Veteran Loc'ers Chime In: Coop

Coop is the bomb diggity. We can literally email and text each other all day discussing the politics of natural hair. She's reppin' those Sisterlocks!


1. How old are your locs?
Um let's see. I got them installed Feb or March of 2007, so that makes them (12 *3 = 36. +2 or 3) about 38 or 39 months old. Goodness, I really had to think about that. Guess I could've just said 3 years.

2. Have you ever thought about cutting them? If so, why?
 I get in ruts about my locs and I want change instantly. I've thought several times about cutting them off. I've cut my hair all off several times before, so it would be nothing new. But with the length I have now, I want to see how long they'll grow to be. My hair hasn't been this long since I was in elementary school.


3. Have you ever combined your locs? Why or why not?
Again, yes! lol Why or why not? I've combined some intentionally because I have some really thin locs. (My hair starting thinning at the crown in high school -- it's not thinning because of the locs.) I combined the thin ones with healthy neighbors quite a few times. Sometimes I've combined locs accidentally. Like I have one loc that's a 3-headed dragon. Yes, 3. That's what happens when you try to do your hair when you're sleepy and you're not using a mirror. smh

4. Fill in the blank: It frustrates me when my locs ________.
...have lint in them and folks don't tell me! Jeez. If I had a relaxer you'd tell me there was lint. Folks act like natural people LIKE having foreign stuff in their hair. Um...no. I wash my hair regularly so it stays clean. If you see some lint, TELL ME!


5. Fill in the blank: I love when my locs ___________.
...are clean, curly and bouncy!


6: Any words of wisdom for struggling loc'ers?
Be patient, accessorize and keep your skin looking good! Trust me -- when you HATE your hair but your skin looks refreshed, the world thinks you look fabulous!

Check out my girl's blog here.





Other Veteran Loc'ers Chime In posts
-The PBG
-Toshia from On the Road to Queendom
-Starr from Gangstarr Girl

Veteran Loc'ers Chime In: Starr from Gangstarr Girl

Starr reminds me of a way cooler and way hipper me. Not that I'm NOT cool (haaaa!) but she's got such a fabulous vibe that radiates through her written word and her locs.

1. How old are your locs?
They made 5 yrs this month. I don't remember the exact date but I do remember it being mid april when I twisted my fro for the last time.

2. Have you ever thought about cutting them? If so, why?
Yes but it has only been recently that I have been feeling that way. My hair is starting to get long and sometimes gets in the way like when I'm asleep or have to wear a winter coat, minor things but  sometimes I just miss my short fro. Funny thng is when I first went natural I thought I made a huge mistake by cutting my perm off b/c I didn't have the confidence to rock a short natural. Now, I want another crack at it. I love my locs tho. I'm probably not going to cut it any time soon, at least not for another...maybe 5 yrs.


3. Have you ever combined your locs? Why or why not?
Yes because some parts of the locs just don't ackright (yup ackright). I've combined a few b/c they were too thin to sustain themselves alone.

4. Fill in the blank: It frustrates me when my locs ________.
It frustrates me why my locs_pick up random smokey smells <---agreed!


5. Fill in the blank: I love when my locs ___________.
I can answer this….I love when my locs are freshly shampooed….the smells of rose, mint, and hemp fill my nostrils and I am reminded why I am natural. I adore my hair.


6: Any words of wisdom for struggling loc'ers?
Any words of wisdom for struggling loc'ers? If you are already loc'd but in the early years, be patient. There comes a point where they really do act like teenagers ie do their own thing. It's frustrating but if you've developed the patience and discipline to get this far then keep going. They don't call it a loc journey for nothomg! I'm amazed at how mine have grown and matured. They listen to me now lol. And I get so many amazing compliments and have a way more positive image about myself than I used to and I owe that to my locs. It's truly a spiritual thing to loc your hair and once you get to the other side, you won't believe how amazed you will be. As far as styling, I got with short locs--hair color, loc charms, bantu knots, head wraps and headbands are perfect for adding variety.

Show Starr some love at her e-home, GangstarrGirl.com.

