Lock It Up! Support Thread (Sisterlocs, Dreads, Freeform, Etc)

[mz.rae]

Ok, one more thing. Is losing locs normal? I came across this ig post and was readin the comments like hold up, I can expect to lose locs?! I know it's happened but people in the comments like it's a normal part of the process.

That would freak me out losing a loc like that, especially locs that size.

 

[shyekiera]

Hello everyone!!!! I started my loc journey yesterday.. I'm excited

 

[Evolving78]

Hello everyone!!!! I started my loc journey yesterday.. I'm excited

Hey welcome!
How were your locs started? Comb coils, two stand twists, interlocking, braid locs, sisterlocks?

 

[shortycocoa]

Hi ladies!!! I have been kind of busy with my oldest going back to school and Surfers Healing. I need to catch up on the posts. Plus I never posted pics of the kids. I need to do better.

I'll get back to that in a minute...

But Ya'll!!!!! How y'all ain't tell me Josette Bianca cut her locks????

I got a notification last week sometime about a new video of hers and saw the title and was like nooooooooo.....

But I understand why she did it.

Josette Bianca discussing her decision to cut her locks:



I actually got a notification about this video first and that's how I found out. I like that color on her, though.:




Also.....HARPO, WHO DIS WOMAN????? Her locks are soooooo dope, so pretty and sooo thick! I came across her channel just now and now I have to follow her journey to see how she got here.

If I ever wanted super thick locks, this size would be it. I think that would fit me and my face really well.:

Roxie J The Ruler:



Alright, let me go finish watching this video cause I had to stop watching so I could come tell y'all...

ETA:. 5 Year update:



I didn't realize there was a part 2, but here it is:

 

[Damaris.Elle]

Exactly one week until I start my locs!

 

[mz.rae]

Now that colder months aren’t too far away from us and my locs are getting longer. Im trying to figure out low tension styles that will help prevent lint from getting in my hair when wearing scarves and hats. What do you ladies do?

 

[shortycocoa]

I wish there was a “love” button! You are an inspiration, always so knowledgeable and caring and positive. You are awesome! I’m so happy I joined his thread and for sure glad that you’re in it!
Yes, I’m going to try to find something that will let my now resting on my shoulder locs be free. I have one of those giant bonnets but I think my head is too big for the elastic or my ears are in the wrong place I’ve tried stretching it but if I loosen it too much it won’t stay on my head.

Awwwwwwww....thank you, Queen!!! I'm glad to be here and glad to be helpful. So getting to your dilemma, it sounds like you might want a lock sock or a neck gaiter. Neck gaiters are the headbands I wear all the time...along with my "Survivor" themed Buffs (because I love "Survivor").

Neck gaiters are the cheapest. I usually buy all of mine from eBay, although I do see some I like on other sites sometimes.

I discussed some of this in an earlier post, especially about making your own.

If you want me to elaborate, I can do so in another post.

 

[shortycocoa]

Hello everyone!!!! I started my loc journey yesterday.. I'm excited

Congratulations to you and welcome to the fold! And yes, we need details! How did you start them? How are you planning on maintaining? Can we see pics of your starter locks?

 

[Cattypus1]

Awwwwwwww....thank you, Queen!!! I'm glad to be here and glad to be helpful. So getting to your dilemma, it sounds like you might want a lock sock or a neck gaiter. Neck gaiters are the headbands I wear all the time...along with my "Survivor" themed Buffs (because I love "Survivor").

Neck gaiters are the cheapest. I usually buy all of mine from eBay, although I do see some I like on other sites sometimes.

I discussed some of this in an earlier post, especially about making your own.

If you want me to elaborate, I can do so in another post.

Huge Survivor fan, myself. I actually have some of those buffs that I bought on Amazon. They are not satin so I didn’t want to suck the moisture out of my hair sleeping in them. Maybe I’ll give them a try.

