Healthy Locs 47 Tips for Starting and Maintaining Locs By Nyesha Samuel

There are many different reasons to start your
loc journey. You may be just learning about
your African heritage and decide that starting locs
will be a great way to connect to your roots.
You may be reaching a turning point in your
life as a mature adult where you’d like to try
something new with your look.
You may be a person whose hair has been
weakened and damaged from years of putting
chemicals in it and going natural would be the
only way to save your hair.

GETTING STARTED

1) Cut the chemically altered part of your
hair off if you have a perm or some other
chemical in your hair. Leaving the chemically
treated hair in will slow the locing process
and cause your hair to look damaged instead
of healthy.
2) Start your locs from scratch with a head full
of your natural hair texture. That way as
your locs begin to form and grow out they
will look healthy.
3) Inspect your hair to see if you may have
some sections that are thinner than others.
The right side may be thinner than the left
or top thinner than the back. If you have a
section of hair like this, it helps to make the
locs in that section a little thinner than the
rest. This will give a full look to that section
helping to camouflage the thinness of the
hair.
4) Shampoo and condition your hair with
natural hair care products. You’ll know a
product is natural when you can pronounce
the ingredients and the list is not the length
of the back of the bottle.
5) Use blends of essential oils mixed with a
carrier oil such as jojoba, almond, avocado,
or olive to massage your scalp after washing
it, but before twisting it. Only do this when
you are not doing a hot oil treatment.
Massaging with essential oil blends can aid in
stimulating hair growth.
6) Start your locs by using one of the following
methods;
Braids - splitting one section of hair into 3
sections with your fingers and crossing each
section one over until you reach the end of
the newly formed braid.
2 strand Twist - dividing one section of hair
into 2 sections with your fingers and twisting
one section around the other until you get to
the end of the twist.
Single Twist - twisting a section of hair
between your fingers (some use a twirling
motion around the fingers) until the hair
forms into a cylinder or straw shape.
Palm Roll - placing a section of hair between
your palms and rolling the hair either toward
or away from your face until a cylinder or
straw shape section is formed. Used by
people who are starting their locs with hair
that is finger length or longer.
7) Use the Single Twist or Palm Roll method
after the first time you form your locs. Using
either one of these two methods will help
your locs to form as they are supposed to
over time.
8) Ask the people you see with healthy natural
hair about who does their hair if you decide
to let a stylist do yours for you. This is
the best way to find a loctician or natural
stylist.
9) Make sure the loctician or natural stylist you
use is known for using natural products on
their client’s hair. Go to a natural stylist
who understands that the more natural the
product the healthier your hair will be.
10) Find a loctician who knows how to put in
extension locs if you can’t bare the thought
of cutting your hair. This will allow you to
start your locs from the length of your
current hair.
11) Understand that if you decide you no longer
want locs you will have to cut out the
extension locs just as though they are your
own hair. After the first year of having them,
your extension locs will be intertwined just
as your natural hair would be had you grown
it from scratch.
12) Find a loctician to help you start your locs if
your natural hair texture is straight to very
soft curls. The kinkier your hair the easier it
is to start locs.
13) Let a loctician help you start your locs until
they are in a mature stage that you may be
able to maintain on your own at home. This
is especially important if your hair is on the
straight to soft side naturally.

