Loctician/Loc styling, make-up and fashion styling by Queen Fly-Stone.

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Where do you live?
F: I’m originally from South Florida, but I currently live in New York City. I’m a graphic designer, comedian and video blogger.

Why did you make the decision to go natural?
F: I went natural shortly after I graduated high school in 2002. I had always wanted to go natural but I wasn’t confident enough during my high school years.

Franchesca relaxed

After severely damaging my hairline from perming and dying I decided that I wanted to stop perming but wasn’t sure about the alternatives or how to go natural. Once I went away to college I finally made the decision because I was living in Ann Arbor, Michigan and there wasn’t a black hair salon where I could get a relaxer. The closest black salon was in Detroit and didn’t have a car and also couldn’t afford to travel there and get my hair done.

I started transitioning with two strand twists and cornrows until I got to a point where my natural hair was long enough to rock a twa. I cut all my hair off the summer after my freshman year of college and never looked back!

Why did you decide to lock?
F: I was a huge Lauryn Hill fan in high school (Lauryn where you at?!) and I always thought her hair was beautiful. She really inspired me to get locs. But I didn’t know anything about them, so once I went natural I started doing research online to find out more about the process and see if it was right for me. So after a year of wearing a tiny fro, I decided to make the leap to locs. I started my locs in February of 2004. So my locs are 6 years old this month!

Being natural has had a HUGE affect on my life. Mainly, it’s increased my confidence. My hair was such a burden when it was relaxed — financially and emotionally. I no longer have to stress about my hair looking good (I usually just wear it down or in a ponytail) or worry about spending $60+ every six weeks to get a touch up. Also, because I’ve made a name for myself by video blogging about my hair, I’ve been given an incredible opportunity to inspire other young women to go natural and have confidence in their natural beauty, which is really cool.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
F: I dyed my locs after a year and while I love my natural highlights, I wish I had gone to a professional to have it done. Mainly because some of my locs have thinned where the dye was and I think that was a result of me not completely removing the dye. Other than that, I think I’ve done a pretty good job of maintaining my hair on my own.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
F: I like to keep my roots very neat, so I retwist every 2 -3 weeks. This keeps my hair looking nice and fresh.

What do you use in your hair?
F: I use Jamaican Mango and Lime loc and twist gel, The Jane Carter Solution shea butter moisturizer and Organic Root Stimulator Uplifting shampoo

Can you do a tutorial for one of your favorite styles?

What’s the best thing about being natural?
F: Letting my boyfriend play with my hair and knowing he can’t “mess it up”
Going swimming
Riding with the top down
Walking home in the rain

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
F: Yes! My main youtube channel is http://youtube.com/chescaleigh and I also have a channel just for hair, http://youtube.com/chescalocs . I also have a blog, http://blog.franchesca.net

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Where are you from?
T: I am originally from Memphis, TN. but I currently live in Las Vegas, NV. I am an office manager at a busy public hospital. I also have a non-profit organization called Purple Wings where I mentor adolescent girls and try to deter them from the nightlife of Las Vegas. The sex industry is strong here, and education is not really great in the city of Las Vegas, Nevada. Since girls are our future and the backbone of society it’s important to uplift, encourage, and inspire them to finish school.

Tell us your hair story
T: I started the locking process after attending a Lauryn Hill concert. I remember it so well, I settled down in my seat preparing for an outstanding show… little did I know I would emerge a bit transformed. I felt Lauryn’s power when she walked out onto that stage. She was bold, fierce, and naturally beautiful. I had never really experienced a feeling like that before. I went to the hair salon the very next day, sat in the beauticians chair and demanded that she cut off my chin length bob. She could not understand it…she almost refused to do it until I threatened to do it myself with her scissors. She did it all the while cursing.

I remember my new short do…feeling the breeze on my freshly shorn relaxed locks. I felt so free and powerful. I couldn’t wait to start getting my twists, which I did. My hair was so short the loctician had to struggle to make some twists, lol. I didn’t care….I was ready.

