Abena's Pages

"Natural Beauties Who Follow My Blog"

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

"Spotlight" by Abena


Greetings,

A Website to Remember: "Ms. Pat Hunley"
*Don't forget to watch the video "Sisterlocks in Atlanta 2008"

Click here or copy & paste:
http://divadzigns.com/journey/


I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 16, 2008

"Spotlight" with Abena

The Website of the Week: Meet Phyllis, "the Video Locktician"
  • Get tips on Shampooing, Conditioning, and Grooming Locks
  • Check out the "Healthy Lock" System
  • See Lisa's Sisterlocks (600 locks on one head)
  • See Shannon and Robin's Dreadlock interviews
  • Check out the Spring Locks (What are Spring Locks?)
  • MamaSita Twist Promo Video
and much more.....
This is a great source of information for anyone who is locked. I hope you love this website as much as I do :) Please leave comments and tell me what you think about this weeks "Spotlight with Abena"

Saturday, November 8, 2008

"Spotlight" by Abena

Sisterlocks: Not just a Hairstyle but a Lifestyle:







Click here or copy & paste:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NLq3E-LImw

I hope you all enjoy this video as much as I did :)

Sunday, November 2, 2008

"SPOTLIGHT" by Abena

Sisterlocks hair care gains footing, despite price
Sheri Madison Kwarteng/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 3/9/08

One-by-one, Shonta Williams, a resident of northwest D.C., removed the aerosol cans, jars, and tubes of hair care products from her toiletries cupboard, just days after having her hair Sisterlocked last March. Among them were a variety of shampoos, conditioners, oil sheen sprays, and hair dressing oils. She packed them into a box and dumped them into the trash, ridding herself of over $100 in hair care products and over a hundred years of society's Black hair care propaganda. This was a major milestone in her Sisterlocks journey - a journey of self-empowerment that challenged everything she knew about black hair care. "As Black women, we have been taught to use products to keep our hair moisturized," said Williams. "But the Sisterlocks method stresses the importance of keeping the hair care process organic."Shonta made her transition from relaxed to natural hair styles during her grad school years in 1997 after hearing a peer talk about her experience going natural which she described as liberating. "I cut [my] hair … leaving only the new growth that had not been relaxed," said Williams. "For me, it was more about acceptance. I realized I had to accept myself in my natural form." But 10 years after her transition, she still found herself spending an unseemly amount of time and money on maintaining her natural hair twists, which she wore for 10 years before converting to Sisterlocks. After seeing consultant's Sisterlocks, and reading the numerous blogs of women who are now wearing the locks, Williams was sold. "I had never seen Black natural hair so beautiful."Through skillful manipulation, Black women have broadened their hairstyling options overtime. Relaxing, pressing, and hair weaving are just a few methods that allow Black women to enjoy a variety of hairstyles. In its natural state, Black hair is often course, kinky, and difficult to comb. As such, the upkeep can be labor intensive and time consuming, making braids and dreadlocks a very attractive alternative.

Similar to traditional locks, Sisterlocks is also a locking system that forms with the matting of the hair. But unlike other techniques, the Sisterlocks system matts the hair in relatively smaller portions, which in turn, allows for more versatility in styling options. The locks are created with a tool that intertwines small pieces of the hair together that have been separated by a boxed parting system. Because Sisterlocks are created with very few strands of hair, women are still able to enjoy many of the same hairstyles they wore before having their hair locked.Sisterlocks was created and trademarked in 1993 by Dr. Joanne Cornwell, a professor of African-American studies at San Diego State University in California. Dr. Cornwell specifically marketed her hair care system to African-American women because she understood the dynamics of African American hair and cultural expression in the U.S. Her goal was to create a collective sense of comfort and pride in Black hair in its natural state.Since its inception, the Sisterlocks technique has evolved into a multi-faceted business, offering a signature line of hair care products to clients as well as training for those interested in becoming certified consultants. Dr. Cornwell said the rate of growth is accelerating and her soft stats demonstrate just that. "We've been in business for 15 years - it took 10 of those years to establish Sisterlocks as an entity in the natural hair care business," said Dr. Cornwell. "We initially trained eight consultants in our first year, 1993. Five years later, we had trained over 100 consultants. Now, ten years later, we are training an average of 400 people annually.Women who desire to become certified Sisterlock consultants are required to take a 4-day training course facilitated by the Sisterlocks company, which costs $1495 and can be paid in installments. The training course gives the consultants a hands-on locking experience where they can experiment with mannequin heads. "In addition to 30 U.S. states, we are training consultants in Kingston and the Bahamas, and will soon be offering training in France as well," said Dr. Cornwell.