SHAMPOOING AND CONDITIONING THE NATURAL WAY


14) Go to your local health food store or search
on the internet to get a natural shampoo and
conditioner. There is no point in going natural
and having locs if you’re going to mistreat
them with chemically loaded shampoos and
conditioners.
15) Purchase the most natural products to use
on your natural hair so that it can look and
feel as healthy as possible. This goes for any
natural style even if it’s not locs.
16) Use a separate shampoo and conditioner. A
single product that is a 2-in -1 shampoo and
conditioner will dry your hair out.
17) Apply a conditioner that must be rinsed out.
Leave- in conditioners will cause your hair to
dry out and cause build up in your locs.
18) Use hair care products that contain no
alcohol. Alcohol will dry your hair out.
19) Wash your hair every two weeks on average
if you are just starting your locs. This gives
your locs a chance to form and intertwine
without too much interruption. As your locs
mature you will be able to wash them with
more frequency without having to worry
about them coming apart.
20) Clean your hair as often as you feel it is
needed once your locs are in their mature
stage. The mature stage is when your locs
no longer come completely undone when
washed.
21) Add a small amount of Tea Tree Oil to your
shampoo to help relieve dandruff should
it occur. This also helps to avoid mildew
forming should you decide to air dry your
hair.
22) Rinse out all of your shampoo and conditioner.
Any left over cleansing product in your hair
can also lead to build up that will eventually
leave a grayish residue in your locs.
23) Blot the water out of your hair with your
towel after washing it. Most people tend to
rub their hair dry with a towel. Rubbing your
hair dry causes it to tangle. You’ll also risk
breakage.
24) Change your shampoo or conditioner if you
experience dry scalp or excessive dandruff.
Even though you are using a natural product
you could still be allergic to something in
it that could be causing the dry scalp or
dandruff.
25) Wash your locs as soon as possible after you
leave the beach so you can remove the salt
from the water. Allowing the salt to settle in
your locs causes your scalp and your hair to
dry out.
26) Cleanse your locs after spending time in a
swimming pool. This keeps the chemicals
from the water from settling in and drying
your hair out.
27) Blend essential oils with carrier oils and
apply the mix to your scalp while your hair
is still wet. Put a plastic cap of some kind
over your hair and sit under a hood dryer for
10 to 15 minutes. Afterwards wash your hair
to remove the oil treatment. This is what’s
referred to as a Hot Oil Treatment. It helps
to deep condition your locs during the winter
months when your hair can feel extra dry.
Doing this more than once a month can cause
your hair to have oil buildup.

MAINTENENCE AND CARE

28) Use your oil blends to massage your scalp
in between washings if your scalp feels dry.
Massaging with essential oil blends can aid in
stimulating hair growth.
29) Apply a water soluble loc butter, gel, or
aloe vera gel to twist or palm roll your locs.
These products wash away more easily than
a petroleum or beeswax based product when
it is time to freshen your locs. There are
loc twisting gels and butters on the market
now, making it easy to find one that you are
comfortable using in your hair.
30) Start at your scalp and twist down to the
tip when twisting or palm rolling your locs.
This encourages your new growth to begin to
form its cylinder form which will eventually
form into a mature loc down the line.
31) Twist or Palm Roll your hair in one direction.
That means either towards your face or away
