Below are loc jewelries I have made for myself. I'm not perfect yet, and I do need some more practice before I open my own store (details to be announce later) but below are the ones that I thought look decent enough to share and wear. If you want to learn how to make a simple loc jewelry, click here. If you are interested in making loc ties, click here. If you are curious about my hair and how I got it like that, click here.

If you enjoy making stuff, then this is something that you can make for your locks that is quick and easy. The cost up front may be a lot for some or very little for others. Even though this post is focusing on loc jewelry for sisterlocks, this tutorial can be used for any size locks. You just have to pay attention the sizing of every material you used.


Material Needed
Crochet Needle(s)
Needle Nose Pliers ( Wire Cutters)
Copper Wire 20-22 Gauge

I saw The Natural Me handband on a fellow sisterlocker and I instantly fell in love. I love laying my sisterlocks on one side, and this handband made it so easy, yet at the same time, it made me look cute and chic. I had a really hard time choosing a color, since the cost wasn't cheap, at a total of $16.98 (for the different color version). So I choose the ones that had the most vibrant colors and wring it. Below are the pictures of how I rock this headband the first time (went to the GYM).






It held up pretty nicely at the GYM but toward the end though, I had to tuck the sisterlocks from the left side in, since they were getting in my way. My sisterlocks are honestly too long for me to wear it this way (super straight), so when I wear this next time, I will do it with my spiral curls. I will never understand how people can get all made up at the GYM -_-. I release a quick review on this headband here, so check it out.

 If you looking for a cheaper version of this headband, you welcome to check Amazon and search for the yoga headbands.

The Natural Me headband makes me feel so Africanish (<-- that is not a word lol) and I did received some compliments when I wore it. If you are interest in this product, go ahead and visit here. Below is the very quick review of this headband.

Claim
Operated supplier of quality products, specifically formulated for moisturizing and cleansing hair and skin. We are proud to say our products are 100% all natural, and are a safer alternative to the hundreds of products containing chemicals and other artificial and synthetic ingredients which can be harmful to the body.

Like
- One-Size-Fits-All
- Made of 100% Cotton
- Quality was good.
- Fast Delivery

Dislike
- Expensive*
- Very Tight (Hopefully it will loosen with wear)

I note it as expensive (just for the people that are price conscious) but the quality of this product is nice, so if it last long, then it would be worth the price. This product also looks like it was handmade, so the fact that it looks slightly different from the picture was apparent. I couldn't put that finding in the "dislike" section, since they did make it clear that the colors will vary from the cart picture. If you really like this headband, but don't want to spend the money, you welcome to check out yoga headband on Amazon which is much cheaper (I can't vouch for the quality though). You can see how I wore it for the first time here.

When I got this, my main goal for this product is to use it for my sides, and maybe a little in the middle to give a thicker appearance. My goal was achieve, but it really hard to show the improvement since the light condition affect how the improvement is seen via pictures. So even though I'm showing the before and after photos in a different light condition, please believe me when I say there was an improvement in overall appearance of my sides, and the goal was achieved. Below is the final review of Caboki as a hair loss concealer.

Claims
Caboki is not what you think it is. It is neither paint-like nor shoe polish-like hair product invented in the 80s (of last century). It is like nothing you have used before. Caboki is a breakthrough product for hair loss sufferers that Instantly eliminates bald spots or appearance of thinning hair. Gives you a perfectly natural look. No one will know you're using Caboki unless you tell them - even if they get a close up view, outdoor, under bright sun light. Last all day, all night, through wind, rain and sweat. Will not smear or stain your skin or clothing. Works for both men and women. Unlike similar products on the mass market, Caboki is a professional grade product- Made of natural fibers from plants, safe even for sensitive scalp. Bonds to hair more securely, does not require specially-made spray to glue fibers to your hair. Free of animal ingredients, synthetic dyes, fillers and preservatives.

Like
- Great concealer for thin spot
- Easy to apply
- Easy to wash
- Love how natural it looks
- No scent
- 100% Natural
- Comes in range of colors

Dislike
- Not a permanent solution
- Rubs off easily
- Have to avoid wearing light color clothes
- Expensive as heck
- Application time
- Can be very messy

Product Photo
The appearance of the product looks really nice, and the holes on the top help with the spreading of the product on your trouble spots.




Below is the Comparison
Like I was explaining above, the before and after is hard to show with the same lightening condition, but you can get a rough idea on the improvement below. I used very little, and the coverage was decent. Don't expect a miracle though, just an improvement in the over-all look of your thin spots.

Before - With Flash

After - With Flash
Different Lighting Condition
This where you can see the actual improvement.



