What A Difference A Year Makes!

I found myself feeling a little down about my locks recently.  I don't know why, but I was feeling like they weren't growing like they should.  Anyway, I decided to take a picture to see how my locks have progressed since last year and I'm amazed.  I can't believe how much thicker and longer my locks are!  It just goes to show sometimes you have to take a step back from scrutinizing your locks in the mirror and look at the bigger picture. My spirits are lifted and I'm learning to be patient.  The top picture was taken March 2011 and the bottom March 2012.  I love my locks through it all :)  p.s.  I have also lost 10 pounds, just a side note :-D

Product Rave: Rusk Sensories Purify Shampoo

I'm really loving this shampoo!  I bought it to replace Suave Daily Clarifying and it's working better than any clarifying shampoo I've tried to date.

Rusk Sensories Purify shampoo cleanses my hair while refreshing my scalp with pumpkin seed, tea trea and peppermint oils.  The essential oils are near the top of the ingredients list.  My scalp hasn't felt this fresh in a long time.  It felt as if the shampoo penetrated into my hair follicles and removed all the build up that has been going on for some time.  The sensation was ahhhh-mazing.  My scalp felt "tinglely" for hours after usng this awesome shampoo.  It also smells very refreshing, like a mixture of citrus and mint. 

It's a very concentrated and thick shampoo, so diluting it is a must.  I mix a couple tablespoons with 16-18 oz of water, then spray it through my locs.  Although it's diluted, it produces a very rich, dense lather.  I had a huge "lather afro" happening in the shower.  It rinses out cleanly and easily, so there's no build up.  I've found a winner! 

The company says:

"Rusk Sensories Purify Cucurbita and Tea Tree Oil Deep Cleansing Shampoo awakens the senses while providing a natural, deep cleansing that wakes up the hair.  Specially formulated with cucurbita and tea tree oil, Purify shampoo adds vitality and luster, while ridding the hair and scalp of impurities. Purify is ideal for problem scalps that are oily, flaky, or have dandruff.  All Sensories products feature Compressed Formula Technology.  CFT enhances and expands the user's sensory experience.  Use 30-50% less product and achieve twice the performance."

Directions:  Apply to wet hair and massage in thoroughly.  Rinse completely.  Repeat if desired.

Ingredients:  Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Lauamide MEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Panthenol, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Keratin Amino Acids, Melaleuca Alternifolia(Tea Tree) leaf oil, Mentha Piperita(Peppermint) Oil, Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, fragrance, Benzophenone-4, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Propylene Glycol, PPG-33 Buteth-45, Methychloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Green 5 (CL 61570), Yellow 5 (Cl 19140), Hexyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Limonene, Hydroxylsohexl3-Cyclohexene Carboxaldehyde, Linalool.

Updated Regimen

My hair was in desperate need for moisture and protein, so this month I decided to upgrade my hair products. 

Eight Months In

July 21, 2011 made eight months I've been locked.  I'm starting to notice fewer curly ends and more sealed ends.  I'm having issues with my newly retightened hair unraveling when I wash, so I still have to braid and band.  I've also started using diluted conditioner on my hair.  We'll see how that goes.  Still loving my locs!

Loc Video

Here is a video that I made concerning my locs:

The first video is a slideshow of my first 5 months locked. 

Month 6: The Locs are on AutoPilot

Sometimes it seems as if my hair was specially created for locking.  This is the path of least resistance because my hair has never been this hassle free.  This is the way beauty should be:  effortless.

The locs are doing great this month.  I did have some scalp problems and build-up, but that's old news now.  I solved my build up problems with Suave Daily Clarifying shampoo and the dryness with Kenra moisturizing shampoo.  My first time using a moisturizing shampoo was awesome.  It didn't leave any buildup and it gave my hair the moisture it was craving.  I plan to use the moisturizing shampoo as a "conditioner" for now.  I've also started oiling my hair and scalp, which is something I didn't do in the beginning.  My hair feels awesome and so do I.

Freshly washed and retightened on May 21

The locs have entered the "swelling" phase.  There's no turning back now.  Notice how the braid pattern is completely gone.

Month 5: Scalp Issues

April makes 5 months that I have been locked.  It's going great except for my scalp issues.  I learned the hard way of the importance of using the right products for locks.  I found it's best to use water thin products that do not leave a film/build-up.  I tried a new leave-in and my scalp went crazy.  I looked at the ingredients and the leave-in contained dimethicone.  Never again. 

Luckily,  I got the flaking under control.  I now do extended rinsing (rinse for 5 minutes before and after shampoooing) in addition to my usual routine and it really made the difference.  My hair has body and my scalp is relieved.

I hit another milestone this month.  The braid pattern is disappearing.  My husband commented that my hair looks like locks instead of braids.  Very happy about that.    

Freshly washed and retightened.  The left side is on a growth spurt. 

The braid pattern is finally disappearing at the crown.  The pattern is long gone everywhere else.