Is ~700 Sisterlocks too many to have in one's head?
This is the dilemma I have faced since moving from Washington, DC, back to my hometown Austin, Texas.
The consultants I have spoke to in the Austin area have all complained, or at least made obvious mention, to how "small" (they think) my Sisterlocks are. [See my previous entry "Journey to Sisterlocks" or my profile picture to see what my Sisterlocks look like.] They have even been called "almost obnoxious." All consultants here have suggested I combine locks, some even said combine EVERY lock so that every three locks will become one lock.
(In my opinion) Wearing natural hair sort of puts the world on notice that a woman with natural hair doesn't care about what the world thinks of her and is proud of her hair in its natural state. And I am.
But I do pose this question because it is causing me significant problems. I can't find a consultant here (at least not yet) who isn't afraid of "small" (according to them) Sisterlocks. At retightenings, I have to sit and listen to complaints about my hair and then....hours later....many more hours than most women...(the shortest time I have had my hair retightened here in Texas is a little over 4 hours)...I pay a hefty price. My consultant in Maryland retightened my hair in 3.5 hours tops (most times 3), and, surprisingly, she was CHEAPER than some of the consultants here. Consultants in Austin who charged me less took many, many more hours (a whole day, 10+ hours) to retighten my hair. At one point I felt like I was sitting at my Installation again. I have even went home crying.
I have been told that Sisterlocks done in the South are much bigger than those done on the East Coast and other places like Jamaica. Is this true?
If I had the money, I would be on the first flight back to my consultant in Maryland so that she can retighten my hair, but I don't have it. What am I supposed to do?
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Hi Brandy,
ReplyDeleteLove your blog. So glad you're sharing your journey. I was just going to say that maybe you should look at taking the retightening course now that it's been more than a year. I know it's cumbersome, but it's better than spending money to sit in someone's chair for hours and hours at a time. I usually retighten sections at a time while I'm watching TV or movies.
I have about 150 locks less than you do and my consultant (who is not my original consultant) thought some were too small and she combined some of them. So I believe I started with about 600 and now at 547. I am happy to have a few less locks, it still cost$$$ though. My consultant shampooes my hair everytime as well though, which I absolutely love. I wish you the best whether you decide to combine or not. Your locks look beautiful nonetheless.
ReplyDeleteWhat consultant have you been to in Austin, TX? I live in Austin, I don't see any certified consultants registered. Did you go to one of the trainees in Round Rock TX or the one in Austin?
ReplyDelete@Sisterlock Adoration, I think I just may take your advice. I had thought of taking a retightening class before, but freaked out when I looked at the size of my locks. BUT when I counted the locks, I did it in sections, and it wasn't that bad. So if I learn to retighten them myself, go at my speed, and take it section by section when convenient, I may come out better than trying to find someone. @Natural High, it is good to know I am not the only one with so many locks :). I like your locks as well! @Anonymous, if you send my an e-mail, I will e-mail you the "unofficial" list of consultants here in my area. There are only two. One isn't on the list, but I have heard has been doing Sisterlocks for years, and used to be listed. The other isn't on the official list either.
ReplyDeleteI'm going through the same thing. I have >600 locks and now everywhere I go people are telling me they are too small and they wont commit to my hair. I have had one tell me to cut it all off. I had another tell me that my hair wasnt meant to have sisterlocks and I need to combine them into traditional. I sit down in chairs and feel guilty for showing up bc all I hear is complaints. I just want to cry at times. I find myself apologizing to consultants before sitting in their chairs bc I have a lot of locks. I think I have to take the class and do my own hair, but my hair is so fragile with so many weak points I'm afraid to do my own hair right now.
DeleteI know you are having a issue with getting your locks retightened without the complaints and I hope you find someone that is will to do it and be happy about it. I am trying to get sisterlocks installed but I can't seem to find a consultant in the austin area...do you have any recommendations?!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my website and contact me if still interested: http://teerays-braids.weebly.com
Delete@FADI: ummm, I didn't get an e-mail notification that you had asked a question, so I am responding so late. I am sorry about that! If you haven't found a consultant, I don't recommend one in the Austin area. I've tried most, and none worked for me. I drive to Houston for my retightenings, and I can give you that consultants info. if you want it. She was an absolute GODSEND! She is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI'm in Austin and I'm good! (smile) I relocated from the NorthEast (NJ) to Austin, Texas during October 2010 and am now a Mobile Stylist here. I have clients that you or anyone can get in touch with (with their permission, of course) who can tell you about me. My website is: http://teerays-braids.weebly.com
DeleteCan you install at about the size of Bee's (many women who want sister locks want tiny ones similar to Dr. Cornwell's.)
