Don't get it Twisted: Curlformers, Lacers, Flexi-Rods, Perm Rods

Curlformer set by Benita Blocker. (Transitional hair - 15 weeks post relaxer)

Lacer set by Benita Blocker. (Relaxed hair)

Perm Rod set by Benita Blocker. (Relaxed hair)

NOTE:  Smaller perm rods hold the curly styling longer.

Flexi-rod set by Benita Blocker. (Relaxed hair)

My Loc Curls for CIAA 2016

3 years 7 months mature Sisterlocks

It's CIAA Week! (2016)

Loc Curls - 

Twisted with Design Essentials Masterpiece and curled with perm rods

Lovin' my loc curls and my liquid chalk color!

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!

Curious About Curlformers on Sisterlocks

Curlformers come in different spiral sizes.  There are also "knockoffs" versions on the market too! 

Excuse the water stains on my face!  This was a wet set.  I did plait my locs before enclosing them into the Curlformers.  I only used two Curlformers because I anticipated a loose wave.  That is exactly what I got on my deep curl pattern.

I probably would not use the curlformers again only because I endured a lot of tension pulling my coarser hair through the Curlformers.  

My slightly larger size locs had to be massaged into the spiral shape because it tried to control the Curlformer.

Overall, it was a great little experiment with perm rods, braidouts, and Curlformers.  

(and another Liquid Chalk color refresher!)

Fuji Hands Free Perm End paper Dispenser System

I love this "end paper" dispenser!!!  It is obviously refillable with "Fuji Perfect Paper"only.  The Fuji end paper has a woven look.  It really was helpful in my last soft curl service.  I was able to rod the hair much quicker.  I also used it recently to roll a mesh roller set.  The end papers are interlocked inside the dispenser so they easily allow the next end paper to pop-up ready to use.  The refills are interlocked as well.  You just neatly drop the refill in and feed the top end paper through to begin the ease of use.  You will never want to buy cheap end paper again.

Curling the ends of Box Braids

 First of all, you are never going to believe where I purchased this bag of jumbo braiding hair . . . .  the Goodwill store for $1.99.  I could not believe it!  Braiding hair at the Goodwill . . . this makes a strong statement regarding the hair industry and what is now "the normal."

Well, on the back of the package was instructions on how to curl the ends of this type of braiding hair.  One method involved typing the ends up with thread.  The second method was braiding ends together.  The method pictured involves setting the ends on perm rods.  All the methods require dipping the  ends into hot water for about 10 seconds, and voila!  curled ends.  According to the picture, hot water from a coffee machine and a wide open coffee pot/pitcher is the quickest way to complete this styling task.

My SisterLocks: Wet versus Set

 My SisterLocks feel like loose hair when they are wet.  When I get full shoulder length, I may just wash and go, who knows?

For now, I perm rod them and wear it curly.  I had to grab the Miss Jessie's Curly Pudding as my moisturizer.  My locks soaked it right up!

This article is important because I had one "former hairstylist" to ask me if I cut my hair when she saw me in my curly look.  I told her "no."  This particular hairstylist has "Halle Berry" type of hair and her hair never shrinks.  I did not feel like schooling her on my type of hair and how it shrinks.

Anyway, my length is looking good at 3.5 months!

Super Size Perm Rods

These perm rods have a diameters as large as 1.5 inches.  These sizes are probably ideal for longer Sisterlocks!   There are only six in a pack.

They are hollow inside and relatively light in weight.  The brown rods are the same size as the Ivory mesh rollers, and the Pink rods are the same size as the Red rollers - mesh or magnetic.  There is not an equivalent magnetic roller for the Ivory mesh roller nor the brown large perm rod pictured above.

These large rods would also be good for people with fine hair that have challenges with the regular rollers falling out.

Wella Perm Rods Limited Edition

 The Wella "Identical to Nature" Perm rods were introduced in the late 1990's.  They are probably considered limited edition or maybe even vintage.

 They are designed to deliver more volume by giving alternating bends in the hair.

I like the closures on these.  I do not  have to worry about losing the closure band.  I have about four different sizes in this design.  I would probably use these perm rods in the top and crown areas.  Most people want more volume in those areas.

