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The Latest

 We all need a little sisterlocked hair inspiration on our feed!


1. Kendra Kenshay @kendrakenshay

Kendra Kenshay


2. Alluria @ms_nixon

@ms_nixon

3. Carla @fabnfitbycarla 



4. Sookie @simplysookie



5. Nellej. @iamnellej




Any loc'd lovelies on Instagram you think we should be following?

Sisterlockers to Follow on Instagram

 We all need a little sisterlocked hair inspiration on our feed!


1. Kendra Kenshay @kendrakenshay

Kendra Kenshay


2. Alluria @ms_nixon

@ms_nixon

3. Carla @fabnfitbycarla 



4. Sookie @simplysookie



5. Nellej. @iamnellej




Any loc'd lovelies on Instagram you think we should be following?
Read more
It’s a really tough season right now. Most of us are dealing with collective trauma from COVID-19 and social injustice. While this sponsored post is about how we eat. I think content that reminds us that we owe it to ourselves and to the community of folks that love us, to always engage in intentional self-care is important.

Earlier this year, my doctor noted that I needed to make a number of changes to help with my progressive weight gain, low energy, and poor sleep habits. What and how I consume food are a part of that. Always Eat After 7PM is a three-phase program that teaches you how to lose big by strategically eating big when you are naturally hungriest—in the evening. This could sound a little too good to be true, but it doesn’t seem like a gimmick. It’s all about making strategic and smart food swaps, and you can still eat your favorite foods.



I decided that I wanted to have a healthy relationship with food. I did not want dieting to consume my mental and spiritual journey. And at the end of my life, my greatest accomplishment should not be that I lost 5 pounds. I want to do a great many things while being physically and mentally healthy.

One of the ways that I am intentional about what I put in my body, while not letting it consume my life (and each person needs to do what makes sense for them), is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting really shines when it comes to improving the hormones that directly affect your hunger, blood sugar, and metabolism. One is insulin. Intermittent fasting combats insulin resistance, meaning that it helps your body use insulin more normally, thereby lowering your diabetes risk and boosting your metabolism. Since my mother has diabetes, this is something I have to be ever cautious about.



Always Eat After 7 PM, written by Certified Sports Nutritionist Joel Marion, is a diet designed to work with your body’s natural hormonal systems, instead of working against them.
For me, intermittent fasting coupled with eating specific foods that helped my metabolism seems to work. Going without breakfast is part of intermittent fasting (IF), also called time-restricted feeding (TRF). IF is a pattern of food consumption that cycles between fasting and eating in specific time periods. There are various ways to do it; one of the most common is the 16/8 protocol, which involves 16 hours of fasting—typically done overnight—with an 8-hour window in which to eat each day. Since I work a traditional 9-5 (even though remotely at the moment) I particularly enjoy cooking an elaborate dinner. It’s how I wind down. It’s how I disconnect from the workday and reconnect with my personal life. In a nutshell, this diet makes sense for me on multiple levels, it just fits.

Do what makes sense for you.  Make it something you can maintain long-term. Make sure it doesn’t add any added material stress. And just try to live your best life, whatever that may look like.

If you are interested and have time, learn more here:



The Science:

Top Tips:
Tracking Pixel
  • Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Why I choose to Always Eat After 7PM
It’s a really tough season right now. Most of us are dealing with collective trauma from COVID-19 and social injustice. While this sponsored post is about how we eat. I think content that reminds us that we owe it to ourselves and to the community of folks that love us, to always engage in intentional self-care is important.

Earlier this year, my doctor noted that I needed to make a number of changes to help with my progressive weight gain, low energy, and poor sleep habits. What and how I consume food are a part of that. Always Eat After 7PM is a three-phase program that teaches you how to lose big by strategically eating big when you are naturally hungriest—in the evening. This could sound a little too good to be true, but it doesn’t seem like a gimmick. It’s all about making strategic and smart food swaps, and you can still eat your favorite foods.



I decided that I wanted to have a healthy relationship with food. I did not want dieting to consume my mental and spiritual journey. And at the end of my life, my greatest accomplishment should not be that I lost 5 pounds. I want to do a great many things while being physically and mentally healthy.

One of the ways that I am intentional about what I put in my body, while not letting it consume my life (and each person needs to do what makes sense for them), is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting really shines when it comes to improving the hormones that directly affect your hunger, blood sugar, and metabolism. One is insulin. Intermittent fasting combats insulin resistance, meaning that it helps your body use insulin more normally, thereby lowering your diabetes risk and boosting your metabolism. Since my mother has diabetes, this is something I have to be ever cautious about.



