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Thursday 24 March 2011

DIY Locs: Inner-View With Alillia

I am always excited about reading how everyone takes care of their natural hair, I'm especially interested in DIY locers!!! And today I'm blessed to share this inner-view from this beautiful locer...

When did you begin your loc journey?
I began my loc journey on Jan 1, 2011

Why did you choose to care and start your own locs?
I am a big fan of doing my own hair, when I initially went natural I was the only one who had hands in my hair and I really liked it that way. I found it to be very empowering to be responsible for my crown and helped build more love for myself. I feel like maintaining my locs carries me further into empowerment and self-love. Reaching for self-love has instigated so much change and growth in my life and my beautiful natural hair is just one of them. However I was intimidated by the idea of starting my own locs. I had considered going to a loctitian who's works I really liked, and I was actually saving money to go to her when I got a new job and moved to a new city. I spent 2 months asking around and actively looking for a new loctitian who I'd want working with my hair and found nothing. Many of the loccers I talked to suggested that I do it myself. So I reconsidered and realized that I was only uncertain of how the back of my hair would come out if I did the parting myself so I asked my boyfriend if he would part off the back for me, and he said yes. :-) So I was newly inspired and confident that I wouldn't need a professional for this new journey. We spent News Years Eve and New Years Day with our hands in my hair it was a great time for both of us.

I have always been obsessed with hair, even as a child so I guess it makes sense that I am so very glad I made the decision to begin and maintain this journey with my own two hands.

What is your current loc routine?
Currently I am washing my hair every week, the longest I have been able to go without washing is 1 1/2 weeks. When I wash I only use shampoo and no conditioner.
I have been retwisting about every 2 to 3 weeks but I am trying to hold off for a full month, I think I am washing too vigorously and that could be why I am feeling this need to retwist all the time :-/ All the research I've done strongly suggests not retwisting that often, so I feel a little sheepish about that.

I made a little spritz and I spritz my hair every two to three days depending on how dry it feels.

Your top 3 products are...
I love Aloe Vera gel I can retwist and not worry about what chemicals may or may not be in it.

Grapeseed Oil is awesome in my spritz to help seal in moisture and add a little sheen.

Water (can that be considered a product?) seems to be the best ingrediant for my hair both through drinking it and soaking my hair with it


What has been the biggest challenge for you while locing?
My scalps starts itching four days after I wash, and it doesn't seem to matter if my scalp is being oiled or not. I am wondering if I have a special scalp or what. I read about ladies going 2 to 3 weeks between washes and I think I would have scratched my scalp off by then. I would appreciate any suggestions to help with the itching :-)

What advise would you give to anyone out there who is thinking of starting and/or maintaining their own locs?
I think patience is the hardest thing for a lot of us I know I caught myself wishing my locs were long and mature already and I was missing how cute they are right now. Taking pictures for this helped me see that too, I found that playing with my hair and coming up with styles can helped me see their current beauty.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

wonderfulness, thank you for sharing!!!

Anonymous said...

wonderfulness, thank you for sharing!!

Elle said...

I cant go more than 8-10 days between washes either.
I dont use anything other than water, oils, and a simple clear gel shampoo. I twist every 2 weeks as well. But lately ive been embracing having thick untwisted roots.
some ppl wash with a net/stocking cap.
Try that to lessen the need to retwist. =]