I started my hair on Friday and as you know, I managed to complete about a quarter of it. I continued by putting in a few hours on Saturday evening and then again on Sunday afternoon.
By the ti
me we left to go out for dinner I still had a fair bit to do; these two pictu
res show the untightened locks in big twists. By the time I had got to this point, I was feeling really pleased with myself; the degree of satisfaction felt at being in control of my own hair was immense. I really was trying hard to get it finished before and so continued with the tightening after we returned from our very nice Japanese dinner. It wasn't to be and by the time I went to bed I still had a very small section to finish. I pinned the front up to go to work on Monday; the section on the left is the bit t
hat still needed to be done. It didn't take me long to tighten that section on Monday evening and that was that, I'd finished! For a moment I couldn't believe it, I'd actually managed to do my own hair. Then (unusually for me!), I couldn't stop looking in the mirror; my SO expressed his pride in my achievement too. We tried to calculate how long I had spent on my hair and figured that it was about ten hours. In the end the latch hook was not too difficult to use, although I will pass on Brenda's advice and say that you should look for one with a smaller handle to the one I have. I would also recommend purchasing the latching e-book; as long as you know your SL pattern, it is really easy to follow. I only did two rotations on each lock as I wanted to ensure that each one finished at the same position (in my case 12 o'clock); this is another suggestion, as I think it makes it easier for the next session - I know that I will start each lock at 3 o'clock. I'm sure that I will order the nappylocs tool; having used the latch hook, I can see how the nappylocs tool might be easier to use. For example, you wouldn't have to keep inserting the lock into the
tool as you move around the rotation; something you need to do when using the latch hook. I think this would mean that it would take less time to tighten...I did try to make my own version using a hair pin! Don't laugh, it did work!
Having managed it myself, I do believe that self-retightening is an option for everyone. I understand that some people will be nervous, as I was myself, about attempting this without doing the SL class. I guess it's about how much confidence you have in yoursefl; I just couldn't see what they would teach me in the class that I couldn't figure out myself. I know there are many of you that have done the class; perhaps you can share your reasons for taking it as opposed to working it out for yourself.
16 comments:
Thanks for the details. You did a great job. At first I was still interested in taking the class but as of now I don't see the need. It does feel wonderful being able to do your own hair. Sometimes I wish that I would have learned sooner. however I was nervous back then but now I am so glad that I am over that!
Great job Mel! I am inspired to learn to do my own retightenings too. Based on what I read in different blogs, I'm going to order the e-latching book and nappy tool.
I took the SL class because I thought there was some "special" secret that I wanted to know. I'm nosey in that way ;0) The class was supposed to be 2 hours long, but I was out of there in about 45 minutes. I really felt jipped. In hindsight, I should've went with my first mind and not taken the class, purchased the e-latching booklet along with the nappyloc tool. But like you said, it's about having the convidence to do it on your own. I would recommend asking your consultant for your SL pattern and go at it without the $250 class.
Wow, I'm impressed. Kudos to you, girl. You make it sound so easy. I still feel nervous, but I'm willing to learn, and try my hand at it. I'd need to know my pattern first, though. The thing is, my consultant told me that if I ever went anywhere to get my locks retightened, and the person wasn't using the SL tool, I should leave. Does it matter what tool one uses? I wouldn't want to mess things up by using the wrong tool. Also, in your opinion, do you think the SL class is necessary? I'm a bit concerned about the cost.
I'm still leaning towards taking the Sisterlock class but I'm starting to waiver to teaching myself since I don't know when the next class will be in FL... I don't know...Since I plan on getting LASIK soon the cost is also a factor....hhhmmm...
Congratulations on retightening your locks!!!!!! Such Freedom!!!
I anticipate other's responses to if they felt the class was necessary.
Congratulations Mel on re-tightening your hair.
I took the re-tightening class last September 2006 before taking the consultants training. I did not know my locking pattern and there appeared to be a lot of secrecy around the SLocking and re-tightening. When I took the class I thought oh this is not rocket science! However, although I am glad I took the class as it helped me make my decision to take the consultant training and to be where I am today.
I enjoy the freedome of re-tightening my own hair and although the first time it took me a whole week, I perservered.
Keep up the good work. I am also interested in purchasing other tools like the nappylocks tool and trying out different locking methods.
Everyone who has read my blog from the early days knows that I am quite the Sisterlocks fanatic
Theory: I took the Sisterlocks class despite the cost because I wanted to be committed to using the Sisterlocks tools. Practice: One tool is difficult for most people to grasp and the other is easier to grasp but difficult on the hair. So in reality, most folks end up spending more money trying to find easier tools to use, myself included.