Let me just say that it has been a long, transformational journey. My whole way of thinking changed. I used to be so heavy into making myself beautiful…that I never really saw myself, nor appreciated the natural beauty that I possessed. I remember purchasing a new bag of weave a week, the acrylic nails, and the colored contact lenses. The pang of emptiness I felt, the way I ran to the drugstore to purchase a new relaxer kit every two weeks. Just to make sure my edges were straight, and laying down. I was so busy trying to look beautiful on the outside that I totally forgot about the inside.

So, when I went natural…I went all the way. I stopped eating meat for about two years, I began practicing yoga, and meditation. I wanted to get in touch with myself completely. I wanted to face myself head on…I remember standing in front of a mirror that same day I got my first ultra short hair cut. No makeup, nothing, just me, myself, and I began to cry, because I had forgotten who I was. I cried because I knew deep down, I didn’t like who I was, because of low self-esteem. I cried finally because I was free of all of that.

So, my path to Queendom didn’t come easy, there were days, I wanted to slap the weave in or don a wig. I had to endure a grandmother that called me nappy headed, who stated that NO man would ever want me the way that I looked. I had to endure racial profiling in Georgia because the police officers didn’t know if I was a woman riding down the highway with my other short haired female friends. I had salesmen follow me around the store because I guess I didn’t look right with that super short hair, and I posed some sort of threat to them in their own minds.

Your hair is gorgeous! What is your ‘lock regimen’?
T: Now that I have mature locs the regimen is pretty simple. You see the longer the locs the more in tune you will be with your scalp. My scalp tells me when it is time to shampoo by the sensation of intense tingling or the feeling of itchiness. I usually shampoo and deep condition every 2 ½ weeks. I spray my locs with my own leave in conditioner mixture every morning. I put olive oil, or jojoba oil onto the locs whenever the need. I do not like to use products on my scalp because it causes build-up and it suffocates the scalp. So if I use products, I do so sporadically like a Aloe Vera gel, or loc butter by Carol’s Daughter to palm roll the loc and groom the frizzies.

Have you had any difficulties wearing your hair natural at work?
T: Actually no because of the way I carry myself. You see, I am not timid in my style. I am professionally dressed in the office. My locs are always neat, and clean. I don’t leave any room for naysayers, nor discussion with my hair. I am firm, and to the point when questions are asked about my locs. Only once when I worked for a private bank in corporate was I questioned; and right then and there I handled it. No jokes, no smile, no laughter. I picked up my phone and called Human Resources. I don’t play that. No one will ever make me feel as though something is wrong with my hair.

What mistakes have you made with your hair that you’ve learnt from?
T: Probably the biggest mistake was the use of certain products. Steer clear of anything heavy! No petroleum, nor beeswax, too much buildup. If you do use something heavy make sure to rinse it out completely.

What’s the best/most effective thing you do for your hair?
T: I do Apple Cider rinses once a month, to rid my locs from product buildup. Also, I tie my locs up when I am lounging about, or sleeping at night. I wear some cut off stockings (laughing), because I can’t stand lint in my hair.

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
T: http://ontheroadtoqueendom.blogspot.com/
http://www.youtube.com/user/toshlac

I also have a website; www.toshiashaw.com because I have a novel entitled High Stakes, coming out in April of this year.

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Where are you from?
M: I was born in Florida and raised in Virginia Beach, VA. I currently reside in Atlanta Georgia where I’m pursuing a career as an emcee, singer/songwriter.

When did you go natural?
M: I was seventeen years old when I went natural and now I’m 30 years old. I not only loved the look, I always felt it would fit me! I desired to lock my hair years before I actually did. My older brother gave me some inspiration in this because just before I decided to lock my hair, he wore his hair in braids and I always thought it was dope!

I was so prepared, even my hairstylist was down with the idea. She even did the honors in cutting all the perm out for me!!

