Lessons I've learned from locking hair

73) Natural hair styling is an art.

These days, I see the funkiest natural styles! Hair styling is only limited by your imagination. I remember attending a lock styling class; the instructor said, his styling is inspired by nature! Then he said, have you ever noticed a tree's shape? Wow; true wisdom. As for me, my styling is inspired by patterns and shapes. (The afro ball shape allows for a great twist out look enhancement.  What's your inspiration?

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

72) Natural Hair care is skill set that is best shared with everyone.

It's awesome to recieve feedback on my services.

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

71)  Co-Washing - should I?

I am meeting so many people who are opting to "co-wash" their hair.   Co-washing is defined as using conditioner to shampoo your hair; you are not using soap.  Many feel the shampoo soap is drying out their hair.  

If you are a person who is considering to co-wash your hair only, I would respectfully ask you to review and consider the following points:

• Conditioners are not designed to clean your hair.  (So how are you cleaning you hair?)
• Shampooing your hair is the only way to remove product build up.  If you only co-washing your hair,  then how are you removing all the products that you've added to your hair and scalp?
• You can "over condition" your hair.  One sign of over conditioning is weak and brittle hair. 
• A clean scalp is a key factor to beautiful hair
• If shampoo is leaving your hair dry, then you should reconsider the products you are using.

These days, I meet folks who swear by co-washing. Also, I meet folks who are only co-washing but can't understand why their hair is breaking off.    Ultimately, it's your hair.....and your decision.

In the end, my only words are.......Hey, I'm just saying!  Think about it.  :)   

   

Lessons I've Learned From Locking Hair

70) The Natural Hair care movement dynamics are changing.

Just 10 years ago, I started locking hair.  At that time, the Natural Hair focused events were far and few between.  During that time, I frequented events that were attended by individuals who wore ensembles made with African cloths; their conversations were intense and their knowledge base was rich with cultural content.  And best of all, Nag Champa incense was in the air.

Today, the individuals who attend the events vary; they range from the culturally clothed individuals to the new school individuals who are rocking wild afros and mohawk natural hair styles.  These new school individuals were saggy jeans and stylish t-shirts, or the new intellectual- look made complete with brightly colored clothes, military boots and large frames glasses.

As an observer of the changing Natural Hair care movement, it's easy to feel nostalgic and say, I remember when was it was like this.  However, I must remember my mantra, Change is Good!  

These days, I am embracing the changing Natural Hair movement.  I love to meet mothers who proudly say, "My daughter wants to go natural and I want to help!  Please help me teach my daughter."

In the beginning I would argue that the Natural Hair movement started with individuals learning to embrace who they are.  They were expressing their newly found philosophy with a very "afro-centric" approach.  Today's Natural Hair movement approach is expressed differently. I refer to it as the "Natural Hair Neo- Soul."

In the end, I think its safe to say, its all good! We are embracing who we are and the way we look.  It's so beautiful to see event halls filled with people who are LOVING their hair!!

 

Lessons I've Learned From Locking Hair

69) Textured hair is all the rave.

These days, Lock wearers and natural free flowing hair wearers are looking for products to enhance their natural hair texture.  For lock wearers, you can achieve texture and density with curling and braiding.  For natural hair wearers, you can achieve density and texture with curl defining products.  

And as you know by now, there are lots of products on the market to help you achieve the textured look.  However today, I want to add value to your hair care regimen.  Please make sure you take time to moisturize and trim your hair.  


Helpful tips:

To achieve moisture, you can try the following

• Products designed for moisture
• Hydration therapy (Steam treatments)
• Hot oil treatments

To achieve a great cut, please seek out:

• a Barber (like me) 
• a Costemtolgist.

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

68) Indiviudals who are"not into" locks hesitate to approach me for services.

Please don't be afraid.  Locked hair is a natural hairstyle.  If you are not into locks, never fear - I can help.   To those individuals, I say...Never fear, I got you!

I am a liscened barber trained in cutting natural hair.  Plus, I can make some funky twists, afros and textured hair styles too.  Right now, I am loving the Design Essentials product line.   Check out the link below
http://www.designessentials.com/

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

67) A natural hair care specialist must keep an open mind and be willing to explore the all there is to offer in the world of natural hair.