Since I've successfully retightened my hair 2 times now, I have recouped my money spent on the class. But in hindsight which
is always 20/20 - I think it is more efficient to go the cheaper routes first and with practice you should be able to get pretty much the same results as if you had paid money on the SL's training.
As for figuring it out on your own, I wouldn't go and get too self-righteous though; braidlocks, latchlocks, and nappylocks were all piggybacked off of Sisterlocks due to cost and the reasons I mentioned. Having been one to actually take the SL retight training...Thank God for free enterprise.
i tried to "teach myself" without success but this is before all of the other knock-off tools and instructions were available. i still would have taken the class though. however, the value of taking the class really depends on the instructor and his/her level of competency or lack thereof. i think it's woth it however you did a phenomenal job!
ebony: the class is $250 now? are you serious? i thought it was $125. please educate me.
I'm glad you posted this. At the locks conference over the weekend, I had several ladies ask me about DIY, not taking the class and how did I know what to do. While I don't try to discourage anyone from taking the class if that's what they feel they need and/or because they have a concern about not messing up their hair, my feeling is that it's really not rocket science and it's just hair. Granted, I can say that from hindsight, but really, when I gave the e-book a try, I was just as unknowledgeable as some are now. But in the end, I explained that you have to do what feels comfortable for you, hence, one of the reasons that I always decline to do anyone else's hair although I've been asked several times. I realize that my hair is not sisterlocks-perfect, but it works for me. But I'm also smart enough to realize that what works for me, won't always work for someone else and I wouldn't want for someone to have these expectations that aren't realized if I were to do it for them.
You go Mel! I love the indepence of retightening my own hair as well despite what ever method i choose to use on my own head. I recommend the use of the latch hooker tool which is slightly different because of the loop. I can't wait to try the nappy locs tool either. i wonder if its on e-bay...
Thanks Sistalocd, you did a wonderful job with your hair too!
Ms Stella, I can recommend the e-book. I am about to order the nappyloc tool also.
Wow Ebony, was the class over in that time or did you decide it was time to go?
N'drea, I'm not sure what effect the use of different tools has on SL's. However, I know that lots of people use wither the latch hook or nappylocs tools on their Sisterlocks and as far as I can tell (from their blogs), their hair looks great.
Thanks MM! I guess I thought that if I really couldn't work it out myself, I'd take the class. That way my initial outlay would be minimal.
Hey Hair Affairs, Thank You! Do the courses you've done allow you to teach people to retighten their SL's?
I hear you Goodnapps! I continue to sing the praises of Sisterlocks; however I felt the price of the class was a little steep ($300-400).
Thanks Muslimah! I'm sure the consultants over here do a good job; due to the cost, I wanted to try and do it for myself first.
Brenda, I have to say that you really were my inspiration for trying DIY!
Sophia, Thank You! I haven't seen the latch hooker tool before; I might have to look on ebay too!
Hey Thanks for the informative post, I am looking to start my own hair soon and I cant' see spending the money to learn the retightening class!! Thanks again.
Congrats on joining the DIY club...I have posted to post on my DIY experiences...once you get the hang of it, it becomes easier, I have to admit...It look good, Mel. I will one day do my whole head. Ironically, my work schedule might change in the near future and if so I won't be able to keep my appt with my consultant so if not now when would be a better time to brush up on my DIY skills...I took the class and honestly was very frustrated after leaving, I felt as if I wasted my money. Now that I have a DYI Experience behind me it just takes practice, practice and practice to master the technique.
Hi Mel
I took the class last October only cos I did not know of any other way and to know what rotation to use. Words like nappylock and latchhook were unknown to me at the time. Like its been said its not rocket science, plus I don't like doing my own hair so I'm a reluctant DIYer -lol. I've only done it once (back in Oct 06) and messed it up, I lost a lot of locks (around 10). Well I'm giving it another go now. I've discovered the secret is to be patient and take my own sweet time doing 10 or 20 per day till its all completed.
Denny in London
I am locked for 2 years and would love to self retighten my locks but am at a loss as to whether to take class with regard to the ones round the hairline that just won't lock and have to be redone at every retight. I understadn that the class does not teach you how to restart a lock
If you get Sisterlocks but maitain with a latch hook , Nappylocs tool or any method other than using the Sisterlocks tool, do you still have Sisterlocks?
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