SNOW! And Apple Cider Vinegar for hair care

At around ten o'clock last night, It started snowing in the greater Atlanta area. Below you'll see some pics taken from my second floor window.




Now, I'm no hater when it comes to snow, but I'm definitely going to actively put my confidence in Cobb and Fulton County making sure to clear the roads for commuters, cause I begin my massage career, officially, on thursday, with signifigant prep work on wednesday. That aside, it'll be really cool travelling among the snow! I'll take some pics to share.

Now for the brazen tacks.
On previous posts, I've mentioned the homemade spray I use to keep my locs infused with useful stuff. For anyone with locs, braids, or any natural hair style, there are three things that must be in your spray. They are:

WATER
OIL
ACV

Keep in mind that of these three, only the oil will leave a scent, so a fourth ingredient would usually be some essential oil to add fragrance to hair that would otherwise smell like, iono, ganja smoke, cig smoke, dandruff, or whatever environment your hair is in on the regular. (hair soaks smell)

That being said, we're gonna hit this list from the bottom up, and tackle the importance of ACV, or Apple Cider Vinegar, as it pertains to a spray that can go on your hair at most anytime.

I'm not going to go into the blown up plug for ACV, I'm only gonna tell what I think is prevalent to our discourse, (locs, thinning hair, hair care in general) That being said...

ACV has three primary benefits:

Conditioner

ACV has a ph of about 2.9, which is close to the 4.5 to 5.5 of hair. (doesn't seem close, but acidic is acidic I suppose) While most shampoos are highly alkaline ( a ph of 7 and above) it also helps to close the hair cuticle which helps protect the inner shaft of hair. To this effect, ACV has a softening effect on hair, while not strong enough to slow up the locing process.

Cleaning agent

We've all seen the sites out there that spit, or speak, on ACV rinses being a boon to natural hair enthusiasts. I've done it once on my locs, but since I don't use wax on them, not much is going to happen. At any rate, if ur locs have lots of build up, consider a simple rinse of ACV and baking soda. I'll let you peruse the net for that recipe.

Germ killer

Dandruff has a clinical name that I won't go into spelling here, but the bottom line is, it's caused by a bacteria that eats ur scalp. ACV neutralizes it. That's why so many people like to use ACV for dandruff relief. I will say that dandruff usually improves in severity after your hair gets used to being loc'd, as the amount of oil ur head produces changes. Anyway, germ killer, Hell yeah!

All this adds up to alot of folks with locs finding value in using ACV. But did you also know it works for hair loss?

Not to be anticlimatic, but the reason it aids in hair loss is because of the effects touted above. lol. Also, remember to get the ACV with the cloudy stuff at the top and bottom. this is where all the power is. I use bragg's, you can find it most anywhere.

Next blog, we're going to go into the next portion of a decent spray for natural hair, OIL. Along with what ever else is going on in the region I reside in.

LUV, LUX, and LOCS

P.S.- I know ACV has a sour smell, but in a spray, the smell disappears as it dries, so don't worry about that. Here's some of the sites I used to get my info:


ACV Benefits
More ACV benefits
As if that weren't enough :)

talib kweli & hi tek - Memories Live - Reflection Eternal

I recall being 20 years old, living in Phoenix, sitting on our second floor balcony, and listening to this song on my ipod. Making fire light, thinking my life was complicated.

Ah, freeforming. My method...

So now that we've seen how freeforming has truly helped me to regain strength in hair follicles that were losing gusto (see pics from last post, and my lamenting in previous posts) I can testify to what I've found is the biggest benefit of freeforming, and how for those with thinning hair, manicuring becomes an addition of insult to injury.

Now, when I had my locs manicured, I loved how they looked, except I could easily see my thinning hair, and just, iono, felt, that my hair was getting thinner due to the twisting. when you've developed traction alcopecia, why add more traction by having them manicured all the time?

Also, I knew from the outset that when my locs were developed, I would have a problem. See, because I had thinning hair up top, my loctician thought it would be best to make fewer locks. I admit fault for not telling her to make more on the top of my head, but that's what a lack of foresight gets you. Sometimes its good to put your foot in your mouth, and just say what is coming up. Believe that.

So yes, I went through the arduous process of creating new locs while at the same time treating my older locs accordingly (feeding them water and shampoo). Which of course really slowed the locking process for the noobs. Many a day spent with my bandana on when I would have preferred to rock my locs...

The clinch for me was the amount of... of versatility in influencing how these locs would start and develop (newbies) now I have a total of six locs where before I had two. had I continued to have them manicured, even if less often to combat the traction, I would have developed a very few, slowly thinning locs on top of my head.

So my message to those who have thinning hair and are considering locs... First, determine what your goals are.
If you want to cultivate locs in order to try and strengthen hair growth, then have a loctician start them, but only after you've discussed that you believe your hair can grow back, and you want the begining locs to reflect that belief. Have them wash and twist them, but don't pin them down to the root when going under the dryer. allow some breathing room (and growing room) for the hair that can't take that stress.

If on the other hand, you want locs and are unconcerned about continued alcopecia, then so be it. but if I know the human condition as far as aesthetics, then we all want a full head of hair (read: locs) so do what thou wilt.

Love, Lux, locs.

SIx semi new locs, and the 'no poo' method

Here's a few pics:










I'm not sure how they started, but they're coming along. I cut the two front 'antennae' a while ago, but true to form (or freeform lol) they grew right back, and brought friends!

