Gena’s Natural Liberation

Change Has Come!!!! Obama Election Party-Phx, AZ.

2008-12-02T23:52:00.000-08:00

3 months, 4 months, & 6 months

2008-12-02T23:33:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone,

It's been 7 months since I posted updates. My hair has changed alot and is growing. I am still luvin my LOCS!!! I have more pictures, and later will update on my attempt to retighten my own hair. I did a good job, however, it took me 2 days just to do the front.

First Retightening

2008-05-18T23:46:00.000-07:00

(Click on images to enlarge)

While I was in DC for Mother’s day weekend, I had my first retighten on May 10th. It was actually the day I went to see Ms. Badu. My consultant said my hair is doing well, and that I only had a few slippages. My 1st retighten took almost four hours. I asked her to retighten my hair going back because it was difficult to get the part in the middle out. However, most of the time I’m styling my hair with the part in the middle. My 2nd retighten will be done in AZ. I’m a little nervous but the consultant in AZ is very nice and seems to be about business. She actually did a good job on my sisterlocks samples. So, my hair will be maintained by two consultants. Will keep ya posted. Until then… Have A Bless Day!!!!

Mother's Day Weekend

2008-05-18T23:05:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day Weekend

Reflecting: Three weeks ago my son went to his Jr Prom , and I was thinking to myself wow time doesn’t wait on no one. I cannot believe he is 17 years old. I was so happy, and then started to think what am I going to do when he goes off to college. I enjoy being a mother. Kids are such a blessing and although I am what they consider the at risk age because I’m in my late 30’s… I would love to have a baby girl.

My Sweet Loving Mother

I enjoy my Mother’s Day weekend. I flew into Washington, DC for 3 days to spend the weekend with my mother. We had a wonderful time. Although it rain every day, it didn’t stop us from going out and enjoying ourselves. We visit the new National Harbor off the Potomac River in Prince George's County, MD, we went out to eat, watch movies, and on Saturday I went to see my girl Erykah Badu in Baltimore. It’s been years since I seen Ms. Badu, and her songs does her no justice. You have to see her in concert; the girl can blow, got some rhythm, and very entertaining. I like Erykah because she is down to earth, and keep it real. Check out how she just pulled her featherlike hat off and continue to jam. I often get stop and is told by strangers that I look like Erykah Badu… nice compliment because I think she have natural beauty. What ya think? Check out Badu videos.

Erykah Badu-Concert in Baltimore, MD May 10th

2008-05-18T00:48:00.000-07:00

2nd Wash Before My 1st Retightening

2008-05-17T23:41:00.001-07:00

Ok, my second wash was 3 wks of being sisterlocked. I had the hardest time as mentioned before with the rubberbands, and this time when I tried to cut the bands off…I cut my hair by accident. So, I will not be using rubberbands anymore. Below are pictures after my second wash.

Tomoka's Twist

2008-05-17T22:54:00.000-07:00

After 2 weeks I tried to get a little fancy, so I ordered some hair accessories the Tomoka's twist. At first, I had a little trouble trying to get it on, but I got the hang of it. I think they are a nice alternative for putting your hair back. Thanks Carmen!

Loving My Locks

2008-05-16T00:04:00.001-07:00

I am camera happy now, just loving my locs!!!! I just wake up and go, no more rolling, wrapping, curling…just spritz and go. Ha! Ha! So liberating… (2-2.5 weeks sisterlocs)

Texture shots

2008-05-15T23:18:00.000-07:00

First Wash

2008-05-15T22:35:00.000-07:00

BEFORE THE WASH

Wow, this bundling is a lot of work, and I had trouble just trying to tuck my ends under. My hair is all different length so it took me atleast 10mins. And the small rubberbands was difficult for me to work with. I have to find an alternative. Also, after I washed my hair it was very difficult to remove the rubberbands. Did anyone else have this problem? My consultant told me to cut them off, so that did help a little. Time consuming. I will be glad when I can wash and go…

AFTER THE WASH

Loose hair Day 6

2008-05-15T22:19:00.000-07:00

I noticed before I washed my hair some loose hair and slippage.

I tried Caruso steam rollers

2008-05-15T22:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, day five... Before I went to church I decided to try the caruso steam rollers....well, it came out ok. I think I like my spritz and go better. Maybe when my hair grows longer or loc I will try again.

Day 3

2008-05-06T01:35:00.000-07:00

day 3

2008-05-06T01:23:00.000-07:00

I am back in the “Valley of the Sun”. One of the first things I did was to spritz my hair with water, and my special mix. To be honest, my dry ends are really bothering me, so I spritz my hair with my special mix of water, rosemary essential oil, lavender EO, and aloe vera juice. I also used a little of myhoneychild herbal hair cocktail spray because it is not oily, very light and will help with moisturizing. In AZ, it is dry heat, very little to no humidity. I have to spritz my hair two times a day. I know after reading blogs some say that is too much, but I live in the desert per say. Spritzing my hair did help a little with the dry ends.