DeleteHave you tried TImmie Ann at (512) 468-3669?
ReplyDeleteI am about to Lock my hair, Can you all give me advice, do I really have to drive to Houston? My hair is very coily/curly. I am undecided and need a consultation. Any info you have to pass on will help? Please :)
ReplyDeleteHello.I just moved to Austin ,Tx I have done hair extensions for 13 years but no need for a lic im not braiding just adding clip on hair and dreads links so how do i get a lic to do this when I'm the one who created my hair extensions! I WANT TO open a shop soon.. thanks info.tonislotuslocks@gmail any info would be nice..
ReplyDeleteTake the sister lock course, they offer it in TX it cost 1495.00 that is the only way to get certified and for the price of installation, people would be foolish to go to a non certified installer as sisterlock will NOT endorse non certified or inactive certifications.
DeleteHello Bee which consultant do you use in Houston? I want to have SL installed and I have been shopping around for licensed consultants.
ReplyDeleteGo to my site and contact me: http://teerays-braids.weebly.com
DeleteHi Bee,
ReplyDeleteI have had natural hair for a number of years and am ready to get siterlocks. I live in DC. an you give me the name of the consultant that did your locks in DC?
Valerie
valeriesh@aol.com
(202) 281-6222
Hi Bee,
ReplyDeleteI have had natural hair for five years now and am thinking of getting sisterlocks. I live in Md. Could you pls email me the name of the consultant who installed your sisterlocks.
Demi
seyi.adeoluwa@gmail.com or seyi5@hotmail.com. Pls put sisterlocks in the subject line.
Hello Bee,
ReplyDeleteI live in Maryland, have had natural hair for 15 years...and am ready to start my Sisterlock journey as well. Would you please email me the name of the consultant who isntalled your sisterlocks? adtabor62@verizon.net Thank you!
Just throwing my 2cents in. I am just starting my sisterlock journey and I found a certified consultant in Austin www.lockcouture.com and she is not afraid of a "lot" of locks. She has informed me that she will probably have to install over 800 locks in my head without hesitation. And she is very professional and informative also.
ReplyDeleteWere you able to get your sisterlocks? I'm looking at going to lockcouture.com for my installation.
DeleteHi Bee, so glad I found your blog. I live in MD and need a SL consultant. I have thin hair and I think I will look better with a lot of locks. please email me that info if you have at: dsambu@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
Thin hair would be difficult to put a lot of locks in as the weight could cause traction alopecia and the locks to fall OUT. You have to work with what you have and don't make situations worse. YOu might try thickening your hair naturally with henna or zizyphus infusions before getting it locked.
DeleteI found your blog while browsing the internet. I re-tighten sisterlocs and just did my mother's installation of sisterlocs this past Saturday (10.13.12). My prices are cheap and my re-tightening does not take long, at all. Also, I personally feel that the smaller the sisterlocs, the better they look and more versatile they become. I would NEVER suggest combining sisterlocs! If one of my clients wants them combined, then he/she would just tell me and I would follow up. Very simple. Please check out my website and contact me if interested in getting your sisterlocs re-tightened by me. My website address is: http://teerays-braids.weebly.com. I hope to hear from you or ANYONE reading my comment (smile).
ReplyDeleteyour locks are EXACTY the size I want and are similar to the size of Dr. Cornwell's. Sisterlocks can either look like individual smaller locks or like superstrands (which is what they are) superstrands allow more versatility and look more like hair--do NOT get them combined! What is the name of your old consultant? I am willing to travel to Maryland to get mine installed as I want them as teeny, tiny (and more like strands) as possible. They look GORGEOUS and so do you--when people complain that is the laziness in them, makes you wonder what else they would skimp on in order just to get your money and be done with you.
ReplyDeletehello im Latonya from michigan,if you have thick hair 700 shouldnt be too many,some have 800-1000,i have 503,if the other locktitions didnt have a problem with them and your locks are strong theres nothing wrong with your locks!!it sounds like its the culture in taxes to have bigger locks so to them it may seem too small!if you like them the way they are and their strong dont let them talk you in to making your locks into something you dont want,it sounds lazy to me and they just dont want to be bothered!!):-(
ReplyDeletetrying to find a place close to Macon, Ga that do sisterlots
ReplyDelete