As my hair continues to loc, alot of the shorter hair right around my crown is getting thicker and stronger, and I decided to, instead of just joining it to surrounding hair and leaving like, four locs on top of my head, make individual locs out of this new, stronger growth.

I'm really pleased with how its coming along.

As for my hair care stuff, I just tried something new. No shampooing, or "no-poo" washing, is, in layman's terms, washing your hair with just water, no shampoo.

I know what you're thinking out there....

EEEWWW.

But it won't be forever. Since I do have new locks, that I should avoid shampooing them so heavily for at least another one or two washings (two to three weeks). But that being said, the rest of my hair needs water to keep them from drying out during the winter. So no poo it is...At least for a while.

Wanna hear a bit more about this "no poo revolution"? check out a few of the links below. Who knows? you may decide to go without shampoo yourself.

lifelessplastic-no poo

thephoenix-no po doo

Do it big, or at least bigger, than yesterday.
LOVE,LUX, and LOCS

No more massage therapy school....And updates on mi locs

SO yesterday was my last day of class at Massage therapy school. Saw that I'd passed the last test, and let rip a "WHOOP" that the new students will remember for a few weeks.

I've been involved in that school for almost the last year! So many things coming full circle... But of course, when things come full circle, new things start the merry go-round. I've decided that I'm more than capable of continuing on with school, until I have a bachelor's, or at least enough certifications to earn me a prosperous doctor's wage.

I believe that the next step is personal training. Gonna see what pops up soon.

My locs are wonderful! I have been having some trouble though. This cooling weather's got them getting dry. REALLY dry. Two days after I wash, they're flaky again... Just a shower of dandruff. When I spray a lot of spritz, they're kosher, but do I really soak my hair, and then throw a beenie on, or even less safe, go out into 50 degree weather with a head full of moist locs? I believe I should start oiling them again. I stopped when I started spritzing more heavy, thinking that would do it, but I'd prefer oil to a spritz, now that the cold season waxes fat.

I been massaging my scalp a bit more consistently, and must say I like the results. Just feels more comfy.

I was thinking about cutting my hair down into much shorter locs, if not completely shaving, in order to obtain employment now that I'm done with school. I went to my sister's to visit, and mentioned this to her, and she gave me one of the most sincere compliments I've ever heard her give. Told me that my hair identifies me as being a unique person, and that it would help me communicate my "earthy" quality, as it would apply to the healing I would facilitate.

OK, she didn't say all that, but that was a decent paraphrase. It was weeks ago, people, I'm gonna sensationalize. I've already told this story to a half million folks anyway...lol

so I'm not cutting my hair.

but I do want some good ole' employment...

Eh, we'll see what manifests. Recieved some citrine as a graduation gift from a good friend. All ready to be using that to make money happy here.

Lov, Light, y Lucini

Now life (For real Freeforming pt 3), and my Birthday resolution list

Happy birthday to me!

I turn 22 in a few hours. Past year has been full of positivity. kind of like the stock market over five years is supposed to always be up. I don't like making resolutions at New Year's, I prefer making them on my Birthday. And as a means of having a record of it, I'll just post some "Birthday Resolutions" here.

1. To put positive energy into building my conscious awareness with the cosmos, strengthening and balancing my energy centers, welcoming gratitude to exist in my life in a perpetual state, knowing my insignifigance in size, and realizing my ultrasignifigance in expanding consciousness.
2. To Put positive energy into nurturing my hair, and continue allowing it to freeform into its own glory, despite the naysayers. Using Green tea to keep my hair ph-balanced and growing, taking pictures to document my journey, posting the pictures in a show of love for my locs, for others' locs, and for the spiritual journey of loc'ing in general
3. To put positive energy into building my finances. Has it been the experience of anyone that you have all the mechanisms in place to make money, but you need money to begin moving the machine? Stocks and bonds and saving accounts, saving to buy a car, a loft, and other things that will help me further my business practices and career. Keeping retirement in mind!
4. To put positive energy into helping my family grow. My coming achievement will be inspiring to many people, but I hope that the downcoming and everlasting success will inspire those younger than me the most.
5. To put positive energy into the future manifestation of my plans for living. I look forward to so many things! And remaining positive and steadfast in my plans will allow the seed of thought I've created to grow into the plant, the tree of physical materialization.
6. To put positive energy into my circle of loved ones and friends. Many of my closest aquaintances are also in this natural healing field, and a means of ensuring success is payment forward. For me this means staying in contact with these people and referring clientele to them, while not expecting them to do the same for me. This manifests clientele, be it from referrals or no.
7. To put positive energy into expanding my base of usable modalities. Not just taking continuing education classes to retain my license, but also building on the reflexology, chair massage, Nmt, swedish, and deep tissue; continuing to incorporate shiatsu, reiki, and aromatherapy; constantly learning and absorbing.
8. To put positive energy into myself and my heart, in order to keep the party going!

Love, Light, and Lucini

Shout out?

Jay-Z 99 problems
"you're crazy for this one, Rick..."

All the time we hear it at the begining or end of songs.
I heard a Missy Elliot track a few weeks ago-"you're stupid for this one!"

I know what it means. It means they did a good job on production. I wonder if Quincy Jones would take it as a compliment. Or Stevie Wonder. Or Babyface.

Lol, it's gonna get worse...

How about let's get some future shout out's in the comments section, I'm anxious to see what You guys can come up with. I'll start

"You're retarded for this one!"
"I'm telling your mama for this one"
"You should be prosecuted for this one!"
"You're shitty for this one!"

:P