For those who want a more detailed explanation of how I put the PCs in and took them out, continue reading….

I sectioned off 6 parts of my head first and took on 1 section at a time. I started off using 3 locs/1 pipecleaner, but after doing that I noticed they looked too small so I increased it to ~5 locs/2 pipecleaner for each “wrap”. I actually cut my pipecleaners in half and then folded the tip before applying to my hair for safety. If I was to do it again, I wouldn’t worry about cutting them and just fold them in half. I slept in them for 2 nights and it was ok for me, definitely more comfortable than sleeping with Bantu Knots if you ever had those. Although I was trying to wait until Christmas to show my folks my new do, I decided to take them down on the 3rd day (which was yesterday) because they started to become a nuisance. Also, I was anxious to see what my curls look like.

It was soooo easy for me to take out, I think mainly because I was cautious of how putting them in would affect taking them out. With the way I put them in, all I had to do was 1) unbend the top part of the pipecleaner closest to my root, 2) unbend the bottom part of the pipe cleaner at the tip, 3) hold the hair at my root while pulling the pipecleaner up and out. Only 2 out of my whole head gave me problems with some snagging and that’s because the bottom close to the tip was raveled in with the pipecleaner. I’ve been SL’d for over 1 year and my hair is not nearly what anyone would call mature so with my soft hair, I knew some snagging was bound to occur, but again, I planned for it very well. Altogether, I think it took me over 2 hours, but I’m not quite sure about the timing because I wasn’t really watching the clock. All know is that I got home form purchasing the rods, put my ACV rinse together, washed/rinsed my hair, got to work on wrapping the SLs, then I went to the club with my bf rocking the new look!

Overall, I like the look it gave, but I don’t see myself doing this very often because of how much time is involved.

It’s been a while, a looong while. So much has been happening over the past few months. I’m not sure if I’ll do a huge review post, but while I have the time, I did want to show off my latest hair style. Two weeks ago I shelled out $255, yes $255 for my last retight and had wrap-a-loc done on my sisterlocs. Why was it so much $$$$? Well, I have missed 2 retights, so they charged me double the usual amount for that = $170 + $10 (wash) + $75 (wrap-a-loc). To tell you that I walked out of there pissed off was an understatement. My hair was NOT all of that and to top it off the curls did not even last. I am beyond over going to my consultant for these retights spending all that money. I am determined to take the retight class and do this ish on my own starting in January. Anywho, since I love wearing my hair curly, I went on a net surfing rampage to find a DIY method. I like the look Bantu Knots give, but they don’t always turn out like I want. To make a long story short, I found out that many women with locs set them using pipe cleaners. Upon closer inspection, the pipe cleaners look VERY similar to the wrap-a-loc tools. The nerve some people have to “develop” something “new” and sell it for bookoo money! I purchased 100 black pipe cleaners from Michaels for $4.00 vs paying probably $80 or more for enough wrap-a-loc tools. Oh, and the $75 I paid my consultant did not come with the tools; they removed them prior to letting me leave of course. So, I washed my hair and rinsed it with Apple Cider Vinegar (I’ll do a post on that later). I set my hair with Lottabody and got to work. I did not sit under the drier because I did not plan to remove the tools right away. The great thing about this method is that while you’re waiting for your curls to set, you have a hairstyle within itself. It turned out way cute and I even went out on the town lastnight just like this. Here’s how it turned out!

The next day, I discovered the video below on the net, “How-to-Do a Wet Set Without Using Roller”. I’m so glad that I found it because it taught me what I was doing wrong (thanks Natural Southern Girl!). I used Motions Light Styling Foam and spritzed very lightly with Motions Light Hold Working Spritz once all the knots were in…. Finally, I can get the curls that I won’t without breaking the bank buying wrap-a-loc or Soft Spikes!

Also check out Creyole’s Bantu Knots.