from your face. This helps set the pattern in
which your locs will grow. Twisting back and
forth will cause your locs to eventually pop
off.
32) Twist your hair only after washing it. Too
much twisting causes your locs to have a
weak foundation which leads to the loc
popping off from being too thin at the base.
33) Let your hair air dry after oiling and twisting
it so that it is not in danger of getting dried
out from the heat of a hand dryer. Using
a hand dryer can make your hair too dry
because you won’t be able to dry all of your
hair evenly at once. This will cause you to
over compensate by drying your hair too long
in certain areas.
34) Use a dryer that you can sit under. Set it on
a low heat setting so that you won’t dry out
your nourished hair if you can’t do your hair
early enough to prevent sleeping on wet hair.
Purchase this dryer at your local beauty
supply stores.
35) Tie your locs above your head with a silk or
satin scarf when you are taking a shower if
you are not washing your hair. Once your
locs are shoulder length you do not want
them to constantly be wet everyday when
you are leaving your house.
36) Cover your locs with a silk or satin scarf at
night to help minimize lint deposits in your
hair. Too many lint deposits can cause grayish
build up in your locs.
37) Color your locs with a natural coloring
product such as henna to help camouflage
lint deposits if grayish build up occur. Most
health food stores carry natural hair coloring
products.
38) Visit a loctician should you have a loc
that pops off that you would like to have
reattached. They will know how to reattach
it in a way that will camouflage the fact that
it broke off to begin with.
39) Wrap one loc around the other when you
have a loc that is thin at the root that you
would like to attach to the loc next to it.
Eventually they will grow together forming a
stronger loc at the root.
40) Pay attention to the shedding of your hair.
Shedding is part of the hair growing process.
There’s no need to panic if you see a strand
or two on your clothes. Too much shedding
could be the result of a poor diet. Consult
your physician if you are experiencing heavy
shedding.
41) Trim your locs a few inches if you begin to
experience neck pains or if your head feels
heavy. Everyone can’t necessarily wear locs
down their back. Your body will let you know
what a comfortable length is for your neck to
bare.
42) Have patience with your hair. It is not going
to be down your back over night. Different
hair textures grow at different speeds.
43) Eat healthy foods. Your system is healthier
when you eat fresher, non-processed foods.
The more fruits and vegetables the better.
Proper nutrition helps your hair be its
healthiest by receiving nutrients from the
inside of your body.
44) Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Keeping
the body properly hydrated also helps your
hair grow to be healthy.
LOC ADORNMENTS
45) Find a local ethnic shop that sells Africanrelated
products. In these shops you’ll find
different types of hair sticks, berets, or bands
used for putting your locs into different styles
such as a ponytail or a French roll. They will
also have cowry shells available which are
the most popular type of loc adornment.
46) Go to the fabric store and look for light
weight fabrics in your favorite patterns.
These can be wrapped or tied around your
head to give yourself a new look with your
locs.
47) Look for an arts and crafts store to find
different types of beads that you can adorn
your locs with. Some people prefer beads
over shells. An arts and crafts store will have
beads in every color you can think of, giving
you great variety in how you accessorize your
locs.

