlocks also grow fast and long because of low manipulation. I guess I also grew tired of trying so hard to avoid heat. With dreadlocks I don't need to worry about this anymore. Quite liberating *woop woop*

So I locked my hair on the 13th of April at a salon in Nakuru town. My hairdresser used comb twisting and palm rolling method to create the locks. I first did it without big chopping my hair though I had a lot of growth. I guess I was too attached :-) A week later I had my hair washed, retwisted and braided. 

 After one week first wash and big chop. All natural now!!!

One challenge I have had so far is some kind of reaction to the bees wax and moulding gel mixture that was used. Made my scalp itchy. I have however decided to carry on the maintenance of my locks alone just like my hair journey. once my braids are out I will be washing and retwisting them myself. Bought Honey Bees wax for retwisting. Still doing more research on locks as I continue with my journey. I am happy and at peace with my decision to do dreadlocks. Cant wait for them to lock. Maintenance henceforth will be much easier.

Will keep you posted on progress! Wish me luck!! 

xoxo!

Finally Braided!

Hi lovely readers! Hope y'all had a fabulous and relaxed Easter.
I am so happy that after Lord knows how many months, I finally braided my hair! I am 7 months post relaxer now and as I always say, transitioning is quite a challenge. Also wanted to take a break from combing my hair. Staying away from heat was also part of the reason I braided. I  have also been getting tempted to relax my hair just to have a proper length check however, I choose to stay strong!!

So before braiding, I shampooed my hair with my clarifying shampoo. Did a protein treatment with Organics Hair Mayonnaise which left my growth so soft that I did not even follow up with a conditioner!! It is amazing!
After my wash, I blow dried my hair on cool setting and then oiled my scalp and hair with my coconut oil. That was my preparation process for braiding.

So this was last week on my wash day. Just wanted to show you my growth.

My new favorite protein treatment which by the way has mineral oil but it is simply amazing and my hair loves this stuff!

This is after my wash, protein treatment and blow dry 

And voila!!! My Afro kinky braids held up

Wearing my braids down 

So now that I have my braids done, I have some water on a spritz bottle to moisturize my hair and some eucalyptus and castor oil mixture in another spritz bottle which I plan to spray on my scalp. I hope to take them down after at least 3 or 4 weeks. Looking forward to exploring new and interesting ways of styling my braids. By the way you can now follow me on Pinterest. Just click on the follow button on your right! Have a fab week,

xoxo!!

HAIRDRESSER RANT!

All my life, I have been disappointed by hair dressers more often than not. Allow me to rant! I am not a trained hairdresser nor do I aspire to be one but I have had it with hairdressers! I am yet to meet a hairdresser who will tell me that I am due for a protein treatment, deep conditioning treatment, or clarifying shampoo! I never knew these things until I got to do my research on the internet. That makes me wonder what it is they teach in hairdressing school or whatever it is called! Why didn't I know about doing protein treatments and deep conditioning treatments and that there must be a balance between the two? I always thought treatment is treatment and it doesn't matter....they all have the same purpose. I never knew that I should moisturize and seal my hair. Why do they not educate us on proper hair care for black hair? Some will even go the extra mile to retouch, color and blow dry or flat iron your hair all in one day! Are there no ethics in this industry? Is the training specific on ethnic orientation of the client or is it collective? 

Another major issue I have is that the hair industry here in Kenya is so so LIMITING!!! I have been to several hair salons in this lifetime and most hairdressers are in a very limiting comfort zone!!!! Here is just one encounter. Last month I purposed to refrain from using direct heat because in January I found myself flat ironing my hair weekly (the road to transitioning can be tough). So one day I washed my hair and went to the salon for a roller set and this raised eyebrows in the salon. I was 6 months post and the hairdresser kept saying I should flat iron instead (knowing full well my heat history), she even went ahead to say that it's about time I retouched my new growth right after I had told her that I am transitioning to natural. She was not amused about my transition!!! I could care less!! So as she was putting on the rollers I happened to ask about straw sets which I though would be interesting to try out during my transition, They went ahead to tell me that a straw set can only be done on freshly relaxed hair!!! WTH?? Check out the number of You Tube tutorials on straw sets on even NATURAL HAIR!!!!! Honestly this was the last straw for me. Hairdressers should be on the forefront of creativity and healthy hair practices but all I have had this far are disappointments! For the hairdressers who know your job and you actually take your time to learn more on the job, kudos. For the ones who choose not to explore and continue with the "norm" , please look for a job that demands less creativity!

Whether you choose to be relaxed, natural, or texlaxed, that is your decision to make! Entirely up to you! Be advised on how to keep it healthy in whatever state! Do not leave your hair care to your hair dresser alone. Your hair belongs to you. You decide what goes in it and how you want it! Do not go product hopping all the time at your hairdressers. Find the products that your hair loves and stick with it.Product hopping all the time is also one of the reasons people experience breakage. Changing relaxers....Just stick to one! Complain if your braids and your weave is too tight and protect that hairline that you so love deeply! Do your research on hair and see just how much progress you can achieve by having a personal hair care routine. This post is not meant to discredit hairdressers. I just needed to let this out as a matter of observation over the years and my personal experiences.

LOVE YOUR HAIR. It belongs to you.

Happy Wednesday lovlies,

Xx

Box Braid Diva!

This young beautiful lady knows how to style her box braids. Stylish from head to toe! Click HERE to check out how Miss Vavavum styles her braids.

Be blessed!!

L'oreal Garnier BB cream Launch!

Hi beauties! Hope you all had a fab weekend like I did. I was honored to be among the bloggers invited for the L'oreal Garnier BB cream launch on Friday at Ambience Restaurant. So the BB cream is a great product made for those ladies who have such a busy lifestyle or are just lazy (like me) to do the whole beauty/ make up routine daily.

The BB cream was inspired by the Hollywood famous, Asian blemish balm used after cosmetic surgery to conceal blemishes on the skin! This cream is evens skin tone, blurs imperfections, smoothes fine lines, has SPF 15 and also moisturizes the skin. All in one! The perfect cream to get you ready for the day with just one application. Y'all should try the BB cream ladies! I love that it is not greasy and it gives the skin such a good glow! BB cream has definitely earned its place in my beauty regimen. I <3 BB !!

The event was a success, with Patricia Ithau (L'oreal East Africa Managing Director) formally launching the product, Caroline Mutoko's as the MC, ladies getting mini make overs at the make up booths. Thumbs up to Africa Practice for making it a success as well.


The beautiful Caroline Mutoko in a gorgeous red maxi dress accessorized with a gold belt and yours truly :-) in a green leso peplum dress.

Have a lovely Day and stay fabulous!
Xx