Loc Journey 1 and a HALF year loc'd!

[@jacquelinecameron2310]

Your hair look is beautiful. It looks healthy. That retwist with water is everything. Keep up the good work. Don't get discouraged.

[@essijj]

Jacqueline Cameron thank you much!

[@meishacampbell5384]

I'm so happy you are back. Always happy to see your video. We started around the same time. Enjoy your journey! Please post more if can.

[@slseym07]

Don't worry. You'll start really seeing the growth after the 2 year mark. That's because as the locs get heavier, the shrinkage isn't as bad. I'll be 3 years in by November, and my locs are shoulder length (and almost halfway to bra strap length). I understand the frustration though. I still deal with that, even at my length. Your locs are beautiful, by the way.

[@essijj]

NoviceLocs14 thank you! And yeah ur totally right! I just need to be patient and let the weight kick in! But woohoo for almost 3 years !

[@sweetdarkcocoakiss]

You're so pretty!! And your journey is so inspirational!

[@SoapToSoil]

I lived in Japan for 2.5 years! I absolutely LOVED IT! I would go back in a heart beat! Your hair is GORGEOUS and has gotten so long! Wonderful Journey!

[@ericaj6092]

Your locs are beautiful. Thanks for the update.

[@essijj]

Erica Johnson thank you!!

[@justinboone6914]

Just beautiful locs and all. 😍😍

[@NappturallyTrendy]

just started watching your vlog & I'm loving your journey. It takes a lot of patience & even if you can't see the growth everyone else can see it. You & I started our locs around the same time & what I've done is take pictures every month that way I can see my growth. Thanks for sharing your journey

[@amberdelaney5727]

I'm at the same point. Thought about cutting it. Just keep going though!!!!

[@essijj]

AEDXTHEBEST Loc Journey going to keep pushing through! Thank you!✊🏾

[@nikkiep23]

Your locs look nice. They are growing beautifully

[@ifoster165]

Nice....I'm following you a month in ..your so pretty

[@hillydilly474]

Awh. I love you locs!

[@hillydilly474]

And it's definitely grown

[@NaomiYasharala]

Peace Queen 👋🏾nice to see you back on here☺️ Japan? Niceeeee! The lady watching you lmbooooo😂😂 Your locks are looking very healthy, strong & clean! The size looks good as well. They look so neat w/ only a water retwist! I love water retwists because you don't gotta worry bout build up. I've been on my lock journey since 2015 & one thing I learned is to not watch my locks grow! It will drive you crazy. You gotta be patient. Length is nice but strength is what's most important when having locks. The length will come. I went thru the so called "ugly phase" in my journey but as time went on I got past that & you will to.

[@iammorganalexis]

Yes! Finally I've been patiently waiting for your update lol 🙌🏾 they look so good!

[@Elijah_MadeNTexas]

I'm 2 years in keep it up....

[@essijj]

Kris Jackson nice ! I'll be pleased when I make that mark !

[@tijuanagomez5212]

it's growing and it looks great. like your tattoos to

[@fiercegemini00]

I can see a difference. Is because on your head you don't. It's ok. I'm same way. Is like watching grass grow. Your hair is very nice how it is.

[@essijj]

fiercegemini it really is like watching grass grow 😂 and thank you!

[@fiercegemini00]

essijj essijj 👍🏾 I have similar hair density as you and about similar time in journey. I found when I stopped styling and let it be, it is doing better. Also have the natural layered look. I took tip from Natural Nirvana and not palm roll the whole loc which what I was doing before. I found because locs are short, when I retwist in direction I want loc to go it stays better. Example if I want to lay to the right I will lay em down that way during retwist and it will stay for awhile. Of course when get stale they go wherever the wind blows.

[@mshero0211]

Hey girl Hey! I was geeked to see you responded to my comment with a video! I love your hair and it is growing I can tell. I feel my locks aren't growing but others can see it even when I don't. AND JAPAN! How cool is that! super awesome!