SisterLocks: Showing length in bundles and rods!

Please bare with me - more articles to come that are NOT SisterLocks related! Smile. I have been trying get the hang of my SisterLocks so I figure I would share this last SisterLock article before I start working on some other topics!

Well, it took 38 ponytail elastic holders and about an hour to get all of my SisterLocks bundled. Can you imagine walking out of my SisterLocks installation with all those straight locks?

Anyway, I shampooed my Sisterlocks for the first time in the bundles. It went well enough. The leftover relaxed ends seemed to try to stick together. I was told by my SisterLock consultant that it was best to wait until the hair was dry to detangle. So I set my SisterLocks on perm rods and sat under the platform dryer. I slept in the curled bundles. I then used Jane Carter Solution Hair Nourishing Serum to separate the bundles and curls the next morning.

I kept the serum on my ends only. Looser curl patterns probably should not use the serum because looser curl patterns are hard to lock on its own. However, my kinky curl pattern, was starting to look too dry, and I wanted something lightweight to run through my ends. I did not add anything to my scalp. Can you see the length when they are all curled up? I definitely look forward to growing them out!

I have received a lot of compliments from other ladies mostly clients and co-workers. I also have received compliments from men who were into natural hair. In another year, I should really be more comfortable with my SisterLock styling. I will keep you posted, of course!

Apparently, every week and every month, the SisterLocks will be changing as they grow out. This picture is around 2 weeks old!

SisterLocks: The Good and the Bad!

Pictured is after 12 hours, we were only one-third done with my whole head. Only the front had been SisterLocked. I had an afro in the back. My hair is shorter in the back than the front of my head.

SisterLocks is not a hairstyle. I had to style it myself after the SisterLocks were installed.

My new SisterLock hairstyling - front view.

