Diary of a Thin Hair Sister

I am right at the beginning of my sisterlocks 'journey' and very pleased and proud that I finally made the decision. Being a tad surprised (shocked?) at my thin hair, I thought that I would chart my progress and share my experience with a community of people both looking to start or already on their sisterlock voyage. (Do not make copies of my photos!!)

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Did I Really Mean Thin?



Well, maybe I need to clarify. A few bloggers have asked me about the title of my blog. I started my blog a week after I had my sisterlocks installed, and like many people, I flipped out when I saw how thin my hair appeared. I have explained in other posts that I was a career consumer of hair extensions. I got my first hair weave at the end of 10th grade. Although I helped to make the hair weave sexy, wearing them began a process of me hiding behind hair that lasted until I got my sisterlocks.

You can imagine how long that was...

Although I did not have a relaxer, stress from the braiding and the weight from the extensions also damaged my hair in several areas.

So I ended up with less than 400 locks, if the average 420-450 locks is any measure.


Like most of us who poured over blog photos (especially Leighann's), before the boom in sisterlock blogs, I couldn't wait for my head full of locks. I think I underestimated what the early stages would be like... I do think that using the term "thin" in the blog title may have been jumping the gun, but at least those who see the blog can gauge how my locks are progressing.



The picture above shows how my locks looked after a soft spike set when my locks were just a few months old. The difference is amazing.

The picture below shows an updo from earlier this week. The other picture above shows an updo after just a couple of months with sisterlocks. You can appreciate how much my hair has changed in less than 2 years.


Friday, May 23, 2008

Oh the Soft Spikes...



In all the discussions about Soft Spikes, Loc Loops, perm rods, sponge rollers, flex rods, pipe cleaners, etc., my only question is:
Is it possible to make a curler that is not too small and not too large? My Goldilocks-quest for the right-sized curler is never-ending.

At any rate, I took pictures of me before the Soft Spikes





And me after






The curls were so tight, I had to put them in a bun (with someone's forgotten jacket...)

Thursday, May 22, 2008

The Incredible Hulk Effect



So another nice non-revision activity is cutting T-shirts. (No make-up on my face in that photo. Love me....). For this one:
1. Lay the shirt flat
2. Cut off the bottom hem
3. Cut another .5 inch off the bottom
4. With the two pieces you have now cut off, you should have two loops. Pull them a couple times to stretch them, then snip each one once so that you have two long strands.
5. Cut off each side of the shirt from the bottom to the top, removing the sleeves in the process. (Remember that you have sexy curves and lovely lady lumps!). You should have something that looks like a smock (or poncho)
6. Make tiny holes about 1.5 inch apart up the sides of the shirt (to the armpit). These holes will be used for threading the shirt together at the sides.
7. With the two long strands, thread the holes on the sides.
8. Try on the shirt and make any necessary adjustments.
* I took a piece of discarded fabric to tighten the area around the collar. Now you two have a stunning, hip, very L.A., rocker T-shirt, and you have avoided revising your dissertation too! Enjoy......

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Stick a Flower In It...



So, the countdown is on... One week until the dissertation is submitted! I am supposed to be revising right now, but, sorry, no more gas (have you seen the prices...ha ha...)!

I am going to try to hold pace with our favorite hair diva Brunsli and post something each day. I think that this will help me accomplish some important things during the next week of finalizing the dissertation:

1. Keep revising to a minimum (why overdo it?)
2. Begin looking for interesting things (on my person) to photograph
3. Read the camera's manual
4. Do something enjoyable each day (that does not include revising)
5. Reflect on revising (without actively doing it)
6. Find a date (hey, how did that get into this list?!)

For example, my dear friends are so creative, they made these pretty hair clips. I stuck a flower in my hair the other day to generate some excitement about Monday. People asked if I was going for a Spanish look. Some said I looked like Spring. Others just looked at the flower stuck in the back of my head. I thought it was cute. The bun is really messy, which works in SoCal, and the lock + flower combination is way cute.