Interview with Inya

Why did you decide to lock?

I had been natural for about 3 years and I was bored out of my mind with my hair. Name a style and I had done it, and rocked it in every way imaginable. My guy friends told me my hair looked different every day, lol. I just started getting really tired of my hair, and I knew it was time for a major cut, color, ANYTHING. The bigger my afro grew, the more I looked like a lollipop, lol. And the more I wanted to try something different. I lived on the East Coast, and I had seen so many fly women with locs in Philly, DC and New York. I thought about it for about a year, researched my options, and finally did it. The last time I combed my hair was December 2005.

How did you start your locks?

I started my locs (locks, dredlocs, however you call them!) using the latching method. Essentially, I started them like they were sisterlocks, but with bigger parts and more hair strands per loc. I wanted the convenience of sisterlocks without the small size.




Initial challenges
I had most of the challenges I now know are "normal" with locs - the so called "ugly" stage. On a personal level, I had to deal with spaghetti hair. My locs were that thin. For someone who didn't wear twists often because they were not plump and juicy, it was a nightmare of epic proportions. My scalp and my four-head were all you could see, lol. Plus, starter locs shrink, so all the nice length I thought I could style to hide my issues was GONE within 2 months. I roller-set for fullness but it looked like a grandma hair-do. I was a mess until around month 6 when my hair began to plump up.

I should say that I had very few issues with slippage (when your starter locs slip out of the lock and loosen). This is mainly because of my use of the latch-hook method. I washed my hair 2/3 times a week as a newbie, and although I completely discourage the use of clarifying shampoo (long story, a loctician steered me wrong there) - please do not let anyone tell you not to wash your hair. I have a sensitive scalp that must be cleaned, often, and with water. If I had believed I couldn't wash my hair often, I would never have locked.



People’s reactions

When I started locking, I got a lot of support from other nappys. People would encourage me that my hair would one-day stop looking so crazy, lol.

Non-nappys were kinda mean, honestly. Particularly other Nigerians. I remember one friend asked me "what do you think you are doing? you need to do something else!". I was really hurt by her tone of disgust, but I had to keep reminding myself that locking was a process. In my heart of hearts I knew my hair was not looking wonderful at the moment, but my babies were growing and maturing and I had to be patient. Also, I'd been natural for a long time, and I was not about to be shaken by the words of anyone with a broke-off perm! My father in particular was amused by my hair, but since I had gone damn near gorimapa (bald) 3 years before, he didn't say too much!

What’s it like having locks in the professional world? Do people react funny?

Since I moved to the Mid-west, I have heard a lot of women talking about how natural hair is not professional. Chicago is one of the weave capitals of the US. But I stand firmly in my belief that your perception is your reality. When I started my locks, I worked as a receptionist at a large law firm. I was that first impression of the business, and I carried myself that way - crazy hair sticking up and all! I was not new to the workforce and I knew my bosses really weren't looking at my hair.

Don't get me wrong. I certainly wear more conservative styles now than I did 5 years ago. But I'm no longer a teen in college, so my ideas of what is beautiful are different all around. I wore a lot of french rolls, buns, updos, and roller sets in law school and in the jobs I have worked since. I always will because I am kinda classic that way. Just as there are clothes appropriate for work, there are hair styles. However, there is no "appropriate" hair TEXTURE.

I don't think people stereotype me because of my locks, but I honestly wouldn't notice. It really is just hair to me at this point. I wear pearls, high heels, and I dress "up". If anyone thinks loc-wearers are all vegan, "conscious" or patchouli and hemp people, then they will be surprised by me...



How do you maintain your hair?

I wash my hair weekly/bi-weekly. I maintain my locks by latch-hooking every 10-12 weeks. I put it off about 4 weeks longer than I should, so don't be like me ;-)
I go to a loctician because I am too lazy to do my hair myself, and I want a thorough job. From trial and error, I have learnt to stick with certified sisterlocks consultants or trainees (www.sisterlocks.com has a registry of them). I'm seriously overdue for a grooming at this point (to cut down fuzziness), but my hair texture allows me that luxury.
My favorite style is a rollerset - I still love curly hair. The longer my locs get, the harder this is though, so I have started doing bantu-knots as well. There are many days when I just wear my locs down...



Favourite products?
I currently use Desert Essence Therapeutic Shampoo or Head and Shoulders to cleanse my scalp. I condition with Nexxus Humectress. Chicago winters are a beast though, so for extra TLC, I pre-treat my hair with Amla oil before I shampoo, and deep condition with Redken Allsoft Heavy Cream. I use a light oil with jojoba, rosemary and tea-tree on my scalp, and rub some coconut oil into my locs while they are damp. If they feel super-dry, I rub a dab of shea butter into the ends of my hair (I do not recommend this for locs which are not fully mature).





DO:
➢ Shampoo, but also condition (only after your locs MATURE though)
➢ Fight the battle against lint (dark towels, satin bonnet at night, brushing your locs etc)
➢ Massage your scalp (you will get tender-headed real quick otherwise because locs are low maintenance)
➢ Exercise PATIENCE above all else, locs take time

DON'T:
➢ Over twist your locs (it weakens them and the hair will snap)
➢ Re-twist dry hair or without any product (at least use some oil for "elasticity")
➢ Let anyone dictate a locking method to you. You are stuck with the result of your method unless you cut your hair or take it down, so be satisfied with your choice
➢ Expect your locs to look like anyone else's. For the most part, they will look unique.