Phyllis’ Loc Journey

Hey gang. 

Although I’m good at documenting my client’s loc journey through photos and videos, I realized that I have just a few pictures to document my own.  In response to your continual requests to see photos of my loc journey, I spent most of the day looking for photos of my hair and was able to pull together a small collection from over a 10 year period. 

I’m happy to be able to share these with you.

 

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Dreadlocks - A Two Year Loc Journey

Hey Gang.  This is an update to a video and a post I wrote 2 years ago.   What you’re about to see is my good friend and client, Shannon.  I started her locking process 2 years ago.  Although she had some damage/breakage around the temple area and dryness at her tips because of the color in her hair, her hair for the most part was healthy.  Shannon’s hair was also coarse and I knew that she would lock in no time.  Here is one of the actual videos from 2 years ago. I apologize for the delay in the video.  That’s something that has happened since it’s been on YouTube and it’s out of my hands to fix.  Content is still good though.  Click here to view it. 

The first 9 pictures represent Shannon’s initial coiling session and then returning 4 weeks later for her first grooming.  The last 4 pictures represent Shannon’s hair at the 1 year mark right after a grooming.  You’ll notice that her hair appears like it didn’t grow that much (the length is just a "little" longer at 1 year than it was at the very beginning of her loc journey).  Actually you can definitely see how the coils have drawn up, condensed, expanded and transitioned into short locks.  On the average, it takes about 10 -18 months for the coils to transition to this point - it’ll take closer to 2 years for those of you who have the smoother and straighter hair textures.

Click on any photo  below to enlarge and more times for extreme close ups and detail.  Read and view below to see how Shannon’s locs have come into their own!

This month (November 2009) represents Shannon’s 2 year loc anniversary.  I took the photos below after her grooming session two weeks ago.  Shannon (opting for the healthiest locks possible) has not colored her hair again.  I want you to notice how the hair compresses so much that there is only a little color on the tips left. (Shannon’s locks have never been cut or trimmed).   

The stage that Shannon is in right now is considered the "Falling Off The Shelf" stage.  It will seem like her locks are growing very rapidly and she will notice significant length each year from here on out.  I groom Shannon’s locks every 6-8 weeks and and we both maintain them with the Healthylocks Daily Conditioning Mist and the Soul Purpose body balms.  These products keeps her locks soft and pliable and helps her to maintain a light and natural sheen.

Congratulations Shannon!  Your locks are absolutely FAB-U-LOUS!

The photos speak for themselves.  Just hover over the picture to access the controls…Enjoy!

 

 

Installing New Sisterlocks - A Video Journey

Hey Gang…Great Video Below!

I’m going to enjoy sharing this post with you.  You’re about to meet one of my newest Sisterlocks client, Felecia.  Felecia, a very attractive woman, has been plagued with pre-mature graying of her hair since she could remember.  Because of it, the people who don’t know her assume that she is much older than she actually is.  And when going to a salon to get her hair done, they would always give her, “old fashion” styles.  Felecia shared with me that she has always permed and dyed her hair and was a very regular customer at the traditional beauty salons.  So like most of us prior to locking, Felecia had a regular routine of perming and coloring her hair, which translates into many hours in the salon, dry damaged hair and lots of money spent on a style that’s only going to last until the next humid or rainy day.  Permanent black dye was the only dye that would give complete coverage of her gray, but as her gray hair grew in, Felecia says that within a week and a half, you could see the conspicuous line of demarcation, which was literally “white going to black”.    Felecia, who works in a professional office atmosphere and who is very active in her church, chuckles as she recalls how her hair looked and was perceived when she was not only growing out her perm, but also growing out of her black dye.  She literally had black hair on top of a halo of white new growth, which she confidently wore in a straight afro. (Interesting.  I wish I had a picture of that.)  Also, as we get older, we desire to take better care of ourselves and Felecia realized that all of that chemical processing so often, needed to stop.

  It’s funny when sisters decide that they’ve finally had enough hair drama.  For most of us, once you decide to go natural, you become very determined about your hair and how you will deal with “non-naturals”.  People closest to you can’t understand for the life of them why anyone would come out in public with their hair like this…

 

I have to give it to Felecia.  She did her homework and actually interviewed two Sisterlocks consultants before finding me on YouTube.  On the day of her consultation, she rang my door bell, and as I opened the front door, I was greeted by THREE people -  Felecia and her two adult, natural-haired daughters.  The younger of the two had natural twists, which she maintained herself and she was just as excited as her mother.  The older one, however, who was more guarded and serious, had a head full of beautiful thick traditional locs that cascaded down her back.  She had been growing them for over 8 years.  During the actual consultation that lasted approximately 3 hours, they peppered me with lots of great questions in between the many questions that I had for Felecia along with watching videos, viewing pictures and asking her about her current hair regimen and her lifestyle. 

By the end of the consultation, everyone was relaxed and confident that they had received thorough and accurate info about locked hair and Sisterlocks.  It was during this time that I turned to the eldest daughter, smiled and asked, “Did I pass your test?”  They all chuckled and agreed that I knew my craft and admitted they wanted to make sure that Felecia (their mother) wasn’t going to be talked into anything and that the person installing her Sisterlocks knew what she was doing – we’ve all heard of the horror stories. 

That was funny to me and I occasionally tease Felecia how she came to her consultation with her “posse” and “both barrels loaded”.  But at the same time, I had to convey and re-iterate to Felecia that her locking process would definitely be challenging because of the smooth and straight texture of her hair.  She would probably experience a lot of slippage, plus she still had a few inches on top that were permed that she wasn’t ready to get rid of.  All my experience with gray hair confirms that gray hair has a mind of its own and will almost always work itself outside of the loc.  So I really wanted to prepare her for whatever technique she chose for locking.  Her process would be a lot longer.  Felecia’s hair won’t even resemble locs until close to 2 years in.  It will look more like a bushy afro until then.

