KNOTTED LOCS| Might Knotted Locs Be 4 U?| Things to Consider 

Unfortunately, thete is a huge difference in what is TAUGHT at the Sisterlocks TM training classes and the takeaway by trainees. Trainees come from all walks of life as do trainers. Sisterlocks has NO rigid grid per se. The grid concept must ALWAYS be adapted to hair type, density and individual situations. I trained in 2013 under 2 Master Trainers in Dallas. One of the trainers was the Master trainer of Sisterlocks Master Trainers abd is the niece of Dr Cornwell. We were told to adapt the grid based on hair density and spatial density and we were told to steer clear of oil and conditioners until the hair locked and THAT could take 1 to 3 years. I was a natural hair cosmetologist for 13 years by then and this defied my paradigm as a products junkie. I was establishing SL before I got my own in 2014. The SL system is not rigid but the learner might be. The system has 4 to 5 methods and what is chosen depends on the hair and lifestyle of the client. Hair type, hair density and lifestyle play a huge part. I was also a scientist so I approached the idea of not using product skeptically. I tried the no oil, no conditioner and DID NOT use oil in my hair until I had my own SL for 6 years. During that time, my hair was very silky and shiny and I only experienced slippage 2x both caused by excessive use of water. I have spoke to many consultants and clients and it is surprising st how much consultants DEPART from what they were actually taught and begin to preach and teach the OLD INDOCTRINATION and belief that we need oils and products in our hair. What I did do daily was PREEN my hair: massage my scalp and pull the sebum on my fingers from my scalp down my locks. The result was very soft and very shiny hair with no oil and a very healthy scalp. Now. That is my own personal experience but that has not been rhe experience of many of my clients. Because of my lock pattern, I was told by my consultant to use salted water and HONEYVin my hair to help it lock. I still have open coily ends and my hair is past butt length. I have had locks since 2014. I will say that changing oil changed my hair look and how it hangs. My hair is very fine. The density is medium. I used to follow Melissa religiously when she and her friend were M and M and had the Bespoke website and locks. I love the idea of the many routes to getting the look people want but most importantly the hair health. SL classes ( or at least mine did) address not using or adjusting the grid. Sometimes this must be done cuz a client's hair or lack of hair demand it. I believe their is room for all journeys and there is no need to put negative energy out about any type of locks or those who subscribe to it. In fact, anything that requires criticism of a paradigm in order to elevate the new paradigm is suspect. Knotted locks is exciting in that it allows more freedom from one system to embrace another and will fit many. It will also be a healthy way to move forward and can allow alternatives and self care.

@@queenbee9505 I took the Sisterlocks class as well so I’m very familiar with what you speak of. I’m very grateful for it because its all apart of the journey and like Ms Ali said, Sisterlocks helped to make small locs more visible and more widely accepted. No negative energy here. Just stating my experience. I will say that it is a lot more precise and structured and that is for a reason. It’s understood because many people want that neater look and versatility and nice grid for styling. Yes, a lot of it can be attributed to the consultant themselves. People get caught up on loc count, sizing, frequency of retightenings, tools, you name it! I don’t regret it though. It’s all a part of the learning journey. I had to go through my experience to learn what works for me and what doesn’t. By the way, a do remember your name on RU-vid from the comments section on many loc videos! I was wondering where you went. I hadn’t seen your comments section in a very long time. I used to ask you stuff about locs all of the time! You’re very knowledgeable! ❤️

@sarahsolomon1949 Thank you. I got busy with life. We had several traumatic unexpected deaths in the family, I moved and stopped doing hair. I am trying to rekindle an old love not just with SL but with hair in General. I used to watch M& H for years even following as the duo went theur separate ways. Melissa has had some losses to and I watched as she got back up after he beloved brother died. I still consult on hsir but my clientele is even more selective than it used to be. Sisterlocs is like a person: thete are the rumors, stories you know to be true but many that are not. Hair growth is both a journey and a metaphor for life phases. I used to say locks are what happens when natural hair grows up. By that, I mean as we gain more sense of SELF we can often begin to love and appreciate ourselves in ways that we may never have before. Celebrating the texture and insistent movement / force of our hair: whirlpools turn, vortexes spin, DNA strands spiral and so do the galaxies and tree rings. We are almost the only humans on the planet whose hair underscores the movement of life. For centuries this discovery was hidden from us as we learned to yearn for straight, silky hair no different than most animals..except..Jesus identifies either the lamb..tight coils of hair all over. One of the few animals that does not present with straight, silky hair. The bible describes God's chosen people as a must peculiar people. SET ASIDE and so very different that they are marked by those differences. I doubt I can go back to product reviewing now or pursue hair in the ways I use to. My hair now is open coiled still but hip length..it still winds and turns but I am looking into other things. I like the idea of the knotted locks because it allows option and choices...hair in need of certain products or a schedule to maintain a hair state won't really free us if it mimics the same rules as other hair states ( upkeep every 6 to 8 weeks, a touch up or retie..and but lots of products to maintain) I see my locks as the ultimate realization for my antennae ( hair) so I am back searching for ways to make it truly mine. A REGIMEN that requires set times and products is not freeing. I now listen to my hair on any given day..if it is thirsty, I water it. Hungry, I feed it..wants a massage..I give it..but my goal is to break all paradigms and not just switch my current one out for another. Thank you for remembering..it made me remember too🤗

