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OK... so I posted pics but didn't write about my experience.. Like to hear it? Here it go.
Prior to Installation
So after my consultation I had a few reservation but nothing too major. So after getting feedback from my fellow blogger and the LockItUp community, I decided to go full speed ahead. So, after waiting 11 days I got locked by my original consultant and I can't be more happy. But let me back up a bit....
Though I said bye bye to the perm in 1999 and haven't looked back since... I have never really rocked my hair in it natural state. I'm use to pressing and weaving and after all these years I hadn't really known that my hair was really NAPPY. I mean that in the best way possible because I love nappy hair. so when I took my hair down and was rockin the puff for the day and a half before my installation, I found myself with my hands in my hair all day. So out of fear the I would alter my nappy state., I decided that after the consultation I would put my weave back in. This would be an absolutely costly and stupid decision if I didn't do it myself... so I did. I also didn't want to have any last regrets so I looked at it like I was making a life-long commitment (which I am) similar to marriage and what more appropriate for the last shebang but a Weaverette party for myself. Here are the pics:
Rockin it straight. Installation day (March 30, 2008)
I couldn't get any sleep because I kept on thinking that I would oversleep and miss my appointment. It was set for 6am bright and early that Sunday morning. I kept on having a dream that my alarm didn't go off, only to pop up and realize that it was only 2am... 2:45....4:30... and just when I was finally comfortably in sleep mode, the alarm went off.
Damn... after hitting snooze a few times I got up. I had showered, washed my hair, and got everything ready the night before so all I had to do was wash my face, brush my teeth, throw on my sweats and get ready to spend GOD knows how long getting my locks installed.
I looked in the mirror and wanted to scream. Under the strict instructions of my consultant I was only to wash my hair, try not to comb it and DO NOT apply conditioner. Gulp... I was scared. I had washed my hair with a clarifying shampoo to make sure to get out any gunk and laid a towel on my pillow and let it dry overnight. My reflection was not pretty. My previous shoulder length hair had swivelled into a TWA. A lopsided one at that. Another gulp. I kept myself entertained on the 10 minute drive to her house by imagining her saying "Damn, I said that your hair should be as nappy as possible but DAMN that's nappy" HAHA.
When I arrived she had me pick out 5 movies and she went right to work. She started by sectioning my hair into four sections and started in the upper right quadrant. We watched movie after movie and before I knew it, it was almost 1pm she had finished the majority of the front of my hair. I was hungry as ever. We took a break and went over the community center at the religious school we used to attend together and got us some good ol home cooking. I was tearing up my chicken wings, grits, cheese eggs and waffle. After a lil over an hour we got back to work. I picked out five more movies, a friend came over to keep us company and the whole event was over at close to midnight.
I had promised myself that I would take pictures of the process and the final results but I just wasn't in the mood (SORRY). Long story short, I had my doubts and fears, but the end results left me speechless. I loved my tiny starter locs and the length. I had to be at work at 8am the next morning, so I did two french braids, tied them up and called it a night.
Rave Reviews
They like it... they really really like it. When I got up for work the morning after my install, I felt like a new woman was born. I took my french braids down, let the moisture of the shower mist my hair, got dressed and you couldn't tell me nothin.
I felt strong, proud, beautiful and energized. I walked into work and to my surprise everyone was pleasantly impressed. Even the janitor, who vowed to never be my friend again if I wore short hair, said that I was "Muy Bonita." I couldn't stop looking in the mirror or through anything that showed a reflection.
Then the real test came... My boss (the director of nursing and a Jewish princess) walked by. She's always in a rush but when she say me in passing she grabbed her own hair then proceeded to give me two thumbs up while saying "I love your hair."
I am so happy. Even my guy friend loves my hair... Everyday he looks at me and tells me how happy he is that I got my locs and how they are great and look better every day. But I don't really pay him too much mind because he always gives me compliments. HeHe.