This product hands down beat the black spray I use to use back in the days to cover up my fading sides while I was wearing my up-do styles with weaves. You think back then, when I was losing my sides due to weaves, braids, etc., I would have stop, but no I used to use a black hair spray to cover up my non existing sides. For the black woman out there that is trying to fit in to the norm of standard beauty, stop now while you can, it so not worth it.

I really like this product; it does a decent job of blending in and doesn't look fake. They are some downside of this product though, if you touch it, it will come on your hands every time. So it is not a semi-permanent solution, and I don't like the fact that I have to worry about people touching my hair, and them seeing the residue on their hands. Now I know you thinking that people shouldn't be touching your hair, but it not a just curiosity with whites or other race, blacks are doing it as well, and it annoying, but it can't be helped, so you have to brace yourself for it as your sisterlocks gets longer. Still... it does a decent job at covering up the thin stops, and I can't help but appreciate that fact and recommend it for ladies who are too embarrassed to wear their own hair up due to their thin sides.

I plan on using this only for up-do styles when I'm going out (special events), and when I want my sisterlocks looking the best it can be. It washes out easily which is a plus in my book. If you looking for cheaper version to test it out, you can try Toppik and HairUBuild. Don't know how long they will offer it, but you can also try the Coboki sample off their site like I did.

Thinning locks is not normal, and it really doesn't matter if you have sisterlocks or dreadlocks. Below I will explain in detail what is normal, and what is not normal when losing locks, since I have both healthy locks and unhealthy locks due to health issue.

Snapping or Breaking Locks = Normal

When locks snap off, it could be due to many reasons. One main reason is stress on the locks itself. Dreadlocks and Sisterlocks are not immune to breakages, so don't think just because your hair is locked, it won't ever break. If you put extreme pressure on your locks, you will cause damage, which will cause breakages. I know we like to be creative when we do the cornrow style, color jobs, etc., but remember after a while, you too will cause damage to your locks, especially if you do them constantly (especially for sisterlocks). There are no guarantees with locks, unless you are extremely careful, and don't do any type of styling what so ever. You will always have at least one lock or two snap at some point, and that is just how life is when you are locked.

Note: I had one of my lock snapped off at the end, while being caught on my purse strap. So I was really upset about it, but that episode brought to my attention that my sisterlocks are indeed getting longer, and I need to pay more attention now.

Thinning Hair & Thinning Locks = Not Normal

If you hair is breaking or thinning at the scalp, that it NOT normal. I don't care if it's at the temple, the back, or the middle. You hair should not be thinning out at the scalp. Of course, if your hair is thinning at the scalp, it will cause your lock to start thinning out, which will cause it to become unstable and hence the breakage. The cause of the thinning can vary from person to person, but the most common reason are age related, alopecia, and postpartum. Those three reason are usually the main reason why lock wearer start to notice their lock are starting to thin, which lead to breakage.

So thinning vs. snapping (breaking) are completely two different things. Snapping or breaking locks can be a normal occurrence, if you are rough with your locks. Thinning on the other hand, is not normal and usually happens at the root or scalp, while the snapping or breaking can happen at any point on the lock itself (example at the end or middle of the lock).

If your hair is thinning at the scalp, I suggest getting some help. I for one struggle with thinning hair, and I'm glad I was able to get some help and the knowledge to combat my issue, and you will be happy to get some solution to yours. Once you find out what causing your hair thinning, do some research to see what you can do the ease the problem. If you happen to just have a baby, know that thinning may just be a temporary thing, and eventually it will stop, and your hair will grow back. Below are an example of thinning hair at the scalp/root.

Thinning Locks = Not Normal
Below is an example of hair thinning which is not normal. The first picture is how the lock started off which was thicker, and healthier.

Above is a healthy looking locks from the root to the end. These locks are nice, thick, and just healthy from the bottom up. Hope this post help you understand what is normal, and what is not normal with locks breaking, snapping, or thinning.

This post will talk about the different between Certified vs. Trainee when considering Sisterlocks. The "other" is a extra information but still note worthy to share. When looking for someone to install your locks, you have two main choices, and that is the certified list vs. the trainee list on sisterlock.com. Below I will explain the cons as well as the pros of going with either choice. Note: They are also R-Certified Consultants that are higher than the Certified Consultant, but that just means that they are consultant who can also train individual on how to retighten their own sisterlocks.

Certified Consultant
They are required to take the 4-Day course on how to install & maintain sisterlocks. To become certified, they have to complete a certain amount of install (submit documentation on 3 qualifying clients minus children and relatives) and pay extra fee to hold the certification. Certified Consultants are then register for 2 years and must submit 1 client photo with documentation they have maintained the client for a year. The great thing about "Most" certified consultants is that they take being a sisterlocks consultant very seriously, because they chose to pay the extra fee to become certified, as well as being committed to their works. They also tend to be much faster, as well as being very experience in what they do. Due to the fact that a certified consultants has a lot of experience, the person that will benefit the most from them is someone that has looser curl pattern, because they are able to detect and figure out issues faster and fix any issue that may arise from that particular hair type.

Now just because a consultant is certified, doesn't mean they are always good, or that they are the best option for you. Most certified consultant are likely to be more expensive, and have a long list of client, which makes them harder to get a hold of or have appointment set in the spar of the moment. Also some certified consultant are known for developing some very bad habits as well as being less patience when dealing with new clients.

Pro: Tend to be very fast with lots of experience.
Con: Price per market (can be very expensive). They tend to be difficult to get a hold of. Can become very arrogant and sometime do not follow the sisterlocks guideline.

Trainee (Sisterlocks Practitioner)
They are required to take the 4-Day course on how to install sisterlocks & maintain sisterlocks. Now below I list the common cons, but a lot of trainee can have as much as experience as a Certified Consultant, so just because they are listed as trainees does not mean they don't have any experience nor does it mean they are slow. That is why I always recommend seeing not only a certified consultant but a trainee as well. Look at their works and don't just focus on the certification.

Trainees remain on the register for two years and can either go the route of certification or retake the refresher course to remain active on the registry on sisterlocks.com. After the 2 years have expired,  the trainee is placed in the category of inactive status (removed from site). A lot of trainee come from a hair background (whether is braiding or installing traditional locks), and they tend to follow the lower price end because they want to attract more clients. Just because they a cheaper, doesn't mean they are not good, they too had to complete the same training as the certified consultant.

Pro: Can be an inexpensive way to start sisterlocks. Tend to be eager and very friendly.
Con: Can be very slow and have little experience.

Other: The "other" are former Certified/Trainee Consultant that has experience, but chose NOT to be re-certified or is not current with Sisterlocks.com. I have to list this here because these consultant are still consultant (if they have the Sisterlocks tools etc.), and can still provide "good" sisterlocks service. They sometime are relative cheaper, and have the experience of a certified consultant (the best of both worlds). Normally the "others" base their business solely on word of mouth and can be verified if you call the main home office. You have to be very careful when you go with this option though (since they are fakers out there). Another note you have to consider is if you have an issue with these consultants, you may not get the support you want from the main office, since they are not on listed on the site. If you do decide to go with the "other" option, I would make sure they have the skill sets and the tools to install your sisterlocks correctly.

Whatever you decide, please go with your gut instinct. If something is not right or they refuse to answer your questions, move on to the next consultant on your list (and please make sure you have a list). Sophia did a great post on how to pick a consultant so check it out here.

Updated 10/16/2013: To included additional information from nokidding sisterlocks! =).

© Gavin Hellier

On the right you will notice a beautiful woman from the eastern side of the Omo Valley in Southern Ethiopia. They are called Hamer, and they have wonderful looking locks that are usually coated with ochre mud and animal fat. It is not unusual to see a man braiding another man's hair. These people are well known for they colored tresses known as "goscha", which is a sign of health and welfare in their tribe.

They cultivate wild honey, sorghum, vegetables, millet, tobacco and cotton as well as rearing cattle and goats. They will stay for a few months wherever there is enough grass for grazing, putting up their round huts. Their huts are constructed with flexible poles set in the ground in a circular pattern. The structures are then covered with thatch during the dry season and canvas mats during the rainy season. When the land is exhausted or overwhelmed by weeds, they will move on to new pasture grounds.

Before a man can be declared a man or get married, he must pass a test the westerner called "the bull jumping ceremony" which is basically the man running over the back of castrated male cattle four times. These cattle are always held by young men, and since these cattle are castrated, the risks are very minimal. Even when the men do pass the test of manhood, they don't automatically get married, since the price to get married is very high. So usually you see many woman married to men that are quite older than them.

Though these tribe used to be isolated form the world, these pastoral warrior tribe are being increasing open to tourists, which can prove fetal to their ago-old traditions by bringing to much exposed to the westerner way of life.


© Marcello Scotti - All rights reserved


© Marcello Scotti - All rights reserved

 ©Michael Poliza







If sisterlocks weren't around, I would have been very tempted to get something very similar to this style minus the mud and animal fat ^_-. This post is leading to a super helpful post in the future, so please keep a look out.