Note: This post is particularly directed at Nigerian Loc Heads
My Fellow Loc Heads,
I agree that it is extremely difficult to find people who know what to do with your Dada, so I'm going to try and simplify the process of finding the perfect Loc salon and Loctician better known to us hairdresser. Firstly, thanks to the Locitude blog readers and followers on our social media channels for the inspiration for the post. I have been asked severally to recommend salons and errrrr... I don't exactly have a list but here's my recommendation on how I think we can help ourselves.
Our mothers didn't mix lottabody themselves and have salon bags for nothing, they did because they were not going to leave their crowns to the mercy of hairdressers, they at least tried to control went when into their hair, from the quality, quantity and of course some cost control. The point I am trying to make here is that to find the right Loctician you owe it to yourself to know the A,B,C's of your hair so that when someone tells you that M comes before L, you know whether to believe them or not.
In this post I'll try to come up with three easy steps to help you determine if your Loctician is good for you or not.
1. Washing Regimen:
Have your products (Shampoo and Conditioner) or at least know what your stylist is using, make sure you are comfortable with it and that it isn't stripping your hair too dry or that it isn't too oily for your hair and scalp. Ensure your stylist isn't trying to scratch the skin of your scalp off by washing too aggressively. Using the tips of the fingers (not scratching with nails) to massage your scalp with Shampoo is a more effective means of getting dirt off scalp. For people with longer locs let your loctician know not to neglect wash the body of your locs, they need to be cleaned as well.
Below is a video that shows a basic proper washing process.
I use Jamaican Mango and Lime Tingle Shampoo and Protein Conditioner. If you consider using the same you can get them from either Casabella at the Palms shopping mall or Savvy & Chic Hair Beauty hub
2. Twisting Regimen:
Again have products you are comfortable with and that don't leave residue in your locs. In my experience twisting my hair so far I have found that this is not supposed to be a painful process. If re-twisting is painful your loctician is probably over-twisting your hair, which can cause thinning locs and or eventual breakage. I currently twist my hair with the Clip free maintenance method. Pulling the loc strands to dry can be a little painful though. I personally won't recommend interlocking because it damaged some parts of my hair. So be sure that loctician is using products that are friendly to your hair and not over twisting.
I currently use olive oil to retwist my loc strands, though a Locitude blog reader has recommended Jamaican Mango and Lime Island Oil. I would be trying that soon and will be sure to put out a review.
3. Styling Regimen
I have had sores on my scalp from styling in the past. The hair do was so tight, I kept telling myself it would loosen up after a few days, it didn't till I took out the threads that were holding them up and by the time I put my hands on my scalp there were sores. Please ensure your hair is NEVER styled too tightly. Don't let your loctician put in rubberbands that are too tight. Another styling method I struggle with is threading; I have found myself picking out thread from my hair as much as 3 months after I have taken down a style that required it. I would recommend that when thread is used they are used in a long loop and stylist has to make some extra efforts in removing thread strands when they are taking your hair apart.
Another helpful tip which has worked for me whilst styling my hair at a Salon was going with a "How To" video. Showing the stylist how the style you want was created often sends them on the right path.
Found this on very useful and funny link on Hair Salon Hazards, read and laugh. Other Locitude useful links are the Do's and Don'ts, read if you haven't; you'll take a thing or two away from those articles.
If you got to this point, I do hope this was worth the read 'cos the next few lines are better. I apologise that I won't be recommending any stylist in this post, however I am so so happy to announce that Locitude is organising a LOC WORKSHOP AND STYLIST COMPETITION come October, 2014...
Yep! you heard it here first and I am super excited. Whilst distributing the Locitude Mini Magazine, I found stylists who were hungry for knowledge so I have decided to organise this event. I figure that sharing the little knowledge and exposure I have would help more loc heads on a path to healthy locs. The ground work has started; I will definitely be updating you with more details in the month of August. By the end of the Workshop we should have a long list of Locticians that at least know the A,B,C's and 1,2,3's of locs.
That's all for now folks. Thanks for reading and I have been rocking some pipe cleaner curls with an attitude these past three weeks.
Your Loc Head,
Ade.
Comments
Post a Comment