Rhovember 2022

 

Happy Centennial

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc

Please enjoy 20% off of

100+ products with my textile designs by using the code EARLY20 thru 11/23/2022

At storefront www.legaleriste.com/en/benita.blocker

This tote is my most popular item.

Ten Years Sisterlocks Anniversary

 

The ten year journey of self maintenance by hand interlocking.

Thank you for continuing to support my blog on hair. I have returned back to the corporate America track. I still work part-time in the salon. I still primarily provide relaxer and crochet braids services.

My Sisterlocks articles from the beginning of my loc journey get a lot of views.

Now, it's ten years later, and it's one of the leading edge decisions that I made. Some feel that my Sisterlocks should be longer. To those people, I say "mind your business." I am not in competition. It's àlways been me against me. Many people always have had me twisted. I was doing protective styling before it was called "protective styling."

Sisterlocks have become a polished acceptable look to even sit on the Supreme Court of the United States. I see all types of professional women who hàve followed my lead directly or indirectly.

Sisterlocks and self maintenance is about freedom and beauty. I still had to learn my natural hair needs that is unique to me. I keep the Wave Nouveau finishing mist around as needed. Usually, I spray daily.

I try to self tighten as many locs as I can before each shampoo service to keep the water weight down.

I also keep any locs that I may lose. I have learned to reuse my own hair to extend locs that may be shorter for whatever the reason.  I also make Loc extension units.  Sometimes seven extra locs attached using invisible thread can be enough to deliver a thicker look in the crown area. Because Sisterlocks recommend different sizing based on the different sections of the head- the Sisterlocks do not need the same frequency of tightening. The smaller ones may need four weeks but the medium or larger ones can stretch tightenings to 7 weeks. Who schedules a partial head of tightenings? Most people don't. It is too much of a hassle to find a good Sisterlocks professional. I stand by self maintenance for my length. People can not tell that you have inconsistent new growth that needs tightening.

Overall, my Loc journey was one helluva ride but I own it and look forward to my 15 years anniversary. Thanks for being a part of my journey.

~Benita, 2022, 10 year locversary!

Sisterlocks Anniversary: 8 years 3 months

 

So Eight years and 3 months have passed since my Sisterlocks were first established. The time did not fly. Yet, I still embrace my Loc journey.

I'm enjoying my fashion again. There were many phases of my life that I truly was in fashionista mode. Using Selah Boutique is allowing me to refresh my wardrobe at an affordable price for 2020. I even purchased my first Brazilian scrunch butt leggings.

Doing the Census enumeration work actually helped shed some inches off my body.

I am estranged from my birth family. There is a lot of toxicity and family secrets. I struggle with losing my parents, but in recent years, the interaction yielded more misery than comfort. I supposed my worth had deteriorated long before now. Self worth will always have to be a woman's foundation.

Fresh curls always require a fresh picture.

I'm over the hill, but age is nothing but a number.

Eight years and one month Loc-versary

 This blogger interface has changed, and I upgraded my phone. So it took me a little longer to pull this article together. It is eight years and one month Loc-versary.

I am still Fighting for justice for my younger self in my #round2mark3 campaign.

So close to the finishing line. I need closure. I need justice. No one gets to drop the ball this time.

I am a queen, and I am forever a princess according to my Heavenly Father.

As a Sigma Gamma Rho, I enjoy sporting my sorority colors.

As a Census Bureau enumerator, I am getting my walking in. Get counted! You survived a pandemic!  That's history in itself! Your information is confidential!

Sisterlocks: Eight Years Later

Eight years ago, I started my Sisterlocks journey. It was a great Hair Solution for me!

I found some Liquid color chalk in my stash and could not resist indulging in a color splash.

I keep my hair up in the salon, so that I can see what I am doing.

Love my summer hat!

I'm using Herbalife tea and supplements to slim down.

July 2020 Eight years.  I reached the promise Land of my Loc journey.

Lacer Set on my Longer Locs

My Sisterlocks are 4 years 3 months old.

The Lacer wet set gave me waves more than actual curls.

I used  two rows per lacer.  Both ends of the lacers we used as wrapping mediums.

 My 2nd day hairstyle shows length but I miss the fullness of a tighter set.

Four Years Sisterlocks Wet Check-in

Oh Yeah, It's my four year Sisterlocks Anniversary!!!!!

I got "long locs" now.  Yay!!

Year 5 is supposed to be magical!  Here's to the new year 2017!!!!

NOTE:  I mixed oil and setting lotion for my wet set.  Stay tuned for my next styling article for year 4 (four)  with self maintenance.  This summer heat is a challenge to keep from sweating my curls out.

Sisterlocks (tm): Is the brand worth it?

(Almost at 3 years 8 months loc-versary)

I have been preoccupied with weight loss, mass incarceration research, along with hair and salon responsibilities.  Oh yeah, also, I had been doing a little "dating."  So I have been away from posting for almost two weeks.  Oh my!  Anyway, I apologize up front that my first post back is a soapbox speech.

This week on the "Sisterlocks forum" page on Facebook.  A lady shows her new "Sisterlocks" which really are "Sista locs."  You know how creative we can get!!!  

