My Hair Color

I forgot to mention that I've been using the Sisterlocks Moisturize Treatment for about two months now. It felt like my hair needed a little somethin'-somethin' this winter between the seesaw weather outside and the indoor heat.

Loc'd Yet Free said... Your hair color is beautiful- Born with it? Maybe it's Maybelline? Please share.

This is my natural hair color; if only I knew what that was. (LOL) For simplicity sake I say "brown" but if you see my locks up close you can tell I've got a bit of a rainbow thing going on. The lower third of my locks are a lighter color than the top. And the edges are off in their own little world. Luckily this doesn't bother me.

I was born with what appeared to be jet black hair, which quickly lightened to a sandy reddish color and then gradually darkened again as I got older. Go figure. I'm sure it'll get even more interesting when the gray comes in.

Perhaps those with more hair knowledge can tell me why my lower locks are lighter than the top. Just natural hair color? Too much exposure to the sun? Hard water? (PHOTO: Me at age 3 or 4, and our beloved dog, Buttsie!)

As far as professional coloring goes, I am way to chicken! I'll leave that to the folks with stronger nerves than mine. Now I can "hear" some of you asking: "Aren't you going to color when you start to go gray?"

Although, as a woman, I reserve the right to change my mind about this issue, at the moment the answer is a resounding no. My Mom was born with gray hair; a little patch in the middle of her head. Consequently, I've always thought of gray hair as regal and beautiful. One time, back when I used to get my hair braided, I had a few strands of gray braided in as sort of a tribute to her. No special reason; me and Mom are just tight like that.

Quiet as it's kept, I've already got a few strands of gray. Three to be exact. Nobody sees them but me, but I know they're there. I got them the year I got married! I tease my husband and say he caused them. But then he points to his gray filled beard and says "That's all you!" Well, I never claimed to be a low maintenance woman, but he knew what he was getting in to. :-)

In the Studio

On Monday, I was in the studio taping a national radio commercial for Elexa Condoms. The campaign is set to begin ASAP and, from what I'm told, will be heard nation wide in mid April. Yeah, let's be careful out there!

The hair? Freshly washed and sporting a braidout. I'm even (GASP) wearing makeup! Not for the voice over, of course, but for an on-camera audition I had later that day. (Fingers crossed!)

Ladies & Gentlemen... Wali Collins

The photo is a tad blurry but I'd like to introduce comedian extraordinaire, Wali Collins! He is one of my fellow performers on Souled Out Comedy, a weekly show we do every Thursday night at the NY Improv.

I'm featuring Mr. Collins because he's had his hair in traditional locks since 1994!!!! Theoretically they should be down his back, but he keeps cutting them (grrrrr!) as you can see from the extremely close up photo on left.
To be honest he was a little uncomfortable with me taking a photo of the back of his head. "You have a blog about ... [puzzled silence] hair?" It does sound weird when you explain it out loud to people who aren't in the blogosphere or obsessed with natural hair. But since I'm "in the arts" folks are generally more willing to over look eccentric behavior.

It's worth noting that we are both big fans of another locked comic, the incomparable Franklyn Ajaye.

Close to Home

Regarding my What Are You Going To Do With Your Hair? Post

Anonymous said...
Were you are the Rib Shack by chance?

Clearly Anonymous knows the neighborhood! Hello Neighbor! Alas, no I wasn't at the Rib Shack. Good food, but the Fish House gives you bigger portions. I can get two meals out of one Fish House dinner! Three if I'm not being greedy. And don't get me started on the Sweet Potato Pie.... and the mini meat patties that you can get on their catering menu.... uh oh... now I'm hungry!

What Are You Going To Do With Your Hair?

ADDENDUM: The photo credit for this picture goes to my Husband who was riding the train with me. Call me a cynical New Yorker, but I can't just up and trust my digital camera to just any old random body.

I was on line at our local soul food take out joint picking up an order of cholesterol for a late lunch, early dinner when this question came up.

