In response to your remark "...That's absolutely ridiculous!!!! That 300.00
is more than you paid ($95). i respect your sharing. Would you be welling
to share a few picture of your end results so that we can have something to
compare it to?
Hi Sandy:
As Sigrid mentioned, you do not have to have your permed hair locked with the
Sisterlocks pattern. Only the the new growth needs to be locked with the
Sisterlocks pattern. This is is how my Sisterlocks were started. I hadChin
lenth relaxed hair with 2-3 inches of new growth. I cut off the relaxed end
as my locks grew and matured. This may reduce your costs.
You may want to ask fo test locks that do not include very little of the
relaxed hair in
the lock pattern.
Cheers,
Angel
Thank you for clarifying the pricing, Sigrid! And for explaining why the
consultant put 4 different sample locks in my head. It never occurred to
me that they were 4 different patterns. Methinks this is one of the things
a consultant normally explain during the consultation. I was simply told
that she's putting them in to see how my hair locks. I figured one lock
should be able to do that.
I'm hoping that a certified SL consultant will join this list, but I'm glad
you have a sister who has taken the class, worked on lots of heads, and
will soon be certified, so you can answer some of these questions for us.
Please feel free to impart the knowledge you've learned from your sister,
and from your own experience as a customer. We all recognize (thanks to
your disclaimer) that you're not a consultant, but we sure want to hear any
info you can give. The disclaimer is a great idea in such instances. :-)
We all want to hear from everybody. Each person's experience is different
and can help someone else in their decision, their transition, and/or their
maintenance.
-- Sandy
to know where you all live that charges $300-$500 for beginning
your sisterlocs...That's absolutely ridiculous!!!! Those locticians
are just about making a mint and getting over on you all that
aren't in the know about the process...I'm not a loctician but
I did lots of research before I began my process. I live in
Washington, DC and the average starting range here is between
60-$80. I paid $95 all together and that's because I brought some
of my stylist products. <<
Sho you right, Girl! There are a lot of folks out there who
have learned some technique by watching someone or from someone
who has taken the Sisterlocks Retightening class. NO WAY
should you have your hair done by someone like that.
The 3 day consultant training covers like 9 different
Sisterlocks patterns designed for the different types of
hair. They also learn advanced techniques to fix problem
situations. When you take the 4 hour retightening class, you
are taking it for self-maintenance. You still have to go to
a consultant to fix problems. If your locs are too small for
your lifestyle, for example, only a consultant can properly
combine them. No one after taking a retightening class should
be putting up a shingle and tightening anyone except their
own head.
You can go to an uncertified consultant but make sure that
consultant is ACTIVELY seeking certification. Beware if that
consultant has been uncertified for over 1.5 years after
getting trained.
An unofficial Sisterlocks consultant can give a black-eye
to Sisterlocks.
Ah! OK. This explains how one consultant came up with a $620 price for
me. I forget her starting price (I think it was $350 but I'm not sure),
but she measured the circumference of my head and measured the length of my
hair, and came up with $670 less a $50 discount for new customers.
Also, when she put in the "test locks", she did lock the permed hair. I
wish I could get a good look at the back of my head to see what they look
like now. It's been at least a month.
I do remember that in Joanne's book, "That Hair Thang", it said that only
the natural hair gets locked and the permed hair is left free. It sounds
weird, but the pictures look really nice.
Thanks for clearing that one up, Sigrid!
So how is your sister doing in her business, if you don't mind my
asking. This seems to be something I might be interested in doing, and my
consultant is a certified trainer. She gives classes almost every weekend.
-- Sandy
(Disclaimer - I am not a consultant and have no plans to become
one. My sister is a consultant and has not authorized me to
say anything here. However, she has always had trouble with me
following her instructions.)
Consultants are free to set their own prices but the suggested
price is $350-$375 for 2-4 inches of natural hair. The length
of any existing permed hair does not count because it is not
advised to lock that hair anyway. Some consultants charge
$100 for every inch over their limit (2-4 inches) because of
the extra time involved. I had 6-8 inches of natural hair and
paid $450. It took about 19 hours (2 days) to complete
the main locking session. (My sister was not my consultant
at that time.)
Hey Lynda! I'm not waiting for new growth...I have plenty! LOL
But I'm in the process of moving to Savannah this upcoming week, so
I've been really busy with that! Moving everything in the house, + 4
kids (and a husband) three dogs (I breed, train and show in
conformation) half a garage full of baking and catering stuff.......
I've just been WHUPPED! :
getting my Sisterlocks! And other than my family.....YOU ALL WILL BE
THE FIRST TO KNOW!
Ericka
~Peace and Eternal Blessings To ALL!
Now you tell me! LOL I tried the straw set and the result was SCARY!