What were family and friends’ reactions to your hair?
M: My mother was kinda blank about it at the time, she wasnt sure what I was doing with myself. Now she doesnt ever want me to cut it!! My father was the same way, he had to get used to it as well.

Everyone else like my friends and siblings thought it was very becoming, that it fit me, just like I felt it would.

Your hair is gorgeous now, but how was the process of growing it out?
M: The process had its crazy moments before I transitioned into locking it. I wore an afro for a few months until it grew long enough to twist. The process was actually very easy, although I did have to deal with the uneven growing and constant gelling to keep it from looking to out of place. After it began to grow out if came together perfectly!

Did you start with really short locks?
M: Yes, I had itty bitty locks, they almost looked like curls when I began, they grew very quickly and very fast. faster than when I had a perm in it. That let me know that going natural was a success. It must be good for me if it was growing the way it was!

What do you like about being natural?
M: That I can pretty much get up and go! As long as my hair is tightly twisted with some sheen to it, I’m good. The compliments don’t hurt either. People come up and ask questions about my hair all time and they think it’s so amazing that it’s all mine! It makes me proud to know that I am representing my roots in this way!

I have grown alot spiritually. Some may think that hair has nothing to do with that, but I think it does since there is an example in Samson (the Biblical character.) His hair was a sign of his strength!

What style do you like to rock?
M: I love to rock the curly wavy look. After I wash it I braid and dry it. After a few days I take it down and it’s so bouncy and full looking.

How do you do it?
M: For that curly wavy look after it was washed and moisturized, I then braided my locks tightly in sections and blow dry. I wait a few days, or (longer) depending on how curly you want it to be and then unbraid it. In between time I may tie it up into a bun and keep it covered at night!

What do you use in your hair?
M: I use basic shampoos like Herbal Essences and then moisturize with B&B Gro and spray OLIVE OIL sheen daily.

If your hair had a nickname, what would it be?
M: Rapunzel. One of my friends called me that because my hair was almost down past my butt. LOL

Is there a blog/webpage where we can find you?
M: www.myspace.com/ghaggedmusic

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Check out what she had to say about her choice of style:

“As you may know, I am currently freeforming my locs, which to many, is not “mainstream friendly” as it is usually considered a “messy” or “dirty” style, even to those who claim to appreciate natural hair. However, I consider my hair to be just as beautiful as that of any other natural head, regardless of the direct and indirect negativity I receive pertaining to my choice. I want to point this out because I feel that hair complexes are indeed a problem for black women all over the world, as you have mentioned in many of your blogs, and it does not stop with the natural hair community.”

What are your thoughts? Do you think locks are stigmatized, even in the natural hair community? And if so, why?

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Where are you from?
L: I was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. My parents are Jamaican & Guyanese, and I’ve lived in Atlanta for just under 10 years, so I consider it my other home. I do sales and marketing for a distribution company. I’m a social media/pop culture junkie, so a good work day is when I’ve spent hours reading blogs, tweeting, blipping, and catching up on current events…all in the name of “marketing”. I’m also a full time university student. When I grow up I want to be a university professor, and in another life, I was a fly DJ (a dream, that I’m slowly but surely working on)

When did you go natural?

Leah as a kid

L: I started getting relaxers at age 12 when my mom allowed me to get braids. The hairdresser insisted on relaxing my hair before she braided it because it would be more “manageable” and that the braids would look better, and last longer.

I wore braids until I was 15 because I kept cutting my own hair (by accident) when it was time to take them out. I remember it taking HOURS to put the darned things in, then HOURS to take them out. Cutting them short helped expedite the unbraiding process until my mother yelled at me for cutting my own hair in the process…so I stopped wearing braids, never could master the art of using a curling iron, and resorted to wearing buns, and hats.

I went natural in in 1998 because I hated (read “could never properly use”) curling irons, didn’t have the patience for rollers and I was tired of spending so much money on relaxers and other products to “manage” my hair. It’s not that I was lazy, it’s just that I felt that there had to be something better than this relaxing my hair

I prefer natural to relaxed because it’s the healthiest my hair has ever been, the longest my hair has ever been, and most of all, because I LOVE water, and LOVE being able to get my hair wet in the rain, when I go swimming or when I take a shower….unlike India, I am my hair…it is an extension of me. Going natural is one of the best decisions I’ve made in the past 10 years.