 I will continue to document Felecia’s journey, so visit often.  I love the challenging heads.  You learn a lot from them.  Enjoy the video and wishing everyone a great hair day! 

After you watch this video, check out Felecia’s updated video and see what her Sisterlocks look like after 4 1/2 months!

 

 

                   

 

Curling & Styling Your Dreadlocks Sisterlocks & Locs w/Pipe Cleaners To Create Gorgeous “SpringLocks”

Hey Gang…Just a quick post to let you know that I’m just days away from officially launching  the SpringLocks instructional video!  Look up above and click on the tab for "Instructional Videos".  I put up a short page  and a great video.  Go check it out now and please "TWEET" and share with your friends.   Enjoy the mini gallery of my SpringLocks above.  Have a great weekend!  Click on each picture to make it larger. Click again to go even larger and one more time for EXTREME  details!  Click on the back button a few times to get back to this page.  Enjoy! Phyllis NEWS FLASH!!!!!!   The Springlocks Instructional Video Is Ready For Shipping.  Get Your Copy TODAY!!!   Click  this link to go directly to the page.  http://videolocktician.com/instructional-videos

Tiny Cobra Loc Jewelry For Your SisterLocks

This is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry for my locs.  I just wanted to give you an upclose view of it’s intricacy.  This design is hand made especially for the Sisterlocks.  It’s called the "Tiny Cobra" and is available for order.  Check out the video.  

Conditioning Sisterlocks/Locs With the Soul Purpose Shea Body Balm

Hey Gang!

This video is #3 of the 3 part series on shampooing and conditioning long locks, dreadlocks and natural hair.  If you’re doing any type of clarifying shampoo first, you will be thoroughly washing away all of your natural oils.  Well, those oils will need to be replaced.  Now the natural oil that your scalp produces (sebum) will work to help condition the hair closest to the scalp, but if you have any length to your locks or if your locks are color-treated, the rest of you locks will become very dry over time.  Since I and my clients have always “dry conditioned” our locks and use lock-friendly products, dryness is not really an issue.  Healthy locks are clean, supple and have a naturally soft sheen when well moisturized. 

As always, if you’re currently using products that you absolutely love and are working for you, then by all means continue to use them.  But if dryness continues to be an issue for you, then try a few of the Soul Purpose products along with the Healthylocks Conditioning Mist.  I highly recommend them.  Enjoy the video!

Have A Great Hair Day!
Phyllis Johnson
Your Video Locktician

Lisa’s Sisterlocks Video Reveals Benefits of Parting, Grooming and Retightening Techniques - 600 Locs On One Head!

Hey Gang,

Let me introduce you to “Lisa”.  Lisa has been a client of mine for the past 7 months.  I first met Lisa at one of my natural hair seminars that she attended with her aunt.  Although her aunt immediately became one of my loyal and appreciated clients, Lisa however, waited to begin her lock journey for 2 more years!  So I knew she was ready when she came to me for her Sisterlocks.  Lisa’s hair texture was very soft, wavy, and dense, and it produced a head full of endless beautiful natural coils.  It was 3-4 inches on top and almost 3 inches on the sides and back. 

Lisa is one of those “perfect clients”.  She was very dilligent with her hair care in between retightening sessions.  We had one set back though.  During a shampoo, she accidentally grabbed a moisturing shampoo and  most of her locks became extremely loose and many unraveled completely.  What normally would’ve taken me 3 hours to complete her grooming, took me almost 6 hours! 

Because of the softness and looser curl pattern of Lisa’s natural texture, she was on a “shorter” re-tightening schedule until her locks settled.  She’s currently on a 4 week schedule and the goal is 6 weeks.

Although 7 months has passed, Lisa’s hair has not begun to lock yet.  They are more settled though, and make for a great transitional style while waiting for her hair to lock.  I don’t encourage any additional styling or manipulation.  This is hair that you can just tousle and go!  Lisa absolutely loves her Sisterlocks and cares for them meticulously in between her visits with me…and it shows!

This was a spur of the minute video.  Lisa is one of those clients that I thought would never be open to sharing on video.  I asked, and to my surprise, she said, yes!  The lighting wasn’t all that great and the video has an orange hue, but the the content is amazing!  I’m forever grateful to Lisa for allowing me to document this part of her Sisterlocks journey and sharing with all of you!  Enjoy!  Thanks Lisa!

MamaSita Twists Promo Video -”Sexy” Part 3 of 4

Two quick and easy sexy styles.

How To CurlStyle Sisterlocks / Dreadlocks - “Unraveled” Part 2 of 4

Hey HealthyLockers!

Make sure you view these videos in order. ..So start with Part 1

This twisting technique creates an abundance of volume and curls that will last over two weeks!  Check it out!  Then click over to the information page and discover  how you can learn this interesting technique and turn heads where ever you go.

MamaSita Twists Promo Series - “Twists & Knots” Part 1 of 4

Hey HealthyLockers! Here’s the first video in the series of 4 showing the results of the MamaSita Twists. Just a little history…I have Sister Locks (over 400) and they’ve been in since May of 2000. I’ve always done basic styling, much of which you will see throughout this blog, and I’ve always adorned my locks. My lock jewelry, which I hand make myself has been in my hair for years.

I have so much to share with you, but let’s get on to the videos! Click on the picture below. Enjoy! Have A Great Hair Day!