Other Veteran Loc'ers Chime In posts
-The PBG from Dirty Pretty Thangs
-Toshia from On the Road to Queendom
-Karen from Natural Beauty Hair

Veteran Loc'ers Chime In: Karen from Natural Beautiful Hair

If you are a loc'er or a fan of locs and NOT following Karen's blog Natural Beautiful Hair, pull yourself together! Her locs are just soooo beautiful and her blog is nothing short of inspiration and pride of natural hair. Loves it!


1. How old are your locs?
I have been growing my hair for about 7 years.

2. Have you ever thought about cutting them? If so, why?
The current length of my loc’s reaches my mid back. I think when it gets to the point where it gets too long to be comfortable; I will consider give then a trim of a couple of inches. But my main concern would be if they are too heavy or if they cause headaches. Otherwise, I am in no rush to cut my hair. 


3. Have you ever combined your locs? Why or why not?
I have not combined my loc’s. I just really like a uniformed look, and prefer to have all of my loc’s be their own individual selves. But I have seen women with combined loc’s/dreads that are beautiful.

4. Fill in the blank: It frustrates me when my locs ________.
It frustrates me when a loc falls off!!! Ha ha….  Luckily so far it has only happened at home. But can you imagine that happening at a meeting at work! This only happens when I have a weak loc that I did not repair in time. So I try to make sure that I check for any loc's that are thinning out and repair them, so none of them break off.


5. Fill in the blank: I love when my locs ___________.
I love when my locs they are clean, light and smell fresh.


6: Any words of wisdom for struggling loc'ers?
Have patience and just  know that even though there are rough days, that it will all be worth it if you stick with it. Please always cover your loc’s/dreads at night and keep your hair moisturized. Your hair will love you for it. 

Loc Rocker loves you, Karen!! Thanks for being such an inspiration to us all!


Other Veteran Loc'ers Chime In posts
-The PBG
-Toshia from On the Road to Queendom

Veteran Loc'ers Chime In: On The Road to Queendom

 Next up in the Veteran Loc'ers Chime In mini-series is my e-big sister Toshia. I can't remember how I found her blog On the road to Queendom but I am SO glad I did. She has really been such a great loc mentor throughout my journey. Through our Skype talks and my random Twitter whines, she has always been so loving and understanding.

1. How old are your locs?
My locs are about 8-9 years, as this is my 2nd set. My first set got taken down while I was in the middle of GA 400 traffic. If anyone has ever taken the route from Atlanta to Dunwoody GA during rush hour traffic then they know the stress I was under. So, I went to work with a head full of baby locs and came back home with half of the back undone.

2. Have you ever thought about cutting them? If so, why?
I am going to be honest with you, I have never thought about cutting them, or taking them down. My locs are my crown; therefore I will never cut or take them down by choice. I am Rasta so that may have something to do with it. However, I love them, and they love me. My hair has responded so positively to locing, why would I ever cut or take them down to add on hair style stress? No ma’am.


3. Have you ever combined your locs? Why or why not?
Oh my goodness yes, I have quite a few I am combining now. As your locs mature they thicken, and some may not get the memo, so you have to force them to thicken by marrying the two!

4. Fill in the blank: It frustrates me when my locs ________.
I cannot answer this lil sis because I adore every aspect and element of my locs. I have loved them since the budding stage…I cherish every stage. Also I have never lost any locs due to traction alopecia. I think it’s because I am very careful, and meticulous with them.


5. Fill in the blank: I love when my locs ___________.
I can answer this….I love when my locs are freshly shampooed….the smells of rose, mint, and hemp fill my nostrils and I am reminded why I am natural. I adore my hair.


6: Any words of wisdom for struggling loc'ers?
To loc is to grow patiently. You have to understand the transformation you are coming under. It is not an overnight process just like becoming a mature adult takes time. Your locs are an extension of you, your crown and glory. So being patient with your hair is just like you being patient in any other area of your life. Sure it’s only hair, but for most loc wearers it’s a bit deeper for them including myself. You should not worry about they aren’t growing fast enough, aren’t pretty like the next persons’ etc. You should look in the mirror and thank God for hair, thank your hair for being so beautiful. Take care of it, adorn it, and praise it. Jah Bless!

I know. She's wonderful. Aaaand she's an author. Check out her newest release High Stakes.

Other Veteran Loc'ers Chime In posts
-The PBG