I was eyeing the baked fish – the “being good part of the meal” – and wondering why the lady wasn’t dishing it up so we could move on to the “being bad part of the meal:” collard greens and potato salad.

She was absent mindedly moving the fish around with the serving spoon, but steady looking at my head. Normally, I would have picked up on this, but hunger had lowered my defenses and her question too me off guard.

“What are you going to do with your hair?”

That was what she said out loud, but her tone and body language seemed to say: “What the hell are you doing to your hair? Are you gonna fix that?”

I thought, “What am I going to do with my hair? Love it. Style it. Take if for long walks in the park, tell it how much it means to me, and ask it where it’s been all my life.” I settled for the less sarcastic, “What?”

She said, “Aren’t those small braids? What are you going to do with them?”
“They’re dreadlocks?”
“So small?”
“Yes.”
“I thought they were braids.”
“No, they’re dreadlocks.”
“How do you get them so small?”
“They’re a type of lock called Sisterlocks and they’re done with a tool, that’s why their so small.”
“Oh, I thought they were braids and you were just gonna let them grow into locks.”
“Well, actually, you can do that too.”
“Oh.”

At this point, I’d say my food was getting cold, but I still didn’t have any. It felt as though answering her questions were a precondition to sustenance. Normally I wouldn’t have minded the inquiry. I can talk about natural hair and locks all day long, but I guess I was a bit put off by her confrontational tone and the fact that no one else on the LONG line behind me - including my husband - seemed particularly interested in a hair lesson.

If only I’d brought along my new Sisterlocks Journal! But then again, I know everybody in the place would have wanted to see it, and I’m not ready to share until I’ve finished reading it cover to cover.

As you can see in the photo, I did have it on the train today and when I reached my stop, I slipped it right back in the plastic.

I Got It!

After several days on the road, or rather at sea, doing shows for Carnival Cruise Lines, I returned home today to find a very pleasant surprise: MY SISTERLOCKS MAGAZINE! As you can see, I was too excited to even take it out of the plastic. My Dad, who I asked to take the picture, was baffled. "Don't you want to take it out of the plastic?" Not yet! I want to savor every moment. I plan to cut the wrapper in such a way that I can carefully slip the magazine back in when I'm done!
It's worth noting, that my Mom actually took this picture. My Dad, for some reason, couldn't get past the plastic. My Mom, in great Mom fashion, asked no questions. She just snapped the photo and kept on steppin'. She did take a moment to look at the cover and say, "Humph, I might have to get me some Sisterlocks."

Welcome to the Famiily!

Monique said... Leighann, I get my lock put in tommorow and your site is so useful! I love the "hot" links throughout your text and your comments. I will check back in since I also intend to document my experience on the web. It was also helpful to see the finished product on someone with soft hair. That has been my number one concern! Thank you SO much for sharing. Question also: I live in Michigan ( I am also going to email Sandy) and my scalp is REALLY dry as in dandruff dry, is there anything I can use in the beginning to help?Thanks!

Hi Monique!

Congratulations on joining the Sisterlocks family! As I post this, you're locks are probably already in, so I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading about your journey.

You're absolutely right, documenting your progress is very helpful for yourself and others. I am amazed at my progress so far and never would have believed it was possible. Check out my post on 4/20/05 Sisterlocks Overview to see the side by side comparison.

On the dry scalp/dandruff issue, I do believe this is a good question for Sandy. You may even want to post the question in Lockitup and check the files. What you can do is tempered by the fact that your locks are new. But lots of people have dealt with this issue. I've been able to get away with spritzing with water when my scalp is a little parched.

Congrats!

How Long Did It Take To Lock?

lisa said... Leighann- Great blog.. I have learned a lot from it and you have beautiful SL's. I am just curious about your locking experience, when would you say you began locking? When did it finally lock from "root" to end? Thanks, again beautiful hair!

*************

Hi Lisa,

Thanks for the compliments! You have no idea how much I appreciate it.

