Journey Feature 03 - Btrflyed Beauty

This week’s feature is my sister from another Mister, Mrs. Evelyn D. Robinson, who you may know as Ev_e, Btrflyed, or Mrs. Fave. *lol* Again, I’m featuring on the fly, so the format is Q&A (which very well may become the format of choice), but I’m sure that will make what’s shared no less insightful.

And without further ado…

Idadi: How long have you been natural?

Eve: I’ve been natural for eight years.

Idadi: What prompted your decision to make the switch from relaxed to kinky?

Eve: I got tired of combing my hair, but I was misguided cause I did more combing when I had an Afro than I did when I had a perm. Hence the locs. *lmao*

Idadi: How did you go about making the transition?

Eve: I let my natural hair grow out for a couple months and rolled the permed ends with wave rods (also known as the Jheri Curl roller *lol*) so it always looked curly. After I had about 3 inches of natural hair, I cut all the permed ends off and wore a short Fro for about 2yrs. Then I Loc’d it.

Idadi: We all have out ghosts that keep us trapped in the relaxed hair closet. What helped you break through the “hair-erotypes” surrounding Black hair?

Eve: Uh… Sis… You should know me better than that. I could care less what people think about me.

Idadi: I know that, silly goose. But this aint for me. *lol*

Eve: Well, that’s my answer. *lol*

Idadi: *raspberry*

Eve: Okay, I’ll “clean it up”. *lol* I didn’t really let what people think bother me. I made the decision for me, and that’s what mattered.

Idadi: Did you follow any specific hair care routines or use any specific products to start?

Eve: i washed it once a week when I had an Afro, and used LottaBody when i rolled it. But once I Loc’ed I washed every two to three weeks, and I made an essential oil spray that I used daily in the mornings. Since I used a latch hook to tighten my Locs, I don’t require any gels or anything to hold it. I’d wet it during shower time just about every day, though. It feels so good.

Idadi: What was in the oil spray?

Eve: It’s made with water, olive oil, and the following essential oils — peppermint, chamomile, tea tree, and lemongrass.

Idadi: Why did that just make me hungry. *lol*

Eve: My husband said I smelled like fresh salad when we first met. *lol*

Idadi: Okay, I can’t remember if it was early this year or late last year, but I distinctly remember you “trading” your beautiful Locs for a TWA. What brought that on?

Eve: It was last year in March. After growing my locs for over 5 yrs, I decided to cut them and start anew because of all the crazy energy in them. I went through a lot of transitions (job switch, divorce, birth of my son, loss of my great-grandmother), and for me, my hair isn’t just a style it’s a part of me. My Locs were starting to show the wear of my life at that time, so right before we buried my great-granmother, I took the scissors to them and wore a short Fro for a while. A couple months after I remarried, I decided to go ahead and start Loc’ing again.

Idadi: Okay, if you had your journey to start over again, what, if anything, would you do differently?

Eve: Hmm… If i had to do it all over again I would have started my own the first time. I got Sisterlocks the first time and I didn’t have the best experience with my consultant. Don’t get me wrong… Sisterlocks are great. I just wish I had more options as far as consultants. But, that was 6 yrs ago. I’m sure there are plenty more people doing them now.

Idadi: So you do your own Locs?

Eve: Yes.

Idadi: When and how did you start?

Eve: November ‘07. I started them using the latch hook method. Basically, you make a knot at the end of the hair, and continue with the latch hook until it’s tightened to the scalp. There are a few sites out there that break the technique down, but I learned by trial and error.

Idadi: How is the latch hook method different from starting locks from twists?

Eve: Starting from twists requires more maintenance (ie. cleaning scalp with Seabreeze vs. washing, using gels and clips, and sitting under a dryer, as well as tightening every couple weeks in the beginning). Using the latch hook eliminates the need for gels because you are essentially tying your hair in a knot with the latch hook, and that is what holds it together. Depending on the length of your hair you can wash it whenever you’d like by either putting them in rubber bands and washing gently, or using a stocking cap to keep them from being overly agitated.

Idadi: Is your care regimen the same as when you first had Locs?

Eve: Yes ma’am. I do everything exactly the same as before.

Idadi: What problems have you enountered along the natural way?

Eve: The only problem I have is making time to do my hair. *lol* I need to do it as we speak.

Idadi: What is it you love about Locs above the other styles you may have tried?

Eve: I love the low maintenance and the texture. I love the way my hair feels.

Idadi: What’s the difference between how you looked at your hair when it was relaxed, and how you look at it now?

Eve: Giirl! My hair would NOT grow when it was relaxed, or at least it seemed that way cause it was always breaking off . I hated my hair! I looked a mess until I cut it super short… and that was right before I decided to go natural.

Idadi: What would you say is the one essential product necessary for a successful, long term, Loc style?

Eve: Shampoo and water. *lmao* Some people don’t even do that much. Eww!

Idadi: *lol* Fair enough. Now, what advice do you have for others looking to start their own personal journeys?

Eve: The only advice I have is to stick with it if you want to be natural. It takes patience to get your hair to the place you want it to be. And don’t believe the hype! Our hair doesn’t need all those different things they try to sell us. Just keep it moisturized (and this doesn’t mean greased… But that’s another topic. *lol*). Take time to see what works for you.

~@~

Eve’s Progress in Pictures

(click each image to enlarge)

Would you like to hear more from Eve? You can catch her Blog at www.btrflyed.com. Have a question about how she “do her natural do”? Contact her via Email at btrflyed@gmail.com.

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I am honoured to be able to share your natural process with others, Eve, and I wish you many more days of napptural beauty. You are an inspiration to me, and others who have made the transition as well, I am sure.

Blessed Be…

Idadi