I always say that if I didn't want to ever wear my hair loose again, I would seriously consider locks. Sometimes I really get tired of detangling and twisting and I daydream about how much easier it would be to have get-up-and-go hair. I think they are so pretty and are very versatile. But, after a few days of twists or braids I remember that there is just something about rocking a puff or twist-outs that keep me from going there.My mom sometimes complains about constantly having to do her natural hair too. I will admit that working with natural hair can be frustrating, especially if I neglect it a bit and let it airdry or sleep on it so it mats. Our hair does require a certain amount of patience and care that straight hair does not. Does this make our hair less than or bad? Of course not! You guys know me better than that. I'm just saying that when it's dirty and I'm tired, it just doesn't get done till the next day!
So when I ran across this article on Essence.com about the very popular Sisterlocks, originated by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell, it made me revisit the idea of locs in general.
"In 1993 Cornwell invented a special crochet hook that tightly intertwines between 300 and 500 strands of hair. The result: thin locks that represent a celebration of curls and kinks that are easy to style, using curling irons, rollers and styling products, without changing the natural texture of the hair with chemicals." (Above photo and excerpt from Essence.com)
I don't know, what do you guys think? I think they look pretty and they definitely seem versatile. They would also eventually grow very long if left alone, which I know matters to some women who want natural hair that also shows its length. I can't imagine maintaing them myself and I'm sure you would need to go to a special loctician to get them re-twisted every so often.
Also, Sisterlocks recently posted some youtube vids in response to Chris Rock's Good Hair.
I really love around 4:00 where Dr. Cornwell talks about the same thing I felt when I left the theater. The slideshow of pics of lovely natural girls is
great!
I guess in the end, I still do not want to lock my hair. I'm not ruling it out, never say never as they say. But, if I ever get to the point where I do, I might consider Sisterlocks.
Is there anyone out there who has or knows of someone who has Sisterlocks? If so, what has been your experience? Would you recommend it? Let us know!
I had sisterlocks for almost 10 years and eventually got sick and tired...
ReplyDeleteI'm 18 now and having sisterlocks when I was younger destroyed my self-esteem. I was called a "mop head" and couldn't take it. On a daily basis I came home crying which eventually led to self-medicating (ex. drinking, pill popping). The locks weren't the only thing though I must say...just part of my "self" problem. I took my sisterlocks out in April of this year and have been wearing my hair natural and never plan on destroying my hair (relaxer). Sometimes I think about locking my hair in the future when I'm old and lazy (lol), but now I just love experimenting and playing with my loose hair.
~DeNee
I think Sisterlocks are beautiful and I'm considering them in the future. I've wanted to lock my hair for a while, as I just went all natural this February. I've been rocking a short cut, and will grow my 'fro out next year. I think after some time of rocking my fro and other natural styles I will eventually lock. The great thing about it all is that you can always go back if you want and regrow your 'fro after having locks.
ReplyDeleteI've had sisterlocks for about 8 months now and I love them and I can't imagine not having them. I have very coarse hair, which became very time consuming to maintain after I had my son, and going back to a perm was not an option for me because I love my natural hair. Sisterlocks has been the best thing that has happened to my head. I love the wash and go freedom, never having bad hair days, their beauty and the fact that my hair can be free to grow as long as I let it. I love sisterlocks and locs period.
ReplyDeletewhen I use to wear my hair in tiny boxbraids, I would get stopped in the street and ask if I had sister locks. I never really knew what they were but now I understand why people thought that. I don't think I would, I grew up having braids and twists in my hair all the time and I'm just really enjoying looking at my texture...
ReplyDeleteI am a lifetime natural...well no perm ever but plenty of color and weave! LOL! Does that count? I digress, I have had sisterlocks for the past 2.6 years and I love them. After having a lifetime of styling ever day, shampoo and no poo, detangling, product hoarding, braids, weaves, and over styling Dominican style; I am happy to experience the freedom of roling out of bed and getting my hair done every other month. ;) i have been blogging since I started my Sisterlocks journey and there is tons more info on the web since I started. I admire Dr. Cornwell also and haven't watched these videos yet but will...
ReplyDeleteI've been following your blog for a little while now and I must say your topics always make me want to comment immediately- in a good way. I am in the middle of final edits to a manuscript that I am submitting for a class and publication (ironically it has to do with hair & health) but I felt compelled to say something.
