Hannah Ranay's: A Natural Hair Care Retreat

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T20:53:00.000-08:00

May God bless! Here's the latest and greatest pic of me over the holidays freestylin at 15 months.

Oh, Did I mention- "YES WE DID"!

2008-12-17T11:09:00.000-08:00

Whew!

2008-12-17T10:46:00.001-08:00

Life since my 9 month locversary has been a world-wind. My braidlocs are now 15 months old and have grown soooo much. I'll post pics over the holidays!

Stay blessed!

African American Owned Beauty Supply

2008-06-19T09:18:00.000-07:00

It's hard to get into the game of beauty supply when you look like us even though we are the people buying the products. It's crazy! The desire for cooperative economics not only seems justifiable but logical.

Well, if you live in the DFW area, let me introduce you to Hairport Beauty Supply and Accesories.

This is a 100% black owned beauty supply, but the owners will tell u of the challenges they had getting into the business. It was not easy! However, the satisfaction of creating successful relationships with vendors who produce black hair care products was worth it. They are open to procuring products that they may not currently shelve at your request.

They own a well-stocked, clean and welcoming store at 8020 Matlock, Suite 110 in Arlington, Texas. They are at the corner of Matlock and Turner Warnell. Their # is 817.539.7555.

When you walk in you are greeted warmly then engulfed by the sounds of contemporary gospel music. I even noticed a bible opened to Psalms by the register. Upon departure, I received lots of free samples, thank you's and I love you's. You won't get that at some of the other beauty supplies :-)

Even greater, they are opening a restaurant next door to the beauty supply featuring hot dogs and philly steaks but also kosher and vegetarian food.

Let's stop in and show some love to these progressive entrepreneurs!

FRED HAMMOND

2008-06-17T09:17:00.000-07:00

Fred Hammond! These two words spoken together instantly bring a smile to my face. All who know me know that he is my ABSOLUTE favorite. I am truly fanatic about his ministry. Since 1998, his ministry has blessed me in ways I could never articulate. His music is real and righteous. Passionate and compassionate. Transparent and authentic. I saw a bulletin board from the highway and spotted his picture literally about a mile a way. When I got closer and learned he would be doing a free concert about a month later, I knew where I would be on that date. I arrived for the concert two and half hours early and I enjoyed the concert from the 4th center row. It was WONDERFUL! Since this is a hair blog, I must say that I was dissappointed that he cut his locks. I haven't heard through the media why yet. I was feelin those locs! They seemed to add even more intrigue to this wonderful man. Oh well, I continue to be inspired and uplifted by Fred and his contribution to the body of Christ. During the concert I yelled, "I love you, Fred!" And he responded, "I love you, too!" Talk about whipped!!!

Loc Meeting in the Ladies Room

2008-06-12T15:55:00.001-07:00

Okay, really this meeting was out in the heat that's why we all look so shiny. BUT, I had the awesome honor of meeting Chocolocs (middle) and Creyole (right) is one of my loc idols. Creyole's sisterlocks r growin like a weed!!!!!!!!! Just beautiful!

Chocolocs was visiting my city for a wedding and chose to worship at my church with the family prior to the wedding. Someone pointed out some FIERCE sisterlocks to me in the congregation and it was her. After church, I tracked her down (Creyole was already talkin' to her) and we had a great time discussing our hair freedom. She couldn't believe that I did my own install and that my microbraidlocs evolved into locs.

I scolded her for not updating her blog because her hair has grown so much since her last photos on her blog. She promises that she has some pics instore for us so I can't wait to see them.

It was a pleasure to meet you Chocolocs and continued happy lockin.

9 month Locversary

2008-06-12T15:30:00.000-07:00

It's been 9 months since I installed my microbraidlocs and I'm still lovin them everyday! In this pic my hair was styled with Loc Loops. I have a post coming soon about Loc Loops so stay tuned.

This journey has been wonderful and the discoveries I have made about myself and embracing all of who I am has been awesome.

The versatility of microlocs has afforded me many options and that I love. My hair is now such a joy to wear. It's an honor to share this journey with others and educate them too on how to be free!

DIY Interlocking and Maintenance

2008-05-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

As a die-hard do-it-yourselfer, I had to post this wonderful video by NubianLockedPrincess. If you are the d-i-y kind, you'll appreciate it. Thanks Nubian for sharing!

"Are Those Sisterlocks"

2008-05-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

In this blog I'll post some up-to-date pics of my babies at 7 months old! The top two are a braidout and the bottom one is purely wash and go!

I'm a member of the Lockitup group on yahoo and the following question was posed:

"Sister Locks vs BradeLocz
Is it true that small BL look like SL? Do they move the same way? it would be great to save the money. Thanks! I'm new here so please post anything else... "

My response is below and I would like to re-iterate my thought that "All paths lead to LIBERATION." I don't think of it as one versus the other, but how many options do I have when locking my hair. Here's my response and did I mention "I LOVE MY LOCS!"

"This is an interesting subject and so timely. My next blog title
is "Are Those Sisterlocks?" Though I haven't blogged it yet, I thought
I'd share the jest of my thoughts here.

