...And then there were NONE!

So, I made the tough decision to comb-out BG "S" locs <tear>.  What?! Why?!  It was an easy but tough decision to make, if that makes sense.  I loved, loved BG "S" locs and the were growing so beautifully but I had some concerns which at the end of the day led to my decision.

For those who know or don't know, over-twisting, product build-up and lint can lead to the detriment of a persons locs.  Locs can literally collect everything from lint to food and the list goes on. Lint embedding into the locs and build-up can lead to your locs looking messy.  Over-twisting can cause thinning which later leads to breakage.  So I'm sure you can imagine how difficult it is to keep lint out of a 2 year old's head (and she happens to be a very active 2 year old).  I was constantly picking at her hair like Mother Hen and re-twisting because she would mess here hair up by rubbing her hands in it (something she's been doing since infancy).  I would get frustrated when she would roll on the floor because I "just" did her hair (she only keeps her scarf on at bedtime).  But I had to remember, she is just being a kid and I don't want to restrict her from doing just that. I want her to still have fun without me constantly picking at her hair just for the sake of keeping her locs in tip-top shape.

I am happy to have gone through this experience with my daughter and can't wait until she gets older (5 or 6) to try again!  By that time she will be old enough to decide as well.  I LOVE locs and I still think locs are great for kids but recommend waiting until about age 5 or 6.  It was certainly an accomplishment to put them in and remove them. In the meantime, we are going to enjoy her loose natural tresses!

The Process of Removing

I did a clarifying wash and conditioning before beginning.  I placed the hair in sections to make it easier to work with .  I started in the back and coated each loc with Qhemet Biologics Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee , I then took an individual loc and soaked it with conditioner and water and began combing it out.  It took 10-20 minutes to comb down one.  I was very gentle and did not pull roughly at the hair.  So after 19 hours beginning on on Saturday, I SUCCESSFULLY removed BG "S" locs!!!!! I had no idea what I was up against, her hair had already completely loc'd.  Her hair currently has a weird feeling and  is really dry but I'm sure after a few deep conditions we'll be back in business.  So project "Healthy Hair Back", here we come...

Here are some pics of the process...

‎1. All Loc'd Up @ 2.5 months

2. In the works, the tedious process!

3. A completely formed loc saturated with conditioner

4. Loc combed out and hair full length

5. Shrinkage

6. Curls are still there and poppin :)

7. An overworked spray bottled filled with conditioner & water, lol 

8. All the hair lost in the removal process, not too bad for 2.5 months of no shedding or combing (all the white is dried up conditioner)

BG "S" 1 Month Loc Update & Products

I am so loving her locs and she loves shaking em', lol!
Her locs officially turned 1 month on September 27, 2012.  This update is super late but here it is...

Stay tuned for BG "S" 2 Month Loc Update...

Deep Conditioning Locs w/ Homemade Deep Conditioner

I love, love, love this deep conditioner.  It leaves the hair so soft and super moisturized.  Not to mention it has to be one of the easiest recipes I've ever done!  Deep Conditioning has always been apart of BG "S" hair regimen but not since loc'ing.  As many of you know or don't know, one of my favorite store bought deep conditioners is the Shea Moisture Organic Yucca & Baobab Anti-Breakage Masque.  I am a little nervous to use this product due to the possibility of buildup in the locs since its so thick and creamy.   So for now this homemade deep conditioner will be our new deep conditioner. After all her locs is still HAIR and her hair LOVES some coconut oil :)

Deep conditioning the hair have MANY benefits. Check out the benefits of deep conditioning your hair HERE.

What is your favorite homemade deep conditioner?

Our Very 1st YouTube Video on BG "S" Starter Locs

I'm so excited we got our very 1st YouTube video posted!!!

Please check it out and Suscribe to our Channel ;-)

Thanks and Stay Tuned...

**BG "S" Loc Journey: 2nd Loc Set w/ Comb Coils**

After doing additional research I decided to "do-away" with the first set of starter locs (two-strand twists) and decided to start over with comb coils.  Why?  Well, since I will be maintaining BG "S" locs, I thought this would be the best method.  Comb Coils usually turn out with uniform width and length,  two-strand twists on the other hand may form to be different sizes and it takes a little longer for the two-strand twists pattern to go away, in some cases you have to cut the pattern off from the ends once the hair grows out.