ReplyDeleteI've been wearing my hair in SLs for nearly 4 yrs now and I LOVE them. Like Ms. Sophia, I've had my hair natural (only straightening by press) my entire life and wish I would have locked sooner. With my hair locked, I've been more adventurous with styling now than ever before. Out of the 4 years of being locked, I've retightended my own hair for 3.5. The one probable downer may be the time it takes to retighten (avg 10 hrs myself, but 4 w/a consultant), but I really like the autonomy. The other may be the initial costs. By luck and a generous consultant, I have not incured much costs but I've heard some stories to make my head spin. But in the end, even those people who pay a heck of a lot end up really loving their hair.
However the benefits have been wonderful: I put maybe 20% of the amount of products in my hair than I did with loose natural hair, styling time is down maybe 50%, and swimming regularly is very doable without too much damage.
In short: I love them and big up to Dr. Cornwell for introducing the style.
It sounds like everybody here that has them has had a good experience. I am so glad. If I ever do decide to lock up, I would probably opt for a size that is in between the Sisterlocks and fatter locks. Thanks to everybody for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanx Leslie, I love your blog, you always bring something no other hair blog is doing...
ReplyDeleteThanks Anon!
ReplyDeleteI gave it a serious thought...but I love rocking the ridiculous huge fro! lol
ReplyDeleteI think it's fantastic that we have so many options with our hair. I'm going through a very lazy hair period, and wear my hair in med-sized twists for 3-4 weeks.
ReplyDeleteI wore very small braids - with too much hair in the extensions - years ago. I kept them in too long. They were starting to twists around at the root and the pain was unbelievable.
Looking at Sistalocs makes me wince. It's a nice style for those who can endure it.
My sister has had Sisterlocks for over 8 years now and her hair is approaching WL in the back. I thought about getting them but I couldn't justify the expense...and that was when I had the money to afford them, lol.
ReplyDeleteI started my locs with two-strand twists and maintained by latching, which is a less-complicated method similar to what's used for Sisterlocks. Mine condensed quite a bit but they were nowhere near as thin as Sisterlocks. They had plenty of "swang" and could be styled in many different ways just like Sisterlocks. Nappturality and other natural hair forums list the different ways that exist for creating thin locs; Sisterlocks aren't the only option.
08 Feb 2010, will be my 1 year sisterlock anniversary. I have had a pleasant experience watching my hair transition. Only wish I had known of sisterlocks sooner. But knowing me , I would't have been mentally ready. (smile) I strongly recommend them to all sisters who want and crave the freedom to be as natural as they can be. I guarantee you will love it.
ReplyDeleteSisterlocked and Lovin It
I visited your blog today for the sole purpose of getting some insight on locs. I've been thinking about it the past few weeks for the same reasons you'd mentioned above, the same reasons you decided to get your hair box braided; I really want a protective style that is low maintenance--I'm tired of putting my hands in my hair and I don't think my hair likes it much. Maybe I'm just frustrated because it's been a little over two years since my big chop and the growth seems stunted.
ReplyDeleteBUT anywho, I just don't think I'm ready for locs. I, too, enjoy twist outs and the versatility I have with free flowing hair. I can definitely see myself sisterloc it in the future, though.
miss royal-this is one of the biggest reasons why I got these braids. I love them more than I can say. I just got so tired of detangling and dealing with knots and spending hours on my hair. And while I don't think I want to permanently lock my hair, I now know I have a style that is similar and offers the same benefits. It has been so great to wake up and go! I know how you feel!
ReplyDeleteI've had Sisterlocks for 5 months and I love them. Previously, I was a habitual perm/short cut person. I was in the salon every other week to keep my style. I just got tired of the cycle. I transitioned for 10 months with braids and an (awful) weave. I knew I wanted to remain natural, but I did not want to wear an afro. I knew pressing would be too harsh, and I was done with OPH (Other People's Hair). I decided that Sisterlocks would be the best natural style for my thick course hair.
ReplyDeleteI was right. It was the best thing I could do for my hair. It's healthy, it's growing like crazy and someone compliments me on my hair every single day I'm out in the public.
Sisterlocks are so easy to style and maintain. I use little to no product, and since everyone's' SL look different, I have a style that's uniquely my own.
That sounds cool, thanks for sharing. It looks like you can start them with any length hair because of the latching method. I could be wrong tho. Take care!
ReplyDelete