[@Windsingerful]

I think your hair looks beautiful and FULL. If your individual hairs are on the thinner side, they are what they are - if you combine them, the locs themselves will be thicker, but your scalp parts would still show - just fewer. Maybe just relax and let them go for a bit...how often do you retwist (or interlock, if that's how you maintain them)? Maybe stretch the in between time out longer? The natural layer effect that you dislike is the very thing I think is most beautiful about your locs! You're in the late teen stage now. Between 24-36 months, your locs will mature and settle in, and the growth will come!!! Patience is the key...along with not comparing your own crown to what's others APPEAR to have (pictures are only a moment in time, after all). You are coming along just as you should! Keep it loc'd!

[@tripleblocked3399]

I've been going through all your loc videos and I'm loving it! I started my journey a few months ago and I got videos on my channel too

[@Badoula_Ray]

Your loc journey gives me the "want" to loc my hair 😍

[@Bindi_Marc]

6:50 I feel like if you have thin hair and (combine to) have larger locs even more of your scalp will show...

[@deviantcachonda]

welcome back🤗. you look amazing and your hair looks great😎. its our minds that say we don't look good at times, especially through different stages of our hair. Trust me your hair is fine, atleast it's all even. I got layers😓

[@Bindi_Marc]

omg they have come along so nicely! so beautiful :)

[@dluv80s]

Hey I love your videos. I'm 3 months locked and Im going through the fugly stage and can't wait for it to get a little longer. But don't you worry, you looked great in all the styles you just showed ✅. Safe travels Dee

[@TamicaSherie]

Your hair is beautiful... I definitely see some growth but I understand how you feel. I'm going through the same thing. You helped inspire to start my journey btw. Can't wait to see your next video 🤗

[@rebelr]

My first impression was that your hair has grown since your last video. I noticed your growth.

[@essijj]

Rebel R yay! lol that's nice to hear ! I feel like ppl see me everyday and it's just like meh

[@aleonard339]

your locs are beautiful

[@dstrong.legend9348]

Omg.. You locs are so cute.. I get it I'm going through the same thing.. But they are beautiful!!!

[@locempress8678]

Hi Queen always a pleasure watching your video your two months ahead of me. I actually have thin density hair. I think you should do more research before combining as your hair gets longer it will look fuller with more locs. Less locs can look scalper. This is my second journey trust me.....anyway wow Japan!!!!!!! I'm so wishing I was there!

[@essijj]

Loc Empress thank you ! I really do need to look into it more before I make a irrational decision/statement! I think that full shoulder length look is really what I'm longing for. Also I think I need to start wearing my hair down so it's not so much manipulation and maybe they well take on different characteristics! Thank u again! And Japan is so lively!! Definitely an experience that I'll cherish

[@stephflye3107]

I think your Locs look amazing. I watched another KZbinr who kept a picture journal of her Locs because she felt they were not growing. When she looked at her photos it helped her see that they were actually growing. Take care!!

[@shani7442]

Your locs are gorgeous! I have trouble with the side part too, so i use a bobby pin to keep my hair in place.

[@GoldenThreads1]

Shani if your locks are short than styling then after apply some lite oil or water when your due for some could help

[@essijj]

Shani I always feel like my bobby pins are super noticeable with that style in particular but I'm going to work with it! Thank you !

[@shani7442]

essijj that's true they are a bit noticeable. I guess I just never thought about it. 😊

[@WhatDidiSaid]

Girl, your hair is beautiful!! I watched some your videos before starting my loc journey on YT.

[@SaleanaC]

Wow your locs are gorgeous

[@mnotinglife7934]

Oh my word! you're in Japan?! that's so awesome! I can't wait to visit there! what's it like and how long have you been there? Your locs look good! very healthy and uniform. I can already visualize your locs longer and all curly. it's going to be amazing. I'm proud of you for sticking with it. I think it's great that you have a bigger reason that keeps you strong! it's kind like they say of spirituality...just because /you/ don't see your progress doesn't mean you're not making any! Thanks for updating us!

