Sisterlock Journey Recap

So here is my attempt to summarize my sisterlock journey from the past six months. I've taken lots of photos but failed to date them so some of them are just guesstimations. (If that's a word) Just as a background leading up to my decision to get sisterlocks; I've been growing my hair out since July of 2007. It started off as a test to see how long I could go without getting a relaxer. By the fourth month or so, I began to experience a little breakage due to the weak relaxed hair, but I also realized that my hair was a lot healthier towards the roots. So then I started researching natural hair styles and how to care for it. I came across flat twist, corn rolls, braid outs, and a bunch of other styles, but when I came across sisterlocks, I knew I had to have them. I started researching them and stummbled upon the official sisterlock website which is where I found the consultant who was nearest to me. Turns out she actually lived in Denver, Colorado, An eight hour drive from me. I started e-mailing her questions about the prices and how many times would I actually have to see her in order for her to do my hair. She told me I would have to get the test locks and wear them for a couple of weeks (I think) then I would have to go back to get my entire head locked, then I would go back at least two more times for retightenin before I would be able to do my own hair. Thats four trips to Colorado from New Mexico. I was so tempted to make those trips until I spoke to a friend who had recently got her hair done. It was done in a very cute natural updo, so I asked her about her stylist. My friend/life saver told me about Mrs. Neema Pickett who also did dreads. I was then thinking that if I couldn't get sisterlocks, I would probably go for the smallest traditional locks Neema could do. So I called her and arranged to meet with her that same day to discuss traditional locks. I was soo excited upon getting there because as I described the size of the locks I wanted, she mentioned that she did sisterlocks!!!!! I left with flyers and books and even a few test locks!! I was too amped because of the fact that I didn't have to travel to Colorado to get this beautiful style. But I was also skeptical because I didn't run into her name on the certified consultants web page. Come to find out, she was only a trainee and I was the last client she had to do in order to become a consultant. So word to the wise: make sure the person doing your sisterlocks is either on the consultants list or the trainees list on the sisterlock website (sisterlocks.com). They are two seperate links. (I never checked the trainee list which is why I never saw Neema's name). My installation took a total of 30 hours over the period of three days. We learned a lot about one another in that time and we deffinately vibed well together which I believe is very important when you're looking for a consultant. Now it may seem like I jumped into getting sisterlocks but it actually took about four months for me to make the desicion, and about nine months of researching. (You have to do your research) Before I even went in to speak with Neema, I knew just about all I needed to know about sisterlocks because I researched, and she was quite impressed with my knowledge.

Sisterlock Package:

The Consultation- Your consultant should ask you about hair care past and styling perfrences in order to determine an appropriate lock size and pattern. (the pattern is dependant on the texture of your hair) They should also show you a video and discuss pricing. The last part of this visit is the installation of test locks that you will have to wear for a week or two (I'm not 100 percent sure about this time frame). For me, Neema put in two above my ear, and a few in the back towards the nape of my neck.

The Locking Session- This is when all of the locks are installed, which can take from 10 to 30 hours!! You'll also get a "starter kit" that has rubber bands to band your hair before washing and shampoo.

The Follow-up- This is your first retightening session which should be free. (included in the initial price you paid) You should have washed your hair at least once prior to going in so your consultant can check for any slipping of the hair.

So that's basically what the package consists of, perhaps there are a few things I failed to speak about, but I think I covered the most important details. I guess the only other thing I can say is to ask lots of questions when you go in for your consultation, and also ask to see pictures of their work.


Below are some pictures of my journey from the past six months, the beginnig to the present. Enjoy!!

March 2008- Day one of lock installation. A little under half of my hair is done.

Day Two- Just about done except for a patch of hair in the middle. She did this cute little updo because I had to go to work the next day.

Day Three- I'm guessing I didn't take any pictures of the finished product on day three, but this is about a week later when I was banding my hair in order to wash it.

This was after my first washing. Just to let you know, I opted to keep my relaxed ends, which was about 4-6 inches.

This was after about a month. As you can see, the ends are very straight. Actually, I can't really tell my hair is locked in this picture.

June 2008- After three months, I decided to cut off the relaxed ends from the back. I was experiencing massive breakage of the relaxed hair in the back of my head. I also had one of my locks in the middle of my head break off :-( so I decided to cut it. Because I wasn't sure if I could deal with a really big change, Neema suggested I leave the relaxed ends in the front.

August 2008- One day I got tired of looking at my stringy relaxed ends in the front and I decided to cut my hair myself. I did a decent job, but my bangs came out kinda crazy.

August 2008- After staring at my freshly chopped hair, I began to think I butchered my hair. So I started wearing this head wrap for about two weeks, hoping my hair would grow out in the front. I eventually got use to looking at it and stopped wearing the head wrap.

September 2008- As you can see, my bangs are growing out kinda funky and uneven, but I don't want to cut them because I want to track the progress. The rest of my hair is growing like a wild weed. I even had a coworker tell me that he liked the new change to my hair even though he'd seen me only two weeks prior. But I hadn't done anything but let it grow out and started wearing the bangs!! That goes to show you how sisterlocks are constantly changing.

As of right now, I don't really do anything to my hair except wear it free style. I think it's too short for rollers and still too short for the up-do's I want to wear.