Iverline Hewitt of Silver Spring, MD received her first hair relaxer as a child in Jamaica. According to Hewitt, those who opted to wear natural hairstyles in Jamaica were stereotyped, and as such, the relaxer became an inter-generational tradition that shielded Blacks from socio-economic discrimination in the marketplace. Hewitt continued to relax her hair until she encountered some new hair growth revealing her natural hair texture that she could no longer hide. "At the age of 20 I discovered my hair and fell in love with my own texture. I was so excited about it that I cut off the relaxed hair and let my hair grow out naturally," said Hewitt.Hewitt soon became a fan of natural hair styles, wearing styles such as twists and braids until she was introduced to Sisterlocks at the age of 23 in 1998. After thee years of wearing Sisterlocks, Hewitt became a certified Sisterlocks consultant. Now, in her seventh year of business, her sole source of income is derived from her Sisterlock-client base which is comprised of approximately 70 clients. What Hewitt enjoys most about being a consultants is the opportunity to help others discovery the beauty in their natural hair texture. "I always tell them that the transition is about a lifestyle change," said Hewitt.Kendra Blackett-Dibinga, a resident of southeast D.C., is also an exclusive certified Sisterlocks consultant whose has a client base has extended beyond 45 clients.After years of relaxing her hair, Blackett-Dibinga realized that she could invest no more time or money into her hair after enrolling in a science in foreign service program at Georgetown University. "It just didn't make sense once I went to college," said Blackett-Dibinga. "Money was tight and I was traveling from Georgetown to the Shaw Howard area to get my hair done," Blackett-Dibinga was also becoming more health conscience at the time. "I became a vegetarian and started eating more natural foods and working out," said Blackett-Dibinga. "I also became very concerned about research results that were linking perms to Lupus." By creating a brand and that celebrates African-American cultural identity, the Sisterlocks company has been successful in their mission to combat the stigma that has made Black hair socially unacceptable."What I love most about being a certified Sisterlocks consultant is seeing my clients change their mindset about what is beautiful and acceptable," said Blackett-Dibinga.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

"SPOTLIGHT" by Abena

Greetings,

The "SPOTLIGHT" for this week is a Sisterlock hair accessory. I thought this was cool because it actually says Sisterlocks, "maybe by wearing this we will get less questions about our hair (smile)." Acutally, I kind of enjoy the dialogue :)

To order click the link or copy & paste: http://www.sisterlocks.com/Sis_Product_Line/Accessories/BoutiqueItems.html
Please note: you will also find other neat Sisterlock accessories by clicking the link:



Wednesday, October 22, 2008

"SPOTLIGHT" by Abena

I decided to start a weekly "SPOTLIGHT" post on my blog. Every week I will spotlight Sisterlock websites, information, photo's, FAQ's, videos etc. I find so much great information about Locks that I would like to share it with all of you on a weekly basis. So tune in for your weekly "SPOTLIGHT:"



Introducing: Taylor Made Locks


Click here or copy & paste: http://www.taylormadelocks.com/
Meet Taylor


*This is one of the first websites I found over 5 years ago when I was considering Sisterlocks. It was very helpful and still is. I hope you find it helpful as well.

Friday, October 17, 2008

I Have finally returned and "I HAVE BEEN TAGGED"

It's been a while, but life has been CRAZZZZZYYYYY!!!! I will have to do a life update when I have more energy, but for now, here is my 6 things or quirks about me :)

Ok, I have been tagged by CHERIE, lOCSULUV. I have to name 6 things or quirks about myself that I will share with the rest of my Sisterlocked family.

1. I am a ZEALOT, when I want something I go for it, sometimes before thinking things out. That is why I still do not have a puppy. I begged my husband and when he told me to do some research, I decided not to get one, just don't have the time right now. Maybe in the future.

2. I detest when people are late...GRRRRRR!!!!!

3. I can't go to bed without spot cleaning the kitchen, I just simply do not like dishes in the sink, on the counter, or anything else hanging around my kitchen.

4. I go into withdraws when I have not spent some quality time with my girlfriends....next year "girl trip" to Puerto Rico baby :)

5. I hate, hate, hate, when people use profanity around me. It makes me feel icky.....

6. I love to make people happy. When you can do something for someone and they respond with gratitude and positively it feels so good to know that I could contribute to someone else's happiness.

Bonus: I lovvvveeee the color pink, if you haven't noticed by my blog.

Ok...I am tagging
1. Trish
2. Jenn
3. Tanya (Goodnapps)
4. Jocelyn
5. Ndrea (Nadine)

Thursday, August 7, 2008

Product Update: Products I wanted to try.....

Carol's Daughter Tui Hair Smoothie- LOVE IT!!!! I have been looking for a good deep conditioner and I found it in the Tui Hair Smoothie, and of course it smells WON-DER-FUL! Carol's Daughter has done it again with the Mimosa Hair Honey- LOVE IT!!!!! This is a great replacement for hair grease. It is light, smells good, and doesn't leave your hair greasy.

An accidental find. I was in Target looking for some hair mist while waiting for my Carol's Daughter order to come in, and I had no idea that Fantasia made this Hair Polisher Mist. As you know, I use the Fanstasia 100 % Pure Tea Shampoo and I LOVE IT, so this is an added bonus.

This is a good back-up hair mist when I run out of my Carol's Daughter Tui Jojoba & Shea Butter Hair Sheen, but my preference is still Carol's Daughter.