LOL LOL LOL But I have to admit......I didn't add any kind of oil to
my hair before removing the straws! SO......guess I'll have to give
it another try!
Ericka
Yeow! As expensive as this whole thing is, I wouldn't think of having
anyone but a certified consultant take care of it. The cost is already
prohibitive, and the thought of starting over is just plain scary! Thanks
for the heads up!
I hear ya! I'll be right with you very soon!
-- Sandy
Thank you Nina! I'm gonna try the straw thing this weekend!
-- Sandy
I have been lurking the past few days as I have been so busy at work. I am
glad to see another forum for sisterlocks exchange. I wish so many
resources had existed a year ago.
Anyway, I have had my sisterlocks since March. Since my hair was 3-5 inches
and all virgin, it has been interesting seeing how it is evolving.
This is my second time starting sisterlocks. Long story, but the most
important thing that I can share is DO NOT let anyone retighten your hair
unless you KNOW that they are a licensed cosultant. If anyone tells you they
do their hair the same way, RUN.
Anyway, happily locked and happily nappy.
Efuru
I'm so new at this I don't even know what you're talking about. LOL!
Explain please? Is this something that I can do to make my hair look
decent for work? I just realized I have a shower and a wedding to go to
very soon, and this hair just ain't workin'!
-- Sandy
Yes! You can look great for work and all other occasions. I copied
these directions from two sites I ran across. I'll add them to the
list. The directions are good. Working w/natural hair takes
patience. Keep praying.
Nina
Straw Sets
To straw set you use regular old plastic drinking straws that you
find at any super market.
You hold the straw the long way, up and down, just the way it goes in
a cup and wrap your hair around the straw, from root to end, wrapping
it down the length of the straw.
Then use a boby pin or clip,(even though a clip may be too large) to
hold the hair in place.
You have to use small thinly parted pieces of hair, inorder for it to
come out looking correct.
Then you sit under a warm dryer til your hair is dry.
Remove the bobby pins and slide the straws out, making sure to
maintain the structure of the straw curl. They will look like a bunch
of tiny spiral curls. Then you can either leave it like that, or use
your fingers to comb them into a fuller looking looser curl.NO
BRUSHING!!!! if you want the curls to last anytime.
Straw curls can come out looking extremely frizzy if you don't put
some kind of oil/moisturiser on it before removing the straws.
It is a long process so be prepared. But if done right it looks
great.
Doing the Twist
The best time to do any styling is right after a good shampoo, but
can mist your hair lightly with water if you want.
Kinky hair: twist while damp or dry, but you'll have two different
results. Dry twists may not last as long and may unravel.
Straight hair with kinky roots: twist while damp; the straight hair
will set better this way.
Taking a one-inch square section of hair, divide the section into two
parts. Starting at the scalp, entwine one part around the other and
twist down until you reach the end of the section. Roll the end of
the twist between your thumb and forefinger to create a coil that
keep the twist together. You probably won't need it, but a light gel
or setting lotion can be applied either before or after twisting.
Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with zig-zag or
diamond partings. Just be sure to make each section roughly the same
size.
Pay attention to:
-Your hair partings. It's similar with braids: if the partings aren't
neat, even, and uniform, they'll show up, and not in a good way.
-Remove all tangles so your twist will be smooth and without "lumps."
What can be done with a twist?
Anything you can do with a braid, you can do with a twist. Set them
on rollers. Twists them around themselves to form knots which you can
then wear as it or undo to get a "crinkly" effect. You can even
twists them around other twists. Or you can leave them alone and
just let them hang
I'm in the in between stage too. But just a month and a half chem
free. I took my extension braids out last night. My head was
itching like crazy!!! I do admit that I'm usually a short timer
w/the braids. Have you guys tried straw setting or twists? I'm
straw setting until I get my sisterlocks.
Nina
I went to Cass Tech. Now I'm at U of D. I live on th west side, but in
the inner city. W. Grand Blvd. and Grand River area.
I hear ya! I'm 3 months into new growth, and this stuff does *not* like a
comb! I don't even own one anymore. :-) I'm in a ponytail, too.. do I
guess I don't have any answers for you. Hopefully someone here will have
some ideas.
-- Sandy
HI Sandy! Thank's for inviting me to join this group! It seems we
may have alot in common other than the wish to "free" ourselves
chemically. (did I spell that right?) Anyway....I'm Detroit born
and breed! Lived on the west side (Livernois and 7 mile RD) Been
gone a long time though, but I try to visit as often as I can. Where
did you/or do you go to school? I graduated from St. Martin de
Porres a thousand of years ago! . LOL Actually in '84...but my kids
think I'm really OLD!