Good thing you put "root" in quotes. As you know our roots, always being the new growth, are never fully locked. But to answer your question, since my hair is really soft and fine, I'm in the Took Forever to Lock category. My Sisterlocks looked like little braids for the longest! I'd say my locks finally started to look like locks at around the two year mark. (I'm at four and a half now.) Even now, I still have a few curly q's on the ends of my locks. Not a lot, but a few.

To be honest, a few folks will ask, "Are those braids?" But I can tell by they way they're asking, they know they're not braids, but just can't quite believe they're seeing such small locks.

No Oil? How Do You Moisturize?

AFunkyKindaGlow said...
... No oil what do you use to moisturise? did I miss something?

Good question. In the early days of Sisterlocks (until they settle) we're instructed not to use any oils as it might inhibit the locking process. Sounds weird, I know, but it worked. Luckily, my scalp produced enough oil naturally, when allowed to breathe.

Nowawdays, if my locks or scalp feel a little dry I'll spray them with little water; sometimes with a little rose water mixed in.

Lately I've been using the Sisterlocks Moisture Treatment. So far, I like it.

Daily Care In The Beginning

In my favorite locks group, Hermie recently posted:

I would like to put together a document on the lock-it-up database for sisters who are new to Sisterlocks. With the popularity of Sisterlocks, many of us are going to consultants who are trainees (because they are the only ones in our area), but who lack in-depth information on care for our new locks. I have been searching in vain for 'daily hair care' information to understand what I should do to my sisterlocks. (Lockitup Message #37262)

I think in the beginning it's hard to wrap our minds around the simplicity of care for our new Sisterlocks. "What do you mean no oil? I grew up on grease and now it's bad? Blasphemy!"

But Hermie's project/request did get me reminiscing. I started with 5 - 7 inches of all natural very soft hair. I had a great consultant and for the most part, I followed her instructions:

What I Did: The Good

• I washed once a week with the Starter Shampoo (only) for one year, then began using Dr. Bronners Liquid Soap: Peppermint (diluted).

• I braided and banded for a year and half. Actually I still braid my hair into four big braids and wash my hair in sections when I shower. It's easier to handle that way.

• I covered my locks when I slept or did house work. (Still do, although I will alternate between a head covering -- the L.B. Soc -- and a satin pillow case.)

• I used NO oils or other products. NONE.
  
  
  

What I Did: The Bad

• I never separated my locks after washing. I still don't. I know that's a big no-no, and I have no excuse except that it just didn't seem all that necessary.

• I didn't do a lot of freestyling. I suffered from the "plucked chicken" look as you can see in the above photo; lots of spaces. My locks were also a very awkward length. They didn't hang straight or point up, but stuck out. (Think Bozo The Clown.) To compensate I styled on a weekly basis alternating between braid outs, twist outs and Caruso Steam Rollers.

Many folks say the best thing to do in the beginning is to leave your locks alone; minimal styling lest you inhibit or slow down the locking process, and they're right. But I tried to find the happy medium. We all want to look our best, at least to our own eyes. So, I styled to camouflage the spaces. Fake it till you make it.

So, those early days, challenging? Yes. Worth it? Oh yeah!!

Locks In the Act? Sort of

Maryee said...

"Hey Leighann, I was wondering, do you do any standup on your hair? Do you get to "school" folks on Sisterlocks? If so, what do you say and how does the crowd respond? Just curious. Maryee :-)"

Maryee, that's an interesting question so I thought I'd answer it as a post.

I don't talk about my Sisterlocks experience specifically, although on occasion I will mention in passing that I have locks. This has prompted a few fellow SL wearers in the audience to come and talk to me after a show. I also get Sisters who have never seen locks so small. Sisterlocks are still a tiny, but growing, percentage of the dread lock community. Generally, people only get the concept of locks in the broad strokes.

I do however have talk about the drama we all seem to go through when it comes to hair: "People with short hair want long hair; people curly hair want straight hair, people with no hair want Rogaine." Again, in the big picture, everybody's got hair issues and it's in that commonality that I've found the most comedy.

