My Loc Length at 3 years 10 months

Yes, it is all mine!!!  3 years 10 months later!

I will probably always direct my back length toward my front profile.

Medium manicured and embracing my gray hairs that are increasing!

Microlocs Update: Colored and Curly before the Retighening

My client came in already colored and very curly per my suggestion.  We completed her retightening and the styling was instant! Her microlocs about 3 months old now.

Flashback:  Six weeks prior, we completed a perm rod set after the retightening session.  It makes for a much quicker session to pre-curl before retightening. I am excited about her continued growth!

Braidlocs Update: Bantu knot set

Bantu Knot Set by Benita Blocker 

using Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Styling Foam.

My clients braidlocs are now five months old.  They are growing long and full! We completed a fresh interlock retightening service the evening before.   She was superexcited with the new low maintanence hairstyling.

Flashback:  Her braidloc startup from December 2015.

Sisterlocks Anniversary: Three Years and 10 months

I am committed to checking in monthly with everyone. I started an Instagram account, and it is keeping me very busy.  I also have some other projects that I am working on. So I am not writing blog articles as often as I used to.  My work as a hairstylist is now being highlighted on Instagram.  I am not sure if this is good or bad.  I am trying to figure out how to stay global and relevant.  I am evolving again.  Thanks for continuing to follow me.

Oh yeah, I am using HerbaLife Nutrition and implementing other lifestyle changes to get some more weight off.  I am trying to shrink back to the size that I was during my modeling days.

Feeling Hip, Cool, and Relevant in my shades that my late great Aunt gave to me.  Celebrating my 3 years and 10 months loc-versary!

Wig Makeover: Color, Cut and Final Styling

A new client who is choosing protective styling as a solution for the next few months bought this human hair wig at a deal, but the color and style was not her preference.  She wanted a darker haircolor and less of a wig look.

So darkening wigs are much safer than lightening them. 

I checked the color before rinsing because I used the Tri-ionics Enzymatic Developer and Wella Color Perfect color. It worked!

For $30, I completed this medium length wig.  Be careful when buying wigs that are not what you want.  Professional coloring can cost as much as another inexpensive wig.

We cut it at her final fitting.

Wig cut, color and styling by Benita Blocker.

Modern Soft Fingerwaves on Blast for 2016!

Bre-Z (rapper) from Empire Fox TV

Using the "finger" to create "fingerwaves" is now optional.  Mostly foam with some styling gel support on the sides and nape is the latest trend that I am seeing locally and abroad.  S-Shapings with the rattail comb to deliver more precision details around the hairline.

By leaving the top area free of gel, one can hot curl and fluff out the top to create a modern frohawk edge to the retro look.

This look requires a relaxer for coarser hair to be straightened then molded into the waves.

So this trend is one that loc wearers really can not compete with because shorter cuts brings this style alive.

Hot Water Set: Jamaican Bounce versus Caribbean Bounce Curls

Jamaican Bounce Curl on the left. Caribbean Bounce Curl on the right.

I heated hot water up in the coffeemaker and poured in two cups.  As soon as I dropped each of the curls into its perspective cup.  Both sunk to the bottom of the cup.  I mainly was testing to see how these curl patterns do without having a setting medium in place.

Both curl patterns condensed and became less  prone to frizz.  I let them  soak for a minute before cooling down.  I like the results of the Hot water set.

Crochet braids talk: Jamaican Bounce versus Caribbean Bounce

Crochet braids by Benita Blocker using Jamaican Bounce Curl. Colors: #350 and #2

"Hot Water Set" Possible was pictured prominently on the Jamaican Bounce Curl packaging label.  I will explain more about this at the end of this article.

Crochet braids by Benita Blocker using Beauty2bar.com Caribbean Bounce Curl. Color: #4/30

I believe the Caribbean Bounce Curl is exclusive to the beauty2bar website; however, the Jamaican Bounce Curl is definitely a twin sister.  The curl diameters look the same to me.  

Both were prone to frizz with the least wrong move.  The Caribbean Bounce Curl was easier to twirl to get the frizz under control. I did not "hot water" pre-set, but both of these curl patterns may benefit from a dip in the hot water before crochet interlocking them.  Of course, if the client is bringing their crochet hair with them, then the service will be prolonged to just hot water set the hair.

Both curly textures require a hair bonnet to keep curls under control.  I plan to experiment on a few pieces to see how they each hot water set without perm rods.  I will add a comment to this article referencing my findings.

YouTube channel and brand ambassador Sadora Paris brought spotlight to the Caribbean Bounce Curl; however, on her most recent "Teal Ombre" YouTube video she used Kanekalon Straight hair and hot water set on purple flexi-rods to achieve her own DIY spiral curled crochet interlocking hair.  I can only assume that she may have encountered too much frizz too soon with the Caribbean Bounce Curl or the website sold out of the Caribbean Bounce Curl.   You can see the Do-It-Yourself hot water spiral curls technique at the 2:02 minute mark. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/dVa6cCe8zMk

Natural hair Wet Individual Twist Set

Combo Twist Set by Benita Blocker

BEFORE:  Pictured wet with Design Essentials Defining Creme Gel, I actually comb twisted most of the head.  I double strand twisted the crown/horseshoe area to allow the client to see the results of both wet set methods.

After 30 minutes of dryer time, the hair was ready to separate to become less scalpy.  Some people are welcomed to wear this pictured look as is, and then separate the individuals twists the following week. A client would need at least 2 to 3 inches of new growth to achieve the final full look.