I got a e-mail today from JoAnne Stephens with two referrals of
consultants in or around the GA area, so I'll be calling them in a
couple of weeks after we get settled in Savannah. I thought that was
a really nice gesture of her, to e-mail me privately like that. But
in the mean time...I'll try to keep everyone up to date on my trails
and tribulations concerning my hair. June marked 5 months chem.
free! So of course I have MADDD new growth! :
alittle past my shoulders and I basically keep it in a pony-tail,
cause I don't know what else to do with it! Sister's....any
suggestions?? It feels soooo good to be here....with like kind!!!
~Hetepu *Peace Be Unto YOU!
Ericka
That's a dramatic difference! Was there a difference in the package
each offered? By the way the home office website is up.
sisterlocks.com
Nina
Since I've recently gotten interested in wearing my natural hair, I've run
across many mentions of tea water and/or tea tree shampoos, conditioners, etc.
What is this tea water and/or tea tree ingredient? How is it good for the
hair?
-- Sandy
Woah... that's a good question. I visited with two SL consultants in my
area. One told me $340 and the other one told me $620. They all seem to
have their own way of setting their price.
-- Sandy
Hi everyone!
I've decided to get Sisterlocks. But I have not seen a consultant
yet. What kind of cost should I expect?
Nina
Sandy,
I have quite a bit of perm, I had gone back to the curl and
experienced some damage.(lots of breakage, in the top especially)
Getting my hair put into the lock pattern actually helped to stop the
breakage.
You don't have sisterlocks yet?
Yes, it did look wierd to me. I told my locktician that I just
couldn't visualize my hair turning into something as beautiful as
hers. Her locks are about 3 years old. I was slightly prepared
because I saw a lady with newly done locks prior to getting mine. My
hair isn't all that thick, and I think the thicker the hair, the less
scalp shows.
Anyway it dosen't matter!! Those scalp concerns will be a thing of
the past when you begin to experience freedom as you become more self
confident and sure of who you are. No more "BAD HAIR" days!! Just
beautifully BLACK, beautifully YOU!
I LOVE IT,
Lynda
Hello,
Yes, I am definitely thinking about getting Sisterlocks but I am
waiting until I am financially able. I decided to get them after
going to a nappy hair affair in my hometown of Ohio. Up until that
point I was wearing a short relaxed cut. It was cute but I had cut it
short for freedom, yet I still felt tied to the beautician. NOT FREE
AT ALL-(In fact because new growth was more noticeable I had to go
more. Ironic isn't it) So anyway I took the plunge and cut it all off
similar to that short afro on your website. It grew long enough for
me to get microbraids and just recently I took those out also. I am
currently wearing my hair in in the babylocked look of twists until I
can get my sisterlocks. It looks nice and I get many compliments from
other women and lots of stares from white men ( I guess they fancy me
some exotic black chick)but like you I would like them longer. I
can't wait to get my Sisterlocks and have already taken a second job
to get them faster. So as you can tell I am pysched. Eventually I
would like to be a consultant myself as the people I have gone to
here do not do natural hair that is fashionable. It seems to be
dated, and not of the new millenium as I think Sisterlocks are.
I'd like to extend a warm welcome to those of you who have joined this list
so far. We've got 10 subscribers so far... not bad for a list that was
only started a couple of days ago -- and on the weekend at that.
There have only been 2 messages posted so far, so please feel free to go to
our eGroups website and read them. Maybe we can use them to get some
conversation going.
How many of you have Sisterlocks already? How many are thinking about
it? How many are definitely going for the Sisterlocks? Do any of you have
(or are you thinking about) other natural styles?
Just curious and always ready to chat!
-- Sandy
I just noticed that someone has subscribed to this e-mail list.
Welcome!
I'll be launching the list today and should soon have others to join us. I
look forward to the discussions.
-- Sandy
I stopped by my SL consultant's shop yesterday for a business meeting. She
was doing a retightening. The customer's Sisterlocks will be 3 years old
next month. They were about an inch below her shoulders but had been
curled at the ends, making them stop just above the shoulder. Her hair was
*so* thick and pretty, and it had what looked like an inner sheen to it,
not like something that had been put on the outside to make it shine.
As she was finishing up, another woman came in for a retightening. Her
hair was shorter -- just below the ear. It was a totally different look,
but still gorgeous. Her hair hadn't been curled or anything. She was just
letting it fall naturally. But the actual formation of the locks -- that
braided look -- is very nice in itself, and adds a touch of femininity even
when the locks haven't been curled.
I do love the way Sisterlocks can look so different on each individual
depending on the cut, the size of the locks, the natural kink of the hair,
etc. So different, but always very nice.
I can't wait to get my Sisterlocks!
-- Sandy