Always Eat After 7 PM, written by Certified Sports Nutritionist Joel Marion, is a diet designed to work with your body’s natural hormonal systems, instead of working against them.
For me, intermittent fasting coupled with eating specific foods that helped my metabolism seems to work. Going without breakfast is part of intermittent fasting (IF), also called time-restricted feeding (TRF). IF is a pattern of food consumption that cycles between fasting and eating in specific time periods. There are various ways to do it; one of the most common is the 16/8 protocol, which involves 16 hours of fasting—typically done overnight—with an 8-hour window in which to eat each day. Since I work a traditional 9-5 (even though remotely at the moment) I particularly enjoy cooking an elaborate dinner. It’s how I wind down. It’s how I disconnect from the workday and reconnect with my personal life. In a nutshell, this diet makes sense for me on multiple levels, it just fits.

Do what makes sense for you.  Make it something you can maintain long-term. Make sure it doesn’t add any added material stress. And just try to live your best life, whatever that may look like.

If you are interested and have time, learn more here:



The Science:

Top Tips:
Tracking Pixel
Read more
I've had my sisterlocks 10 years this March and it was during a tough season where I was between locticians and money was tight because of a failed startup, that I had to either lose my locs or figure out how to retighten them. This was 9 years ago. There were not as many great DIY content videos and very few consistent sister- and mico-loc bloggers, but I was able to figure it out and saved my locs. I eventually found a new loctician and restarted my career but I still would retighten my locs from time to time.




I had a 6 week retighten appointment booked for the weekend after the shelter in place mandate was issued by the California governor because of COVID-19. So I found myself leaning on my DIY skills to save my locs again. Full disclosure, I didn't get to even start retightening until 2 weeks later, so my locs were dramatically overdue and I ended up merging at least once to save some of my really thin locs in the front, but I don't feel the stress and hopelessness I see being voiced in Sisterlocked's group by newbies who don't yet know how to self-maintain their locs.

Here are some basics on self retightening and some great how-to videos to start your journey.

Full disclosure: I have never taken a Sisterlock training course and I am not a licensed cosmetologist. If you can, discuss with your loctician and proceed at your own risk. This is just knowledge accumulated via trial and error and conversations with professionals.

Tools



I have purchased, created and misplaced so many locs tools it is laughable. Though my favorite go-to tool has remained blunt Steel Yarn Knitting Needles ($2) or the Nappy Loc Tool ($24) there are so many to choose from nowadays. These knitting needles were the only thing I could find a decade ago before you all these awesome loc tools on amazon for less than $15, see a list of some options I found online:

Other supplies

  • Spray bottle - to moisten locs you are working on and prevent breakage. I love this continuous water mister, it's a little fancier than usual and I keep distilled water in it. The silver bottle pictured above has my special moisture mix.
  • Hair Clips - to isolate locs and prevent the accidental merging of locs. I got lazy and didn't use it recently and accidentally merged two locs.

To start

  1. Deep clean locs, I usually use a clarifying shampoo right before retightening so I don't lock in more dirt and oil into my locs by retightening on dirty hair
  2. Towel dry excess moisture 
  3. Section hair into four or more sections, leaving the first section you plan to work on out
  4. Use hair clips to section off the first loc(s) you want to work on and begin
To retighten locs

Let's start with this video of interlocking traditional locs, which is very similar to how I retighten my sisterlocks. 




Always visualize the loc pattern as the face of a clock, so for sisterlock pattern three you enter at 9 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock again, and 12 o'clock. I don't pay attention to patterns anymore and I don't even remember what mine was or if I was ever told (my first consultant was no about empowering or educating). So I just focus on rotations. A rotation would be entering from the left side, down, the right side, and up. Similar to the video above and repeating until retighten to the scalp.

Remember to 

Always enter the loc at the scalp. As you pull your loc through, always push loop down towards the loc to eliminate gaps in your lock. Repeat until you are at the scalp and cannot complete another rotation. Your retightening should resemble a fishtail and feel like a tight cord.

What not to do!

Learn from my novice DIY mistakes in this video below. I did not isolate my locs and almost merged them (more than once). I was retightening on dry locs, which encourages breakage. My eyebrows were too thin and I was not taking my time. (LOL)



What you should be doing...


  • Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Retightening Your Locs At Home
I've had my sisterlocks 10 years this March and it was during a tough season where I was between locticians and money was tight because of a failed startup, that I had to either lose my locs or figure out how to retighten them. This was 9 years ago. There were not as many great DIY content videos and very few consistent sister- and mico-loc bloggers, but I was able to figure it out and saved my locs. I eventually found a new loctician and restarted my career but I still would retighten my locs from time to time.




