hair updates

I've had my sisterlocks for 7 years now and despite all of the issues: postpartum hair-loss, sketch hair stylists, DIY hair color failures, and my own consistency with self-maintaining, I still think it is the best hair decision I have ever made!

I really love my hair! I have to repeat the sentiments form my 6th hair anniversary:

You don't know what it means to be a brown girl that loves her hair as is. To be free of relaxers that never agreed with me. To be free of curl defining this and hair straightening that. As much as I love seeing a girl with a great blow-out or a fierce twist-out, I felt like I was comparing my hair to others and feeling inadequate. Hair, for many of us, is one of the first ways we express our personal style, culture, and self.

As a gift to you for reading, commenting, and providing a wealth of recommendations to me on this journey:

1. Everyone gets a discount code to Nappy N Happy, who kindly sent me a sample of their improved thicker gauge tool after noting the one I bought would often bend during use. The thicker gauge tool is amazing; exactly what I needed to retighten my hair and start my husband’s thicker interlocks. Head over to https://www.nappynhappy.com/ and use the code: Anniversary2017 for 10% off through 3/31/2017.


2. One lucky reader will get my favorite hair care products which includes

I am my own hair goals, gorgeous and free of harsh and toxic products.


Thanks for following me in this journey. Enter below by leaving a comment stating what do you currently use on your hair?


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giving Away My Favorite Hair Products

I've had my sisterlocks for 7 years now and despite all of the issues: postpartum hair-loss, sketch hair stylists, DIY hair color failures, and my own consistency with self-maintaining, I still think it is the best hair decision I have ever made!

I really love my hair! I have to repeat the sentiments form my 6th hair anniversary:

You don't know what it means to be a brown girl that loves her hair as is. To be free of relaxers that never agreed with me. To be free of curl defining this and hair straightening that. As much as I love seeing a girl with a great blow-out or a fierce twist-out, I felt like I was comparing my hair to others and feeling inadequate. Hair, for many of us, is one of the first ways we express our personal style, culture, and self.

As a gift to you for reading, commenting, and providing a wealth of recommendations to me on this journey:

1. Everyone gets a discount code to Nappy N Happy, who kindly sent me a sample of their improved thicker gauge tool after noting the one I bought would often bend during use. The thicker gauge tool is amazing; exactly what I needed to retighten my hair and start my husband’s thicker interlocks. Head over to https://www.nappynhappy.com/ and use the code: Anniversary2017 for 10% off through 3/31/2017.


2. One lucky reader will get my favorite hair care products which includes

I am my own hair goals, gorgeous and free of harsh and toxic products.


Thanks for following me in this journey. Enter below by leaving a comment stating what do you currently use on your hair?


a Rafflecopter giveaway
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I ended up giving up on that blonde streak and decided to return to using Naturcolor in 1N, a "natural" hair brand that I have been using for a few years, to return to my roots. Black hair it is.



My natural hair color is a mix of faded black and a random spectrum of brown hair. I love rich uniform black hair and have dyed it for sometime to avoid my naturally ashy brown hair (and hide lint).

I have a huge issue with rapidly fading black hair color since all I use is natural or plant-based hair colors, but don't mind the extra work to keep harmful chemicals out of my hair routine. But here are some of the ways to extend the life of your hair color is:
  • Avoiding hot water, which opens the cuticle and encourages the fading of hair color.
  • The occasional protein treatment (working on my own recipe).
  • A good moisturizing routine to offset the drying nature of many dyes.
This post has been updated as of April, 2019 and contains affiliate links.

Natural Plant-Based Hair Color

I ended up giving up on that blonde streak and decided to return to using Naturcolor in 1N, a "natural" hair brand that I have been using for a few years, to return to my roots. Black hair it is.



My natural hair color is a mix of faded black and a random spectrum of brown hair. I love rich uniform black hair and have dyed it for sometime to avoid my naturally ashy brown hair (and hide lint).

I have a huge issue with rapidly fading black hair color since all I use is natural or plant-based hair colors, but don't mind the extra work to keep harmful chemicals out of my hair routine. But here are some of the ways to extend the life of your hair color is:
  • Avoiding hot water, which opens the cuticle and encourages the fading of hair color.
  • The occasional protein treatment (working on my own recipe).
  • A good moisturizing routine to offset the drying nature of many dyes.
This post has been updated as of April, 2019 and contains affiliate links.
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Some of my favorite selfies from the prior two weeks.


Chronic Selfie Disorder: First Two Weeks of May

Some of my favorite selfies from the prior two weeks.


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This week's natural hair selfies.