[@Sunnymon3y]

M M!!!! Where you at sis... I just uploaded my 1yr on the 4th.. Waiting on you to slide through lol.. and yes I love her locs as well one of my fav sets

[@mnotinglife7934]

PrettyBaller 92 Hey girl!It's funny because I started to watch your one year update a couple days ago, then got interrupted and never got to finish watching it. I just watched it now though 😊 Im so proud of how amazing your locs look. And yes, she was actually one of the first loc'd youtubers i followed. Such nice locs!

[@christopherbrown5772]

Your locs are beautiful and healthy looking what do you use for a retwist what type of gel ? And you are growing its probably hard to tell to you cuz u see it err day ! But your locs have grown looking back at your journey

[@KrumpN08]

Seems like it’s growing to me! I think they look great! Sometimes hair will get thicker before showing length... chin up it will be worth it in the long run!

[@LalalikeasianGIRLS]

Really missed u

[@memelois]

I missed your videos :) Girl, u are so impatient with your hair lol. I guess that's just your personality, and it's ok, but your hair is SO beautiful! I feel like it has thickened up quite a bit since you started and I think the size of your locs is proportionate to the size of your head. But u want what you want, I get that. They're quite nice tho.

[@essijj]

Meisha Harris thank you ! And lmao ur right ! I have to remind myself to simmer down in many aspects of my life including hair 😂 but thanks I really wasn't sure about the parting but I think when they grow out this size may be complementing for a Lush bun lol 🤞🏾

[@MaintainHealthyHair]

Great to see u again...in my head you're my hair twin(we loc'd the same yr/mo/Jan 16). I wouldn't have thought of how long I've been locked if it wasn't for you. Seeing your video made me get up and go to a mirror and do length checks, lol. Anyway, me personally w/c I know is easier said then done. Don't think abt your hair, and just let it be. Of course keeping it moisturized. We're going to make it to the #longhairdontcare finish line in due time, lol. Peace Lady.

[@letitiamcghee2941]

You're very beautiful and I love your hair.

[@kizmarie1659]

I see the growth

[@MarteezCo]

Goals!!

[@AKIYIAKELLY]

Beautiful Locs

[@Sunnymon3y]

Babe your locs are Gorgeous! I love them. Always have when you first started your journey. You still stressing that length I see lol. But its all Good bc nothing stays the same. They honestly have gotten longer btw.. Happy you're enjoying yourself and exploring parts of the world, bring us back a souvenir 😂 and Stay Locd 😘

[@latasha4572]

You are absolutely beautiful. Ur locs are absolutely beautiful too.

[@aquaopa1]

I definitely notice your growth! Your locs look great. I do not see where you would need to combine. It will look MORE scalpy if you combine locs

[@kerancampbell]

Yayy!!!

[@Paradyce.A-CEO]

I love your hair our locs are the same length , hang in there ❤

[@Just_Brigood]

Patience woman... think of this journey as a ladder- there are steps you must take in order to get to the top but you must appreciate those first little steps which admittedly can be the hardest however, you have to embrace those little steps it's the only way to get to the top of ladder where u want to be. You will get there! Btw you're trippin the have gotten longer

[@essijj]

Just_Bri I need to print this and put it on my wall ! Lol thank YOU! Ur so right...I have totally been ignoring this stage ... I'm about to change that! Thank u!

[@Just_Brigood]

essijj 🙏🏾😊

[@anitahenderson7320]

Just_Bri I agree, it is definitely a journey. I have been loc’d for 20 years and this is my third set which are 21 months old. I am struggling with the short length but also embracing the journey.

[@alexiswhitley4510]

I can see some growth from your last video!!

[@essijj]

Alexis Whitley yay! I was seriously like ...okay this is kind of embarrassing lol

[@michellewilliams6993]

You look just fine.

[@MaintainHealthyHair]

Hair Twin......I say that b/c we started almost same length, month and year. Jan 18 is our 2 year anniversary (whoop whoop)! My hair is touching my back now. Can’t wait til I can really rock a ponytail. I can’t stop touching my hair, so I try to get a up do once a month to refrain from touching. Hope all is well; staying tuned for next video.