 

[prettywhitty]

Now that colder months aren’t too far away from us and my locs are getting longer. Im trying to figure out low tension styles that will help prevent lint from getting in my hair when wearing scarves and hats. What do you ladies do?

Have you seen those satin lined winter hats on Etsy? They are cute!

I’m getting a few this winter.

 

[Evolving78]

My hair needs some love and affection. I need my color touched up and a retwist. I’m going permanent this time around.

I colored it jet black. Trying to see if I have the energy to retwist. It’s after 2am. My hair is wet, so I will just go for it.

Update...
I finished my hair. It took me 3 hours. I still need to get under the dryer. Once my hair is dry, i’ll line myself up a bit. Glad I finally did it.

 

[shortycocoa]

Now that colder months aren’t too far away from us and my locs are getting longer. Im trying to figure out low tension styles that will help prevent lint from getting in my hair when wearing scarves and hats. What do you ladies do?

I don't wear hats at all and can't remember the last time I wore a scarf. Probably when I was a loose natural.

But I'm here to help anyway! I think we talked about it in this thread before, if I'm not mistaken. I'll have to search some of the older posts later to see if I can find it. You can get hats and scarves that are satin-lined. That would take care of that.

As far as the low-tension styles, I did a search for you last night after seeing your post. The Morgan Alexis video I posted earlier came up first. Did you see that post? This is a big thread, and it's easy to miss stuff.

I also saw this and now I want to try it!!! I love the color, too....I might get that next as a Fall/Winter color. Or whenever I decide I don't want the purple ombre look anymore.

Basket Weave style (Kenya As Is):



Locked Honey Princess:



Jungle Barbie:

Sweeping bang with low bun:

(She starts the style tutorial around the 3:00 minute mark if you don't want to see the beginning where she is dry shampooing and retwisting two locks on her hairline that had build-up):



Bun for medium-length hair and 2 other styles:



That should be plenty to get you started....are you looking for mostly updos and styles that would keep your hair off your neck?

 

[shortycocoa]

Huge Survivor fan, myself. I actually have some of those buffs that I bought on Amazon. They are not satin so I didn’t want to suck the moisture out of my hair sleeping in them. Maybe I’ll give them a try.

Alright "Survivor" Fan...come through!!! Yaaaaaassssss! I don't care about them not being satin-lined for me, personally.... especially since I wet my hair frequently.

But, you might want something like this, if that is important for you.:

http://www.angelbonnets.com/shop/angelbonnets-double-layered-fleece-neck-gaiter/

Her other bonnets also sound like a better fit for what you need as well.

 

[shortycocoa]

My hair needs some love and affection. I need my color touched up and a retwist. I’m going permanent this time around.

I colored it jet black. Trying to see if I have the energy to retwist. It’s after 2am. My hair is wet, so I will just go for it.

Update...
I finished my hair. It took me 3 hours. I still need to get under the dryer. Once my hair is dry, i’ll line myself up a bit. Glad I finally did it.

Wow!!! You put in WORK... I bet your hair looks good...I wanna see!

So how long does the permanent color last, as opposed to the semi-permanent/rinse? I know my barber told me 12 weeks but I only washed my hair twice so far and it seems like it's faded pretty quick.... especially when I look at comparison pics from when I first got it done.

I have seen a YouTube video of a woman who was using a special type of shampoo to keep her red color looking vibrant after coloring but that was a couple years ago, at least.

I considered searching for something to use, but then I also don't know what to get since she did an ombre look... I don't want to "mess it up"...if that makes sense.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but the other thing I am loving about this color is the different effects/looks depending on how I style my hair.

 

[Evolving78]

Wow!!! You put in WORK... I bet your hair looks good...I wanna see!

So how long does the permanent color last, as opposed to the semi-permanent/rinse? I know my barber told me 12 weeks but I only washed my hair twice so far and it seems like it's faded pretty quick.... especially when I look at comparison pics from when I first got it done.

