IT HAS BEEN A WHILE AND MY ROUTINES HAVE CHANGED SO MUCH OVER THE JOURNEY -BUT NOW ONE THING IS FOR SURE:

ITS ALL ABOUT KEEP EVERYTHING VERY SIMPLE.

In the early stages, I loved going out and buying products, seeing what would work for me and what didn't... many of the items are still on my shelf unused.

But what I found to work best for my locs is letting time, patience and a simple natural routine do its thing.

I have been using Black soap on my locs since January and let me tell you how great it feels -no other shampoo has really made my locs feel naturally moistured and it also helps loc up my roots too, without that stripped effect that I used to have with many of the shampoos I used. It works out so much cheaper too.

Now and again, I still like to use shampoo -natural tea tree shampoo is always a favourite. And every motnh, I clarify with clarifying Herbal essences shampoo to get rid of any build up. But apart from the odd occasion, I like to keep 100% natural.

I have started freeforming -meaning, I literally just wash and go... I don't twist the roots, I simply part any hugging locs after I wash my locs. A few reasons for me to freeform- I wanted volume and thickness. When I tried finger latching, my locs thinned out -so I wanted the thickness back and it has worked. Freeforming since January.

A good spritz works wonders and a soft brissle brush to gently brush my locs when I wake and go to bed. I first spritz, then take 5 minutes to brush my locs in a root to end direction.

Thats it!

My locs know best, I want to let them do what they want.

HOME MADE RECIPES

To be honest, I only really ever use home made recipes when I want to treat my Self to a good locing session. I have a section in the fridge where I keep some handy for those days that I have time to relax and pamper my locs.

Everything works out so much cheaper now I ue home made products. And I do really enjoy making all of them. I feel more in control because I know now what really does work and what doesn't.

I always use something for atleast 1 month before I really begin to say if it works for me. Sometimes products don't really show results until much later on when your locs start to thank you.

And my locs have done so! In all the years I have been natural, this is the firt time I can really say that my hair is always soft and feels healthy.

STYLING MY LOCS

I'm not one to spend time styling my locs, but I do like to decorate with silk scarves and earrings -I can't get enough of it. Now that the Summer time has come, I tend to wear my locs out more -a simple ponytail is all I really do or if I'm feeling like it, I'll curl my locs.

To curl, I start off with damp locs (after a wash, rinse or water spritz). Then I spritz with the honey recipe mentioned in the twisting section, braid it tight and leave to dry. When I take down the braids, my locs are curled and in place. I got this recipe off a nappturality member and it has worked great! It adds so muh moisture and holds everything in place -like a hair spray.

SUMMARY

I spritz and brush my locs in the morning and at night.

I shampoo wih black soap- atleast 3 times/week. For info on Black soap: http://groups.msn.com/HOLISTICLOCING/blacksoap.msnw

Freeforming -no twisting the roots, they do what they want. My roots are fuzzy and I LOVE it that way.

After each wash, I check my roots for any hugging locs and seperate.

I use home made recipe to condition.

In Summer -I may rinse my locs every day.

In Winter -I prefer to keep my locs undercover with headwraps.

I don't really like oils -I find them too heavy for my scalp. The only oil I use is extra virgin olive oil, as a condioner treatment after my shampoo session.

I like to use aloe vera gel to moisturise.

I take 2 tablets of MSM and garlic daily -good for circulation and overall health.

I never leave my locs tied up for too long.