My new SisterLock hairstyling- back view.
Now, here's the "real deal" coming from me a licensed cosmetologist in three states . . .
Yes, 20 hours later over the course of two days, and $750.00 out of pocket cost, I have crossed over into SisterLock land! Upon completion of SisterLock installation, I arrived at my salon to figure out how to fix with a head full of frizz locks. The pictures that I attached are the "pretty pictures" after I got the Sisterlocks styled. I literally had to stare and study my head of frizzy locks trying to figure out how to make them look pretty. Obviously, from the pictures, I nailed it. I am happy about that, but I am also sorry that I did not take "before styling" pictures. Actually, I was so disgusted with my SisterLocks that I forgot to take pictures. I just wanted to figure out how to get a hairstyle before going to work the next day.
For the first time, I realized why SisterLocks were called a "natural hair management system. It is NOT a hairstyle. I had to laugh. I had just invested a lot of time and money only to leave out looking like a "hot mess" that I had to figure out how to style. But get this: I am happy with my SisterLock investment. My decision is about long term success with my hair; not short-term satisfaction.
Every curl pattern responds differently to locks and Sisterlocks. Actually, SisterLocks reminded me of receiving a relaxer service. Wondering how? SisterLocks deliver "complete control" over my natural hair, but SisterLocks is not the finish product. You still have to style it after all the hair is locked. It is the same similar feeling that you get after a relaxer service is rinsed out. The relaxer is NOT the hairstyle. The relaxer is designed to assist you with your hairstyling. Same thing with SisterLocks . . . after 20 hours of installation over a two day period and $750.00 (the equivalent of somebody's house payment), I left out of the locitician's shop only to head to my salon to figure out how to style a head full of locks. I apologize for being repetitious here, but it is easy to get fired up when you are not sure about an investment decision. A relaxer service is $80 and includes a hairstyle. So to pay almost $800 and not leave out with a hairstyle can make a Black woman lose her religion. Smile. Everybody's experience is going to be different depending on the curl pattern that one is starting with.
I also need to remind you that no cosmetology license is required to become a SisterLocks technician. SisterLock technicians are not hairstylists unless they are licensed by the State Board as a cosmetologist. SisterLocks is a trademarked system, and the company screens its consultants to make sure that they abide by SisterLocks standards.
But back to my point, for all the time and money spent, I had to dry wrap my head full of Sisterlocks on perm rods because they must remain bundled while they are wet in the "baby stage." After I made sure that every lock was bound to a perm rod, I used my water bottle to spray with rod. The water kept dripping from the rods. The SisterLocks did not seem to want to absorb the water. After 3 or 4 sprays per rod and some massaging, the microlocks seem to finally accept the wetness. Also, the end wrap papers may have caused the rejection of the spray bottle. Regardless, I sat under the platform dryer to dry. I have to admit that my SisterLock technician would probably have a "cow" if she knew I went under a heated dryer, and that I wet my locks the same day of the installation. At least I bound the SisterLocks with the rods before wetting them. Hopefully, the technician/locitian will not notice the next time I have my follow-up appointment. I had to admit that I was desperate for style. I did not get SisterLocks just to have a bunch of locks in my head. I wanted control over my hair without the relaxer. SisterLocks will serve this purpose, but styling is key for a corporate professional image that I am going for.
I must also admit that having at least the six inches of length to play with gave me decent styling options. Luckily, I had over six inches in the front, but the short areas in the back may propose a challenge with bundling; therefore potentially unravelling.
I can definitely see why SisterLocks is not the answer for everyone. For me, it will work out great as the years go on. However, if you like straight hair, and you have an extremely tight curl pattern, SisterLocks may be a disappointment to you because "curly styles or braid outs" seems to be the only styling option for certain curl patterns. Softer, looser curl patterns seem to deliver a more straight and conservative look.
On a separate note, I remember doing three or four "big chops" in my lifetime. I discovered that "big chops" were not the answer. Relaxers were not the answer. SisterLocks seem to be the answer for me.
In addition, those who are used to wigs and weaves and long flowing commercial hair, it is an adjustment to switch into SisterLock styling. People/co-workers may not recognize you at first although they may love the new hairstyle. I have to also admit that it may be another two years before I truly own my SisterLocks.
Overall, I am happy about my decision to begin my SisterLock journey. I am happy with my SisterLock consultant. She was not perfect from a business etiquette standpoint, but she stuck with her SisterLock grid. She was precise about parting and even partings. I feel that she put them in correctly. The only downside is that it has been an eye opener as far as my styling limitations for my particular curl pattern. Most people online complain about the price. I don't care about the price. I would travel across the world for my hair if I could ever find someone who knew what they were doing with extremely kinky, coily hair. So I am at home with SisterLocks; I am at peace.
I really wished that I could say that I was extremely excited about becoming a SisterLock consultant. I was planning to fly out to get the training immediately before my SisterLocks installation, but now, I am less upbeat. I really could see someone spending $1000.00 and three days only to realize that they do not like their SisterLocks. Hopefully, this article will assist people in their SisterLock decision making.
Locking the hair in general is for those who are completely at peace not to ever relax their hair again. If the relaxer is an option for the future for you, then SisterLocks or any other interlocking lock technique is NOT an option. Period.
You have to be fully committed to walking away from the "creamy crack" (relaxers) forever. I had finally reached that level of commitment. There is no turning back for me. I am looking forward to my continued journey in SisterLock land. Everyone has to "do you" whatever that is!

Perm Rods: From Straight to Curly!

So how many of these blue perm rods does it take to roll a full head of hair? (The answer is at the end of this article.)

I had to complete a "curly perm" or a "permanent wave" on an elderly client recently, and I realized that the blue perm rods deliver the best curl pattern for anyone who wants a head full of curls. Our main purpose for applying the permanent wave solution was because her naturally straight hair would not hold a roller set for more than a couple of days, and she was homebound. So we still roller wrapped her hair after the neutralizing of the perm solution, and her final styling was soft and curly.

As I was rinsing out the perm rods to store them again, I decided to count them. I counted 58 (fifty-eight) blue perm rods. So was your guess close?

Timing to roll equated to parting time plus end paper wrap and perm rod roll. So about 35 minutes to roll the whole head is reasonable if all other conditions are in your favor like no interruptions!

This service is not designed for those with naturally curly hair although many people interchange the terms "perm" and "relaxers." Perms and relaxers are too different chemicals that serve two different purposes. Although one could argue that "perm" means "permanent" but then the question to ask is "are you going for permanently straight or permanently curly?" Most hairstylists can read your mind on this one!