consultants

Hindsight is 20/20 and I made many mistakes with my sisterlocks early on (and blogged most of them). Here is a list of advice based on the Top 5 loc mistakes we make in the early years:

1. I didn't push for more information and explanation.

Because I was not afraid to test the waters, I soon discovered all consultants aren't created equal and overtime learned how much I either did not know about my hair or was completely wrong about! This maybe a by product of the Sisterlock business model, but there wasn't enough transparency about sisterlocks.   The Sisterlocks.com website was (and kind of remains) a bit archaic and insufficient. Sisterlock and microlock bloggers were inconsistent and often went inactive.

An acquaintance of mine paid a fist to go through the consultant training, and that is what it took for her to fully understand her sisterlocks. She had no intention of becoming a stylist but she wanted full ownership of her locs and she was tired of feeling handicapped
by her consultant. I can't tell how many times consultants made side comments about my locs that they did not even attempt to clarify. All the cloak and dagger secrecy forces you to make assumptions.

Top 5 Newbie Sisterlocks Mistakes

Hindsight is 20/20 and I made many mistakes with my sisterlocks early on (and blogged most of them). Here is a list of advice based on the Top 5 loc mistakes we make in the early years:

1. I didn't push for more information and explanation.

Because I was not afraid to test the waters, I soon discovered all consultants aren't created equal and overtime learned how much I either did not know about my hair or was completely wrong about! This maybe a by product of the Sisterlock business model, but there wasn't enough transparency about sisterlocks.   The Sisterlocks.com website was (and kind of remains) a bit archaic and insufficient. Sisterlock and microlock bloggers were inconsistent and often went inactive.

An acquaintance of mine paid a fist to go through the consultant training, and that is what it took for her to fully understand her sisterlocks. She had no intention of becoming a stylist but she wanted full ownership of her locs and she was tired of feeling handicapped
by her consultant. I can't tell how many times consultants made side comments about my locs that they did not even attempt to clarify. All the cloak and dagger secrecy forces you to make assumptions.

Read more
A vast majority of sisterlock "consultants" suck! I need to say it. Very few of them , very few care about healthy hair care and even fewer EARN their hourly wage. Let's consider this, there are people with PhD's, teachers, missionaries, Pastors, emergency workers and health care professionals that do not make the 35, 45, 55 dollars an hour that these individuals want to secretly re-ti your hair.
consult

I believe in natural hair for a number of reason including the freedom that it is to control what is put into and what is done with my hair. I went natural because I love who I am in my natural state. There are certain aspects of sisterlocks that is so stressful and frustrating.

Consultants are gouging, they are abusing the trademark and they are over charging for what you are getting in return. I will gladly pay a consultant her asking price, if I am receiving a product of equal quality. But some of these consultants want a rate of pay that, in my opinion, they have not earned.  Some are, quite frankly, delusional about their abilities. They have NOT earned it in quality. They have NOT earned it in expertise. They have NOT earned it in the way in which they deal with and educate their clients.

The end of my rant, I am sorry for this brief moment of ugliness. I am tired of getting the same emails and questions from other sisterlockers trying to overcome the "consultant" obstacle.

A Vast Majority of Sisterlock Consultants Suck
A vast majority of sisterlock "consultants" suck! I need to say it. Very few of them , very few care about healthy hair care and even fewer EARN their hourly wage. Let's consider this, there are people with PhD's, teachers, missionaries, Pastors, emergency workers and health care professionals that do not make the 35, 45, 55 dollars an hour that these individuals want to secretly re-ti your hair.
consult

I believe in natural hair for a number of reason including the freedom that it is to control what is put into and what is done with my hair. I went natural because I love who I am in my natural state. There are certain aspects of sisterlocks that is so stressful and frustrating.

Consultants are gouging, they are abusing the trademark and they are over charging for what you are getting in return. I will gladly pay a consultant her asking price, if I am receiving a product of equal quality. But some of these consultants want a rate of pay that, in my opinion, they have not earned.  Some are, quite frankly, delusional about their abilities. They have NOT earned it in quality. They have NOT earned it in expertise. They have NOT earned it in the way in which they deal with and educate their clients.