After only 2.5 weeks her two-strand twist were already beginning to "loc" together.  Before I decided to take this new loc journey, I made the mistake of applying a spray leave-in conditioner after washing the hair --a big NO NO for the beginning stages of loc'ing.  Needless to say it worked in my favor because the take down process was a breeze since the leave-in aided in detangling the hair.

As I removed a twist, I simply replaced it with a comb coil after detangling that section, some sections were broken down into smaller sections. This was my very first attempt at comb coils and I am very pleased with the outcome.

I learned how to do Comb Coils by watching a video by CHVC

This is a pic of the process...

Products Used:

Rat-tail comb and Angle comb

Spray Bottle (Distilled Water & Rosemary EO)

Single Prong Clips

Taliah Waajid Lock It Up-Tight Hold (Review to Come)

 BG "S" new Loc Journey officially began on 8/27/12...

Stay Tuned...video to follow :-)

The Beginning of BG "S" Loc Journey =)

As most of you know from the post titled, Loc'ing Your Child's Hair...Yay or Nay? ,we decided to loc BG "S" hair.  Yay!! I am so excited and looking forward to this new hair journey.  Before twisting her hair, I simply followed BG "S" Hair Care Regimen.  BG "S"  loc start date was Tuesday August 8th, 2012.  The pictures below show the process of completing her two-strand twists along with a couple of styles her first week. I used Qhemet Biologics Aethiopika Hydrate & Twist Butter to twist the hair (love, love, love this stuff...review to come). I also did a lot of splitting, re-parting and combining the first week and a half to ensure the locs will be uniformed as much as possible...stay tuned!!!   

  It took a total of 7 hours over 3 days to complete, she has some really THICK hair!  The botton right picture shows me splitting the bottom row into smaller twists (btw, look at that definition!) 

Ponytails

Ponytails

Ponytail w/ a Bang

Loc'ing Your Child's Hair...Yay or Nay?

I love natural hair but I absolutely LOVE locs.  I have been natural for 8 years and loc'd for 7 years.  I have no regrets and have never looked back.   In our home we have always discussed the idea of loc'ing our daughters' hair.  My husband also have locs and have been loc'd for 13 years, so he loves the idea for many reasons.

My oldest is at a very impressionable age and has expressed interest in wanting locs and ask for them often but I am not sure if her mom will be on board.  My youngest doesn't really pay much
attention to her hair but always says, "Mommy, I like you hair", while touching it, lol.  Random people often ask me if I am going to loc BG "S" hair because its almost always in two-strand twists and of course because they see me loc'd and my answer have always been YES. So here goes....I began two strand twisting BG "S" hair last night and will finish tonight, so I am going to see where this takes us.  I may start her locs with this set of twists or maybe another set depending on how the spacing and size looks when I am done.  Why do I want to loc my daughter's hair you ask, its simple: Locs in itself are beautiful and it is a style that I like & love and I believe it is something she will love as well--just as you like cornrows, puffs, twists, twist-outs, braids, ponytails, etc. and style your child's hair as such.  This is not based on convenience, as I currently take excellent care of their hair.  If it turns out to be something she doesn't like, I am okay with that and we will take them out!

It is interesting to me that parents always say they want it to be their kids decision about loc'ing but decide on everything else for their kids. Parents make the decision to press, flat iron, perm, curl, add "fake" hair and so much more without the kids decision but when it comes to locs its different.  Why is this?

Some quick facts about locs: Contrary to what people believe, locs are very versatile.  Locs are not at all painful to get done if you take care of them and keep them maintained regularly.  It is not painful for a child to get locs. Although locs are low maintenance, they still need to be cared for, after all it is still hair.  Locs can be taken out, it does however require time and diligence.  There are tons of videos on YouTube showing how to remove locs.  If that method is overwhelming, you can let the hair grow out a bit and then cut them, you can even get braids or twists with added hair until the hair grows to desired length.  Proper methods and products are important for the care of locs and yes locs do need to be washed!  With proper care, your child will have beautiful and healthy locs.

 If you are still uncertain whether or not locs are for your child, simply do your research until you're comfortable. Locs aren't a good fit for everyone and should never be used as a way to "manage" a child's hair, that makes it no different than relaxing at that point.  I believe you should have an appreciation and positive attitude towards locs so that same attitude will exude through your child. Its just hair folks! =)

Loc'd and Loving It

Look at these loc'd beauties...

VIDEOS

**This Video is Such an Inspiration**

**Removing Locs on a Child**

Yay or Nay to loc'ing your child's hair? Why?