Loc’d In Clarity: Understanding the Real Difference Between Loc Types
All Three of These Pictures are Microlocs…
I believe a lot of you like to be messy. You don’t want the truth about anything, and believe the AGE-OLD belief that the earth is flat.
I say that to say, Please don’t believe everything you see on the internet. This industry has been sharing diluted information for a long time.
before I begin, I let everyone on the internet cook. The house is hot, and i’m ready for us to sit down and eat (aka make this money).
for 30 years, I’ve been enthralled BY hair. My journey in this industry started almost 20 years AGO. i LEARNED FROM SOME OF THE INDUSTRY GREATS, SUCH AS tALIAH wAAJID, mALAIKA tAMU-cOOPER, Sheila Everett Hale, AND aNITA HILL MOSES.
as an educator, it is hard to see some of the things i’ve seen and let it slide. I’ve had many people tell me to say something, so here i go.
Again, all three pictures above are microlocs. the far left is sisterlocks and the middle is TRADITIONAL.
All Locs Matter!
What are locs? a bunch of loose strands of hair matted together to form larger strands of hair. They can be styled and cut just like loose hair. Locs go through stages of matting and maturing over time, before THEY completely mature and become what you see above. That timeframe will vary from person to person.
Why are There So Many Different Names for Locs?
the name describes what you’re getting and sometimes the technique that’s used to give you the end result, a loc.
Besides, I don’t hear anyone arguing about box braids being called singles, individuals, knotless, knot braids, micro-br…shall I continue?
How are Locs Formed?
There are different ways locs can be started or installed. depending on several factors of the client, the main one being lifestyle, will determine which technique will be best.
Partings (Do Not) Matter
The way your hair is parted does not make your locs different. The EXCEPTion to this statement can apply to sisterlocks and “trending” microlocs. Sisterlocks are a trademark or branded microloc. Think about how kia and hyundai are family, and depending on how fast you’re driving, look EXACTLY THE same on the road. some of the interior features are different, but they are both still cars.
with both of these types, there is a grid pattern that is used to create the look. OTHER FACTORS GO into creating sisterlocks, but in all the confusion of misinformation about technique, many people went the route of using braids and twists to form microlocs. This was IN order NOT TO BE reprimanded, not knowing that traditional locticians were already using the technique similar to sisterlocks as a method to maintain locs.
Locs can be parted IN different ways. No way is right or wrong, unless you are going to get trained through sisterlocks.
Maintenance is Different Depending on the Type of Locs Installed
Yes and no. I typically do the same thing on my clients, whether they have loose hair or locs. Products may vary, but i stay pretty consistent. The beginning stages of the journey are the determining factor IN how the hair is maintained.
What Can You Do To Learn More?
Shameless plug: You can register for my 2-day Luxe Locs certification, where we go more in depth on how to produce healthy, long-lasting locs, for all hair types.
you do not have to be licensed to expand your expertise.
you can see more of my work here.
Just in case you found me scrolling through a search on Google or bing, I’m Tosha (pronounced Tosh-uh), a licensed cosmetologist and educator with (almost) 2 decades of experience. I have educated and transformed a significant number of people (hundreds, a thousand, who’s counting?) along my journey.
I also provide one-on-one and group training in BRAIDING and natural hair care, hair coloring (for licensed pros or registered students only), and my online mentorship b.l.o.o.m. in business.
comment below on how you’ve been misinformed about locs and Share this with someone who may be contemplating becoming a loctician.