Wednesday was this week's favorite:

Chronic Selfie Disorder: Last Week of April 2015
This week's natural hair selfies.


Wednesday was this week's favorite:
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Is it weird that I take a selfie everyday? Here is this week's summary.


Chronic Selfie Disorder: 3rd Week of April

Is it weird that I take a selfie everyday? Here is this week's summary.


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A selfie crafted just for Instagram!

Natural Hair and Locs

Follow me: @RaisingSelf on Instagram, for more random hair, makeup, cooking, life and random Southern California living photos!

Black Thursday
A selfie crafted just for Instagram!

Natural Hair and Locs

Follow me: @RaisingSelf on Instagram, for more random hair, makeup, cooking, life and random Southern California living photos!
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End of Another Work Week

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Fall 2010 to Fall 2014 (with a few grooming sessions in-between)!

I've lost locks to tension, hormonal hair loss, a couple stints of poor hair routines and crappy hair stylists... but I made it!



A Few Years of Loc Growth
Fall 2010 to Fall 2014 (with a few grooming sessions in-between)!

I've lost locks to tension, hormonal hair loss, a couple stints of poor hair routines and crappy hair stylists... but I made it!



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My Locs have been neglected and every evening I've had to re-ti small patches to save my Locs from complete atrophy! It may take me an entire week to complete! But these week long sessions squeezed into my busy schedule will have to do until I find a loctician.

These sessions inspire many hair selfies. Some a little more hilarious as I play around with unsuccessful faux-loc bangs!




Hair Selfies
My Locs have been neglected and every evening I've had to re-ti small patches to save my Locs from complete atrophy! It may take me an entire week to complete! But these week long sessions squeezed into my busy schedule will have to do until I find a loctician.

These sessions inspire many hair selfies. Some a little more hilarious as I play around with unsuccessful faux-loc bangs!




Read more
Efficiently and thoroughly cleansing your locs is an integral part of maintaining and retaining hair health.


Here is my tried and true method for shampooing my hair.

 Step 1: Band locs into smaller sections. Though often recommended only for younger locs that have not settled, I've continued this because as my hair gets longer and more cumbersome to wash, this is how I insure I don't miss a section of scalp or length.


Step 2: Cleanse with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Shampoo. It really removes build-up well and has a pleasant peppermint smell.

Step 3: Follow up with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter (honeysuckle scented) conditioning shampoo. This may seem odd to double shampoo but, the aforementioned shampoo is so rich and my build-up so stubborn that it conditions my hair sufficiently without contributing to my build-up problem.  I also hesitate to condition my sisterlocks, cleansing properly yields better sheen and results than risking conditioner buildup.

Though not the best for locs, the Shea Moisture shampoo is amazing on the fro, my daughter and sister love it! It also smells like heaven (like Jesus himself came down and touched it), and the smell lasts for days.


Step 4: Inspect. I always look closely at my scalp for that gray build-up sludge as an indicator of whether or not I cleansed thoroughly enough.


 Step 5: Squeeze the excess water out in the shower, towel dry and leave it banded to air dry overnight (I tend to wash my hair near the end of the day). Leaving it banded to dry really yields a great next day look.


Final Step: Remove band and go (additional styling is optional). 

Here is a video showing some of my shampoo prep.


Shampoo Routine
Efficiently and thoroughly cleansing your locs is an integral part of maintaining and retaining hair health.


Here is my tried and true method for shampooing my hair.

 Step 1: Band locs into smaller sections. Though often recommended only for younger locs that have not settled, I've continued this because as my hair gets longer and more cumbersome to wash, this is how I insure I don't miss a section of scalp or length.


Step 2: Cleanse with Trader Joe's Tea Tree Shampoo. It really removes build-up well and has a pleasant peppermint smell.

Step 3: Follow up with Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter (honeysuckle scented) conditioning shampoo. This may seem odd to double shampoo but, the aforementioned shampoo is so rich and my build-up so stubborn that it conditions my hair sufficiently without contributing to my build-up problem.  I also hesitate to condition my sisterlocks, cleansing properly yields better sheen and results than risking conditioner buildup.

Though not the best for locs, the Shea Moisture shampoo is amazing on the fro, my daughter and sister love it! It also smells like heaven (like Jesus himself came down and touched it), and the smell lasts for days.


Step 4: Inspect. I always look closely at my scalp for that gray build-up sludge as an indicator of whether or not I cleansed thoroughly enough.


 Step 5: Squeeze the excess water out in the shower, towel dry and leave it banded to air dry overnight (I tend to wash my hair near the end of the day). Leaving it banded to dry really yields a great next day look.


