Toy Has A Voice

Locs Take Two

I was so very excited that April 25 had come along. It was time to get my platted hair maintenance completed.  I went to Dreadz and Headz where I had my first big chop done 3 years ago.  I walked in and the stylist looked at my hair and gasped. She then began to tell me that they don’t recommend locking from braids. She said that using the interlocking method on braids weakens the hair and causes other damage.  Then she began to ask why my stylist had chosen to start my locs this way. She had question after question which showed me just how little I know about this new lifestyle I’m entering. I was speechless and upset.

I explained that my line sister, who is a great natural stylist in her own right, began locking her five children, as well as herself and these locs began from plats.  They tried to convince me that it isn’t a good decision but said they would do my maintenance if I wanted them to.  In her words, “I can’t tell you what to do but I wouldn’t do it”.  I had about 150 micro braids on my head….the thought of having to take them down and restart made tears well up in my eyes.  On one hand I knew they were wrong about locs being started from plats because several people have made that choice and their hair is strong and beautiful. On the other hand, I don’t live in the Midwest, so I have to get my hair maintenance done locally.  I asked how much it would cost me to get my braids taken down and restarted. I was told it is usually $25 per hour for take down service and she didn’t do it.  My brain started to swell, or so I felt!!!

I sighed loudly then told them I would be back the next day.  Then as I left the shop tears just streamed down my face. I thought about the wasted time and money and the slow let down of thinking I had actually gotten somewhere in my loc process.  I was frustrated as hell!!!!  But slowly and surely I began my take down process.  It took me forever. I began Thursday night at 6 p.m. and stayed at it until 12:30 a.m.  Then throughout the rest of the day (at work) I kept unbraiding.  Not only did the braids have to come out but the knots from the started interlock had to be undone. By 6:30 p.m. on Friday, I still had about 20 braids to take down.

I finished about an hour later and sat 90 more minutes before a stylist even touched my hair.  I was washed and then given a head full of medium sized two strand twists. Their philosophy is that the twist has a natural transition into the curl that a loc needs to form.  I was then told that they recommend I not wash my own hair. Instead I need to return in 2-3 weeks for washing and maintenance.  This will cost me $60 every 2-3 weeks.  They let me know that forming locs is a pampered process.  I shared this story with friends that started and maintain their own locs and they laughed.  They probably know that I am getting bamboozled.

So consider this my restart!  I will be back in 3 weeks with another update.  Right now I think I will continue to get my maintenance until my hair locs completely.  Then at that point, I hope I have read enough and watched enough youtube videos to take over this maintenance task.  I can’t fathom having to wait in the beauty shop and pay $60 every 2-3 weeks again.  I thought I left that behind with my chemical relaxer!!!!

New Hair Journey

In January 2010 I made the decision to discontinue the use of chemical products in my hair. I began transitioning to a happier (some may say nappier) state of being. I never looked back. My Big Chop didn’t happen until May of 2010. It was a very freeing experience. All of my hair on my head was healthy and natural like God intended it to be. My scalp felt less itchy/dry and my roots were naturally wavy and soft.  I didn’t mind my hair being pulled and had fun trying out new, safer hair products. 

Since May of 2010, my hair has grown and I’ve enjoyed two strand twist styles, braided updo’s, curly fro, fully picked out fro, the pony puff, traditional pony tail, and even had the opportunity to dawn the faux hawk.  I’ve highlighted once and cut my hair twice since then.

Recently I decided I wanted to try something completely new to me….something I thought I’d never try or had previously even been interested in….LOCS.

A very close sister/friend of mine has beautiful locs, as does her husband and five children.  She keeps their hair TOGETHER…you hear me?!?  One day while trolling around on Face book I was able to discover recent pictures she added of her beautiful family and their wonderful, healthy, long, natural hair.  I was in AWE!!!!  The urge to try this came over me.  A few days later I freaked out and allowed lots of doubt to creep in.  I had to think things over first but had an initial conversation with my sister/friend to let her know I was considering the change. She was very encouraging.  However my other chats with people in my circle returned mixed reviews. 

The pros: flexibility in styling options, ease of winter styling, wash and go appeal

The cons: permanence of the LOC, no more curly fro

As you can see the pros out weighed the cons!  I made my appointment with my sister/friend to begin my journey on March 23, 2013.  She decided the best option for me was to start my locs with braids.  Now I have several micro braids of my own natural hair adorning my head.  She began an interlock that must be redone in approximately 6 weeks. 

So far I’ve worn my hair in front flat twists with the back hanging, all free with a head band, and most recently I rolled my hair and wore my braids curly.  I’ve received several compliments and have been pleased myself.

My first wash was so easy. I squeezed the excess water out, put my braids in a pony tail and wore a crochet cap while they dried. I’m loving it!!!