I had a 6 week retighten appointment booked for the weekend after the shelter in place mandate was issued by the California governor because of COVID-19. So I found myself leaning on my DIY skills to save my locs again. Full disclosure, I didn't get to even start retightening until 2 weeks later, so my locs were dramatically overdue and I ended up merging at least once to save some of my really thin locs in the front, but I don't feel the stress and hopelessness I see being voiced in Sisterlocked's group by newbies who don't yet know how to self-maintain their locs.

Here are some basics on self retightening and some great how-to videos to start your journey.

Full disclosure: I have never taken a Sisterlock training course and I am not a licensed cosmetologist. If you can, discuss with your loctician and proceed at your own risk. This is just knowledge accumulated via trial and error and conversations with professionals.

Tools



I have purchased, created and misplaced so many locs tools it is laughable. Though my favorite go-to tool has remained blunt Steel Yarn Knitting Needles ($2) or the Nappy Loc Tool ($24) there are so many to choose from nowadays. These knitting needles were the only thing I could find a decade ago before you all these awesome loc tools on amazon for less than $15, see a list of some options I found online:

Other supplies

  • Spray bottle - to moisten locs you are working on and prevent breakage. I love this continuous water mister, it's a little fancier than usual and I keep distilled water in it. The silver bottle pictured above has my special moisture mix.
  • Hair Clips - to isolate locs and prevent the accidental merging of locs. I got lazy and didn't use it recently and accidentally merged two locs.

To start

  1. Deep clean locs, I usually use a clarifying shampoo right before retightening so I don't lock in more dirt and oil into my locs by retightening on dirty hair
  2. Towel dry excess moisture 
  3. Section hair into four or more sections, leaving the first section you plan to work on out
  4. Use hair clips to section off the first loc(s) you want to work on and begin
To retighten locs

Let's start with this video of interlocking traditional locs, which is very similar to how I retighten my sisterlocks. 




Always visualize the loc pattern as the face of a clock, so for sisterlock pattern three you enter at 9 o'clock, 6 o'clock, 9 o'clock again, and 12 o'clock. I don't pay attention to patterns anymore and I don't even remember what mine was or if I was ever told (my first consultant was no about empowering or educating). So I just focus on rotations. A rotation would be entering from the left side, down, the right side, and up. Similar to the video above and repeating until retighten to the scalp.

Remember to 

Always enter the loc at the scalp. As you pull your loc through, always push loop down towards the loc to eliminate gaps in your lock. Repeat until you are at the scalp and cannot complete another rotation. Your retightening should resemble a fishtail and feel like a tight cord.

What not to do!

Learn from my novice DIY mistakes in this video below. I did not isolate my locs and almost merged them (more than once). I was retightening on dry locs, which encourages breakage. My eyebrows were too thin and I was not taking my time. (LOL)



What you should be doing...


Read more


Most people aren't aware that 80% of our immune system is in the gut. In the age of COVID-19, we have to use every tool in our arsenal to keep our immune system optimal.

Don't let the latest trendy health berry or rare plant that cost $100 an ounce burn through your whole check. You might be passing by and taking for granted some of the most powerful immune-boosting foods in the world. All within the reach of your budget.

Affordable immunity-boosting foods:

1. Garlic


Garlic is not only packed full of flavor, but it’s also packed with health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. Garlic’s immunity-boosting abilities come from its heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, which can help fight off infections.

A 2001 study published in Advances in Therapy showed that garlic has been shown to help ward off the common cold.

Experts suggest consuming two to three cloves per day. My mother has taken garlic for years when her blood pressure was on the rise or she was feeling the beginnings of an illness. She swears by it.


2. Ginger


Ginger is among the healthiest spices on the planet. Loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain, ginger is known to help with everything from indigestion, menstrual cramps,  muscle aches, inflammation and possibly even Alzheimers.

Due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, ginger may boost immune health.

Although some inflammation is an important part of the normal immune response, chronic inflammation can hurt your immune system, and possibly increase your chances of illness.

Increasing the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods like ginger shots can help fight inflammation and keep your immune system healthy.

Fresh ginger may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections.

3. Onion


Few realize the onions are a superfood. Onions are low in calories and high in beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, have certain phytochemicals that act as stimulants for vitamin C within the body. Vitamin C boosts your immune system by fighting against toxins that can lead to numerous diseases and chronic illnesses.