Thanks for asking such a great question!

Locks on Stage

Finally, an easy commute to work! No planes or trains; just hopped in my car and drove out to Bellmore, Long Island to open for Joey Kola at The Brokerage.

As far as the locks go, it's one week after a retightening and I am quasi free styling. Before I went to bed I did several large twists.

Upcoming Shows

I'm Back!

Hey Blog Fans,

I know I’ve been gone way too long, but it’s great to be back! Thank you so much for checking up on me with your comments and e-mails. I really appreciate it!

I’ve been really busy since the holidays with work and travel, and a cold that laid me out for several days. Last week, Wednesday - Saturday, was particularly full with multiple shows in multiple climates: Panama, Costa Rica, Colorado and Florida. Thank goodness my Sisterlocks don’t get jet lagged. (This photo was taken of me on Thursday on my way to the airport in Costa Rica.)

By the way, no photos of me from Colorado. It was too damn cold: 13 degrees - real feel one! Surfice it to say, I wasn't feelin' it.


On Saturday, I had the pleasure of opening for Mr. D.L. Hughley (of Hughley's fame and currently Weekends at the DL on Comedy Central) at University of North Florida's Homecoming. I've worked with D.L. once before and he was great as usual. His hair by the way appears to be twists; very, very precise and neat!

I was scheduled to return home on Sunday, but Mother Nature had other plans. The Blizzard of ‘06 has brought an end to our mild winter. With Airports closed and flights to New York cancelled, I stayed an extra day in Jacksonville. I happily spent the day watching African American Lives on PBS and retightening my hair. (This was interruped only by a jaunt to the local Cracker Barrel. I have a dumpling addiction that no 12 step program can cure.)

I don’t normally do my whole head in one sitting, but it was over due. I usually retighten every four weeks, and I was approaching week six! When I can run my hands through my hair and get my fingers caught up in the new growth, it’s time.

I throughly enjoy retightening my own hair and I don’t travel without my tools. They’re one of the first things to get packed in my suitcase. It they ever get on the banned list with scissors, lighters and nail files, I’m gonna be in trouble.

Natural Comics!

I love natural hair as much as I love my Sisterlocks, so it gives my great pleasure to introduce a couple of my natural friends.




Fellow comedian Marina Franklin recently did the big chop and her short natural is quite beautiful and very becoming on her! This picture was taken at her recenty birthday party and I only wish the lighting was better to show how truly cute her hair is. Are locks in her future? I don't know. (I'm not recruiting, honest!) But do I think she'll more than enjoy this stage for a while.





At the Laugh Lounge's Feast of the Three Kings Holiday Party I snagged a photo op with another very funny comic, Grant Cooper. He has the coolest afro in NYC! I've always loved his fro. It has lots of personality and charm, just like him.

And is that me sporting Shirley Temple curls? You bet! I usually finger comb out the results of my Soft Spike Curlers, (see 12/23/05 post). But, a few folks suggested that I trying wearing my "Shirleys" as is. Well, I did and I got tons of compliments! (Thanks Cynthia!) It's not a style I'd do everyday, but it's nice to have another one in the arsenal.

Dear Sisterlocks....

I'm a little young to be sitting in rocking chair dispensing wisdom a la Dear Abby, but I got an anonymous question from "C" the other day. Normally, I would have responsed directly, but she didn't leave me her e-mail address. So here goes:

Hi Leighann: I love your hair and seriously considering sister locks. Have you had any negative reactions? I'm dating a caucasian man who loves my hair straight, what did your husband say when you decided to set out on your sisterlock journey? Hope I'm not being to personal..Thanks-C

Hello C!

The only negative reaction I had was in the beginning when I first got my locks. My Mom was quite perturbed about being able to see so much of my scalp. I didn’t like that part much either but I had my eye on the prize, so to speak. She has come to love and marvel over my locks almost as much as I do.