In my quest to do my personal best when offering services to my clients, I am traveling to the Atlanta Natural Hair Care show. I am looking forward to being inspired by the unity in natural hair care! It's a wonderful feeling!

Lessons I've Learned From Locking Hair

66) Clients will chop off their locks!

Client's reasons for a lock chop vary.
I've heard several reasons. Below, I listed a few:
I was tired of my locks!
My locks broke off because I wasn't getting them done!
It was too much hair!
I don't know....I just needed a change.

I never question a client's decision. (Personally, I've been wearing locks for awhile now. I've chopped off my locks too. Albeit, I chopped my first set of locks to cultivate a better and more sculpted set of locks.)

Nonetheless, I must admit that I get a little sad every time I learn that a client has chopped off their locks. In order to remain a true positive supporter of client who has transitioned from locks, I've formed a new mantra:

Hair is Hair! I hope I've served as a source of inspiration to keep you maintaining and wearing your hair naturally!

Much love, Octavia

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

64) To achieve locks that attractively frame your face, you must have a structured parting pattern.

Recently, a traditional lock wearing client asked me to "make her" 6 years old locks frame her face. My response....I can't. That is, unless she starts her locks again. Or, I can cut her locks into a style.

Why? Her traditional lock design consists of random locks that vary in size.
Because of this, I gave her tough love advice; start again or cut. I know its harsh, but a newcomer to locks can benefit from this lesson. You must plan for great lock results! Don't just twist your hair and hope for the best.

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

63) It' s very common for individuals to have at least two different hair textures in their head. Make sure you consider all of your hair textures when maintaining your hair daily.

Recently, I met a client who had two extremely different hair textures. The majority of her hair was soft and cottony. While the hair located just under the Occipital bone was extremely course and brittle. When I inquired about the breakage in the Occipital bone area, she mentioned that she has always had a problem with growing hair in that area; she reported that her hair grows and breaks.

In the end, I gave her a complete shampoo, conditioning and hot oil treatment, and I counseled her on how to address the brittle hair in the back of her head with one product and use another product for the other areas of her head. In conclusion, the moral of the story is..... pay attention-- some parts of your hair may require more moisture and conditioning treatments.

Lessons I've learned from Locking Hair

62) The Natural Hair Care movement grows stronger every day!!

I remember when I first decided to go natural. ( I rocked braids and twists.)
At that time, I stuck out in a crowd. So few people were wearing their hair naturally. As a matter of fact, I remember being the butt end of quite a few jokes on my college campus.

Today, I see so many people embracing their natural hair. As I've watched the movement over the years, I can truly say......my heart dances with glory as I watch my people embrace what GOD has bestowed onto them!!

Recently, I was the featured hair stylist at a Natural Hair Care meet up event hosted by the lovely Racheal O. I had the opportunity to chat with so many different women about their Natural Hair Care journey. I would have never imagined that scores of men and women would reach out to me to chat up natural hair.

Lessons I've Learned From Locking hair

61) Natural hair purists are very challenged when deciding whether or not to add coloring agents their hair.

I've discovered that some folks wear their natural hair as a trend. But also, there are some folks who wear natural hair styles to make an altruist statement about their persona; I call these altruistic individuals, Natural hair purist. For the purists, the decision to add color is challenging because they feel they are no longer natural when their hair is treated with color --after all color is a chemical.

Today, I want to share four bullet points that may be helpful in your decision making process:

• Yes, color is a chemical. However, you can choose products that are less damaging to your hair



• You must learn and adopt a new method for caring for your color treated hair



• The act of adding color to your hair is an individual choice; color enhances your overall look and offers a flair of style.



• For the best color treated hair results, please consult with a trained stylist.

If you are thinking about color - why not go for it!!

Lessons I've Learned from Locking Hair

60) The individuals who opt to wear their hair naturally have awesome stories to share.


I hear so many different stories about why people are choosing to wear their hair naturally.
The stories are so eclectic that I am inspired to capture them in a video and tell a story. Stay tuned for the Octavia's Natural Hair Care Experience Storycircle video project.

PS. If you are interested in sharing your natural hair experience, please reach out to me.

Thank you!