Creative Loc Styles

Image found at: http://dreadlockextensionsandmorebykeisha.webs.com/eth5.jpg

Did you know that there are some hair geniuses out there who can reattach your original locs if you decide to cut them off?! I know right! That sounds CRAZY but apparently it is possible. Actually, it is similar to applying loc extensions. I learned about this when I recently inquired on FaceBook about new loc styles that could mimic a short hair cut. I love technology because in a matter of hours I had helpful responses. Kinky Curly Island Gurl (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinky-Curly-Island-Gurl/232006620146085?sk=wall) told me to check out Loc’d and Lov’n It, another FaceBook page (http://www.facebook.com/locdandlovinit).

I learned that it’s possible to do all kinds of things with my locs, for example folding the locs and twisting them around themselves to shorten them, using pipe cleaners to roll them (similar to a straw set I guess). This is amazing and I’m now on a hunt for a day or two when I can have the time to experiment. I will post any helpful pictures I take as I experiment. Thanks Kinky Curly Island Gurl and Loc’d and Lov’n It!

Also, here is a loc reattachment tutorial if you’re interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIvT5XoegZM. There are some creative folks out there! J

Creative Loc Styles

Image found at: http://dreadlockextensionsandmorebykeisha.webs.com/eth5.jpg

Did you know that there are some hair geniuses out there who can reattach your original locs if you decide to cut them off?! I know right! That sounds CRAZY but apparently it is possible. Actually, it is similar to applying loc extensions. I learned about this when I recently inquired on FaceBook about new loc styles that could mimic a short hair cut. I love technology because in a matter of hours I had helpful responses. Kinky Curly Island Gurl (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kinky-Curly-Island-Gurl/232006620146085?sk=wall) told me to check out Loc’d and Lov’n It, another FaceBook page (http://www.facebook.com/locdandlovinit).

I learned that it’s possible to do all kinds of things with my locs, for example folding the locs and twisting them around themselves to shorten them, using pipe cleaners to roll them (similar to a straw set I guess). This is amazing and I’m now on a hunt for a day or two when I can have the time to experiment. I will post any helpful pictures I take as I experiment. Thanks Kinky Curly Island Gurl and Loc’d and Lov’n It!

Also, here is a loc reattachment tutorial if you’re interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIvT5XoegZM. There are some creative folks out there! J

Starting the Dreadlock Journey

Deciding to loc my hair was a natural progression expedited by the wonderful news that I was pregnant with our first child. I was getting my hair retwisted every 4 weeks or so and the thought of going to the salon that frequently for the rest of my life just didn’t sit well with me. I’d long admired long beautiful locs and, now, I was on a quest to find out if the style would work for me. I am a nerd at heart so, I first wanted to learn more about locs. Locs are intentionally formed coils of intertwined hair (just can’t bring myself to say “matted”…that has negative connotations for me). When you stop combing, brushing your hair it will weave into itself and form long coils. I was told that the style is permanent, though, I recently learned that some loc processes allow a stylist to “unlock” the hair (Has anyone else heard of this?). There are many types of locs. Some people stop combing their hair and allow their hair to mat on its own. Others meticulously twist, braid or coil their hair so that the locs will grow in an organized pattern. I was ready for a change, so I researched the best loc salons in Atlanta and, based on word of mouth, I selected a stylist. Here are a few questions you might ask when selecting a stylist:

· How long have you been a licensed hair stylist (make sure they have an up-to-date license!)?

· How long have you worked with natural hair?

· How many natural hair clients do you have per week?

· What is your natural hair specialty?

· How long have you been locking hair?

· What kinds of products do you use on locked hair?

· Do you have references?

Also, check out the Internet, there are tons of resources: http://www.dreadlocks.com/, http://thirstyroots.com/black-dreadlocks-styles.html.

Honestly, one of the best ways to find a stylist is to be bold. If you see someone’s hair that you adore, ask him/her where they get their hair done. I’ve done that to find several stylists.

Image of Lauryn Hill found at: http://www.vissastudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/lauryn-hill-freeform-dreadlocks.gif

Starting the Dreadlock Journey

Deciding to loc my hair was a natural progression expedited by the wonderful news that I was pregnant with our first child. I was getting my hair retwisted every 4 weeks or so and the thought of going to the salon that frequently for the rest of my life just didn’t sit well with me. I’d long admired long beautiful locs and, now, I was on a quest to find out if the style would work for me. I am a nerd at heart so, I first wanted to learn more about locs. Locs are intentionally formed coils of intertwined hair (just can’t bring myself to say “matted”…that has negative connotations for me). When you stop combing, brushing your hair it will weave into itself and form long coils. I was told that the style is permanent, though, I recently learned that some loc processes allow a stylist to “unlock” the hair (Has anyone else heard of this?). There are many types of locs. Some people stop combing their hair and allow their hair to mat on its own. Others meticulously twist, braid or coil their hair so that the locs will grow in an organized pattern. I was ready for a change, so I researched the best loc salons in Atlanta and, based on word of mouth, I selected a stylist. Here are a few questions you might ask when selecting a stylist:

· How long have you been a licensed hair stylist (make sure they have an up-to-date license!)?

· How long have you worked with natural hair?

· How many natural hair clients do you have per week?

· What is your natural hair specialty?

· How long have you been locking hair?

· What kinds of products do you use on locked hair?

· Do you have references?

Also, check out the Internet, there are tons of resources: http://www.dreadlocks.com/, http://thirstyroots.com/black-dreadlocks-styles.html.

Honestly, one of the best ways to find a stylist is to be bold. If you see someone’s hair that you adore, ask him/her where they get their hair done. I’ve done that to find several stylists.

Image of Lauryn Hill found at: http://www.vissastudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/lauryn-hill-freeform-dreadlocks.gif

Loc Wearer on Hunt for Salon in Boston

Whatever your beliefs about the cohesion (or lack thereof) of “Black” America* , one thing that binds us together is our hair. That’s right, our hair. I’ve talked with lots of Black men and women about this topic and no matter where folks are from, how old they are, how much money they earn, whether they have a weave, a natural hairstyle, a relaxed do, bald head or fade, we are all in search of the perfect hair salon or barbershop. If we’re blessed enough to find a place we like (love), we are worried that the stylist is going to leave and then we’ll be back on that search again.

I had to recently go on the hunt for a good stylist. I have locs that are to the middle of my back and people who know me often say, “Girl, you have a LOT of hair”. I do. I can do it myself but it takes about 5-7 hours. Therefore, I NEED a good stylist. The search was prompted because my family and I recently moved to the suburbs of Boston, MA from New York. In New York, a wonderful loctitian came to my house to do my hair. She was a talented loctitian who nurtured my hair and crafted it into beautiful, woven updos. I miss her!

When we moved to the Boston area, I was concerned with normal moving issues, like would our children adjust to their new schools, would my husband and I excel at our new jobs, would we like our house and neighbors, you know, the typical stuff. In addition to these concerns, I scanned my neighborhood and thought, “Where in the world am I going to get my hair done?” I mean, a visit to the local drug store revealed that the shelves had NO ethnic hair care products. No gel, no sheen, no oil, no grease, no shampoo that wouldn’t completely dry out my hair, nothing. I guess this is because our area is basically a lily-white town. According to Wikipedia, based on a 2007 Census Bureau estimate there are 85% Whites, 10% Asian, and the remaining 5% is comprised of Blacks (2.2%), while Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 3.4% of the population.

When I moved here, I had no idea of the journey that was ahead of me. The real journey began when I got that first relaxer as a little girl.

*I just finished reading Eugene Robinson's book, "Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America". It is a great read and should start some wonderful conversations.