My One-Year Loc Anniversary!!

🥳My one-year loc-versary is officially here! It's been one year of freedom! One year of surprises! A full

year of uncertainty! One year of growth! A year of expectancy! 🙌🏿

On March 25, 2023, I made the bold move to lock my hair. Before then, I'd experimented with faux locs and kinky twists in the past, but not one time did I ever think I would one day grow my own. Though I'd scheduled an appointment, the whole thing was totally unplanned. It went from me calling my stylist for a braid appointment--lemonade braids to be exact---to requesting an appointment change for this bright new idea I had--smedium starter locs!

HOW DID I END UP WITH STARTER LOCS?

For several reasons! I started thinking about the length of time my lemonade braids would last in regards to the cost I'd pay to have them installed! By the time I was done calculating the time, energy, and money I would invest into the style, I'd concluded that getting another braid style was a no-go. I was reminded of how as a loose natural, my hairstyles would not ever last longer than a month, and I was some kind of over the never-ending cycle of spending money and time on styles that weren't worth it! I wanted to get off the hamster wheel. What would be the point of getting my hair braided, only for it to have to be re-braided or styled in less than thirty days? Deep down, I knew that it was time for a much-needed change. Even though I did not know what lay ahead, I'd made up my mind that I would just have to face whatever it was. Without even knowing if my stylist even offered loc services, I contacted my stylist and asked her if my hair appointment could be changed from lemonade braids to traditional locs and thankfully she honored my request and changed it without any hassles or extra fees. I was extremely elated and excited about this new journey I was about to ema embark on.

PREPARING MY HAIR FOR STARTER LOCS!

Before my loc appointment, I'd previously consulted with my loctician about how to prep my hair for the procedure, She advised me to to wash my hair and "not to do anything to it". Well, me not understanding that not doing anything to my hair, meant not to put oil on it, I applied oil to it. And boy was my loctician not thrilled. Hence, unbeknownst to me, oil is believed to speed up the budding phase and ultimately the dreaded ugly or awkward stage.

THE UGLY PHASE

At the time of my appointment, I had no idea what my loctician was speaking of, but as my hair started to swell or bud within the 1st two weeks of me getting my starter locs, I could clearly see what she meant! Hence, what started as small, thin comb coils were now swollen ringlets. And with me being newly loc'd and having limited knowledge of the loc'ing process and its many changes, I thought my hair had somehow "messed up", which landed me right back in another loctician's chair about 14 days into my newly embarked journey. This unforgettable experience would be short-lived and very regrettable as my second loctician turned out to be no more than a money-hungry fraud who was not at all interested or invested in caring for my newly formed locs. She was so busy trying to fraud me and play ignorant to the normal loc changes my hair was undergoing, she failed to do her job. This loctician, who was highly recommended by a coworker, was constantly quoting one price and charging another and being very dishonest about the health of my locs. I grew very distrustful of her and no longer felt that she was the best person to care wanted her to care for my locs, which led me to the Magic Hair Salon in Hattiesburg, Salon, a very professional hair salon that specialized in different hair textures and styles that I particularly liked. The salon atmosphere was so pleasant and warm. She did my hair with some much-needed love and care and restored the trust I had lost in people's ability and willingness to properly care for my locs. Under her care, my hair continued to bud and flourish.

And although budding was normal, I struggled to make sense of it. Each of my locs appeared to be doing their own thing. My locs were no longer thin, little, and obedient. They were now rebelling against the locking process, sticking both out and up on any given day. I had to figure out how to rock them with confidence in both my personal and professional life.

HEADBANDS AND RUBBERBANDS

During months 2-8, headbands and rubberbands became my go-to loc styling essentials. Whether I wanted to look professional or casual, I either donned one or the other. However, there were times when I proudly donned both. My hair accessories gave me a much-needed confidence boost for my locs which found to be rather short and very uncooperative during my budding phase. I would wear a half-up half-down ponytail and top it with a headband for some more sizzle and dazzle. This especially worked for the weeks leading up to my next retwist because it helped to take the attention away from the recent new growth that appeared to be sitting right on top of my head.

HANGTIME AND SLANG TIME

As my locs began to grow longer, I began to get more comfortable wearing them. My go-to look is to push my locs bath with a pair of sunglasses. I feel so feminine and pretty every time I don my pink sunglasses on top of my head. Styling my locs is one less thing I have to worry about because my sunglasses are the style! And lucky for me, they go with almost everything I sport. When I do get tired of the sunglasses look, I whip out my pipe cleaners and rod my hair around using foam mousse for hold. It usually takes only a couple of hours, but the setting time seems to have doubled now that they have matured and gotten longer.

FINAL THOUGHTS

This year has been full of ups and downs and twists and turns, has taught me so much about hair and life in general! I've learned that everything is momentary and nothing laughs forever! If you are considering locs, get them! Don't worry about the awkward phase. Because it is just that, a phase. in due time, you'll be past it and able to rock your hair at your desired length. Experience the beauty of freedom, and lock your hair!