I have seen a YouTube video of a woman who was using a special type of shampoo to keep her red color looking vibrant after coloring but that was a couple years ago, at least.

I considered searching for something to use, but then I also don't know what to get since she did an ombre look... I don't want to "mess it up"...if that makes sense.

I don't know if I mentioned it before, but the other thing I am loving about this color is the different effects/looks depending on how I style my hair.

Hopefully it will last at least 6-8 weeks.
You can add some purple rinse to your shampoo or your conditioner for an added boost. Deep Purple rinse usually last me for 3 weeks and I wash my hair weekly. It should usually last 4-6 weeks.

 

[Cattypus1]

Alright "Survivor" Fan...come through!!! Yaaaaaassssss! I don't care about them not being satin-lined for me, personally.... especially since I wet my hair frequently.

But, you might want something like this, if that is important for you.:

http://www.angelbonnets.com/shop/angelbonnets-double-layered-fleece-neck-gaiter/

Her other bonnets also sound like a better fit for what you need as well.

Thank you for for this. I have a slapcap but it fits rather snugly on my head. These look like they might feel better on my head. I will check them out.

 

[mz.rae]

I don't wear hats at all and can't remember the last time I wore a scarf. Probably when I was a loose natural.

But I'm here to help anyway! I think we talked about it in this thread before, if I'm not mistaken. I'll have to search some of the older posts later to see if I can find it. You can get hats and scarves that are satin-lined. That would take care of that.

As far as the low-tension styles, I did a search for you last night after seeing your post. The Morgan Alexis video I posted earlier came up first. Did you see that post? This is a big thread, and it's easy to miss stuff.

I also saw this and now I want to try it!!! I love the color, too....I might get that next as a Fall/Winter color. Or whenever I decide I don't want the purple ombre look anymore.

Basket Weave style (Kenya As Is):



Locked Honey Princess:



Jungle Barbie:

Sweeping bang with low bun:

(She starts the style tutorial around the 3:00 minute mark if you don't want to see the beginning where she is dry shampooing and retwisting two locks on her hairline that had build-up):



Bun for medium-length hair and 2 other styles:



That should be plenty to get you started....are you looking for mostly updos and styles that would keep your hair off your neck?

Thank you so much for posting these videos I’m going to have to try these styles out! I feel these will also help me get out of the style rut I am in. I tried looking for the Morgan Alexis video but couldn’t find the post, how far back is it?

 

[Cattypus1]

Ok...discovery time. I think the frequent washes have caused my hair to loc faster. I went to a sorry-arsed “natural hair fest” this past weekend. It was terrible but this is Louisville, after all. Anyway, there was a woman with locs who started hers a month before mine. She had that fluffy, soft look that I never had. I’ve watched umpteen videos of retwists where the end result was that soft, fluffy look. I love it but I think I prevented my hair from ever doing that by washing and retwisting as often as I did. I’m not sure how I feel about it.

 

[shortycocoa]

Thank you so much for posting these videos I’m going to have to try these styles out! I feel these will also help me get out of the style rut I am in. I tried looking for the Morgan Alexis video but couldn’t find the post, how far back is it?

You're welcome! The Morgan Alexis video was back on page 77, post #2306, January 12, 2019.:

https://longhaircareforum.com/threa...ads-freeform-etc.739187/page-77#post-25062667

ETA: Ok, for some reason the permalink is going to post #2305 and not #2306, but it's #2306. I tried deleting it and reposting it twice on my phone and it still wasn't working right. I did it on my computer and now it's working.

 

[Evolving78]

Ok...discovery time. I think the frequent washes have caused my hair to loc faster. I went to a sorry-arsed “natural hair fest” this past weekend. It was terrible but this is Louisville, after all. Anyway, there was a woman with locs who started hers a month before mine. She had that fluffy, soft look that I never had. I’ve watched umpteen videos of retwists where the end result was that soft, fluffy look. I love it but I think I prevented my hair from ever doing that by washing and retwisting as often as I did. I’m not sure how I feel about it.