Final Step: Remove band and go (additional styling is optional). 

Here is a video showing some of my shampoo prep.


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Happy Hump Day!


I am finally getting around to re-tightening my locs. I have yet to even try to find a new stylist in Southern California (nor did I even try to go to that big Sisterlocks gathering).

For some reason I am only inspired to re-ti during awkward moments (like the middle of Women's bible study), at least more than half of my locs are redone!

Still using the nappyloc tool and those fabric store needles since they really get the job done for $1!


I have skin care updates and product recommendations pending so look out for those in days to come!

Hump Day!
Happy Hump Day!


I am finally getting around to re-tightening my locs. I have yet to even try to find a new stylist in Southern California (nor did I even try to go to that big Sisterlocks gathering).

For some reason I am only inspired to re-ti during awkward moments (like the middle of Women's bible study), at least more than half of my locs are redone!

Still using the nappyloc tool and those fabric store needles since they really get the job done for $1!


I have skin care updates and product recommendations pending so look out for those in days to come!

Read more
Hello my lovlies, my life is pretty busy at the moment with additional work and volunteer projects, but I wanted to check in...


and share a few snap shots my little life!



Life Updates
Hello my lovlies, my life is pretty busy at the moment with additional work and volunteer projects, but I wanted to check in...


and share a few snap shots my little life!



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Though I do still have an elaborate skin routine, on those many evenings in which I have no time at all because I'm dealing with screaming toddlers after a long day at work. This is my quick routine:


Random Bits About Natural Skin & Hair
Though I do still have an elaborate skin routine, on those many evenings in which I have no time at all because I'm dealing with screaming toddlers after a long day at work. This is my quick routine:


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I've moved to California for a new job. These days I've had more time in the morning and I've been apply make-up in the morning, which is kind of a big deal for me. 2013 was eventful because I learned how to apply makeup!

FYI I used predominately natural makeup lines (Like Mineral Fusion) from Whole Foods and Sephora.

I moved to Cali
I've moved to California for a new job. These days I've had more time in the morning and I've been apply make-up in the morning, which is kind of a big deal for me. 2013 was eventful because I learned how to apply makeup!

FYI I used predominately natural makeup lines (Like Mineral Fusion) from Whole Foods and Sephora.

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Please excuse my absence, I've been living life! I finished my Master's program. I traveled to multiple states. I went to the Hunger Games (I love YA novels) red carpet movie premiere. On top of marriage, babies and career. I've neglected my sisterlocked family, my apologies. I'll update the hair routine soon, and share more hair pictures from other naturalistas.


Please Excuse My Absence
Please excuse my absence, I've been living life! I finished my Master's program. I traveled to multiple states. I went to the Hunger Games (I love YA novels) red carpet movie premiere. On top of marriage, babies and career. I've neglected my sisterlocked family, my apologies. I'll update the hair routine soon, and share more hair pictures from other naturalistas.


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  • Sunday, July 14, 2013

Hair and Skin Update: July 2013
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I hope everyone who is able are taking advantage of the beauty of nature this weekend. In my case, Saturday was packed with charitable events and gardening. A Zumba marathon for charity and supporting Created Tampa, a lovely non-profit organization that rescues women from the sex industry locally. I was able to bring my daughter along and begin to teach the importance of loving kindness and philanthropy. I was also able to do a bit of organic gardening with my son.






Happy Saturday
I hope everyone who is able are taking advantage of the beauty of nature this weekend. In my case, Saturday was packed with charitable events and gardening. A Zumba marathon for charity and supporting Created Tampa, a lovely non-profit organization that rescues women from the sex industry locally. I was able to bring my daughter along and begin to teach the importance of loving kindness and philanthropy. I was also able to do a bit of organic gardening with my son.






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Recently, I've started to lose locs hardcore.The most likely culprit is waiting long periods in-between retightenings. My hair seems so fragile. 


I'm currently in an ugly season with my locs.


2019 Update: Here is what I have learned about hair loss in general and postpartum.

A New Battle With Thinning Locs
Recently, I've started to lose locs hardcore.The most likely culprit is waiting long periods in-between retightenings. My hair seems so fragile. 


I'm currently in an ugly season with my locs.


2019 Update: Here is what I have learned about hair loss in general and postpartum.
Read more
Week two of December!


Another Random Video Hair Update
Week two of December!


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Trying video hair updates for a bit. Let me know what you think.

Hair Update: November 2012 Year 2
Trying video hair updates for a bit. Let me know what you think.

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