[@Avocado.locs.]

Come back! We miss u! I just started locs and am looking for people to follow

[@TonyMrBoring]

girl where you been?

[@essijj]

MissBoring traveling 😃and I suck at vlogs so I did not even want to try to keep updated lol they would be terrible

[@benitagarnett]

You should wear it down, its cute sis!

[@essijj]

Benita Garnett I can't be out here with a mushroom 😩lol but I'm going to buy some accessories and try to work with it

[@benitagarnett]

LOL

[@myrilunalee9999]

Your locs looks amazing! I'm at 3 month-locs now. So curious: How are you getting all these amazing opportunities to travel? I am also a lover-of-traveling, but I don't know how to get the opportunities, connections, and time. Would love to hear your travel stories as well as art-loving journey and inspirations. Thank you **sending you love and positivity as your move forward in life and on your loc journey**

[@angie101972]

How did I miss this video? Congrats in 1.5 years. Length will come in time

[@DadzLife]

nice locs

[@yeahtheyweird]

Your smile is so pretty

[@channel09tm]

GORL! Where HAVE you been??☺ we literraly have the SAME struggles lol

[@GoldenThreads1]

how often is your retwist nowadays? 1per/month?

[@essijj]

maison marson yes, once per month sounds right! Although I'm getting super lazy and i really dread re twisting now

[@Aussie0aka0Strales]

Its beautiful. Maybe try some loc jewelry or colored yarn before throwing dye in your hair. Your loc size is perfect.

[@fantastic4565]

Hey, any updates?

[@gramz33]

Can you speak more on the religious/spiritual purposes? Do you have a video on that, or a book that sparked your faith journey in that regard?

[@angie101972]

I think combining would be a mistake. Right now you have a really good fullness. Combining will take that away and may make them look scalpy

[@MsLeolion40]

love you hair... check Yannie Locologist she's from Trinidad..she'll tell you the do's and dont's. regrarding pulling your "fuzzies"... She calls hair beenin DISRECPTFUL instead of the UGLY STAGE

[@tenaydanielle1847]

Kelly Roland vibes

[@musicenthusiast9354]

Black women are beautiful sheesh

[@Marteen40]

How many locs do you have

[@mygutculture]

I honestly see a huge difference in length from the last video to now and they look healthy. Maybe you should do a side by side shot!! #newsubscriber

[@camillamason3765]

How many locs do you have on your head? & would you consider your loc size small or medium? Im getting locs and think yours are beautiful!

[@Sunnymon3y]

Sis where are yooouuuu????

[@erikagarner1585]

You're gorgeous! Do you have your journey on ig as well?

[@SoapToSoil]

I've missed you're videos! Your hair has grown so much and it's beautiful 😍 I hope mine look just like this at my one year mark. I posted my starter loc/1 month video on my page as well! Check it out! Also, I used to live in Japan, very different from the USA but I Absolutely loved it!

[@essijj]

Briana Jenkins just subscribed! Thank youuuu lol! And it is lovely here! I wonder what it would be like to live in a civilization where you are the majority...that's all I've been thinking about honestly lol

[@SoapToSoil]

essijj They take pride in being such a "pure race" And not mixed like America. Not in a "I'm better than you way" but more so in a way that it's now rare to see a dominant race with everyone having mixed children. A lot of the younger Japanese ladies in the Yokosuka area (near an American military base) have begun to break away from a lot of their cultural traditions and marrying outside of the Japanese race. There was even a lot of controversy about the black and Asian Miss Japan pageant winner. Some of the older people didn't see her as a true representation of the Japanese race I guess. 🤷🏽‍♀️ but all in all, they are VERY accepting people and love the African American culture!

[@Jazzandcompanyy]

I'm having some complications too! Check out my journey

[@aliyahwaggner1660]

your locs are gorgeous! so are you! do you have instagram? i would love to follow you for loc inspiration.

[@benitagarnett]

Try drinking more water and take some vitamins maybe that might help.

[@fastpraylemonade]

do you have an instagram? if so, may I have it ? I would love to follow you !