What style do you love to rock?
L: I love off the shoulder tops, skinny leg jeans and chuck taylor converse kicks. I accessorize with earrings (I LOVE earrings, and prefer to spend money on one of a kind pairs instead of clothes), and throw my locs in pony tail.

What do you use in your hair?
L: I use natural oils (grape seed, almond, avocado) and sometimes a little bit of gel to neaten the edges when I’m due for a wash and twist

Where can we find you on the web?
L: http://quirkyblackgirls.ning.com/profile/Leah
http://www.twitter.com/misslocs
http://www.whatwouldleahdo.wordpress.com

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Sydnye is a friend of Shari’s. I’m happy to have her on BGLH

Where are you from and what do you do?
S: I’m from Houston, Texas. I have a PhD in Human Development and Family Sciences. I’m an early childhood mental health consultant.

When did you go natural?
S: 2002. I never liked having my hair chemically straightened. I stopped relaxing my hair a few years before that. When I got the courage to chop it off I never went back.

Shari tells me you’ve had locks before. Why did you make the transition to free-strands?
S: I had locks for 3.5 years. I cut them when I felt maintenance started to take too much of my time because I did them myself.

I have worn all styles of braids since I was a child; cornrows to micros… My aunt braided my hair from 0-18 years. I used to change my hair style all the time. I am not fearful of cutting my hair.

What style do you love to rock?
S: I wear my hair in styles that do not require frequent professional styling. I am active and I swear a lot. I don’t like styles that interfere with my lifestyle.

What do you use in your hair?
S: This is an ongoing battle. When I find the right products, I will tell the world! When I had locks, I really liked the way the mango lime products held my locks.

Do you prefer natural to relaxed?
S: Natural. My last chemical burn was the last straw.

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Where are you from and what do you do?
N: I’m from Baltimore…and I’m in transition. I’ll be a college student (somewhere, God willing) in the spring. But right now I work in a high school as a Project Intern for the Youth Development Unit.

When did you go natural? Why?
N: I’m natural by default. =) I had a relaxer once when I was like seven. And it took my hair out….never again.
My mom is natural so it was something that I knew I would probably follow.

My sister, my aunt and my cousin all began to lock and their hair was growing! My hair was short, in fact when I was really young I didn’t even have hair..lol I remember the day I decided to lock my mom kept telling me how I was gonna watch my sister’s hair grow and be mad, and that day I was supposed to get my hair done, which didn’t happen. So i just declared, I’m gonna lock my hair. And that was the summer before sixth grade.

You’re 17 and you’ve had locks for a long time now. How have people around you reacted to your hair?
N: In middle school, people thought I was Jamaican..lol But my friends love it. People tell me how cute and neat they are. It’s funny, cause people randomly tell me when they see my hair, “I want locks,” or “I’m tryna lock my hair”. So..yeah. People are pretty in love with my locks. Lol.

What do you use in your hair?
N: To wash it I use a shampoo bar from a company called Wonderful Oils of the World. It has Tea Tree Oil, Thyme and Rosemary or I use Nadina’s Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner. To lock I just use pure shea butter and I occasionally oil it with Sunflower and Olive Oil.

What style do you love to rock?
N: Umm..since it’s been cut just straight, showing of my cut. I’m soo happy with it!

But I used to love to braid my hair, then take it out so it would be crinkly. That was two styles in one. And really convenient. I could swim in the braids and when i took them out, they’d be crinkly.

Why do you prefer natural hair to relaxed hair?
N: I really love the versatility of being natural, because you can still do a weave or press and still have your natural texture. When you perm, you lose that…and it takes a minute to get it back. And I never wanna lose my natural texture.

For more from Nia check out her blog.

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