Onions are packed with immune-boosting nutrients like selenium, sulfur compounds, zinc, and vitamin C. In addition, they are one of the best sources of quercetin, a potent flavonoid, and antioxidant that has antiviral properties as well as histamine regulating effects.

Onions have been used to remedy a plethora of ailments:

  • Sore throat - Onions contain sulfur compounds that fight and promote the expulsion of mucus from airways. Onion is considered to be the most powerful natural antibiotics, which can fight off both viral and bacterial infections, and ease the symptoms of sore throat. 
  • High fever - Onions help lower body temperature and relieve body aches caused by fever. Chop an onion into small pieces, put in a glass container. Add drinking water and let sit for seven hours. Drink mixture three to four times a day. 
  • Cold, cough and flu - see above for why. 
My favorite catch-all remedy is sliced onion, soaked in local honey with ginger and garlic. My dad swears by it for preventing or curing an ailment. Drink a tablespoon regularly. 

4. Turmeric


Tumeric has been the superfood of choice for centuries. It helps with pain and inflammation but also  helps
  • fight cancer
  • combat depression
  • improve memory
  • promote healing and kill bacteria
Turmeric helps bolster the immune system by increasing the immunomodulating capacity of the body. Adding turmeric into your diet during periods of stress or during flu season can help give your immune system a little boost. There’s a compound in turmeric called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps relieve soreness. It’s also been linked to a ton of other benefits, like reducing bloating and promoting gut health. Make sure you make the most out of your turmeric by pairing it with black pepper. The curcumin compound isn’t easily absorbed by the body and black pepper has a compound to help.

Tumeric is great in a number of savory dishes but try a superfood drink:



Golden Milk Latte

Ingredients
1 cup of nut milk  (almond, cashew, etc)
1 tbsp of freshly grated turmeric root, or 1 tsp of ground
1 tbsp of freshly grated ginger root, or 1 tsp of ground
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
Sweetener of choice (local honey is recommended)
A pinch of pepper
1. In a small pot on the stove, gently heat cashew milk over low heat.
2. Whisk in turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon until frothy, adding sweetener to taste.
3. Pour in your favorite mug and sprinkle with ground pepper. Done and done!
Other turmeric products:

Staying healthy takes a holistic outlook. Wash your hands, get enough sleep, and eat the right foods.

  • Saturday, April 11, 2020

4 of the Best & Affordable Immunity Boosting Foods


Most people aren't aware that 80% of our immune system is in the gut. In the age of COVID-19, we have to use every tool in our arsenal to keep our immune system optimal.

Don't let the latest trendy health berry or rare plant that cost $100 an ounce burn through your whole check. You might be passing by and taking for granted some of the most powerful immune-boosting foods in the world. All within the reach of your budget.

Affordable immunity-boosting foods:

1. Garlic


Garlic is not only packed full of flavor, but it’s also packed with health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease. Garlic’s immunity-boosting abilities come from its heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, which can help fight off infections.

A 2001 study published in Advances in Therapy showed that garlic has been shown to help ward off the common cold.

Experts suggest consuming two to three cloves per day. My mother has taken garlic for years when her blood pressure was on the rise or she was feeling the beginnings of an illness. She swears by it.


2. Ginger


Ginger is among the healthiest spices on the planet. Loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain, ginger is known to help with everything from indigestion, menstrual cramps,  muscle aches, inflammation and possibly even Alzheimers.

Due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, ginger may boost immune health.

Although some inflammation is an important part of the normal immune response, chronic inflammation can hurt your immune system, and possibly increase your chances of illness.

Increasing the consumption of antioxidant-rich foods like ginger shots can help fight inflammation and keep your immune system healthy.

Fresh ginger may also be effective against the RSV virus, a common cause of respiratory infections.

3. Onion


Few realize the onions are a superfood. Onions are low in calories and high in beneficial nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, have certain phytochemicals that act as stimulants for vitamin C within the body. Vitamin C boosts your immune system by fighting against toxins that can lead to numerous diseases and chronic illnesses.

Onions are packed with immune-boosting nutrients like selenium, sulfur compounds, zinc, and vitamin C. In addition, they are one of the best sources of quercetin, a potent flavonoid, and antioxidant that has antiviral properties as well as histamine regulating effects.

Onions have been used to remedy a plethora of ailments:

  • Sore throat - Onions contain sulfur compounds that fight and promote the expulsion of mucus from airways. Onion is considered to be the most powerful natural antibiotics, which can fight off both viral and bacterial infections, and ease the symptoms of sore throat. 
  • High fever - Onions help lower body temperature and relieve body aches caused by fever. Chop an onion into small pieces, put in a glass container. Add drinking water and let sit for seven hours. Drink mixture three to four times a day. 
  • Cold, cough and flu - see above for why. 
My favorite catch-all remedy is sliced onion, soaked in local honey with ginger and garlic. My dad swears by it for preventing or curing an ailment. Drink a tablespoon regularly. 

4. Turmeric


Tumeric has been the superfood of choice for centuries. It helps with pain and inflammation but also  helps
  • fight cancer
  • combat depression
  • improve memory
  • promote healing and kill bacteria
Turmeric helps bolster the immune system by increasing the immunomodulating capacity of the body. Adding turmeric into your diet during periods of stress or during flu season can help give your immune system a little boost. There’s a compound in turmeric called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It helps relieve soreness. It’s also been linked to a ton of other benefits, like reducing bloating and promoting gut health. Make sure you make the most out of your turmeric by pairing it with black pepper. The curcumin compound isn’t easily absorbed by the body and black pepper has a compound to help.

Tumeric is great in a number of savory dishes but try a superfood drink:



Golden Milk Latte

Ingredients
1 cup of nut milk  (almond, cashew, etc)
1 tbsp of freshly grated turmeric root, or 1 tsp of ground
1 tbsp of freshly grated ginger root, or 1 tsp of ground
1 tsp of ground cinnamon
Sweetener of choice (local honey is recommended)
A pinch of pepper
1. In a small pot on the stove, gently heat cashew milk over low heat.
2. Whisk in turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon until frothy, adding sweetener to taste.
3. Pour in your favorite mug and sprinkle with ground pepper. Done and done!
Other turmeric products:

Staying healthy takes a holistic outlook. Wash your hands, get enough sleep, and eat the right foods.

Read more

Vlogger and gorgeous DIY loc rocker Kaila J. shares her lovely hair journey with the Sisterlocked community. Learn how and why she started her locs herself and her message about being your most authentic self.


Why locs?

I've wanted locs for the last several years. I initially wanted sisterlocks, but as  I started to do research on discovered it can cost hundreds, I decided to hold off. At the time I was a very broke college student (now a broke grad student) and didn’t have additional funds to spend on installation and maintenance.



After being a loose natural for over 6 years, I became tired of doing my hair every day. I often kept my hair hidden under a wig because it had become too laborious. While I was a loose natural, I got heat damage straightening my hair and had to cut a little over 7 inches. At this point, I was tired of feeling less than without my long, straight hair or my wig. I was tired of stretching my hair to achieve “perfect” natural styles (like the girls on Instagram and YouTube) and tired of jumping through hoops to try and preserve the style at night. Now that I have locs, I can wake up and not plan my mornings or weekends around my hair. I have more time to do things that I enjoy and I don’t have to think twice about whether my hair looks “presentable” or not.

I wanted to give my locs the best foundation, I cut off 7 inches of heat-damaged hair before getting my locs.

How have your views around your hair and your own beauty been impacted by having locs?

Once, lace wigs and beat faces and Fashion Nova started to gain more popularity, I started to lose interest. When I started my locs, I let go of people's expectations of me and it has been the best decision ever. I love the idea of not feeling the need to be the massed produced version of perfect. I only wear makeup when it's absolutely necessary (I prefer no makeup at all) and I only go clothes shopping maybe twice a year. Since having locs, I have fallen in love with myself. I just feel most beautiful being my most natural self.

After a big chop and before getting locs.

How has your beauty regime changed and give us the details? 

OMG! I’m sure you have heard the term: “wash day”? Well, that is exactly how long it used to take to do my hair.  A whole day and then some. Now that I have locs, I ALWAYS look forward to wash day. I went from spending a whole day doing my hair to now spending less than 20 minutes! I wash my locs every two weeks. I prefer to use products that cater to natural hair (more specifically, black-owned products). Once I finish washing my locs, I wrap them in a t-shirt to prevent breakage and lint buildup and then I apply Jamaican black castor oil or a lighter oil on my locs and that’s it! I interlock my hair every 8 to 12 weeks depending on how much growth I have.

Before a big chop

What have been some of your pros and cons of having locs? 

I can’t think of any cons of having locs. The pros of having locs for me is definitely the freedom. I no longer feel like I’m a slave to my hair anymore. I can swim and work-out without any worries about ruining my hair.

Who would you recommend locs?

My recommendation would be to do what works for you. I share my journey on social media to encourage men and women to be independent and confident when starting a loc journey, not so everyone can do exactly what I do. I share what works for me and people either try it out for themselves or they don’t. I want people to become happier and in love with their most natural and authentic self!

ACV rinse for locs.

What are some of the costs associated with locs? 

A lot of people think you must go to a loctician to have your locs started and maintained and that’s not true. I’ve always been very good at doing hair. When I made the decision to start my locs myself, I watched some videos on YouTube. Several days later, I installed my locs with two-strand twists and I maintain them by interlocking every 8 to 12 weeks. I’m always looking for ways to save money, so I’m glad that I can maintain my locs myself. Since I only use shampoo and oil on my locs, I have been able to save sooooo much money. I keep it simple and I believe that’s the beauty of having locs.


You can find Kaila J. on Instagram and YouTube @thekailaj

  • Monday, August 12, 2019

Being Independent and Confident about Your Loc Journey

Vlogger and gorgeous DIY loc rocker Kaila J. shares her lovely hair journey with the Sisterlocked community. Learn how and why she started her locs herself and her message about being your most authentic self.


Why locs?

I've wanted locs for the last several years. I initially wanted sisterlocks, but as  I started to do research on discovered it can cost hundreds, I decided to hold off. At the time I was a very broke college student (now a broke grad student) and didn’t have additional funds to spend on installation and maintenance.



After being a loose natural for over 6 years, I became tired of doing my hair every day. I often kept my hair hidden under a wig because it had become too laborious. While I was a loose natural, I got heat damage straightening my hair and had to cut a little over 7 inches. At this point, I was tired of feeling less than without my long, straight hair or my wig. I was tired of stretching my hair to achieve “perfect” natural styles (like the girls on Instagram and YouTube) and tired of jumping through hoops to try and preserve the style at night. Now that I have locs, I can wake up and not plan my mornings or weekends around my hair. I have more time to do things that I enjoy and I don’t have to think twice about whether my hair looks “presentable” or not.

I wanted to give my locs the best foundation, I cut off 7 inches of heat-damaged hair before getting my locs.

How have your views around your hair and your own beauty been impacted by having locs?

Once, lace wigs and beat faces and Fashion Nova started to gain more popularity, I started to lose interest. When I started my locs, I let go of people's expectations of me and it has been the best decision ever. I love the idea of not feeling the need to be the massed produced version of perfect. I only wear makeup when it's absolutely necessary (I prefer no makeup at all) and I only go clothes shopping maybe twice a year. Since having locs, I have fallen in love with myself. I just feel most beautiful being my most natural self.

After a big chop and before getting locs.

How has your beauty regime changed and give us the details? 

OMG! I’m sure you have heard the term: “wash day”? Well, that is exactly how long it used to take to do my hair.  A whole day and then some. Now that I have locs, I ALWAYS look forward to wash day. I went from spending a whole day doing my hair to now spending less than 20 minutes! I wash my locs every two weeks. I prefer to use products that cater to natural hair (more specifically, black-owned products). Once I finish washing my locs, I wrap them in a t-shirt to prevent breakage and lint buildup and then I apply Jamaican black castor oil or a lighter oil on my locs and that’s it! I interlock my hair every 8 to 12 weeks depending on how much growth I have.

Before a big chop

What have been some of your pros and cons of having locs? 

I can’t think of any cons of having locs. The pros of having locs for me is definitely the freedom. I no longer feel like I’m a slave to my hair anymore. I can swim and work-out without any worries about ruining my hair.

Who would you recommend locs?

My recommendation would be to do what works for you. I share my journey on social media to encourage men and women to be independent and confident when starting a loc journey, not so everyone can do exactly what I do. I share what works for me and people either try it out for themselves or they don’t. I want people to become happier and in love with their most natural and authentic self!

ACV rinse for locs.

What are some of the costs associated with locs? 

A lot of people think you must go to a loctician to have your locs started and maintained and that’s not true. I’ve always been very good at doing hair. When I made the decision to start my locs myself, I watched some videos on YouTube. Several days later, I installed my locs with two-strand twists and I maintain them by interlocking every 8 to 12 weeks. I’m always looking for ways to save money, so I’m glad that I can maintain my locs myself. Since I only use shampoo and oil on my locs, I have been able to save sooooo much money. I keep it simple and I believe that’s the beauty of having locs.


You can find Kaila J. on Instagram and YouTube @thekailaj

Read more

Black can crack, especially if environmental factors are constantly working against you. Vitamin C can help prevent premature aging and help minimize dark spots and prevent hyperpigmentation.

A group of friends was over my house recently for an upcoming mission trip my husband is helping to plan. Randomly, all the dudes had to leave early for one reason or another, leaving only the women going on the trip, most of whom I was personal friends with, so I started my Sunday skincare routine at my dining table with my husband and remaining ladies sitting across from me in the living room. Sunday is the only day that I have to really prepare for the week ahead, so I made the most of my time by multi-tasking. Needless to say, I derailed the conversation a few times with my distracting Bentonite clay mask and started to touch on skincare, specifically (summer) acne and the miraculous power of a great Vitamin C Serum.

Why Vitamin C


But why is vitamin C so awesome and why should you make it a part of your skincare routine? “Naturally derived sources of vitamin C have multiple skin-care benefits since it’s an antioxidant that helps to repair free radicals created from the sun and environmental damage,” says Naissan O. Wesley, MD, FACMS, a board-certified dermatologist

Consuming food rich in antioxidants aids your body in fighting off free radicals. Topical antioxidants support your skin in the same way by helping to minimize the effects of UV damage and exposure to air pollution. Antioxidants prevent or reduce damage to our cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. In a nutshell, antioxidants help keep our bodies and our skin cells healthy.

Multiple Ways Vitamin C Benefits the Skin

Vitamin C's skin-saving benefits aren't limited to its antioxidant status. It has many other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in any brown girl's medicine cabinet.


  • Black can crack, especially if environmental, stress and life factors are constantly working against you. Vitamin C is highly acidic, triggering the skin to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin. Elastin and collagen are naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. By helping to promote collagen production, topical vitamin C can help prevent premature aging of the skin.

  • Hyperpigmentation problems? We love melanin but dark spots can be annoying. Vitamin C is a superior brightening agent that works to fade dark spots without altering normal skin pigmentation. As an added bonus: with continued topical use, vitamin C can help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place!

Adding Vitamin C to your Daily Skin-Care Routine

Dermatologists note: the most important thing is the form the vitamin C ingredient comes in, whether it is mixed with other antioxidants and how you use it.
  • look for the term ascorbic acid (aka L-ascorbic acid), which is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C in skincare.
  • most dermatologists agree serums are more effective than creams or toners.
  • make sure it is mixed with other antioxidants. The effectiveness of vitamin C increases when combined with other antioxidants like vitamin E. Side Note: a good serum should be in a dark bottle. Vitamin C will break down when exposed to light or air, so dark glass bottles help maintain its stability and efficacy. 
  • serums should be layered underneath your moisturizer.
  • if you're new to vitamin C on your skin, start slow. It's potent and you only need a few drops if you are using a quality brand. If you have sensitive skin, test before going all in.

Rohr Remedy Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Face Serum
A hydrating skin-firming oil-free serum for normal skin.
It contains Kakadu Plum, which has the highest source of Vitamin C in the world.


Try these great vitamin C serums


Vitamin C for Brown Skin Girls

Black can crack, especially if environmental factors are constantly working against you. Vitamin C can help prevent premature aging and help minimize dark spots and prevent hyperpigmentation.

A group of friends was over my house recently for an upcoming mission trip my husband is helping to plan. Randomly, all the dudes had to leave early for one reason or another, leaving only the women going on the trip, most of whom I was personal friends with, so I started my Sunday skincare routine at my dining table with my husband and remaining ladies sitting across from me in the living room. Sunday is the only day that I have to really prepare for the week ahead, so I made the most of my time by multi-tasking. Needless to say, I derailed the conversation a few times with my distracting Bentonite clay mask and started to touch on skincare, specifically (summer) acne and the miraculous power of a great Vitamin C Serum.

Why Vitamin C


But why is vitamin C so awesome and why should you make it a part of your skincare routine? “Naturally derived sources of vitamin C have multiple skin-care benefits since it’s an antioxidant that helps to repair free radicals created from the sun and environmental damage,” says Naissan O. Wesley, MD, FACMS, a board-certified dermatologist

Consuming food rich in antioxidants aids your body in fighting off free radicals. Topical antioxidants support your skin in the same way by helping to minimize the effects of UV damage and exposure to air pollution. Antioxidants prevent or reduce damage to our cells by neutralizing the production of highly reactive molecules called free radicals. In a nutshell, antioxidants help keep our bodies and our skin cells healthy.

Multiple Ways Vitamin C Benefits the Skin

Vitamin C's skin-saving benefits aren't limited to its antioxidant status. It has many other skin-healing properties that make it worthy of a permanent place in any brown girl's medicine cabinet.


  • Black can crack, especially if environmental, stress and life factors are constantly working against you. Vitamin C is highly acidic, triggering the skin to heal itself by accelerating the production of collagen and elastin. Elastin and collagen are naturally occurring protein fibers that help keep skin plump and firm. By helping to promote collagen production, topical vitamin C can help prevent premature aging of the skin.

  • Hyperpigmentation problems? We love melanin but dark spots can be annoying. Vitamin C is a superior brightening agent that works to fade dark spots without altering normal skin pigmentation. As an added bonus: with continued topical use, vitamin C can help prevent dark spots from forming in the first place!

Adding Vitamin C to your Daily Skin-Care Routine

Dermatologists note: the most important thing is the form the vitamin C ingredient comes in, whether it is mixed with other antioxidants and how you use it.
  • look for the term ascorbic acid (aka L-ascorbic acid), which is the most stable and effective form of vitamin C in skincare.
  • most dermatologists agree serums are more effective than creams or toners.
  • make sure it is mixed with other antioxidants. The effectiveness of vitamin C increases when combined with other antioxidants like vitamin E. Side Note: a good serum should be in a dark bottle. Vitamin C will break down when exposed to light or air, so dark glass bottles help maintain its stability and efficacy. 
  • serums should be layered underneath your moisturizer.
  • if you're new to vitamin C on your skin, start slow. It's potent and you only need a few drops if you are using a quality brand. If you have sensitive skin, test before going all in.

Rohr Remedy Kakadu Plum Vitamin C Face Serum
A hydrating skin-firming oil-free serum for normal skin.
It contains Kakadu Plum, which has the highest source of Vitamin C in the world.


Try these great vitamin C serums


Read more

Kerion Washington, a 17-year old from Fort Worth Texas, was denied a job at Six Flags due to his hair, but now it appears modeling is in his future after his story went viral.

Kerion made headlines in March when Six Flags Over Texas rejected his application for a summer job. The 17-year-old loc rocker said, “They told me I could cut my hair and come back, that it’s just hair and it would grow back. But they compared it to having a tattoo. I didn’t want to cut it.”



He opted not to cut his locs and continue to look elsewhere for work, meanwhile his mother shared his story on Facebook, it was shared over 17,000 times. In response, multiple job offers were extended to Kerion.



Other opportunities presented itself, Dallas News reported Kerion was reached out to by Corrie Caster, head of development for IMG Los Angeles and a scout for IMG Models World Wide, on Instagram about a potential opportunity. IMG Models represents Ciara, Kate Moss, Gal Gadot, Priyanka Chopra, Chrissy Teigen, Whiz Khalifa and more. Caster heard about the teen through a friend who shared an article about him. The picture of Kerion shared in the article caught her attention.

“I scout the world looking for talent and stories,” Caster said. “I didn’t know his story then, but he
had a lot of the physical features we look for in our models.”

Shortly thereafter, Kerion had his first photoshoot and he is now looking at a possible contract with a world renowned agency and a full on career. Not only that, the incident has led Six Flags to alter its policy to no longer discriminate against those with dreadlocks. Kerion's decision has not only positively impacted his future career prospects but others with locs who may seek employment at the theme park in the future.


  • Tuesday, July 09, 2019

Texas Teen Denied Job at Six Flags because of his Dreadlocks Recruited By Top Modeling Agency

Kerion Washington, a 17-year old from Fort Worth Texas, was denied a job at Six Flags due to his hair, but now it appears modeling is in his future after his story went viral.

Kerion made headlines in March when Six Flags Over Texas rejected his application for a summer job. The 17-year-old loc rocker said, “They told me I could cut my hair and come back, that it’s just hair and it would grow back. But they compared it to having a tattoo. I didn’t want to cut it.”



He opted not to cut his locs and continue to look elsewhere for work, meanwhile his mother shared his story on Facebook, it was shared over 17,000 times. In response, multiple job offers were extended to Kerion.



Other opportunities presented itself, Dallas News reported Kerion was reached out to by Corrie Caster, head of development for IMG Los Angeles and a scout for IMG Models World Wide, on Instagram about a potential opportunity. IMG Models represents Ciara, Kate Moss, Gal Gadot, Priyanka Chopra, Chrissy Teigen, Whiz Khalifa and more. Caster heard about the teen through a friend who shared an article about him. The picture of Kerion shared in the article caught her attention.

“I scout the world looking for talent and stories,” Caster said. “I didn’t know his story then, but he
had a lot of the physical features we look for in our models.”

Shortly thereafter, Kerion had his first photoshoot and he is now looking at a possible contract with a world renowned agency and a full on career. Not only that, the incident has led Six Flags to alter its policy to no longer discriminate against those with dreadlocks. Kerion's decision has not only positively impacted his future career prospects but others with locs who may seek employment at the theme park in the future.


Read more

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