Loc Styling: The Making of Mardi Gras Masquerade Hair

It was Mardi Gras time again for The Crown Jewels (NC) chapter of the Links, Inc. I decided to wear my locs down this year!  It required advance planning to make my curly locs blend in with my straight hair "sistahs."  

I even picked out the perfect jewelry ensemble from my collection of rhinestone head jewelry.  I introduced the concept of Fashion Head jewelry in an article on this blog during the 2015 Holiday season.

I started with a fresh wet set using perm rods for more curl definition about four days prior to the event.  I twisted slices of my locs like the start of Bantu knots and then anchored them with a perm rods.  I used the Design Essentials Masterpiece setting lotion 1:1 mixture.

This Aldo cap became my new "bestie!" I took out all the perm rods and coiled the front top Sisterlocks to stay under my cap while the side and back hung down with minimal to no manipulation for three days up to the hour before the event.  My clients had probably never seen me working in a cap, but I was determined to have curls for my event.  

It was the best decision ever!  

I was a Goddess!

Loc Rejection is Real

I was told that I looked better with the Mardi Gras mask on because "it covered up my locs."  That statement came from a Black woman.

I had a different Black woman to share with me that she witnessed her manager put all applications in a "reject" pile if the applicant had locs.  This occurrence happened some years back, but who is to say that it can not still happen?

Thank God that locs are becoming more accepted in society.  Natural hair over the last year has finally become more mainstream.  Many print ads and commercials showcase women of color with "textured" hair more than ever before.

We have come a long way, but there is still a long way to go.  We need our little girls to really appreciate their God given hair versus being brainwashed that long, wavy, Remy hair is better.