In a nutshell, the lady's "microlocs" look professionally done to me for the price of $250.  The technician was not registered with Sisterlocks.  Of course, the average consumer does not understand interlocs versus Sista locs versus Sisterlocks tm.  The reality is that all three of these terms can be used to describe a look where they all look like the same set of locs.

Now, Sisterlocks teaches a specific grid and specific loc sizing, but not all certified Sisterlocks consultants follow the protocol.  This is where I have the problem.

The Sisterlocks folks started suggesting that the "non-Sisterlocks registered" technician took advantage of the "happy client," and she should take her loctician to small claims court to sue her for not giving her Sisterlocks.

So the Sisterlocks folks on the Sisterlocks forum suggested to a happy client to take her non-certified "Sista-locs" technician to small claims court over a $250 full head of Locs that didn't look much different than the head of Sisterlocks that I paid $750 in 2012 to have a certified Sisterlocks consultant complete which I had to sue to get a partial refund while Sisterlocks headquarters gave me their "a$$" to kiss?

News Flash: 

Sisterlocks (tm) needs to learn how to run their own business before trying to run and ruin another loctician's business. The loctician had a satisfied customer at a satistfactory price; yet, Sisterlocks tm has had many dissatisfied customers globally. Their headquarters hide behind the fact that their people are independent consultants.  They suggest using their recommended people at your own risk.

So if anyone is thinking about paying over $600 for Sisterlocks, then they should think long and hard. One may achieve a beautiful set of microlocs for less without the Sisterlocks premium price attached.

NOTE:  Thank God they deleted the thread off the page on Facebook.  It was a disgrace. If they want everyone else to keep the feedback positive on Facebook, then the forum administrators need to follow their own rules.

Day 15 Post Shampoo - Scalp Check-in

I usually shampoo about once a month. It is now 15 days since my last shampoo, and my hair and scalp feel fine. You can see a lot of gray hair rolled up onto itself. It may look like lint, but if you look closely, it is loose gray hair.  Also, my hand is holding a bundle of my Locs out of the way so that you can see my scalp.

No flakes.  I have a pretty normal scalp.  Not too oily.  Not too dry. The flash on my digital camera seems to be causing my gray hairs to reflect again looking like lint. However, it is not lint. 

I have more gray hair coming in.

Many people are always trying to connect the "loc look" and the "scalp look."  I wanted to tackle both in this article.  I have a resistant, coarser hair. As my hair has grown out, even I have been amazed by the uniqueness of my hair. I hope to shampoo soon because I want to do my wet loc check-in.  I am at Day 15 post shampoo/wet set.  I am still holding on to my style.  My maintenance is different from those with scalp challenges.  I honestly can go a few more weeks without shampooing, and my scalp will still look normal.  Anyway, I have been enjoying my loc challenge postings.  I hope to start capturing my clients' hair again next month to share.

The Promised Land: Two years and Eight Months

 Can you believe it?  I made it to my Sisterlocks "Promised Land!"   It took two years and eight months, but I am finally there.  I was literally the only Black woman wearing my own hair in my last hair class that I attended.  The other four Black female hairstylists all had some sort of weave or extensions.  I was in the 20 percentile.  Can you believe how extension hair is ruling?  Amazing.

So what is the "Promised Land of Sisterlocks?"  

The moment when your Sisterlocks stop feeling like a "bad haircut" that is taking FOREVER to recover from. Laughing out loud.  

It is also the moment when you never have a bad hair day. In addition, for me, my Promised Land was to get well past chin level whether I am wet or dry.  So that moment is finally here.

I keep making heads turn.  I even tightened up my hairline before this quick mini-photo shoot for this special posting.  I can even get my Sisterlocks to sway when I rock my head some.  Yeah, my wait is over; I foresee sunny forecasts in my future even if it is raining outside.

So enough about me!  I need to dismiss some more myths about Sisterlocks.

Myth #1:  Sisterlocks ends are supposed to be loose.
Once you get your hair Sisterlocked, your ends do NOT have to be left open.  If your hairtype buds at the ends, do not allow anyone to cut the buds off or pull the buds off unless you want them removed.  If you remember one of my blog posts about the third certified Sisterlocks consultant that I went to, she went through ripping as many buds off my ends as she could before she started the tightening process.  I lost some length from that session because some of my relaxed hair gave away one and two inches deep.  I recently read on a Sisterlocks forum that some consultants believe that the ends must be loose for them to be Sisterlocks.  Apparently, I ran into one of those consultants.  Consumers are so vulnerable when they put their trust in the Sisterlocks.com listing. I look back, and I wonder where would I be if there was no list.  Anyway, consumers should be aware if consultants try to force them to conform to one set of rules.

Myth #2: You can not put any type of oils or creams or serums on your Sisterlocks.
If your hair needs additional hydration then make sure that the product does not cause the hair to unlock or unravel.  If it does not interfere with the locs' integrity, then you have a right to use the product.

