Abena's Pages

"Natural Beauties Who Follow My Blog"

Saturday, February 28, 2009

Coloring Locks: "I need your help!!!!"


I am finally ready to color my hair but I need to hear from those of you who have colored your locks.......what coloring products works best with locks? I have dark hair, my natural color is jet black, so I have colored in the past and the color did not take, so I also need something that will take. Finally, I do not want anything that is harsh on the hair (ammonia, peroxide etc.). I did try the Dark and Lovely Reviving colors Ebone Brown, but it did not take, I was so disappointed :( That is why I need your help. Below are some of the products I am considering. I had a locktician tell me that Clairols Textures & Tones is the best product, and I went searching for it and could not find it anywhere. Any suggestions??????

I was on Blaq's blog and I got a lot of great information. (Thanks Blaq for taking the time to post about coloring) By the way, your color looks BEA-U-T-I-FUL!!!

"Spotlight" by Abena

Greetings,

Look what I found!!!!! I have been searching high and low for something comfortable, cute, satin, and fits all of my hair to sleep in and I finally found the perfect item; It is called "The Goddess Hair Pouch." I actually found it by accident, I was in Empire Beauty Supply looking for hair color (yes I have finally decided to color my locks but I will do a seperate post on that) and I looked over along the wall and saw this wonderful product. I was so excited!!!
I just bought it today and wore it around the house and it is perfect. It was only $5.99. I am kicking myself because I only purchased one because I was not sure if it was going to work but it did. Unfortunately where I purchased it is an hour away from my house so I will be making a trip next weekend and hopefully they will still have more so that I can stock up. I should have followed my instincts and purchased more than one, I always do that and then when I return to purchase more of the products they have run out or discontinued it (Am I the only one this happens to???), I guess that is the cost you pay for being FRUGILE :) Hopefully, I will be more fortunate and when I return I can purchase a few more.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

"Spotlight" by Abena

Q: What is Sisterlocks™
A: Sisterlocks™ is a natural hair management system that allows women with tightly textured hair to
take advantage of a wide range of today's hairstyles without having to alter the natural texture of their hair.

Q: Does this mean that once I get Sisterlocks™, I can still change hairstyles?
A: Yes! Sisterlocks™ is a lot less limiting than extensions because it is your natural hair. You can curl it,
braid it, wear a ponytail, cut it, spray or mousse it, wear bangs and parts - You name it!

Q: How long does it take to do?
A: The initial locking process takes about 2/3 as long as getting extensions of comparable size. Other
factors that will affect the length of the initial locking session are: hair length, density, condition, size of
head and lock size desired. The beauty of Sisterlocks™ is that re-tightening them as your hair grows
out is extremely simple, since there are no extensions to remove and reset.

Q: Will Sisterlocks™ cause my hair to break or thin?
A: Just the opposite! Sisterlocks™ is a gentle technique that requires no chemicals, no excessive
tightening, and causes no damaging abrasion to the hair or scalp. You will find that with regular care,
your locks will grow and grow, and your styling options will increase.

Q: Can I get Sisterlocks™ if I have relaxed hair?
A: Yes, though the transition will take more time. Your hair care professional who is trained in
Sisterlocks™ techniques can help you make that transition. Your styling options will increase as your
natural texture grows out.

Q: Do I need to have 'fine' hair for Sisterlocks™ to work?
A: Not at all!! In fact, the course, thick, 'nappy' hair is best for Sisterlocks™. Your natural abundant
texture adds body and makes styling easier.

Q: Can Sisterlocks™ be taken out?
A: Yes, though the procedure is tedious. Anyway, once you discover the range of freedom with
Sisterlocks™ you won't want to go back! Finally, there is a way of celebrating the natural beauty of our
hair with Sisterlocks™.

Q: Can I do the locks myself?
A: This is not advised. Not all types require the same locking technique, and your hair care
professional is the best trained to give you locks that will be best suited to you. Also, hair care
professionals are trained to give you cuts, styles and grooming tips that will ensure the lasting beauty
of your locks.

Q: Can you put my Sisterlocks™ in so that there won't be any parting?
A: The answer is no. With a fresh head of Sisterlocks™ you are going to see some parting. Even if the
client has very thick hair, there will still be some parting.

Q: How long will it take for the partings to fill in?
A: It depends on the rate that your hair grows. Usually within the first three weeks or after your first
shampoo you will notice your partings filling in. Thinner hair takes a little while longer.