Follow the tips in this booklet and your hair
will be long and healthy before you know it.
Everyone with locs does not keep their locs down
their back. Some would just like the healthiest
head of natural hair they can have regardless of
the length.


http://healthylocs.nyrajuskincare.com/download.php

Ten Essentials for the Curvy Girl’s Wardrobe by Chastity Garner.from The Curvy Girl's Guide to Style (Chapter2-Kindle Locations 247-405)

 

When you invest in these pieces, certainly keep within your budget, but just the same, your essential pieces should be among the highest quality items in your wardrobe. Reason being is that you will wear them more than any other pieces in your closet. Think to yourself, how many times do you wear a pair of black trousers in a work week? Now I won’t tell anyone, but I know some of you have been wearing those trousers up to three times a week. The better the quality of these essentials, the more likely the piece is to last and stay looking like new.  
Now, without further ado, here are the ten essential wardrobe pieces for the curvy girl:  
1. Foundation garments
Later I will dedicate an entire chapter to the ins and outs of foundation garments and girdles. Why, you ask? It’s because they are SO...CRITICALLY...IMPORTANT! Do you know what I would look like in a curve-hugging dress without my foundation? I shudder at the mere thought! With the proper girdle, you can create clean lines on the body, flatten out that middle, and smooth down any extra hip. And no whining about them not being comfortable, ladies. When is the last time your stilettos have been comfortable? Uh-huh, that’s what I thought. And actually, some of the newer foundation garments aren’t all that bad, if you find the specific type you need, and get it in the proper size. My favorite foundation garments have come from Lane Bryant and Spanx, but for you budget-istas out there, a trip to your local TJMaxx or Ross can turn up good foundation garments for a fraction of the price.    
2. A black skirt  
A versatile black skirt that fits well is great for any working girl’s wardrobe. The right style skirt gives off the look of class and sophistication. Don’t tie yourself down to the pencil skirt, because as you know from Chapter 1, it does not flatter every body type. The critical thing about choosing a skirt is selecting the cut that works best for you, not the skirt that everyone says you should have in your closet. Select between the flare, A-line, and pencil. Avoid the straight skirt because it usually makes you look really boxy or really wide. The essential skirt should hit somewhere between mid-knee to right below the knee. The correct fit of a pencil should be close the body, wider at your hip area, and a bit tighter closer to the knees. If you have issues with the back of your legs or don’t like the splits in the back you can easily take it to a seamstress to get them closed up. Now, aside from the initial logistics of finding a good fit, a simple black skirt can be a very sexy yet classic item to have in your wardrobe, outlining the natural curves or creating balanced proportion. For example, if you have a post-work event and need to make a quick change after your day at the office, pair your skirt with a strapless top and a cardigan, a skinny belt, your cutest secretary shoes, and your boyfriend’s watch. When you go to a dinner party afterwards, just ditch the cardigan, add a large belt, jeweled clutch, and strappy sandals with a heel. In a matter of seconds you’ll look ready for after-hours play!  
3. Black trousers or pants
What woman doesn’t love her black pants or doesn’t wear them at least once a week? Black pants that fit properly can be so chic. If you are in that dressing room and you find that pair of black pants that are “magic,” grab two or three pairs, girl, because you might not ever find that perfect pair again. If necessary, hem and alter those pants to fit you perfectly, and they will look like you paid twice as much for them.
4. Black leggings
 I know I am going to get some disagreement on this one, but in my opinion, God didn’t create a more comfortable, chic wardrobe staple than black leggings. And what’s even better is a good pair that feature a bit heavier fabric and a tight stretch so that it can act as a light foundation garment for your lower body. Leggings are great for the dress that may be a little too short for comfort, for cold winter days when you really want to wear a dress, or for a weekend outfit paired with that cute long tank top you have. You can even incorporate them in your office wear as a twist on the opaque tights look. Try pairing leggings with your favorite sweater dress and your favorite knee-high boots. The general rule for leggings is to keep the butt area covered, because when you deal with spandex, there’s a fine line between looking great and looking, well, not-so-great. Since leggings are so popular now, they come in different prints and colors. I have yet to see any woman, with the exception of Amber Rose, look good in pair of metallic leggings. Actually, metallic anything on the lower region of your body is a bad idea. Plus-size ladies should also steer clear of liquid leggings—the ones with the slight sheen that make them look like they’re wet. These leggings will not only draw attention to any imperfections in your butt and legs, but they will amplify them. There may be a few women who have the perfect legs and bottoms for these leggings, but they are few and far in between. So if you have to question whether you should wear them, when you’re initially trying them on, you probably shouldn’t. Leggings are a great way to express your individual style, whether in black, solid colors, or even in tie dye. Remember to look out for any cellulite, lumps, and bumps while trying on bright colored leggings—any minor imperfections are more likely to show if the leggings aren’t black. But hey, if you’ve tried on a pair of purple tie dye leggings and they look fab, go for it!  
5. A little black dress, a.k.a. the L.B.D.