The end of my rant, I am sorry for this brief moment of ugliness. I am tired of getting the same emails and questions from other sisterlockers trying to overcome the "consultant" obstacle.
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My family is trying some new products from a company I was recently introduced to, OBI Natural Hair Care. My sister and daughter have been testing their curl enhancing custard and curl moisture cream but I think their curl hydration spray might be perfect for everyday use on my sisterlocks. I don't like to try new products on dirty hair, because you don't get to see the full results. So I'm waiting until the deep hair cleansing I have planned this weekend to try OBI out.
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Fun New Happenings: New Products, Gardening and New Consultant
My family is trying some new products from a company I was recently introduced to, OBI Natural Hair Care. My sister and daughter have been testing their curl enhancing custard and curl moisture cream but I think their curl hydration spray might be perfect for everyday use on my sisterlocks. I don't like to try new products on dirty hair, because you don't get to see the full results. So I'm waiting until the deep hair cleansing I have planned this weekend to try OBI out.
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New Growth

1st 3-Pattern Rotation
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A Retightened Lock in 3 Pictures
New Growth

1st 3-Pattern Rotation
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Correct me if I'm wrong, it is a great way to learn.

In my previous post, "Everything She Dislikes, I Love About My Hair", I may have unintentionally been discouraging about 4 Pattern Sisterlocks. One reader, who has very lovely long mature 4 pattern locs, has a fullness that I can only dream of at that length. So 3 pattern Sisterlocks are not the only path to a desired look nor will it yield the same results for everyone. Those test Sisterlocks are so important because our various hair textures will react differently to each pattern. That consultant I tested out felt differently and meant well but I don't want an air tight Loc nor do I desire a heavy handy method to achieve said Loc.

Also, I still need to take the sisterlock class. I will take the full consultant class and install my sister's locks. Don't get me wrong, the plan is still to have others do my hair from time to time but I'm a mother of 2, with a demanding career and a hot husband. So my time is more than just money. I need more flexibility and freedom than most. So for now I'm using the (DIY cliche) YouTube and blog taught method until October.

Sisterlock Patterns Comment Corrections
Correct me if I'm wrong, it is a great way to learn.

In my previous post, "Everything She Dislikes, I Love About My Hair", I may have unintentionally been discouraging about 4 Pattern Sisterlocks. One reader, who has very lovely long mature 4 pattern locs, has a fullness that I can only dream of at that length. So 3 pattern Sisterlocks are not the only path to a desired look nor will it yield the same results for everyone. Those test Sisterlocks are so important because our various hair textures will react differently to each pattern. That consultant I tested out felt differently and meant well but I don't want an air tight Loc nor do I desire a heavy handy method to achieve said Loc.

Also, I still need to take the sisterlock class. I will take the full consultant class and install my sister's locks. Don't get me wrong, the plan is still to have others do my hair from time to time but I'm a mother of 2, with a demanding career and a hot husband. So my time is more than just money. I need more flexibility and freedom than most. So for now I'm using the (DIY cliche) YouTube and blog taught method until October.

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Because of recent schedule conflict issues and out of an act of desperation, I tried a new consultant. She was very forth coming and meant well but most of the "issues" she had with my hair, I've always felt were strengths:

The locks in the front are too small. It takes a GREAT DEAL of TLC to re-ti my front locks. And post-pregnancy hormones and heavy handed consultants have not helped. But this woman had a mouthful to say about my front mico-locks (some are like 1/16th of an inch) and it was mostly negative. She was so flustered by them. But small locks = fullness. Which I need at the top.

Your hair is too frizzy. Let me scream it from roof tops... I LOVE MY BIG POOFY 3 PATTERN SISTERLOCKS! Love them  and though I can appreciate that 4 Pattern on others, I would hate them on myself. 3 Pattern is for fine hair and gives more volume.

The more scalp the better. Maybe some like that scalpy look after a fresh retightening but I prefer my hair a few weeks after, when it is full.

She meant well and I am sure she is a 4 pattern master, but she had issues starting locs for my shorter new growth areas, ones I was able to create myself and others have been done for me at similar lengths. She did show me the sisterlock tool for the first time and I've been locked 2 years. She was very forth coming with guidance and information and more personable than most consultants. She had tons of compliments on the general beauty and softness of my hair (thanks Kiss My Face shampoo and conditioner). But she has a heavy touch and my hair is so tight that I will have hair that pops after every visit with her if I stay. And it took her 4 hours to do a fourth of my hair when Mofe at Nubian Knots does my whole head in 2.5 hours. She will not be a good fit for me.

I do have some crazy nasty bunching and some locks that hang on to a few strands at times because of post-pregnancy hormones and a toddler who has attempted to pull out locks on more than one occasion. My grid is all kind of hellacious but I LOVE MY HAIR!

I will finish my hair with my trusty home-made tool since my nappyloc went down the drain and will be making an August appointment with Mofe.

Sources
MyDreadLockJourney, Kreyola, NaturallyUniqueSisterlocks, RetighteningMyOwnSisterlocks

Everything She Dislikes, I love About my Hair

Because of recent schedule conflict issues and out of an act of desperation, I tried a new consultant. She was very forth coming and meant well but most of the "issues" she had with my hair, I've always felt were strengths:

The locks in the front are too small. It takes a GREAT DEAL of TLC to re-ti my front locks. And post-pregnancy hormones and heavy handed consultants have not helped. But this woman had a mouthful to say about my front mico-locks (some are like 1/16th of an inch) and it was mostly negative. She was so flustered by them. But small locks = fullness. Which I need at the top.

Your hair is too frizzy. Let me scream it from roof tops... I LOVE MY BIG POOFY 3 PATTERN SISTERLOCKS! Love them  and though I can appreciate that 4 Pattern on others, I would hate them on myself. 3 Pattern is for fine hair and gives more volume.

The more scalp the better. Maybe some like that scalpy look after a fresh retightening but I prefer my hair a few weeks after, when it is full.

She meant well and I am sure she is a 4 pattern master, but she had issues starting locs for my shorter new growth areas, ones I was able to create myself and others have been done for me at similar lengths. She did show me the sisterlock tool for the first time and I've been locked 2 years. She was very forth coming with guidance and information and more personable than most consultants. She had tons of compliments on the general beauty and softness of my hair (thanks Kiss My Face shampoo and conditioner). But she has a heavy touch and my hair is so tight that I will have hair that pops after every visit with her if I stay. And it took her 4 hours to do a fourth of my hair when Mofe at Nubian Knots does my whole head in 2.5 hours. She will not be a good fit for me.

I do have some crazy nasty bunching and some locks that hang on to a few strands at times because of post-pregnancy hormones and a toddler who has attempted to pull out locks on more than one occasion. My grid is all kind of hellacious but I LOVE MY HAIR!

I will finish my hair with my trusty home-made tool since my nappyloc went down the drain and will be making an August appointment with Mofe.

Sources
MyDreadLockJourney, Kreyola, NaturallyUniqueSisterlocks, RetighteningMyOwnSisterlocks
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I tried a new consultant today and I'll be sticking with my current consultant. She meant well but could not start new locs at certain lengths so I started these babies myself. I'll give the whole story later.

My poor nappy Loc tool fell down the drain so I have to make one today.

Seems my grid is ganked and my 3 pattern is too loose for my micro-locs in the front.


Baby Locs

I tried a new consultant today and I'll be sticking with my current consultant. She meant well but could not start new locs at certain lengths so I started these babies myself. I'll give the whole story later.

My poor nappy Loc tool fell down the drain so I have to make one today.

Seems my grid is ganked and my 3 pattern is too loose for my micro-locs in the front.


Read more
Because I missed two appointments with my regular consultant, I decided to try some others in my area with just plain disappointing experiences just trying to schedule an appointment. UGH Now I am 6 weeks past due!

My Biggest pet peeves with SOME sisterlock consultants is that they treat you like they are doing you a FAVOR. Not that you are paying them anywhere from $25-75 per hour for a re-tightening. Some don't return phone calls timely if at all, so many only have availability that conflicts with most working hours. More often than not, I am competing with a dozen other corporate chicks for a Saturday spot. And some are just plain unprofessional. I am not overly serious about my hair but some folks just don't take their side or main gigs so seriously.

That is why I am taking the next sisterlock training class. I need the freedom to start new locs in my hair and other's hair when necessary!

Pet Peeves With Sisterlock Consultants
Because I missed two appointments with my regular consultant, I decided to try some others in my area with just plain disappointing experiences just trying to schedule an appointment. UGH Now I am 6 weeks past due!

My Biggest pet peeves with SOME sisterlock consultants is that they treat you like they are doing you a FAVOR. Not that you are paying them anywhere from $25-75 per hour for a re-tightening. Some don't return phone calls timely if at all, so many only have availability that conflicts with most working hours. More often than not, I am competing with a dozen other corporate chicks for a Saturday spot. And some are just plain unprofessional. I am not overly serious about my hair but some folks just don't take their side or main gigs so seriously.

That is why I am taking the next sisterlock training class. I need the freedom to start new locs in my hair and other's hair when necessary!

Read more
I had another re-tightening this weekend at Nubian Knots. The Locs are great and so is my new position. I went into further detail about making my larger "brotherlock" like sisterlocks smaller. It involves branching off the lock at the root and creating a new lock while maintaining the signature sisterlock grid.

21 Months Sisterlocked!

Retightening and Lock Splitting
I had another re-tightening this weekend at Nubian Knots. The Locs are great and so is my new position. I went into further detail about making my larger "brotherlock" like sisterlocks smaller. It involves branching off the lock at the root and creating a new lock while maintaining the signature sisterlock grid.

21 Months Sisterlocked!
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My new consultant has envy worthy sisterlocks and skin. I think it is her vegetarian lifestyle mixed with genetics. She owns Nubian Knots in Tampa, FL. She just installed new locs on a friend of mine this week and will help me reconstruct my sisterlocks and grid. Check out her Facebook business page.


Natural Hair Inspiration: Nubian Knots Owner
My new consultant has envy worthy sisterlocks and skin. I think it is her vegetarian lifestyle mixed with genetics. She owns Nubian Knots in Tampa, FL. She just installed new locs on a friend of mine this week and will help me reconstruct my sisterlocks and grid. Check out her Facebook business page.


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Recently I posted that I was heavily considering cutting off my sisterlocks and starting with a fresh set. I had been maintaining my sisterlocks myself for a few months now because life and family has kept me so busy. After reading everyone's responses and finally getting a re-tightening and advice from a seasoned sisterlock professional, Ive made a decision.

First I want to respond and share some comments and suggestions I've received over the past two weeks:
  • Everyones hair is unique and their sisterlocks will be equally unique. I did not expect my sisterlocks to be exactly like another person's, but I did want a certain size throughout my entire head. The locks in the front are 1/4 the size of those in the back. Sisterlocks are installed in three sizes: small, medium and large, but I did not desire such a dramatic size difference. I've met seasoned sisterlock wearers who had gorgeous sisterlock and brotherlock combos, but I wanted to stay in the small and medium range.
  • Though micro-sisterlocks similar to Kreyola's are very common in the community, they are not without their demands. Some are not willing to maintain them regularly at home and others like myself are more that willing to balance professional re-ti's with at-home care.
  • Throughout any hair journey, you'll have some not so great moments and some second guesses. I think that it is important to remember what you want for your hair and keep true to that reasoning.
  • Part of being a Certified Sisterlock Consultant is agreeing to up hold the standards as dictated by the founders of the technique and network. If your consultant does not uphold these standards and they are registered, you as the consumer have certain rights. If you have issues with your install, address them right away to make sure they are rectified before you have to pay for it.
  • In order to not loose length, I can always comb out my sisterlocks. Depending on the size this could be a monster project and I would loose hair that may have otherwise shed naturally if not for being locked.
  • I was aware of lock merging techniques but I also have the option to also separate the larger locks. Splitting my locks will be laborious to say the least, but instead of paying an additional $500+ for a new set I can just see a consultant a bit more frequently. Then slowly but surely I can get the size locks I desire that will also fit perfectly into my present grid.
  • (Later Update) Give it some time. A few years into my loc journey, I stopped obsessing over the little things and I fell deeply in love with my imperfect locs. 


What To Do When You Are Unhappy With Your Sisterlocks


Recently I posted that I was heavily considering cutting off my sisterlocks and starting with a fresh set. I had been maintaining my sisterlocks myself for a few months now because life and family has kept me so busy. After reading everyone's responses and finally getting a re-tightening and advice from a seasoned sisterlock professional, Ive made a decision.

First I want to respond and share some comments and suggestions I've received over the past two weeks:
  • Everyones hair is unique and their sisterlocks will be equally unique. I did not expect my sisterlocks to be exactly like another person's, but I did want a certain size throughout my entire head. The locks in the front are 1/4 the size of those in the back. Sisterlocks are installed in three sizes: small, medium and large, but I did not desire such a dramatic size difference. I've met seasoned sisterlock wearers who had gorgeous sisterlock and brotherlock combos, but I wanted to stay in the small and medium range.
  • Though micro-sisterlocks similar to Kreyola's are very common in the community, they are not without their demands. Some are not willing to maintain them regularly at home and others like myself are more that willing to balance professional re-ti's with at-home care.
  • Throughout any hair journey, you'll have some not so great moments and some second guesses. I think that it is important to remember what you want for your hair and keep true to that reasoning.
  • Part of being a Certified Sisterlock Consultant is agreeing to up hold the standards as dictated by the founders of the technique and network. If your consultant does not uphold these standards and they are registered, you as the consumer have certain rights. If you have issues with your install, address them right away to make sure they are rectified before you have to pay for it.
  • In order to not loose length, I can always comb out my sisterlocks. Depending on the size this could be a monster project and I would loose hair that may have otherwise shed naturally if not for being locked.
  • I was aware of lock merging techniques but I also have the option to also separate the larger locks. Splitting my locks will be laborious to say the least, but instead of paying an additional $500+ for a new set I can just see a consultant a bit more frequently. Then slowly but surely I can get the size locks I desire that will also fit perfectly into my present grid.
  • (Later Update) Give it some time. A few years into my loc journey, I stopped obsessing over the little things and I fell deeply in love with my imperfect locs. 


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Last week, in preparation for a job interview, I went to a consultant and had my sisterlocks groomed. My locs were extremely thick and fuzzy at the ends and slim and neat at the root. After taking a week and a half to re-tighten my own sisterlocks, I went in for some additional maintenance. She went up the length of the locs with some scissors and rid me of a great deal of extra fuzziness.

I definetely noticed a big difference. My locs looked much more streamlined and presentable after. I let my hair go a bit after the addition of our newest child a few weeks ago. Now, I look professional and ready to impress and network.



Groomed Sisterlocks

Last week, in preparation for a job interview, I went to a consultant and had my sisterlocks groomed. My locs were extremely thick and fuzzy at the ends and slim and neat at the root. After taking a week and a half to re-tighten my own sisterlocks, I went in for some additional maintenance. She went up the length of the locs with some scissors and rid me of a great deal of extra fuzziness.

I definetely noticed a big difference. My locs looked much more streamlined and presentable after. I let my hair go a bit after the addition of our newest child a few weeks ago. Now, I look professional and ready to impress and network.



Read more
The woman that started my sisterlocks is a master braider in addition to a sisterlock consultant and has a booming and booked solid for weeks business.  Because of the aforementioned scenario coupled with a canceled early November appointment, I had an emergency visit to another consultant in order to have extremely well groomed hair for a series of business meetings that I had scheduled for early December.  Much to my dismay, I discovered via this new consultant that my much adored SL consultant may have been jacking up my locks. She kindly informed me that:
  1. I should not be loosing as many locks as I have at my edges
  2. That some of my locks at my perimeter were much too small or thinning
  3. That my parts were loosing their patented SL uniformity
  4. That I was using too many products too soon and should have been getting more guidance
  5. That my hair was a combination of pattern 3 and pattern 4
  6. That she could repair my locks if they were to pop or fall out
That she has had other clients from my first consultant that has had all the issues that I am experiencing, including herself. I was mortified to discover my locks were in such poor shape. I did have some fears about my original consultant because she has such a dramatically receding hair line but I thought that maybe she had a pre-sisterlocking condition. This new consultant has such healthy hair and has been doing SL's for over a decade. I am optimistic going forward about my hair! I WILL NOT LOOSE MY HAIR LINE!

My Consultant Has Been Jacking Up My Hair
The woman that started my sisterlocks is a master braider in addition to a sisterlock consultant and has a booming and booked solid for weeks business.  Because of the aforementioned scenario coupled with a canceled early November appointment, I had an emergency visit to another consultant in order to have extremely well groomed hair for a series of business meetings that I had scheduled for early December.  Much to my dismay, I discovered via this new consultant that my much adored SL consultant may have been jacking up my locks. She kindly informed me that:
  1. I should not be loosing as many locks as I have at my edges
  2. That some of my locks at my perimeter were much too small or thinning
  3. That my parts were loosing their patented SL uniformity
  4. That I was using too many products too soon and should have been getting more guidance
  5. That my hair was a combination of pattern 3 and pattern 4
  6. That she could repair my locks if they were to pop or fall out
That she has had other clients from my first consultant that has had all the issues that I am experiencing, including herself. I was mortified to discover my locks were in such poor shape. I did have some fears about my original consultant because she has such a dramatically receding hair line but I thought that maybe she had a pre-sisterlocking condition. This new consultant has such healthy hair and has been doing SL's for over a decade. I am optimistic going forward about my hair! I WILL NOT LOOSE MY HAIR LINE!
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