Why Locing My Hair Was the Most Liberating Thing I Could Do
To everyone who’s considering locing their hair, I say, '“Come to the winning side.”
Not gonna lie, but looking at these pics has me feelin’ myself!
I have two aunts who’ve had locs for years, one of them has had locs for as old as I am which is over 25 years. Every time I got braids, she’d get on her soapbox and tell me how crazy I was for spending so much money on a style I’d have to take out in a few weeks. Instead, she said, I should just loc my hair. I was always hesitant. I didn’t think locs could be anywhere near as flexible as my loose natural hair and I was scared of the permanency of locs. If I didn’t like them, I’d have to comb them out and that seemed like such a headache, plus I didn’t want to lose any hair by going through that tedious process. So, I kept spending $120 on braids—yes, $120 <3— until I decided to try faux locs. My friend, Shaneil, posted a picture with the style and I loved the way they looked, so I asked her for her stylists info and soon I was booked.
When I saw myself at the end of the appointment, I was shook in the best way. I was absolutely in love with how the locs framed my face. I felt gorgeous, more beautiful than I did with braids and I realized I was on to something. Actually, my aunts were on to something. After years of trying to convince me, I decided to loc my hair in 2021 and haven’t looked back. I thought I would be heartbroken at not being able to run my fingers through my loose natural hair or get a blowout, but as my locs grew and matured, I fell more in love with myself. I felt confident. I felt beautiful. And this was grounded in my own, natural hair.
It’s been three years and I know this was the right decision for me. I didn’t decide to loc my hair for spiritual reasons but I do know I’m incredibly connected to my hair. Early on in the process, I had some of my parts redone which required some of my locs being combed out. As I sat in the stylist’s chair, I held back tears as the stylist pulled the comb through my hair. I realized then that this was not a typical protective style that I would comb out and feel relief from. This was was an intimate part of me that I had to be protective of.
Protecting my hair includes not letting any and everyone do my hair. The stylist that combed out my locs turned out to be rude and intrusive into the details of my personal life. I didn’t feel she respected me nor did she educate me on my hair. Since then I prioritize who I allow treat my hair, so I go to my girl Pat or Ms. Nicole at Nu Wave Kultural Kreations and get treated. I feel respected and taken care of in that salon and even though it’s pricey, I love the feeling of someone else washing my hair and moisturizing my locs. I’ve also learned how to retwist my hair on my own and know what products to use (post about that coming soon!) which continues to empower me because I don’t have to rely on someone like I used to when I wanted braids.
This decision has been such an exploration of self. It’s even inspired my mom to loc her hair and now two of my cousins have locs. To anyone considering locing their hair, I recommend doing it on your own time. This was a big decision for me and I did it when I felt ready instead of rushing into it. When I think back to my baby loc stage, I can’t believe how much my hair has grown and how much I’ve changed during that time. My locs are like the rings of a tree, tracing time from within and reflecting its growth externally over the years. Don’t let anyone rush you into this decision, but know that when you do, it’ll probably be the best decision you make for your hair.
There will always be something that you’re scared to pursue. It might be quitting your job to pursue the career you’re truly passionate about. It could be moving across the country or the world to experience a new way of life. Maybe you want to change your hair or start being more active. There will always be a new desire and the accompanying doubt, but losing my hair showed me that as long as YOU are happy with the decision you’ve made (and it does not hurt anyone else, be responsible and considerate), then the sky is the limit. Don’t wait for permission from anyone to do the things that fulfill you. One of my friends from high school started her own interior design company. She literally stepped out on faith to make her passion and skill a business. Someone will always have an opinion but as long as the decisions you make for yourself are rooted in a deep sense of personal understanding, then you’re likely on th path to becoming the person you’ve dreamed about.