The POST-Loc Routine

This is what I do to maintain my locs.  If you're interested in starting locs with braids as I did, then check out my ebook called "Bradelocz - A Guide to Growing a Beautiful, Healthy Head of Locs From Simple Braids". It contains a lot more information about starting them, maintaining them and MUCH more!

Shampooing Them...

I shampoo my hair once a week.  Maybe once or twice per month, I will use a clarifying shampoo to remove any build-up that may be in my hair.  Immediately after shampooing my hair, I will rub a small amount of either olive oil, Tunde's Natty Dread Cream or Mimosa Hair Honey (Carol's Daughter) into my hands and distribute throughout my damp hair.  

On occasion, I'll do an herbal rinse with chamomile tea (or herbs such as chamomile, stinging nettles, and rosemary that I purchased from http://www.fromnaturewithlove.com ) or I'll do an apple cider vinegar rinse (about 1 part apple cider vinegar to 3 parts distilled water and a few drops of sage oil).  Since my locs have turned a year old, every now and then I may do a conditioner (ORS-Organic Root Stimulator Hair Mayonnaise) that I somewhat dilute with water in my hands.  I still don't do creamy conditioners too often for fear of build up and that is why I do the herbal rinses to substitute for conditioners.  No, herbal rinses don't leave the hair feeling slick and soft, but they condition from the inside out.  I apply the light oils to damp locs for a light sheen and a somewhat softer feel.

Sometimes, I lightly mist my locs with water from my water purification system and I added a little bit of oil to the water bottle as well.  I also mist my locs with aloe vera juice as a hair food/moisturizer.

Sometimes I will roll the locs up on rods or do a twist-out/braid-out to make them curly (or crinkly), but I don't do this too often as most times I just wear my locs freestyle.  I sleep on a satin pillow cover at night to keep lint out.

After my locs have somewhat air dried, I twist them by twirling them between my fingers.  I DO NOT do this to retighten the roots, but to smooth them a little.  The locs are still fuzzy, but smoothing them in this manner helps cut down on the fuzzies just a little bit not to mention it kinda forms the locs into a cylindrical shape as opposed to flat-looking (many times locs started with braids are accused of having a flatter appearance...mine don't!).

Tightening Them Up...

I was torn between what I wanted to do the maintenance my locs.  Did I want them to look very groomed or did I mind the wild, fuzzy look?  Those were questions I had to ask myself.  What did I decide?  Well, at first, I was doing the re-twisting of the roots and using gel and loc products.  Then, I found out that using all that product can cause build-up and gunk in the locs.  So, I'm not going that route. 

Also, I learned that over twisting is not good because it will cause the locs to weaken and more than likely break off later.  Plus, I am not up for re-twisting and clipping and drying.  Too much maintenance for me. 

I read about a "crochet technique" that can be used to tighten up the new-growth.  The instructions for the "crochet method" was a starting point that led me to what I do now which is what I like to call latchin' !  With latchin' I use a latch hook to tighten my new growth and I love the results!  

To learn more about this method of tightening locs, click here and in a matter of minutes (or maybe even seconds) you'll get an explanation of the process sent to your email...OR...you can click here to get even MORE detailed instructions along with photo illustrations of the process in my new ebooklet entitled "How to Retighten Your Locs Using the Latchin' Technique"!

The PRE-Loc Routine

This was my regimen prior to starting my locs when I wore the TWA.

Products I Use:

I use Dr. Bronner's Shampoo (Peppermint, Tea Tree and sometimes Lavender)  The Peppermint is the best (to me) as it's so refreshing and it smells so clean and good.

For a conditioner, I currently use the Suave version of Nexxus Humectress. 

For styling aides, I use shea butter, Alternatives brand gel, olive oil, vitamin E oil, carrot oil, Ebene Naturals Natural Styling Balm and Taliah Waajid's Protective Bodifying Mist. 

The Routine:

I usually shampoo/condition about 2 or 3 times a week.  Once a week, after shampooing/conditioning, I use an apple cider vinegar rinse.  I have a large jar that I filled up with water from our Pur water filtration system (I hear it's best to use distilled water as opposed to tap) and I add about a quarter cup of ACV - apple cider vinegar (please don't use the clear, regular vinegar!) I also add about a1/4 tsp. of sage oil.  This is used as a final rinse (not rinsed out) after the conditioner has been rinsed out.  The sage oil is good for the hair AND it cuts the smell of the vinegar.

What does this rinse do?  It makes my hair very soft, easy to comb and gives a  healthy shine.  That's because the vinegar brings the hair's PH balance back to normal after the shampooing.  It also seals and closes the cuticle which also adds to the shine.  A cold water rinse can serve the same purpose of sealing the cuticle.

Styling:

I liked to wear two-stand twists (and the twist out), finger coils and flat twists to give my hair a different look.  If you haven't already, you can see the pictures of some of my variations on the "photos" page.

When I twist, I always twist my hair damp.  If it begins to dry, I spray it with a mixture of 1-2 teaspoons of conditioner (I use the Suave version of Nexxus Humectress as it is moisturizing), 1-2 teaspoons of olive oil (or any other oil such as carrot, vitamin E, jojoba, etc.) and water. 

As I twist (or coil) I use Alternatives brand gel (it's green in a clear jar with a blue cap - smells real nice) and I don't use a whole lot.  I like to take a separate container and mix some of the gel with a little oil.  I just take random sections of hair and dab my fingers in the gel and start twisting (or coiling).  If you don't want them to stick up, you can use metal clips to lay them flat until they dry or (as I usually do) tie a scarf on them and after about 15 minutes or so, they're flat to the head.

I always sleep with a silky scarf or bonnet on my head except when I have a twist out (I have an old satin pajama top that I lay over my pillow for these nights).