@ the fest!
You know I am pro washing! And loc’ing quickly is a plus! I think your locs are lovely!

 

[Evolving78]

Thank you for for this. I have a slapcap but it fits rather snugly on my head. These look like they might feel better on my head. I will check them out.

I saw some loc socs and loc scarves at the bss.
I still wear a satin and silk scarf, but I will be looking into buying one soon. They have one for shorter locs.

 

[Cattypus1]

@ the fest!
You know I am pro washing! And loc’ing quickly is a plus! I think your locs are lovely!

Thank you, lady, likewise.

 

[shortycocoa]

Ok...discovery time. I think the frequent washes have caused my hair to loc faster. I went to a sorry-arsed “natural hair fest” this past weekend. It was terrible but this is Louisville, after all. Anyway, there was a woman with locs who started hers a month before mine. She had that fluffy, soft look that I never had. I’ve watched umpteen videos of retwists where the end result was that soft, fluffy look. I love it but I think I prevented my hair from ever doing that by washing and retwisting as often as I did. I’m not sure how I feel about it.

I know what you mean....you feel like you missed out on something? It's all good, though! Your locks have formed the way they were supposed to and you take excellent care of them. You should be proud!

 

[Evolving78]

@Cattypus1
I just looked back at a pic of yours and you are at the stage where you can play around with a style! Your locs are on point! They are so pretty and so manicured!

 

[Cattypus1]

@Cattypus1
I just looked back at a pic of yours and you are at the stage where you can play around with a style! Your locs are on point! They are so pretty and so manicured!

Thank you @Evolving78. I’m totally style challenged. I’m waiting for it to grow to my knees so I can have a real ponytail!

 

[Cattypus1]

I know what you mean....you feel like you missed out on something? It's all good, though! Your locks have formed the way they were supposed to and you take excellent care of them. You should be proud!

Thank you @shortycocoa. I kind of feel like I did miss something sometimes. The lady’s hair was so fluffy and soft looking. She looked so cute. Don’t get me wrong, I think my goal at the start was to not have to wait forever for my hair to loc and mature. I think I achieved that, I just didn’t really know what that would mean style wise. I do love my hair and I love the freedom and look of locs. My hair was meant to do this. Work in progress...

 

[Evolving78]

Thank you @Evolving78. I’m totally style challenged. I’m waiting for it to grow to my knees so I can have a real ponytail!

Would you try out a loctician? I wouldn’t let them wash and retwist, but just style it. Like you come with your hair already washed and retwisted.

 

[Cattypus1]

Would you try out a loctician? I wouldn’t let them wash and retwist, but just style it. Like you come with your hair already washed and retwisted.

I’ve thought about it but I’m afraid that they might have to pull too tight right now because of the length. My hair is about the same length all over so it looks like I have layers. I’m super concerned about taking care of my edges and most of the gray is at my temples. Pulling my hair back puts my fuzzy gray on display and makes me want to reach for the edge control. The other thing is I have trust issues.

 

[Evolving78]

I’ve thought about it but I’m afraid that they might have to pull too tight right now because of the length. My hair is about the same length all over so it looks like I have layers. I’m super concerned about taking care of my edges and most of the gray is at my temples. Pulling my hair back puts my fuzzy gray on display and makes me want to reach for the edge control. The other thing is I have trust issues.

I know about those trust issues! Don’t get me started! Lol
I know you will find a style that you can do when you wanna spice things up! I have the same concerns as you!

 

[Damaris.Elle]

My loc appointment is today. My mom was helping me take down my weave and she was getting on my nerves with her comments! Talking about “I don’t know how you keep them (locs) clean” and “Maybe I should wait until I have a man first” You wash them...duh! And I’m not worried about these men I’m going to look bomb (speaking it into existence)