@@queenbee9505 My condolences for all of the deaths in your family. 🙏🏾 There is so much that happens to us throughout our lives. Sometimes it’s perceived as bad and sometimes at first good, but then as life goes on we realize that it has helped mold us into new creations spiritually, (if we allow it to. Perspective is everything!) Sometimes it just takes time. I’m thankful for all of the ups and downs snd lessons that life has taught me. I’m still learning of course! Yes, I do now remember about the passing of Ms Melissa Blake’s brother. I saw a picture of him. He has the sweetest smile. Melissa’s spirit is so pure, so genuine. I always connect with people that have that special vibration to them. This happens to me on almost a daily basis! I love the connections though. I always say that it’s never by mistake. I truly believe that. It was no mistake for me to make a connection with you years ago. I used to imagine what you looked like as you described your beautiful locs. I always wished I could see you! May sound strange, but I did! I’m so glad to cross paths with you on here again. Your gems, your knowledge is such a gift! I’m sure that you have touched many and left a positive impression wherever you’ve been. I just want you to know that you are so appreciated and loved! Keep living life to the fullest and trusting in our wonderful heavenly father! May he continue to bless you abundantly more than you can conceive! 🙏🏾🤗❤️❤️❤️

@@queenbee9505 I didn’t use products at all in my hair other than a rosemary tea that I would spray in my hair everyday and the SL conditioner that I would also use as a spray on wash days. I didn’t use oil for a while. But I did start using light oils maybe 3 years in when my hair had actually locked up and I stopped braiding and banding. My hair did great. After the fluffy stage which I loved btw my hair went from lumpy bumpy locs-which looking back I thought was annoying but I actually miss my bumpy babies-to completely uniform and straight. That’s just what my hair did. After I took the SL rety class and started doing my own hair I made so many mistakes. Mainly combining locs by accident or putting knots in my locs or even cutting off a loc by accident. Over time I just didn’t care about that so much. I went thru a time of being very anemic and my locs thinned out a bit and I ended up cutting them 7” off or so to mid back. They grew back. I resolved my anemia and got healthier in general and my hair doing great. I have also created new locs - which is amazing to me- from just puffs of hair that grows around my locs or from new growth of hair that weren’t in my original locs. I’ve made about 6-8 locs that way myself and as they grow they looked just like the installed locs. It’s pretty amazing. I think the main thing is everyone’s hair is different. You have to know what you hair thrives in and what it doesn’t. My only question about knotting the hair is doesn’t that create weak spots for potential breakage if the knots are not right next to each other. Idk. Just a question. But I wash my hair regularly my hair loves avocado oil aloe Vera juice and distilled water. That’s it. Nothing super complicated

I’ve been paying attention Melissa’s videos too since seeing Tunisia’s knotted locs videos. The knotted locs philosophy makes 100% sense to me. I’d switch to knotted locs in a hot second if I could get a much better look at much simpler videos (less edited) of what knotted locks look like in general and during the process of transitioning from other types of locs over time, etc. I’m really interested in seeing this. Also wanna know if I’m unhappy with how knotted locs blends with my hair can I interlock the knotted locked hair. Much love and respect to queens Tunisia and Melissa.

There are lots on her channel

Yay! Thank you!

I believe you can do it/anything. Photo your journey monthly

Do you have any more information? I am a bit confused why someone would sue. Did they not know there would be permanent knots?

I have taken Ms. Mel knotted loc class and she showed me lots of styles and tips and tricks. Its very similar to styling sisterlocks.

@TheSkEmma thank you for your response. I'm six months locked right now. I'm definitely taking the class when mine are mature enough

@@TheSkEmmahow are you liking your knotted locs journey and did you find it hard to learn?

@WiathedaSpivey It has its days. My knots tend to float to wherever they want, even after rolling them. I now braid, interlock, knot, and some areas retwist.

@Locked_in_with_DaQueen Make sure you follow her directions. The worst is getting a knot on top of a knot that won't release.

$600