Today my locs have reached the final quarter of their second year and compared to last December they have come a long, long way. It was about this time last year that my locs had just entered what I now look back on as the 'rough stage' when my hair refused to take shape. This year my locs are fully formed and much easier to manage. They're a comfortable 4.5-5 inches un-stretched which isn't much in twelve months but that's ok for now.
My two strand twists are three months old and I've since put in a few more for fullness. They are the most well behaved starter locs I've had. The buds are making their way down towards the tips and the two strand twist pattern is hardly noticeable. I'm looking forward to beyond this phase perhaps in the next three months by which time I'll be closing in on my 2 year milestone.
I'll leave you with a few pictures as always.
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| finally starting to see a length difference |
DREADLOCKS ARE...
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Looking good! So jealous of your partings.. so neat!!
ReplyDeleteLooking good! So jealous of your partings.. so neat!
ReplyDeleteHey, don't worry even I'm surprised at how neat they appear. Still dreaming of locs that are as long and thick as yours :)))
DeleteHaha no way are mine thick! Oh your colour is awesome as well! How do you keep it so vibrant?
DeleteThe temporary dye I use in vegetable based so I'm free to re-dye it frequently enough to keep the colour up without damage. I also don't wash it too often and sometimes freshen up a retwist by just spraying the roots beforehand instead of washing my whole head. It's been a relatively straightforward colour to maintain though I'm not looking forward to doing my new growth lol.
DeleteSince you're well into your 4th year have found any issue with thinning? I like how your locs look even from root to tip. When I look back through my old photos I feel like my locs have slimmed down a lot. since I've been palm-rolling them but do you think that's part of the condensing/maturing stage? Did you notice a similar thing over the years?
Apologies for the late reply, been on holiday in Ghana :). Happy new year! What dye are you using i.e. brand? I'd be interested in looking into it. I have had some issues with "thinning" for a variety of reasons.
DeleteOne, there is this idea that locs get thicker over time. I have found this to be untrue. In the budding stages they will puff up but eventually and finally they slim down again and become compact. This can give the impression of your locs having thinned.
Two, I have some locs that did not thin per se but have always been thin. However, this was not evident to me until I acquired a certain length. I have combined a few of these because I was not comfortable with the thickness. I have one comparatively thin loc that I remember combining in the first few months so imagine how thin they were individually in the beginning!
Three, there are those that have actually really thinned. This can be attributed to a few factors. My inconsistent twisting combined with my texture lead to some breakage in a few locs at the root during popping. It also meant that the loose hair at the roots on the periphery would slip out of the loc so for some I ended up with lots of long hair surrounding the loc, if that makes sense. Another reason is the weight of the locs. My hair texture is a bit loose and in some areas, where it is looser than others, the roots were slow to loc because it would just hang in a permanent curl at the base which could not handle the weight. This has lead to some thinning. Nothing MAJOR that would cause me concern, just enough for me to realise the loc couldn't handle it alone so I combined.
Hope all that helped :)
Very much so. Thanks for the detailed explanation. I'm releived to know that their's a cause and solution each of your examples.
DeleteI hope you had a fab time in Ghana, it must've been spectacular :)
Hey girl! You're looking gorgeous!!! Love the look... your locs are as beautiful as ever. They look skinnier. I'm guessing you re-did the size. I'm going to have to continue reading to see what you've been up to. Anyway, just wanted to say Hi and wish you a wonderful month and an even better new year.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas!!!
:D
Sorry Violeta, I totally fell of the radar over November. I'll have to email you. And yeah my two strand twists are smaller than my locs and I'm so much happier with the size. I think my fantasies of really thick locs are over. They were so difficult to groom and to be honest it was impossible to feel pretty with such wild short locs.
DeleteI really appreciate your compliments you've made me smile.
I really do need to update you AND hear about how you've been getting on. Your travel updates were such a joy to read. Also I did actually get around viewing some of your YT videos. Boy that seems like a while back. I'm really sorry. I should have more time over Christmas.
{hugs}
Hey, I just wanted to wish you a merry Christmas. Your locs look great, I'm so glad you stuck with it!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeff and thank you. I'm glad you're to hear from you. I see a new profile picture there. Your locs have grown A LOT. What stage are they at and how are you finding the maintenance?
DeleteMerry Christmas!
Hey NaturaLocs, I've been locd for just over a year now. I must admit my regime is not as extensive as some, its a spray bottle containing water and tea tree oil which I use every few days. Ive lengthen my retwisting to every 2 months which seems to be enough.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the holidays and keep up the blogging!
Hey NaturaLocs, I've been locd for just over a year now. I must admit my regime is not as extensive as some, its a spray bottle containing water and tea tree oil which I use every few days. Ive lengthen my retwisting to every 2 months which seems to be enough.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the holidays and keep up the blogging!
Definately, I've come to really appreciate this hair journal :)
DeleteHi Naturalocs
ReplyDeleteYou have come such a long way, trust me I am proud of you.
I may not comment often but I am still here.
Your opening photo is beautiful.
I just wanted to show some love. Have a blessed Christmas and fruitful new year.
Big up girl !
Thank you so much Natty, Always a pleasure to hear from you and you always leave such nice compliments :)
DeleteI wish you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas.