Well it's been over eleven years, and I still am having a love affair with my hair. There are no words to describe the freedom of keeping the natural texture of your hair. My hair always looks nice and neat whether I style it or not... and I usually don't bother with styling... I just let my locks hang free! I love this!

For those of you who haven't followed my journey from the beginning, here's the story: 

In the early months of 2000 I decided to stop frying my hair with relaxers and chemicals. I finally realized that since God didn't give me straight hair, I should stop my misguided and futile attempts to improve on perfection. I'd wanted to stop relaxing my hair for a long time, but I didn't know what on earth to do with this head full of steel wool that I was born with. I do have to go to work every day after all, and I don't want to scare my co-workers with hair out to there.

 
 
 

In past lives I've worn a TWA (teeny weeny afro),
a relaxer, braids, and gheri curls (thank goodness
I don't have a picture of that one!).

During my search for the perfect natural hair style, I discovered there is a movement towards natural hair in the black community; but most cosmetologists aren't embracing this movement at all, for fear that it will cut into their incomes. Therefore, it's not easy to find good-looking styles or competent stylists for natural African-American hair.  I don't think dreds are for me, and I don't want to look like I just stuck my finger into an electric socket, which is pretty much what my natural hair looks like. 

Finally I stumbled upon a relatively new locking technique for natural highly-textured (nappy) hair. It's called Sisterlocks®. It doesn't have to be taken down and redone constantly. The hair grows, it can be cut, set, styled, etc.  Just what I wanted! And I never have to be afraid of sweat, fog, humidity, or rain reverting my hair to its natural state ever again, because it's already natural!  Yeah!! I decided this was the one for me!

I started this site on June 17, 2000 as I was in the process of growing out at least two inches of new (kinky!) roots.  Two inches gave me enough new growth to get my Sisterlocks®. I found a wonderful Sisterlocks® consultant right here in Detroit at Everette's Corn-Rows & Braiding Academy, and she took me across and has helped me along the way. I couldn't wait for my appointment on July 21st!  Believe me, the decision to go from that artificial chemically straightened look to any kind of natural style is a big one, and I needed all the help I could get to help me through this transition! I found some wonderful email groups that have been so helpful in this regard. Check out my links page for a listing.

I maintain and update this site regularly to document my journey to the other side.  I've added new pictures every month or so as the Sisterlocks® mature. So far this journey has been very interesting! 

The page also has links to some of your personal hair stories A few people were kind enough to send accounts of their journeys to add to this site.  Click here to read these enlightening (and sometimes funny) stories. If you have pictures or a personal story you'd like to share, please send it to me via e-mail at diamonique@comcast.net.

If you're interested in Sisterlocks® for yourself, or if you wish to find a Sisterlocks® consultant in your area, check out the Sisterlocks® website or call their home office at (619) 291-5116.