The subject came to mind because I get stopped in public all the time
with compliments on my "Sisterlocks" and although I accept it as a
compliment, I am constantly correcting individuals that they are
braidlocks. (I don't want to try and pass as a sisterlocker when I'm
not). I started my locs myself 7 months ago by microbraiding my own
hair which I maintain with a latchook.

I give honor to Dr. Cornwell in creating the Sisterlock technique and
the liberation it has allowed for many of my sisters on their natural
journey to experience. I also honor Cherie King for the marketing the
Bradelocz method and though simplistic, she has enlightened women on
this being a viable method for starting locs. All paths have lead to
the same destination...LIBERATION for many women and I am so thankful
for that!

I have locked my hair and my husbands hair as well as a few others with
braids and have found that most locking techniques go through the same
maturing evolution were they swell, bud and mature. My observations
reveal that a mature lock looks the same though the sizes vary. After
attending the World Natural Hair Show in Atlanta a couple of weeks ago,
I was able to observe and ask questions to many in attendence and was
surprised how hard it was to guess how different individuals started
their now mature locks (coils, two-strand twists, braids, etc). I've
even met some Sisterlockers who have larger locks that don't
necessarily have the microloc look to them because they wanted them
bigger to avoid long maintenance sessions.

It comes down to what you want and the monetary investment you want to
make."

Video from Taliah Waajid's World Natural Hair Show

2008-05-01T08:12:00.000-07:00

Click the video to experience the sights and sounds from Taliah Waajid's 2008 World Natural Hair Show.

The video is courtesy of my new natural friend "naturalhairvibes" from Minnesota!

Taliah Waajid's World Natural Hair Show

2008-04-30T09:00:00.000-07:00

Words can not begin to express the true emotions I experienced while attending the Atlanta Natural Hair Show. I can only compare it to what Malcom X must have experienced during his "mecca" experience. I felt like I had arrived in natural hair heaven. When I crossed the threshold into the expo hall the first day, goosebumps popped up all over my body and tears flooded my eyes. My senses immediately became overloaded because the biblical understanding of one's hair being their glory was manifest and personified in the flesh. There were so many sisters and brothers walking around regally as kings and queens. I know to some (and maybe even to me) it sounds like the whole "black power thing". BUT, my experience is was a positive power. Not a negative thing as in "reverse racism". There were brothers and sisters who were models of self confidence, self love and empowerment. I quickly realized that I would have to soak up every molecule of this two day experience. And I did! Hats off to Taliah for providing us naturals a wonderful expo that was pulled off with great order and professionalism! The classes were phenonmenal and I'll post later about them. Here Taliah is hard at work behind the registration desk on the first day. I met sooooooo many wonderful people who also expressed their individual "mecca-like" experience at the show. My natural hair experience has pointed me toward the wholistic basis of who I am: Mind, Body and Spirit. It's been a surprise of how organic it is, but how deep it is. I'm soooo blessed to have come full circle, yet still a work in progress!

Finally, Rockin the Locs

2008-04-24T10:29:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics of my babies the first week. The 1st pic is of my first braid out. The 2nd and 3rd pics are wash and go photos with a clip as you see to keep the sides tucked.

The Big Day

2008-04-24T09:50:00.001-07:00

These pics are from the day my locs were born September 10, 2007! I am a die-hard do-it-yourselfer so I did my own 3 day install of my braidlocs. 3 days sounds like a long time, but I have so many responsibilities that consumed that time. I didn't record how much time I used over that period to actually braid. I enjoy braiding. It relaxes me so it was no big deal.

My daughter helped me with my parting and it was meticulous. Just the way I wanted them.

I studied and lurked on sites for the longest gleaning all the info I could. I educated myself with a little-bit-from here and there. Braidlocs was the better choice for me for several reasons. I could control the size of my loc. I could immediately wash my locs if I wanted to (and I did). I could maintain the locs myself (I interlock)thereby save $. I could have all the versatility of other methods of microlocs.

I locked my DH 2 years ago with the same method and have enjoyed creating some amazing locs for him that are now past his shoulders.

Now I'm married to 430 babies and I love each one of them! I struggled with maintaining my hair loose because of the tight curl pattern I have (4C). However, locs have liberated me and given me freedom that I never imagined possible!

My Journey Begins With the Fro

2008-04-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, Here I am with the fro 7 months ago that I never wore out in public. Don't ask me why not. Now that I look back at these pics, I wished I had rocked it, but I didn't. I was a slave to braid extensions, and other "help" as I called it. My mind was locked up in the hair department, but my hair wasn't. Thank GOD I'm finally free!

I started my journey with about 4-5 inches of natural hair. I went natural the first time in 2000 when I found a bald spot in my head that I attribute to stress. I new then that relaxers were not my friend. I never wore my natural hair out though. No twist, fros, braidouts, twistouts, nothing! Odd right? I always wore a press and curl or braids or other "help". Then in 2005, I permed again. The chemicals again were too much and I cut it all off after that one relaxer. Back to the braids until I grew it out to what you see in these pics.

On this very day I began my lock journey.

Twins Locked Up!

