Sisterlocks Spotlight: Should headquarters provide an annual report?

My Sisterlocks at 4 years and two months old.

According to the "Spotlight" movie, the Catholic church had been covering up the fact that 10% of their priests may have been molesting children.  They justified the coverup; according to the movie, because the majority of their priesthood benefited the greater good of society.

However, if only 10% of the airplanes crashed that took off, then would airplane flights be considered safe to take? NO.  So 10% of priests molesting children is not acceptable, and 10% of Sisterlocks transactions becoming Sisterlocks nightmares should NOT be acceptable.

Sisterlocks headquarters are aware that people have called to complain about some of the Sisterlocks Trainers as well as some of their certified Sisterlocks consultants.  Does Sisterlocks keep a tally? Should there be a policing agency to track Sisterlocks complaints and compile annual reports?

The complaints and nightmares surrounding Sisterlocks will 9 times out of 10 stem from a "consultant" in "high standing" with the Sisterlocks headquarter.  Yes, the least expected and most trusted Sisterlocks consultants are more than likely the ones that get away with the most unprofessional behavior.  They will typically blame the customer by discrediting the customer.

When I tell you that my initial Sisterlocks journey makes my blood pressure rise every single time I think about all the pain that the Sisterlocks organization has caused me from one certified Sisterlocks consultant to the next certified Sisterlocks consultant all the way up to the Sisterlocks founder herself.

I have had people around the world chime in and tell me about their Sisterlocks horror stories. I honestly do not recommend people paying extra monies to get 700  and 800 Sisterlocks installed only to realize that some Sisterlocks consultants charge $50 and $60 an hour.

Why is this pricing structure an abomination?  Unfortunately, if someone gets Sisterlocks started at a $20 per hour rate and their consultant relocates or discontinues offering the service, then they are at the mercy of the next consultant that they can find outside of self-maintaining their Sisterlocks.  The problem with self maintenance is that it is hard to care for 700 and 800 locs without some help.

In addition, most "Sistahs" have told me that they would cut every single Sisterlock out of their head before they pay $50 or $60 per hour for hair maintenance.  Trust me.  There are many that have big chopped their Sisterlocks for various reasons.

Questions:

• Would you choose the Sisterlocks installation if you knew that 10% of Sisterlocks transactions go horribly wrong?
• Would you choose the Sisterlocks installation if you knew that you could get microlocs, interlocking, and other small locs started for a fraction of the Sisterlocks cost?
• Would you choose the Sisterlocks installation if you knew that there is no real policing of Sisterlocks?  People with Interlocs and Microlocs will still sometimes tell people they have Sisterlocks. The average consumer does not know the difference.  The average consumer will not care if you have 300 locs versus 600 locs.
• Would you choose the Sisterlocks installation if you knew that there is NO way to insure that you will have a favorable experience in your Sisterlocks journey?

As a salon owner and full-time licensed hair professional with a Bachelors degree and a corporate background, I can seriously tell you that the Sisterlocks headquarters failed me over and over and over again without a single apology to date.  They may be too embarrassed to address their shortcomings with me, and furthermore, they may not see any benefit in addressing the fact that they do not accept liability for their independent contractors.

The Sisterlocks path is a journey that you take at your own risk.  Feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

Soapbox: Sisterlocks at Four years and two months

My Sisterlocks are Wet with conditioner.  

My hang time is quite visible when wet.  I had an established Sisterlocks client to come in for her first Sisterlocks consultation. Apparently, she started her loc journey around the same time.  Without her saying that she was comparing loc hangtime, the inflection in her voice let me know that she thought that her length was longer than mine.  In a dry state, her locs probably did look longer, and it seemed to matter to her.  I, on the otherhand, have been on my loc journey on my own, and I need no validation nor to compare.  However, I want to entertain the comparison within this article.

(Dry styled) Sisterlocks at 4 years 2 months.

Reasons why my Sisterlocks may look shorter:

1. A previous certified Sisterlocks consultant (my third one?) went through ripping my buds off my ends causing me to lose as much as 2+ inches off of some of my Sisterlocks.   You can go back to my archives on this blog to read about this ordeal.
2. I use the hand interlocking method to tighten my roots; therefore, I never put a lot of tension in my loc framework.  Greater tension keeps the coils unwind, but I prefer for my  coils to be slightly loose within the framework.
3. I have a long face.  My nape hairline lines up with my nose.  Therefore if the measurements were taken starting from my scalp going to my ends, my length would be more accurately reflected than just focusing on hangtime.

Piggyback Perm Rod Set on Sisterlocks!

Yes, my four years and 2 months loc-versary is in about four days from now.

My piggy back perm rod set took at least 45 minutes to do.  

I oranged perm rodded my roots for my entire head first.  Then went back and put the baby perm rods throughout the ends of each piece.

 The perm rods are in hindsight a little heavy.  Now, I see why people love the pipe cleaners (i.e. chenile stems, fuzzy sticks). The orange perm rods and larger may be too heavy for any type of hair.  Although, those past due for a relaxer touch-up may benefit from the weight of the perm rod.

My loc length and my curly ends were great!  I was inspired by box braid styling  that has the curly ends. I am past for the four year mark.  I should have about 3 inches more of hang time next year!

What is a Natural Hairstylist in 2016?

The first question that I usually get from a new potential client is "DO You do natural hair?"

Like many hairstylists, I don't know how to answer this question.  I can offer color, smoothing treatments, sew-in, crochet braids, and individual twist styling. However, I am not a barber; so the small and big top loose naturals may need to seek a barber for haircuts.

I would prefer for people to ask for a specific hair service versus walking into the salon with a short, natural fro and expecting me to have a vision as to which direction to take them. Most don't want a relaxer, and they don't want locs.  However, protective styling (i.e. covering it up) seems to be top choice.

I am a locked natural wearer, but my locs keep my hair consistently under control.  I can use a wig for a loose hair look. I do maintain my own locked natural hair, but the majority of my clients are relaxed. 

Flat irons gave relaxers a bad wrap.  Relaxers have been around since the pressing comb timeframe.  The flat irons are the "new kids on the block."  The flat iron damage propelled this natural hair movement.  As long as the flat irons continue to be required for smoothing treatments and the preferred tool for straightening, the relaxer-free movement will continue.

Due to my aging, I decided to abandon relaxers as a personal healthy choice.  My decision to loc was also the best decision for me, but from what I know now, I would not encourage locking for everyone. Everyone's hair will not loc the same way.  I am four years ahead in my loc process so many who have begun to fall in love with my locs want the immediate long look versus the journey.

Luckily, micro faux locs can be crocheted for a practice loc run.  Now, back to the original question:

What is a Natural Hairstylist in 2016? What's your answers?  Feel free to leave your feedback.

Five Tips for Natural Hair Blowdry

Blow-dry service by Benita Blocker

• Use a moisturizing conditioner layered by a Smoothing Conditioner
• Use a wide tooth comb and distribute each conditioner throughout in two separate passes.
• Set the dryer to "high heat" for platform dryer use unless you have a hair steamer.
• Allow at least 20 minutes conditioning time
• Avoid protein conditioning unless you want to define the curls more.

These steps should assist in hair hydration so much that the hair should feel elongated and non-resistant. (i.e. Ready for Blow-dry)