After 3 years of wearing my curls, I finally decided to loc my natural hair! My journey with loose curls had many challenges, however, I wouldn’t change anything about it.
Many people wondered why I decided to loc my natural hair, and the answer is simple, your girl is TIRED.
Let’s be real, taking care of natural hair feels like a full-time job sometimes. I wanted a change and a new journey.
If you’ve been thinking about getting Locs, I’ll be sharing my experience in this post, how I found a trusted Loctician, and how I’ll be taking care of my hair moving forward.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.
Starter Locs Journey
Choosing A Loctician
Google was my best friend when it came to finding the best person to go to for my starter Locs.
I recommend booking a consultation to make sure you receive information about the process and can bond with your loctician.
I went to two consultations and the 2nd person felt right immediately. Her past work spoke for itself and the reviews that people left were on point. She also made me feel comfortable and reassured me that I would be taken care of.
You want to choose a person who will start your Locs off correctly. The way you install them is important and can impact how they form in the future.
Starter Locs Styles
There are a variety of ways you can start your Locs. I was the most comfortable with the two-strand twist method because I already knew how they would look on me.
Here are other ways to start your Locs:
- Comb Coils
- Braids
- Free Form
- Instant Locs
- Loc Extensions
At first, I wanted to get instant Locs, however, the cost was outside of my budget. I took that as a sign and figured I needed to be patient and enjoy each step during this journey!
Parting Pattern and Loc Size
You want to figure out the type of parts you want and how big you’d like your Locs. Your parting pattern and size are the foundation of your Locs and will determine how they mature.
Since this is the last time you’ll be parting your hair, you want to make sure it’s done correctly.
I decided to get square parts and my Loctician did an amazing job! They’re neat just like I wanted them.
I chose to get medium-sized twists. You don’t want to make them too big because your Locs will expand as they mature. For the type of look I’m going for in the future, I knew this size would be perfect!
Caring for Starter Locs
When it comes to taking care of starter Locs, less is always more.
I’ve been using Luster’s Pink Lush Growth Oil on my scalp and it has soothed any dryness or itchiness that I’ve experienced. I also spray Rosewater and Glycerin on my scalp before applying the oil.
It’s also important to sleep in a satin bonnet or with a satin pillowcase to protect your Locs at night. I love that I’m able to get up every morning, shake my hair, and continue with my day!
Related Post: How to Combat an Itchy Scalp With Starter Locs
Loc Stages
There are different stages that Locs go through. You can’t expect your hair to loc overnight, this process will require a lot of patience.
Here are the stages:
- Starter Locs (3-6 months)
- Budding (6-12 months)
- Teen (12-15 months)
- Mature (15-18 months)
- Rooted (18-21 months)
Everyone’s journey is different and you don’t want to compare your Locs to someone else’s. It’s easy to get discouraged or feel like your hair isn’t making any progress, but you have to sit back and enjoy each stage.
I decided to loc my natural hair because I wanted freedom. Going on this journey has given me more of my time back.
I hope that I continue to inspire women to go for it. If you want to embark on a new journey, then do it. Don’t worry about the feedback from others because you can’t please everyone.
9 Comments
My name is Jackie Roddey Caldwell. You can find me on FB as Jackie Roddey. I Friended You. I would like to learn more about your products and get a consultation from your loctician,
Good Day! Hope all is well. I’ve been natural for 8 years, and wish I would have decided years ago. I’m ready now.
It’s so true there are many people in my life that make negative comments about me locing my hair. The good out weigh the bad.
Your so right your mental health is important as well as your physical and spiritual health.
Continued Peace and Blessings on your journey.
Everyone will always have an opinion but it’s not their hair! Getting Locs has been the best decision for me and I’ll never regret it 🙂 I appreciate your comment and thank you for reading!
I just recently started my loc journey a few days ago for the very same reasons lol I love my natural hair but the time & effort it takes just made my hair journey not so enjoyable anymore. I finally feel carefree as you mentioned. I’m a licensed cosmetologist in Jax, FL I feel my loc journey will help me bond with my loc clients as well. Thank you for the info & blessings on your loc journey ❤️❤️❤️
That’s so exciting to hear! Congratulations on starting your Loc journey, you’re going to enjoy it so much. It has almost been one year into my journey and I wouldn’t change anything about it. Thank you for reading this post and let me know if you have any questions!
I have been reading a lot of posts or watching YouTube videos and this by far has given me more of a push in the direction to loc my hair. I’m so nervous and scared and I don’t know of what or about what. I don’t know when I’ll start but thank you for this. I’m saving this and plan to read it over and over.
Thank you so much! I’m glad this post is helpful for you and I can’t wait until you start your journey. You’ll know when the time is right, trust me!
Hello I had locs a long time ago and I decided I am gonna get them again.I started my locs again on the first day of summer.I honestly miss having them.Thats why I am doing mine again and it’s my hair and no one else’s.
That’s right! Do what makes you happy. Congrats on starting your journey again!