So today is a big day. I'm cutting off my dredlocks. Please, no shrieks of dismay. This is like the fifth or sixth set of locs I've had. It will grow back. I'm actually pretty sure that I'll be locking my hair again in the future because I love the versatility of the style.
So why the chop? The main reason is because I'm just so tempted to try all of these great new products for kinky/curly hair like mine, product lines like Kinky-Curly and Miss Jessie's. Seriously, these specialized, mostly all-natural shampoos, leave-in conditioners, and curl cremes are just proliferating and, even better, are being sold in regular stores like Target and Whole Foods instead of exclusively online or in upscale salons.
The other reason I'm cutting off my locs is because one day soon I am going to have a little daughter with kinky hair and full disclosure Meltingpot readers...Even though I wrote this award-winning book on the history and culture of Black hair, I don't know nothin' bout doin' no hair. I mean really, the list of styles I know how to do begins and ends with ponytails. My daughter will hate me if I don't get some new techniques down. And I must also get up to date on all of the new products on the market because I'm pretty sure the blue grease my mom used to use on my hair doesn't cut it anymore. So I'm practicing on me for my future child.
And there's one other thing. This is really minor, but I did consider it. I have heard that dredlocks are not seen in a very positive light in Ghana. That could be totally wrong or a belief only held by a select few, but it did occur to me that I wouldn't want the people in the Ghanaian social welfare department to decide I might not be a fit mother because I wear "that" hairstyle. If I wore my hair in locs for political or religious reasons I certainly wouldn't change them but for me it's just a style.
So there you have it.
The truth from soon to be Lori Loc-less.
Peace.
4 comments:
Well that's as good as reason as any to cut your locs. I'm with you, I don't really know how to style my natural hair...and even when it was processed, I was a ponytail bandit.
I've used Miss Jessie's and Kinky Curly. I like Miss Jessie's curly pudding for setting my two strand twists. Kinky Curly's leave-in condition is great for detangling.
Good luck with the big chop. I felt very boyish after I cut off my locs (after 8 years), but I feel feminine again now.
I just got the "big chop" about a month ago. At first, I felt a little butch but I had to realize that my hair couldn't control my emotions and that I had to rock this style like no other. Glad you have that "my hair will grow back" attitude. That's kind of how I feel at this point.
I am using 'Kinky Curly' and I absolutely love it. It gives my hair a texture like no other. The shampoo is so awesome...it leaves your hair squeaky clean, literally!
Good luck :)
Congratulations on the impending expansion of your family!
I'm on my third set of locs and I have no fear of letting go of them but I do hate dealing with styling hair. When I chop, I'm seriously thinking very short fro or near bald.
Evelyn,
Thank you :)
What A Doll,
I did buy the kinky-curly shampoo. Can't wait to try it. BTW, love your website.
Color Online,
Thank you! And I'm thinking the next go around may be near bald too.
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