Tuesday, October 2, 2018

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Shampoo

 I tried another shampoo and ...
I like it!   If castor oil is attached to a product I’m willing to try it. I don’t use castor oil on my locs  because I’m afraid it would cause buildup. I was very nervous about the peppermint. I was extremely excited about the apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is known to help remove buildup. 


This shampoo was exactly what my daughter and I hair needed. It lathered nicely and had a sweet (vanilla) smell. The light tingling sensation from the peppermint didn’t bother  us. As I stated; I’m not a fan of any product that involves peppermint lol.

I could feel the shampoo thoroughly cleansing my scalp and nourishing my locs. It didn’t feel  like it stripped or dried my hair out. I immediately applied extra virgin olive oil as my moisturizer to my locs right after my wash.

I purchased this product for $7 at my local Dollar General. I had no intentions of changing my shampoo, but the game has changed.  I don’t know how good this product would work on my loose natural hair, but it works great with my locs. 

Later πŸ’•✌🏽

Sunday, September 30, 2018

Month 7 Loc Journey Update

I couldn’t just skip over month 7 of my loc journey like it never happened. I uploaded a video on my YouTube channel, but I never posted a blog. 

During month 7, I noticed the locs on my side were not as strong as the others. I made the decision to combine 2 locs on each side. This was a great decision. 

I've always struggled with my edges. In my relaxer days I had to be very gentle. Going natural almost 10 years ago has helped with this issue. If I dig a little deeper; I remember when postpartum took my edges out lol I laugh now, but it wasn’t funny both pregnancies. 




Month 7 was great!  I learned how to take action before matters get worse. Combine your locs if you need too! A  strong foundation is important. 


Products
I used the suave clarifying shampoo. I don't use conditioner. I retwist with extra virgin olive oil. I still sit under the dryer for 30 mins. I wear a bonnet to bed. Some nights the bonnet doesn’t make an appearance. However, I try my best to wear one. 

 I am truly proud to say that I maintain my own locs. I’m even more proud to say  I started and maintain my daughters locs. 


Month 7 is about maturity. My locs are thicker and feel healthy. I am so satisfied thus far! 

Later πŸ’•✌🏽


 

Thursday, September 20, 2018

Small Budget while Filming YouTube Videos 🎬




I know it's been a minute. Matter of fact months! However, let me start my first blog off with HOW I FILM MY YOUTUBE VIDEOS!  I could make a video, but I don't feel like it lol. 

I must say a ring light comes in handy! When the sun goes down you can still film videos. In a perfect world, my videos would be filmed using direct sunlight, but I don't make  time to record in the day. 

(Keyword "MAKE")  Honest moment lol.

I use a Canon T6i to record my videos. I'm still learning how to use this camera. I've owned it for almost 2 years now. On my spare time I watch videos on YouTube to show me how to operate my Canon camera. It can be very intimidating and frustrating. I know enough to get the job done. Every time I purchase a camera, I side with Canon. However, I really want the Sony A5000. I want a mirrorless camera really bad! It's not heavy like my Canon and they are powerful. I can't keep up lol.   As of today, my Canon is worth $500. It's still popular too! This camera requires heavy duty lifting.  I get a great workout if I have to hold it. 


After watching several YouTube videos, I finally found my ring light! I've owned it for a year and half and it's still going strong.  I've owned a few light stands.  Below is the Ring light and Light Stand w/case  I ordered from Amazon





I wanted to make my videos work without purchasing the ring light, but overtime I tried to film at night the lighting was horrible. Now I need to invest in soft box lights then I'm done rightI was really excited once it arrived! I couldn't wait to set it up like a little kid. 



 


edit my videos using my Macbook Pro using the iMovie software. I downloaded the free Trial of Final Cut, but I'm so use to iMovie that Final Cut frustrates me. Plus it cost $299! I know everyone is using it for their videos.  Not me or not yet lol. 



If you  post videos daily or weekly you will need MEMORY CARDS. I record so much footage that I run out of memory during a video and I have to stop. It's frustrating when that happens. 

In a later post I might show how I record videos using my iPhone. Hope you enjoyed this post! Check out my YouTube channels :) (links below)

Later ✌🏾️πŸ’•





 FAMILY CHANNEL VIDEOS 





Tuesday, July 24, 2018

MONTH 6 LOC JOURNEY

It's month 6 of my loc Journey! I’m so late posting this, but better late than NEVER.



Ok so month 6 was a breeze! I’m being honest! I wished I loc'd my hair earlier, but then again maybe I wasn’t ready. Well... I did loc before I turned 40. I am still the only one maintaining my locs. It's been over 10 years since I allowed someone to do my hair. I'm afraid that someone will twist my hair too tight. 


 I actually think I'm doing a great job!


What do you think?

My starter locs get wet once a week.  

It's pretty much a quick wash/rinse afterwards I use a blow dryer. 



For my retwist: 


I only use extra virgin olive oil and water. After my retwist I sit under the dryer for only 30 mins! I can’t do anything more than 30 mins it gets TOO hot! I retwist once a month. So far so good! 



Later ✌πŸ½πŸ’•


CLICK TO WATCH THE VIDEO







Thursday, May 3, 2018

MONTH 5 LOC JOURNEY

My locs turned 5 months old! 

Yep, 5 months of not combing my natural hair. I have no complaints.  I don't give much thought to my hair. I want to keep it that way. 

Low manipulation is key. I do favor putting my hair in a side ponytail. This can't be good if I do this too often. When I'm home I just let my hair be free with no hair bands. 

This month I did purchase a few oils per my previous blog post. 

The BB Jamaican Black Castor Oil is my favorite. I love castor oil.   I also purchased the wild growth oil which  can be found at most local beauty supply stores. Extra virgin olive oil is still on my fave list. I love it because it's light weight. 


I haven't dealt with product build-up. I only use shampoo on my hair. At this point of my journey I feel conditioner would not be wise. I can see myself half washing it out on a lazy wash day. I will continue to  stray away from it at the moment. 

I'm only 5 months into my loc journey and I don't feel that it would be beneficial. If I did I would coat my hair with a light conditioner. I didn't do a retwist this month. I have plans for month 6 so I decided to skip it.  In the picture below you can see that I need a retwist, but  it still looks nice! 

So yep, month 6 I will definitely retwist my hair and of course I will have footage.


(MONTH 5/No retwist)

Later ✌πŸΎπŸ’•

Check out my mugs! 




https://www.target.com/c/dresses-women-s-clothing/-/N-5xtcgZ55e69?clkid=60ef8753N27d07def4e5e877770c23eda&lnm=473970&afid=LaToya%20Bowden&ref=tgt_adv_xasd0002


                                                           MONTH  5 Video Update