Sisterlocks: The Headband Look with Pompadour

Since I still have my curls from my two strand twist set, I wanted to headband my Sisterlocks.  The cloth covered headband does not have any tension nor any teeth.  It is very lightweight as well.  In order to create volume I pompadoured my bang area first and then put the headband on.

I am still thin in my crown area, but my wavy Sisterlocks work to draw attention away from any trouble areas.  I suppose blonde colored locs would blend the area as well, but I do not want to consider dealing with any color damage.  My three year five and half months loc journey has been challenging enough without any chemicals.

My loc length really is becoming my friend.  It compensates for the fact that my hair is not as dense as it was 20 years ago.  I think I made a good decision to start my natural journey over three years ago.  It was not easy nor popular in 2012, but I took the plunge and stuck with it.  I guess that makes me leading edge in the beauty industry!

Sisterlocks: No More Bad Hair Days

 Above is my "hair feels soiled and needs to be washed" look!  Not bad- right? 

I put on a black headband and keep it moving.  i.e. Bad hair Day  Below is my "freshly shampooed hair" look with liquid chalk refresher completed prior to the shampoo service.  i.e. the start of my good hair Day!

So if I need to run out abruptly in the middle of the night, my locs are in check!

So if I want to go scuba diving, my locs are in check!

So if I need to pack a suitcase quick and in a hurry, my locs are in check!

Spontaneity . . . bring it on!  My locs are in check!

Headband Updo on Medium Length Locs

I am two days away from my two years six months Sisterlocks anniversary.

This video tutorial includes

1. Wet setting agent
2. Plait and tuck technique
3. Headband updo
4. Finger combing
5. Finger teasing
6. Finger raking

Enjoy!

Using a Headband to Create a Loose Updo

 I still have some texture in my locs from the last wet set that I performed plus securing my ends at night.  My locs are two years and five months old.  I am approaching another loc-versary within another week.

 The headband that I used was black in color, but it was packaged with this headband.  Notice all the ends of the headband are either square or blunt.

 The headband is easy to unassemble and reassemble.  It is not stressful on the locs.  The headbands seem to be made of a lightweight plastic. I do not remember how many years ago that I may have purchased this set of headbands, but I am so happy that I held on to them.

 I love the profile of this partial updo. It can work for casual as well as formal occasions.  I consider my locs medium length.  I had a bob cut prior to my start of locs so my front locs were definitely longer that my back locs.

I have a lot of new growth at my scalp area in the back, and I did not concentrate on a clean parting. Maybe next time!

I really enjoyed my partial updo because it was quick, cute, and stress-free. I believe that you need some curls or texture in the locs to assist the headband with form and shape.  So wet set or dry set prior to trying any updo.

Headbands and Center Puffs

This look has to be the top hairstyle of this year!

I am always tickled to see so many ladies with headbands and a center puff!   

Well, I decided to play with a stress-free headband myself as well. 

It is fun and allows me to eliminate my normal side part.

(Sorry no cosmetic makeup here!)

Headbands also keep my locs out of my way when working in the salon.

The Benefits of Well Manicured Locs

Photo credit:  www.kroeshaar.com (Dutch website)

There are two main benefits of manicured locs:  

1) added strength  

and 

2) wider acceptance.

Added Strength

Have you ever had a cashier fill your thin bag with too many items that the bag handles start to stretch and possibly break by the time you get to the car?

Most of the time, you feel it is too much trouble to go back in and get them to double bag for you; therefore you discover if you tie the bag handles together if seems to add enough strength to hold the bags together without breaking.

There is strength in numbers when things are interwined together.  The same thing applies to locs.  If you roots are too loose, then too much manipulation is stressful to individual hairs.  Twisting or Interlocking are both ways to manicure the locs and deliver the added strength.

Wider Acceptance
Manicured locs like a manicured lawn always reflect pride.

It seems that Corporate America is more accepting of locs in which frizziness and excessive new growth is not noticeable.

The interlocking method completed in 6 to 8 weeks intervals keeps your locs looking manicured longer without having to do anything to them.  However, every two to four weeks is the more ideal timeframe for re-twisting locs in order to keep them manicured looking.

I also found a great headband from the drugstore that works for holding locs as you manicure them.  I also use this headband to sleep in at night. It is perfect for medium length locs.

The headband is by Scunci.  I gather my locs up in the larger pocket area then tie the band in the front of my head. I can actually pull one loc down from the pocket at a time to tighten.

This headband is definitely multi-purpose and allows air flow to the scalp as you sleep through the night.