As far as my husband is concerned, he was nothing but loving and supportive of my hair choices from day. He’s always just wanted me to be happy. I was natural (two strand twists) when he met me, so locks weren’t a big leap.

As a matter of fact, the week of my appointment I got a bad case of cold feet. I wanted to cancel my appointment and looked for every excuse in the book: It’s permanent... we don’t have the money.... He was having none of it. He said, "As much as you’ve talked about Sisterlocks (and I did, ad nauseum), you’re getting them." He lovingly shooed me out the door the morning of my appointment. I'm glad he did.

All I can say is do your research and do what’s right for you.

[Photo: In case you're wondering, this photo was taken this past Summer sitting outside of a Cracker Barrel Restaurant. I LOVE their dumplings!!] 

How Damp is Damp? How Dry is Dry?

Anonymous Wrote:
"Your hair looks great!!!My sisterlocks are 7 months old and I look forward to eventually having enough length to curl. You mentioned that you set your hair overnight with it partially damp. I have a huge fear of developing mold in my locs and I understand that mold can develop when the hair is not allowed to completely dry in a reasonable amount of time (not sure how long that is). Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated."

Hello Anonymous,
This is a really good question and I’ll try to answer it as best I can. It’s the kind of thing that’s so much easier to demonstrate in person. Damp is a relative term, and depends on thickness of hair and drying time. So the phrase "partially damp" might be misleading.

My Sisterlocks air dry rather quickly, but I would never wash and set them too close to bed time. At least two hours is a comfortable cushion for me. I use a Turbie Towel to soak up the excess water. I’m also not adverse to using a blow dryer on a low setting to speed up the process. I won’t roll my hair until it’s almost dry to the touch.

On a scale of one to five -- five being dripping wet out of the shower and one being completely dry -- I will begin rolling my hair (and feel comfortable sleeping on it) when it’s at about a two.

More often than not, about midway through, I end up having to use a spray bottle of water to lightly spritz the locks I haven’t rolled yet.

I hope this helps. 

Soft Spike Update

The results are in. I love the small Soft Spike Curlers! The photo on the left is day one. The picture on the right is day six. Yes, the curls did fall, but it was a graceful fall as they had somewhere to fall from.

Conversely, the large Soft Spike Curlers just didn't do it for me. Nice look, but no where near as curly as the small curlers. I guess it really depends on the look you want and how long you want the curls to last.

The picture on the left is HOUR one. The photo on the right is hour FIVE. (Yes, I'm checking my watch in the photo!) If I'm going to set my hair, I'd like it to be worth the time and effort. Longer lasting curls make it worth it. If I wanted curls of such short duration I'd of used the Caruso Steam Rollers. Then I can't be mad when a 20 minute set falls in a few hours.

To be fair, it was a bit rainy and damp, which I'm sure didn't help. But it rained while I had the tighter curls as well and the slip was not as quick.

The Mathematics of Curls

I'm not a math person. College Calculus made me cry. So it's not always easy for me to see things in mathematical terms. I think I do, however, finally understand the mathematical relationship between hair and curlers. I'm sure this is painfully obvious for most of you, but here goes:

Small Curlers = Small (tight) Curls.

Reason: You get more revolutions of hair around the roller. More revolutions produces more curls. Therefore:

Large Curlers = Large (loose) Curls.

Reason: Fewer revolutions around the roller.

The amount of curls, tight or loose, can be increased by using smaller sections; i.e. 10 locks per roller instead of 20. This, of course, means you will use more curlers as well.

There are mitigating factors: thickness of hair, length of set, the use of setting aids etc. For the record, I used no setting aids other than water and time. I washed my hair, let it partially air dry, then rolled. I'll either sleep on the set or keep it in for several hours during the day, before I leave in the evening to go to work.

So thumbs up on the small Soft Spikes!!!

What? No NY Expo?

At first, I was happy to hear about the Baltimore Natural Hair Care Expo; that was until I realized that I can't go! ARRRRRG! So near and yet so far!

