Saturday 2 August 2008

The Sisterlocks Are Gone

Yep! You read it correctly.

I began taking my sisterlocks out in March, if I recall correctly.

I decided that sisterlocks really were not for me. One of the reasons that I got sisterlocks was to provide longevity to my natural hairstyles. NOT! I was experiencing the same frustration of spending A LOT of time styling my hair (i.e. roller setting or twisting for a twist out) and the style flopping or looking a hot mess the next day.

To me, sisterlocks are a lot of maintenance especially in the beginning. The banding of the hair to wash it, for example, was too much. The four hour retightenings - I have never been one to enjoy being in a stylist's chair for more than an hour! Even if I was only going to the stylist every couple of weeks.

I found myself waiting for my one year "commitment" to end, just so I could take them out. Then I thought - "forget that, I'm taking these things out now!"

I had a great moment of self realization during the process. I have never been one to keep braided styles in for a long time like most people do. I am pretty much done after a month. I've been known to take them out the next day after spending a day getting them in. So, I'm not really one for having my hair "confined." That realization further confirmed that sisterlocks were not for me. I wanted "my hair" back in an unconfined state. I would literally see other naturals with beautiful wash-n-go's or pony puffs and be like a kid and say "I want my hair to look like that!"

Another thing - I didn't realize until after my consultation the anatomy of a "loc." It actually consists of hair that has shed from your head (dead hair) integrated or rolled into your hair thus forming the "loc." Knowing that I'd be walking around with dead hair hanging from my head was kind of weird for me. But, I had been on the fence about giving sisterlocks a try for a long time and I didn't let that deter me.

In no way do I regret getting the Sisterlocks installed. Like I said before, I had been researching them and talking about them on and off for over a year. I think that I needed to go through this experience to realize that they were not for me.

I did talk to me consultant to let her know of my decision. She tried to make sure that she didn't miscommunicate anything to me in the beginning. She did not. She also tried to think of alternatives to ease my frustrations but really there weren't any. I had pretty much given it a lot of thought and made up my mind.

So, this blog will continue to be about my journey - but not a Sisterlock journey. It will be about my journey regarding natural hair styles, fashion and beauty. I hope that you will continue the journey with me!

8 comments:

Angela Benson said...

I've had my locks for about five or six years now, I think, and I'm still in love. I do remember the early days waiting for my hair lock.

As someone who struggled with hair all her life, they have been great for me. I go freestyle, which is really "wash 'n wear" so styling is not an issue for me.

I think I've had a roller set once since I've had them. My consultant usually puts in about 5-6 big braids after washing and I put in about 8-10 plaits after I wash. That's it.

For the most part, my hair looks good. There are days when I have the frizzies. I have to do re-tighteninngs about every four to five weeks.

I wish your sisterlocks journey had been more positive, but then again, not everything is for everybody. Re-tightenings are time-consuming AND costly. I dread going sometimes myself, but now I just sleep through the process. :)

Oh, yes, I'll have to show my friend your post because he doesn't see how I could ever take these down. To be honest, I didn't see it either. :)

Have a good day. I'll be back to visit.

Shavonne said...

Congrats! The best thing in the world is being able to make a decision that is best for you. It's not about what other people think, it's about what you think.

Someone made the argument against locking based on having dead hair being locked with hair still growing from the scalp.

My counter argument is people pay to have the dead hair of other people weaved in with their own so why not have my dead hair weaved in with my own hair?

All hair is dead anyway. The only "live" hair is the hair that is beneath the skin and still growing from the follicle. If the hair was still alive, it would hurt to have it cut.

My hair isn't locked. I'm thinking of getting Sisterlocks. I have more reasons to get them than not.

DrWaddell said...

Thanks so much for sharing your story. (I'm always telling my momma that I am sure that I could take my hair down if I really wanted to without having to shave my head... and your story proves it!)

Life is wrought with decisions...to take down one's Sisterlocks is one such decision.

I am glad you are not upset or seem to feel in anyway that your consultant had misled you... Sisterlocks just turned out NOT to be for you, and sistah that's okay!

I wish you contentment...

Marcia said...

well, let freedom ring, again!!!! I am proud of you that you were able to experiment, try something, and then be okay with it not being for you....It is all about learning from all of our experiences. Now if I could just take the same leap of faith with my relaxed hair.....

Lovely Lady Luxe said...

That's the beautiful thing about hair. It is a reflection of the growth and changes that we undergo as human beings. Our hair choices are not necessarily right or wrong. It's just a reflection of where we are in our lives. I'm glad you made a choice that was right for you! I love the pic I saw when you did the wash, gel, and go. Too cute!

www.lovelyladyluxe.blogspot.com

Titus 2 Thandi said...

To thine ownself be true.Well done for still keeping the blog up no matter what.

Docs Locs said...

Just do you.

Peace,
DL

caprice said...

Wow! It's comforting to know that I am not alone in feeling ambiguous about my decision to sisterlock. I've been s/locked for 8 months and continually struggle with the look and permanence being for me. I too am trying to maintain them for at least 1 year before I make a decision about how I'll proceed in my hair journey. Thanks for sharing!