2nd Day of Sisterlocks

2008-05-06T00:42:00.000-07:00

You can see the braid out is holding up, however, my ends look really dry to me. I don’t think you can see the dryness in my pictures, but I’m wondering how in the heck I am going to survive without condition until my hair loc. Maybe, after the first wash my ends will look better…We will see.

Sisterlocks Installation

2008-05-06T00:32:00.001-07:00

I'm Finally Sisterlocked

2008-05-05T22:48:00.000-07:00

Hi Sisterlock family,

Sorry it took awhile to post my pics of my sisterlocks. I've actually been snapping pics everyday, but been very busy with school, work, etc… that I didn't have time to update my blog. I had a wonderful installation experience. It took two days, totaling 24hours. The first day of installation was the mid-section of my back only. I will tell you my butt was sore, and at times I felt a little anxious. I kept thinking, please let my locs come out right, because I can't bear to sit and have them taken out. I was actually surprised because my hair was different length as if I had it layer all over. I think that is from me clipping my ends every time I did the two-strand twist. My consultant also clip my dead ends so it wouldn't bunch up. At first I was concerned about the different length, but it actually helped my hair to look fuller. Due to the density of my hair, I didn't have much scalp showing which was pleasing to me. My consultant did the 4reverse, and I have approximately 510 locks.

I will be flying back to DC for Mother’s Day and to get my 1st retightening. I will post the pictures of my 3 weeks journey of sisterlocks in a few days. Above are pictures of the installation process. Since installation, I have washed my hair once; noticed some slippage around the edges in the back and maybe two locks in the front. I also noticed that some hair strands approximately the size of a micro lock was left out on the crown of my hair etc… so check back in a few days to see update pics, what I think about SL shampoo, how I care for my SL and keep it moist without using oil, and what’s new.

Until then...HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!

Beauty Products

2008-04-01T17:34:00.000-07:00

My natural journey has changed my life. I now try to use only natural products on my hair and body. I also make my own natural hair spritz. In the beginning of discovering what works for me; I tried several products. My family at times giggles at me because I now read hair and skin product labels. Which bring me to the sisterlock starter shampoo? After reading many blogs I know many did not use it for several reasons. I have my concerns because it contains Sodium Laureth which is not healthy for your hair, but I am aware that it is perfect for starting locks because of the drying effect. Well, I probably will stick to only natural shampoo without condition. I will talk more about that with my consultant.
I am now more conscious of not just taking care of my hair but myself physically, spiritually, and mentally. I am not a young buck anymore, and would like to age gracefully, so being proactive is imperative. Although my schedule is very hectic; these are my proactive plans to take care of myself:
1. Physically: exercise, walking, dancing, monthly body message, and maybe yoga.
2. Spiritually: read the bible more, get more involved with church, read and listen to inspirational books, and stay optimistic.
3. Mentally: I am in graduate school to advance my career, dedicating more quiet time to self, and twice a week in the sauna.

Old days and Beginning of my Natural Journey

2008-03-31T01:00:00.000-07:00

sample sisterlocks

2008-03-31T00:58:00.001-07:00

I am counting down the days until I am officially part of the sisterlock family. During my natural discovery, I learned to love my hair. Through all my research and lurking on different blogs and lockitup I am inspired to take the next step. I had two consultations, and sample locks from both consultants. I actually found two consultants that I really like and would trust to start my locks. However, my second consultation wasn't scheduled or planned. I was visiting my family in DC and was expressing to my cousin that I was strongly thinking about sisterlocks. Well, it's been about a year, and she had sisterlocks and was going the next day for retightened class and invited me to come along. Well, they said word of mouth is the best, and she talked highly about her consultant. I was very surprised that she agreed to see me on such short notice, and very impressed with her professionalism, her cozy setting, and spirit. She had pictures of other sisterlock family members, magazines, supplies etc… I decided to start my sisterlock with Robin Mitchell, my second consultant. Robin gave me information to take home, and a receipt. She also later emailed me her pricelist of services and informed me that we will have continental breakfast setup along with light refreshments throughout the day, and together we will think of something for dinner. Did I mention because I am from out of town, and she resides 45 minutes outside DC, she offered me to stay in her guest room. I thought she goes up and beyond the call of service. My installation will be over two days, April 13-14. I am looking forward to starting my journey. As my consultant stated, “Sisterlocks is not only a change in your lifestyle, it also brings you into a Sisterhood”.