2008-04-24T08:01:00.000-07:00

Meet twin sisters Miss L. and Miss D. These beautiful, vivacious girls are 10 years old and mature enough to know what they want. They were ready to loc their hair and enjoy their natural beauty. They both were started with braidlocs which took approximately 4 hours to install on each of them. They will be maintained by using the interlocking method.

The girls had perm on their ends which was cut off. They had been wearing braid extensions for several months in order to achieve about 3 to 4 inches of new growth. The girls are blessed with a mother Mrs. D. who wants them to have a strong hair-i-tage by teaching them to grow and maintain their God given tresses.

Help me congratulate Miss L and Miss D on starting their journey. We'll keep you posted on their evolution.

I'm Here

2008-04-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

Anybody glad to be here? I am as I bless the name of the Creator for allowing me to see another year! Our health and strength are all a direct, unquestionable blessing from God. Here's a treat to remind you of the mercy and grace He bestows on us without measure!

Be proud to be the best of who God created you to be. Saaaang our testimony, Fantasia!

Tired of Perms

2008-04-09T15:09:00.000-07:00

Meet Shayla. She did the big chop about three months ago. Look at all of her natural beauty that was hidden under a perm. She's absolutely gorgeous and NATURAL. She's sure to be an inspiration to many.

This is Lexi. She's been locked since 1999. She too had enough of perming and decided to wear her hair naturally.

One lady says that she'll wear her loose hair natural and the other has been locked for 11 years and committed to locking for life. With all this freedom and versatility why don't we take Whitney's advice that crack (creamy crack that is) is whack. Preach, Whitney... http://youtube.com/watch?v=ytJpZguSy2U. ;-)

Locs and What They Mean to You

2008-04-09T08:33:00.000-07:00

Bilal is a part of the Nappiology meetup group and granted Hannah Ranay an interview about his locs.

OC is in the 2nd video and shares some info about his locs with us.

In their videos, they mentioned that this is both their second set of locs and why they cut their old locs and why they started over. That leads me to this question. What do your locs mean to you? Do they represent patience and devotion? Are they tied to a specific relationship or life situation? Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

Hannah Ranay As Featured on Creyole's Blog

2008-04-02T07:21:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted any pics of myself to this blog until now, because I'm having camera drama. I'll download some pics shortly of the beginning of my journey. Unil then, check out Creyole's blog http://creyole.blogspot.com/2007/12/another-sda-sister-locked-up.html to get the 411 on my hair journey.

I will give you the jest. This pic was taken circa 4 months braidlocked. I am a die-hard do-it-yourselfer. I've been doing hair seems like since I was born so I decided to do my own install. I have approximately 430 babies on my head. This style was a braid out bang and bun updo.

I wish I had locked 20 years ago. I love my hair and the evolution it brings not only in and of itself, but IN me!

Ever Had A Dream?

2008-04-01T10:06:00.001-07:00

Oh my, Gosh! The word dream is so powerful to me. It is uncontainable! It has no boundaries or limits except: Y-O-U. We limit and stifle ourselves by thinking small, being small and yes dreaming small! I am blessed to have the gift to dream big and the passion to bring my dreams to the realm we exist. What are my dreams? I dream of freedom to live my passion. I dream of my children being forerunners for their generation and being even bigger dreamers than me. I dream of my family being givers and not takers. Leaving this world better than we found it. My dreams aren't built around accumulating great wealth in the monetary sense because I know that I can have that if I want it and it will come in due time. Instead, I find greater satisfaction in living a life of order and dreaming about building character and being better, wiser and stronger.

I dreamt my hair free before it ever became my reality! Here is Goapele in an awesome video where the lyrics are contagious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkRSMaCjCjw You'll be singing this song all day and hopefully it will help propel you closer to your dream; whatever they are. By the way, she's rocking some fierce locs!

INSANITY

2008-04-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

Insanity has been said to be defined as "doing the same thing expecting different results". Whether you are in the cycle of perming, shedding, breaking and cutting like I was. Or you are in an abusive relationship that you think you deserve... be inspired by this great video from Oprah's Gospel Brunch were celebrities spontaneously sing "Changed"! Hold on to your seat if you've never seen it before or better yet, let your seat go and shout the victory. Be Changed! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zC4qVQA4Qrg

DFW Sisterlocks Gathering3/29/08

2008-03-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I had the wonderful pleasure of attending the DFW Sisterlocks Gathering. IT WAS WONDERFUL. I had the opportunity to meet some of the wonderful women I had lurked for so long in the blog world.

Blaqkofi is as beautiful and vivacious as she appears to be online and her locs are off-the-chain! Tra is simply gorgeous and sassy. Though we've met while out-and-about in the city a couple of times, she is a hoot and I loved the conversation. Sisterlockadoration is so sweet and was my final inspiration for locking because we were both about the same length. Her locs are exquisite. Creyole is my church sister and always the inspiration. Love ya, girl! I could go on and on but is was quite refreshing to be in the company of other sophisticated ladies who are comfortable in their own skin and locs! My camera died recently so I don't have pics, but click on the ladies above and I'm sure they will have pics posted soon!