Monday, July 28, 2008

"In Honor of Top African American Olympic Pioneers"

Tommie Smith- The American duo snagged gold and bronze in the 1968 200-meter dash, but the receipt of those medals became a more lasting image than the race. Smith and Carlos, both African-American, raised their fists -- Smith his right, Carlos his left -- on the medal stand as the Star-Spangled Banner played as an iconic protest against racial injustice in America.
Jackie Joyner Kersee- Kersee is one of those untouchable athletes. Regarded as the top heptathlete and long-jumper, she racked up a world-record 7,291 points in her first of two Olympic heptathlon titles in 1988. With three gold, two silver and two bronze Olympic medals to her name, it seems obvious why SI named her the top female athlete of the 20th century.

Edwin Moses- In his first International meet -- the 1976 Montreal Olympics -- Moses won the gold in the 400-meter hurdles, setting a world record of 47.64 seconds. Though he was denied the chance to repeat with the U.S. boycott of the 1980 Games, he managed to win the gold again in 1984. Between 1977 and 1987, he dominated his event, winning 122 consecutive times and setting the world record four times.

Lisa Leslie- Arguably the best player in the Women's National Basketball Association, Leslie was also the best Olympic player for the U.S. team. Having led the American squad to three-consecutive gold medals from 1996 to 2004, Leslie holds team records for most points in an Olympic game (35), most field-goals made in a game (16) and is tied for most blocked shots (3), which she achieved twice.

Muhammed Ali- Before he was a professional boxing great, 18-year-old Cassius Clay, as he was called then, became an Olympic light-heavyweight gold medalist at the 1960 Games.

Florence Griffith Joyner- Known to many as simply "Flo-Jo," the late Olympic track star is the world record-holder in the 100- and 200-meters, the latter of which she set at the 1988 Games in Seoul. At those Olympics, she won three gold medals (100-meters, 200-meters and 4x100-meter relay) and a total of five medals in addition to her two silvers in 1984.

Wilma Rudolph- Credited for raising the status of women's track and field, Rudolph became the first American woman to win three gold medals in the sport at a single Olympics. In 1960, she won the 100- and 200-meters and was a member of the winning U.S. 4x100-meter relay team. In addition to her bronze medal with the relay team in 1956, Rudolph was dubbed the "fastest woman ever" after her performance in Rome.

Michael Johnson- Remembered both for his golden shoes and his speed, Johnson owns five gold medals and world records in the 200-meters, 400-meters and as a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. At the 1996 Games in Atlanta, he became the only male athlete to strike gold in the 200 and 400 in the same Olympics.

Jesse Owens- Against all odds -- athletically, politically and socially -- Jesse Owens achieved international fame at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin by winning golds in the 100- and 200-meter sprints, the long jump and as part of the 4x100-meter relay team. At a time when Adolf Hitler was using the Games as a vehicle to bolster the "Aryan race," Owens was cheered on by 110,000 spectators at Berlin's Olympic Stadium.

Carl Lewis- SI named Lewis ''Olympian of the Century,'' and with good reason. As a long jumper, Lewis was one of only three athletes to win the same individual event at four Olympics, starting in 1984. At the Los Angeles Games, he matched Jess Owens' 1936 four-gold-medal performance in the 100- and 200-meter races, the long jump and as a member of the 4x100-meter relay team. All told, he won 10 Olympic medals -- nine gold, one silver -- as a runner and long-jumper.

Bob Beamon- Between 1935 and 1968, the world long jump record increased exactly eight and one-half inches to 27 feet, 43/4 inches. In one jump, Beamon won gold and topped the world record by 21 3/4 inches, jumping 29 feet, 21/2 inches later, a record that stood for 23 years.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

"HAPPY 5 YEAR LOCKVERSARY TO ME" BEFORE/AFTER

BEFORE: LOCKED JULY 15, 2003 (Started off with 1 1/2- 2 inches of hair, it took 9 hours for my installation)
AFTER: LOCKED 5 YEARS, JULY 15, 2008 (I have about 440 locks total, and it takes 2 1/2 hours for my retightenings- I go every 6 weeks)


(TAKEN THIS MORNING AS SOON AS I GOT OUT OF BED :)







Ok, I am ready for work and on my way out the door and I could not resist taking one more picture (smile)....I am so excited, 5 years!!! YIPEE CAN YOU TELL THAT I STILL LOVE MY LOCKS!!!!!!


My favorite Hair Products:
Carol's Daughter (Tui Hair Oil, Loc Butter, Tui Jojoba Shea Butter Hair Sheen) http://www.carolsdaughter.com/
Komaza Care (Shea Butter Hair Lotion) http://www.komazacare.com/
Fantasia IC 100% Pure Tea Shampoo
Sulfur 8 Braid Spray (Good for locks as well)
Carol's Daughter

Komaza CareOther


Products I would like to try:
Carol's Daugther (Mimosa Hair Honey, Tui Hair Smoothie)
Komaza Care (Coconut Hair Milk and Jojoba Hair Oil)

Carol's Daughter


Komaza Care

I hope this post is helpful, especially for the NEWBEE'S :)