It's been ages since there's been an event like this in New York. New Bein' Enterprises used to host one, but I don't think they've done anything in at least two years. Grumble, grumble, pout, pout.

I guess they figure we don't need it here in NY, but there is nothing like being at an event filled with natural hair-wearing folks. There's a wonderful feeling of comaraderie and family. And of course it's always great to shop with vendors who "get it."

I'll stop here, because now I'm just torturing myself.

Small World

Today, after some last minute shopping with my Mom, we decided to get a bite to eat at Red Lobster. Just as we were leaving, I saw a woman walk by and her lovely locks caught my eye. Okay, I was out right staring, okay.

I confess, I keep an eagle eye out for locks and natural styles of all types, and compliment the wearers every chance I get. I think it's important that we natural heads support each other. Nothing against permies. I used to be one ever so briefly, many, many, many moons ago. But going natural isn't always an easy road, and I'd like to believe that a kind word just may come at a time when that person needs to hear it most.

Actually, come to think of it, it's not just hair. I truly believe a random honest compliment can really brighten someone's day. Sadly, I find that other women really don't expect this. Sometimes they're so stunned, I get a look of shock before I get a smile and a thank you. I expect neither, mind you. I'm just trying to be positive, 'cause the negative is all too readily available. But I digress.

So yeah, I see this woman walk by my table and I stop her to compliment her on her locks. She thanks me and says the magic words, "They're Sisterlocks." Well now you know the conversation was on! Ms. Dina is from Texas! (Sorry LaChanda & Blaqkofi, I didn't find out what part.) She's visiting family here in New York and is thinking about moving back! She's had her lovely locks for five going on six years.

We talked retighening, products, curlers (she admired the curls I was sporting from the Soft Spikes), and ultimately exchanged phone numbers and e-mail addresses. Perhaps she'll pay a visit to Lockitup or perhaps (gasp!) become a blogger!

Addendum: The ever observant Brunsli noticed that Dina and I are both wearing hats. That's because today it was a chilly 38 degrees. This reminds me of another great thing about having locks: No worries about hat hair! Step 1. Take off hat. Step 2. Give locks a little shake. Step 3. Go on with your bad self. /:-)

Soft Spike Heaven!

Well I finally ordered a set of Soft Spike Curlers; two sets of small curlers (60) and two sets of large (24) because I wasn't sure which size would work best for me. They arrived on Tuesday and I finally put them to the test today.

I washed my hair and let it air dry while I wrapped Christmas presents. Just before it was totally dry I set my locks on about 30 of the small curlers. I tried to use as few locks on each curler as possible and it looks like one package of 30 is all I need. The extra set will go right in my travel bag.

They're comfortable enough to sleep on it but I thought six hours was long enough for a first trial. I took them out and was amazed to see a head full of Shirley Temple-esque curls. Somebody get me some tap shoes!!!!

I finger combed out my locks and voila -- super curls!!! I likey much! I was so excited I didn't even stop to put in my contact lenses. I usually hate pictures of me in my glasses but I wanted to get a photo before my curls fell. :-)

While I get the best sets by rolling my locks after washing, I wonder if using setting lotion will give my curls some longevity. That'll be my next experiment. From recommendations, I've got two to put to the test: Elasta QP Design Foam and Crinkles & Curls.

My Roller Ratings (In Order of Preference):
1. Soft Spikes: Easy to use and comfortable to sleep on.
2. Twist Flex Rods: Cheap; easy to use; durable, moderately comfortable;
3. Solar Rollers: Easy to use, comfortable, but flimsy. They tear easily on the ends after several uses.

The Flex Rods I use are blue, and the Solar Rollers are gold. I love the fact that the Soft Spikes can be ordered in various colors, including black! Yes I ordered all my spikes black. A head full of colorful curlers feels... well... undignified and very unsexy. Yes, I'm vain. I'm okay with it though. I'll let it go when I'm 80. Who am I kidding. No I won't. :-)