Q: Exactly what is meant by filling in?
A: Filling in is the process where your hair starts to grow and your locks start to expand.

Q: Why do some clients' Sisterlocks™ look silky or shining and others look dry and more like traditional
locks?
A: Each hair texture is different. As you know, we as black people are comprised of many textures and
tones. And that's also true for our hair. When looking at a client, you may be looking at someone with a
straighter texture of hair, or you may be looking at a client that is transitioning from relaxed hair. In any
of these cases their hair is going to have a different look than a person with more kinky hair.
Regardless, once the locks have set in and the relaxed ends are cut off, they too will have a more
traditional lock look.

Q: What about coloring the Sisterlocks™?
A: I recommend coloring your locks once they are set in or well on their way. This is because if you color
your hair before your hair is locked you will run into trouble trying to touch up your color while your locks
are settling. For example, when coloring your hair you must make sure that all of the color is out. This
means numerous shampoos. The more you shampoo your locks the looser they will become. This
means that when you go for your re-tightening you will have very loose locks and even some that may
have come down. If this is so, your re-tightening will take more time and cost more money.

Q: How will Sisterlocks™ do on thinning hair?
A: I've found that on my clients with thinning hair, it has been the best. In most cases the Sisterlocks™
have covered the thinning areas greatly. Even in those situations where there is permanent hair loss,
the Sisterlocks™, being the small sizes that they are, give the illusion of fullness.

Q: When my Sisterlocks™ were put in, my hair was longer, now it appears to have drawn up. Why is
that?
A: Different hair textures react in different ways. Even though you have Sisterlocks™, you still have
locks. Regardless of what type of hair locking system you have, one fact holds true for one, the bulbing
stage. This is the stage where the DNA of your locks swells together to form the locks and then relaxes.
Another way to explain it is like baking a cake. When you put your cake in the oven to bake, it swells
while the mix is cooking. When it's done, the swelling is gone and you have the size of your cake. Well
it's the same thing with your hair.

Q: I've heard that I can use curling irons on my locks, do you recommend this?
A: I don't. When you apply heat you run the risk of ruining your locks. I've had clients that used curling
irons on their locks and actually singed their locks. The irons were too hot and they ended up with a
press. Even after they shampooed their hair the straightness was still there. I find that a roller set is the
best for locks. You can wear a roller set for one to two weeks without re-rolling your hair again. Even
though they are smaller locks, they are still locks.

Click here for Sisterlocks™ Maintenance Tips














Information from: http://www.godgivenbeauty.com/slfaq.html

Embrace your God Given Beauty...

1554-A Union Road, Suite 104, Gastonia NC 28054 Call 704.865.1228 for FREE Consultation

Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Hi Felicia!











Felicia wrote:

Your blog is so inspirational spiritually, physically, and just by providing such wonderful pratical tips and information. Could you please share with me and I'm sure others who read your blog( to many of us you are a "sisterlock elder", beacuse you have had them for so many years), what was your daily routine when you were locking your first year? You mentioned that the discipline was worth it. Did you or do you sleep with a satin pillow case or satin wrap? How often did you shampoo then/now? Thanks in advance for your time and attention!


Abena's response: Felicia thank you for the nice comments, it is so encouraging when I hear that people are being inspired by my blog :)

Above is a photo of my 2 week old locks.


Abena's Regimen:

1. In the first 1 1/2 years I did not use any products on my hair except the Sisterlock starter shampoo. Also, when I washed I ALWAYS banded, even though it was a pain sometimes.
2. I washed my locks every 2 weeks and that is my same regime now, but as my hair grows longer I think I am going to have to go to washing every week.
3. I sleep with a satin cap/wrap but I plan to get a satin pillow case because some nights I don't put the cap on and I can hear my locks rubbing against my pillow case and it does not sound good (I know that can cause breakage).
4. I have had my locks for 5.5 years and I have never gotten a grooming, my loctician said because I took such good care of my hair in the early years, I probably will never have to get a grooming. But I think it also has something to do with texture, my hair doesn't have alot fuzz, but it does have some, but it is not out of hand so I just don't worry about it :)


I hope this help.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

"SPOTLIGHT" by Abena


Locks, Locks, and more Locks!!!!!
Click here or copy and paste and enjoy the ride: