OCTOBER 2001

i copied this dialogue between me and donna from our new discussion board. our hairscapades dialogue will continue also using this discussion board forum so you are all welcome to join in and share. see ya there! - andrea

True story! One of my sisters, Gayle, travels a lot on her job. She calls me last night all upset from a hotel (apparently a rather NICE hotel according to my Auntie) in Memphis. Apparently with all the hightened security at the airports, security confiscated her hair pic of approximately 25 years! She was horrified. She said that the security guard, a little Latina, seemed to have some sympathy. When she looked at her bag, she said she was afraid that something was going to have to go, and that it was something she probably combed her hair with. Gayle asked if it could be saved for her when she got back into town. The guard was like 'No'. She COULD take it back to her car if she didn't mind missing her plane. The pic was then taken from her bag, and tossed, along with other confiscated materials, such as tweezers, razors, and other potentially deadly weapons such as box-cutters, switchblades, etc. This was done with absolutely no fanfare. She's totally distraught. The contents of her purse no longer rest comfortably. There's something missing. The karma isn't quite right. She was upset enough to call me and remind me that I had one just like it, only it was blue. Knowing that I no longer use hair utensils, she thought I'd be kind enough to mail her mine, if I could remember where it was. She then reminded me that one time while she was visiting me here, we were at a little hair joint (actually it was 2 Brothers) that actually had the right kind. Not the flimsy ones, but the ones just like the one confiscated that lifts her hair up in the most perfect way ? the MASTER PIC! Now, this pic has a plastic handle that's approximately 2 inches square. It then has a series of about 15 metal prongs that are about six inches long. They fan out only slightly. They are stiff, and do not bend. Needless to say, I'm off to 2 Brothers in search of just a pic. I tried to locate mine, but was unsuccessful last night. I'm a woman on a mission, for her level of upset was totally obvious. I can relate because I was always the same about my Ace brand combs!

had a 10am appt this morning at summer illusions here in bridgeport. dawn was wonderful. inscense burned while gospel music played in the background. before my shampoo she actually took a tail comb to my scalp! she then washed and scrubbed and gave me a deep conditioner. i sat under the hair dryer for around 15 mins. i swear she must have palm rolled my 128 locs in like 25 mins! she used a mixture she makes herself. i then sat under the dryer again for around 20 mins and walked out by 12:10. it was a nice experience and i plan to return. took photos will post them soon. month four here i come!!!

Andrea, this sounds totally wonderful! I was initially surprised that she used a conditioner, but I did too the last time I washed my locs. What I noticed afterwards is that my hair is much less dry, especially since I have to sit under the dryer. Initially, the conditioner would detangle my hair, but I think my locs are mature enough now for that to no longer happen. You have to give me details on this place in Bridgeport. How were her prices? Does her price list vary based on length of locks? Sounds like you're totally happy with the results. So, dawn's gotta permanent customer now?

i had told dawn i'd been reading you should not condition baby locs. she said all hair needs food and nutrition and conditoning was food to give the hair sheen and moisture. i'd always conditoned my hair and did feel uncomfortable that i had not been doing so, so this sounded real good to me! she's had locs for seven years and cuts them and grows them and cuts them and...... i'll give you details. maybe next time we can go together. marlene had told me aboout her.

Hey Andri! (kidding!) I'm glad to hear about the conditioning, because to be honest, I've always liked the way certain conditioners left my hair feeling and smelling. This way, it sounds like I don't really have to give up some of my favorites (Aveda!!!!!! here I come!) Not only that, like I said, without conditioner, my locs really feel kinda dry, esPECIALLY after sitting under a dryer. I'd love to go with you and Miss Marlene next time. I'm feeling a serious pampering comin' on!!!!!!! Keep me posted!

DECEMBER 2001

i'm back. my locs in jamaica were NOT A PROBLEM!! i washed and retwisted once using tea tree oil shampoo and a cactus plant called 'tuna' kinda like the aloe vera plant. i left the clear gel from the tuna plant on my hair for like an hour then rinsed it out and twisted. to tell the truth i even liked my hair without retwisting! i still can't believe it was so easy to go on vacation and hardly have to even THINK about my hair. i swam in the pool, at the beach and it got wet in the hot tub. on the streets of kingston and the beaches of negril i was called 'rasta girl', 'dread' and 'princess'. never saw so many locs in my life, actually i should say i've never noticed so many locs in my life. WHAT A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE!! i'm ready to go back like, TOMORROW! i'll post some photos of my trip soon.

going to penny's tomorrow. dee's gonna twist me up for 50 bucks. can't wait to see how it comes out. too lazy to wash it myself and i only washed it once in ja just happened to be in the mall yesterday and got curious re jc pennys prices. well it seems to be the same pretty much everywhere for a retwist. i'll have had 3 professional retwists. the 1st tail comb at the african braiding queen, the 2nd palm roll at summer illusions and this will be finger twist (what do you call those??) didn't care for tail comb retwisting, LOVED palm rolls we'll see how this turns out.

went to pennys. got washed with paul mitchells tea tree oil shampoo. dee towel dried then put some oils on my scalp .got twisted with plain ole regular gel. dee told me that her loced clients usually brought in their own stuff. anyways i was washed and twisted within an hour and another hour for drying and unclipping and a spritz of dudleys hair polish. love the results, put photos on the site last nite. dee's locs are FABULOUS!!!! and the colour!!!! ima ask her if i can pop in just to take her photo. she's been natural for 6 years and loced for 1 year. she had two huge ponytails and the colour is kinda orangey. she has shells and beads sewn in. lets just say ...when i grow up.....'I WANT MY HAIR LIKE HERS!!'

So, 1st off, by the finger twists, this just means she's twisting regular like, no? Does she have her clients bring their own stuff in because people are so picky about their locs? I saw the new photos on the site.

yes finger twists are just how you and i would do it. she says anything they use in pennys has to be liscened and carried in penny worldwide and go thru some other stuff and there's not enuff of us that use loc products for them to even consider carrying it. got my hair in two ponytails at the front today

Out of shear boredom, and the fact that Christmas is JUST around the corner and I really want my hair to look it's best for the holidays, I shampooed, conditioned and re-twisted last night. I STILL cannot get past the idea of simply shampooing and not re-twisting. So, 2 and 1/2 hours later, there I was with the dryer hooked to me head, and going to bed. It's so cute today! I mean, I've got it pulled up, with some hanging down for effect, and of course I reattached a couple of shells for effect. This time, I used Paul Mitchell products - the Awapapi (sp?) shampoo and this tea tree conditioner. I still prefer the supercharged conditioner of his, though. My hair doesnt feel dry, but when you retwist and use the clips, as your hair dries, it gets tighter, so I now realize I have to be real careful as to how tight I twist especially around the hair line. I think based on length, I will be able to start with some interesting styles in about two months. Can't wait!

2002