Sisterlocks founder Dr. Cornwell's hair according to her training video, is "short and shallow."  This means her natural oils flow more easily down her hair shaft which is why additional hydration of her locs may not have been necessary for her hair type, but the regimen that worked for Dr. Cornwell, may not work for everyone especially if their hair is deeper and more resistant than Dr. Cornwell.

If you are wanting to try a new product before your Sisterlocks consultant says that your Sisterlocks are settled, then just experiment with the product on a few Sisterlocks at a time to make sure that there is no slippage before tackling the whole head.

Myth #3:  You can not call your locs Sisterlocks if you don't follow the Sisterlocks rules.
If you paid for Sisterlocks, and you have your Sisterlocks "birth certificate," then you have Sisterlocks.  Now, if you become "parting challenged," then that does not mean that you do not have Sisterlocks, but it does mean that some Sisterlocks consultants may not want to accept you as a client if they see a lot of problems with your locs. Or they may not be familiar with your hairtype, and they may not want to be liable for working on your head of Sisterlocks.  Even if your Sisterlocks consultant did not follow the rules for your Sisterlocks locking session, your Sisterlocks birth certificate still stands.

Myth #4:  Interlocs and Sisterlocks are the same.
Some Interlocs and Sisterlocks can look exactly the same especially if the Sisterlocks consultant did not follow the Sisterlocks sizing grid.  However, without that Sisterlocks birth certificate, I would say that you do not have Sisterlocks. Sisterlocks is a trademark.  It is a special type of Interlocking process. Consumers pay extra for the name, and the perks that come along with it.

The bottom line is this:
Sisterlocks rules are made for the consultants not the consumer.

Happy Sisterlocks "Promised Land" to me!!!!!

Yendi Collection: Sisterlocks Hair Tie

 I purchased my Sisterlocks (tm) hair tie a few years ago.  I knew that one day my Sisterlocks would be long enough to wear it.  Well, most people sport this hair tie with a ponytail, but I opted for an updo enhancement.  Hopefully, I am the first person to "rock" this Sisterlocks hair tie like a headband!

 They come in Brick and Gold colors.  I liked the gold color.  It is a special occasion hair tie because it is great marketing to gain new Sisterlocks clients. I wore it to a Superbowl 2015 event.  I didn't have anyone to ask me any questions, but with the Sisterlocks name "front and center," there are probably not any questions to be asked about the locs.

An artist named Yendi designed the hair ties.  Yendi Collection is listed inside the hair tie.  Where to buy? From Sisterlocks, of course.

On a separate note, Sisterlocks have started an online academy.  I believe that it is mainly for consultants to complete refresher courses. Personally, I still think that consultants should be forced to attend all Sisterlocks trainings that are within a 30 miles radius of the consultants' addresses.

Depending on the city, Sisterlocks consultants bond in Sisterhood by fellowshipping at the trainings. I never found this to be true for the Charlotte, NC area.  In fact, the Charlotte area, would be stronger if Sisterlocks consultants would meet up at least once a year to just have a luncheon.

Product updates: Design Essentials and SisterLocks

 The Design Essentials Organic Cleanse Deep Cleansing Shampoo with Oatmeal Protein has been discontinued.  It has been replaced with Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo.  Based on the ingredients, there is more propylene glycol in the newer version of the shampoo and less of what I thought was the good stuff.  Our hair industry is really going backwards.  Manufacturers are going to continue to cut cost which may mean cheaper ingredients being used in their products.

On the flip side, Sisterlocks(tm) has been tweaking their "Starter Shampoo" for awhile trying to get the best product consistency.  The bottle on the right is the newest packaging of the Sisterlocks Starter Shampoo.  There is nothing in the ingredients list that screams that they are sacraficing quality.  So I really think Sisterlocks has improved the shampoo.  This starter shampoo is designed to clarify and rough up the cuticle to aid with hair locking.  I do sell Sisterlocks products within my salon.

Three Do-It-Yourself Interlocking Tools

1) The Sisterlocks (tm) Clip Tool is designed with a spring hook to latch onto a lock and then you  feed it through the base of the lock.

Disadvantage of Clip Tool:  If the dreadlock is dry and brittle, the spring action of the clip can break the lock completely off.  One of the Sisterlocks Certified consultants clipped the tool to my lock without any regards of the spring action of the hook, and I swear that my lock broke completely off where the clip tool was attached.  The consultant apologized to me about the lock snapping off and then moved on to the next one.  So no, I am not fond of this tool.  People should be cautious to gently attach the hook to the lock.

2) A Safety pin has been suggested by Stylist Jovan on youtube.  You actually just pin the safety pin on the end of the dreadlock and feed the smooth end through the lock as if it was the Sisterlocks "clip" tool.

Disadvantage of the Safety pin: Piercing through the lock over the course of a year may weaken the lock, and the closure end of the safety pin may accidently catch some hair if one is not careful when feeding it through the roots of the locks.

3) The hair pin:  The coolest method yet! It is a partial feed through the base of the lock. Youtube channel Chocolatemilk0104 has a video to teach you at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlWTWiLBqQo

Disadvantage of the hair pin:  If your lock partings are smaller than the width of  hairpin, then this method may not work because the hair pin would be too wide.