Without a doubt every woman needs at least one little black dress, but in my candid opinion, the more the merrier! This is your “go-to” item any variety of situations. When you don’t have anything to wear, you can throw a L.B.D. and feel much better. Likewise, when you want to look stunningly sexy, choose a L.B.D. with a sumptuous fabric and elegant tailoring. This dress saves the day in a crunch and can even, with the right accessory change, transition from your office to your night of dancing over the course of even a quick cab ride. (My New York curvy girls know what I am talking about!) The L.B.D. is timeless. The one that you take home from the store should accentuate the most gorgeous parts of your body. If you have great legs, then your LBD may be a little shorter than the standard knee-length hem. If your waist is small, then your L.B.D. could be cinched at the waist. If you have great shoulders and a long neck then your L.B.D. can be strapless. Whatever your favorite feature, your L.B.D. should show it off. I have two places in which I regularly look for my L.B.D.s. I know I can go to David’s Bridal to find a structured L.B.D. with minimum embellishments. Another plus of shopping here is that if you need some alteration done on the dress, David’s Bridal has an alteration shop on-site. For my more glamorous L.B.D.s I rely on the plus size designer label Jibri (www.jibrionline.com). It is a little costlier than your average alteration shop on the corner, but the designs are unique, distinguished and totally fabulous. Style tip - Don’t think you can’t take your L.B.D. from night to day? With a few simple steps you can transfer this look to the workplace. Go for sophisticated pumps instead of strappy sandals or super-high heels. Add a blazer or cardigan to tone down the neckline of the dress if it is low cut or strapless. Then put up your hair and throw on your favorite pearls to complete the office look.    
6. A crisp, white, button-down collar shirt
 I know that this one can be little tricky for the curvy girl. I love a white shirt, but because most curvy women don’t have an hourglass figure, the white shirt can create a bit of a dilemma. But this doesn’t mean you should go without. When you’re looking for a white shirt, find one that fits the largest part of your upper body, whether it is your breasts, hips, or belly. Any seamstress will tell you it is easier to tailor down than tailor up. So once you find nice a shirt that fits the largest part of your body, have the shirt tailored in to the smaller portions of your upper body. This will take your white shirt and turn it into one of your most favorite pieces. Wearing a crisp white shirt always exudes classiness and understated good taste. White shirts are typically easiest to find at your local department store. Most designers that carry plus-sizes, if they make nothing else, always make a white blouse. My personal favorite is from Lauren by Ralph Lauren. Every season consists of at least one high quality white button up shirt for the curvy girl.    
7. A trench coat  
If you’ve seen The Devil Wears Prada, you’ll certainly remember the scene where Andy is walking through New York in one of her oh-so-chic new outfits, straight from the sample closet of the runway. What you should notice more than anything else is that her outfit was built around a great long coat. During the early spring and the fall the trench coat is an essential piece that you could be wearing out and about nearly every day. The trench coat is a great outfit saver because it can give you a sophisticated look, even if you look like a mess underneath. Not that I ever advise looking like a mess at any time, but you know, sometimes life happens. My picks for that spring/fall coat is a one that hits right above the knee and creates a feminine shape. Belted trench coats accomplish this particularly well. Again, fit is always a factor when choosing a trench coat. Remember, since the coat will have to fit you from the knee to the shoulders pick a coat that fits the largest parts of you and then tailor down. Don’t buy one that’s too tight through the arms or shoulders, because this can seriously hamper your movement and look decidedly uncomfortable. I do need to confess something, though—my dirty little secret, and a great curvy girl tip. I do, in fact, have coats that I will never be able to button over my hips. They fit my upper body perfectly and still look cute, but I just have to wear them open. Try it—you may be pleasantly surprised!    
8. A day dress  
A day dress is a casual dress that can be rocked at brunch with the ladies or on a stroll through downtown. This dress is casual but always flattering. My day dress of choice at the moment is the shirt dress. It gives the crisp sophisticated look of a button up shirt, but is light and airy enough that you could take a casual stroll through the park, and look (and feel) perfectly at home. Wrap dresses are especially great for jet-setting curvy girls, because many shirt dresses are made with jersey, which doesn’t wrinkle and is highly versatile. The wrap dress also looks great on almost any body because it makes your waist look like the smallest part of your body. Since the waist of a wrap dress is adjustable, even if you have some moderate weight gain or loss, the dress will still fit. This is a great dress to check the standard-size stores for—one of my favorite wrap dresses is actually from Banana Republic! Since shirt dresses are generally a single piece of fabric that you wrap to fit your body, tag size isn’t the “end-all, be-all” when trying to find one that works for you. Don’t overlook other daytime styles. Sundresses are also great for showing off a summertime chic look, not to mention sweet sun-kissed shoulders. Many of these lately are being designed with elastic smocking on the back, so a good fit is almost guaranteed.     Style tip: Your wrap dress, like your L.B.D., can transition from day to night (or night to day) with just a few minor changes. For daytime, add a camisole if the neckline is too low. Select a complementary pair of flats, and a hobo bag, and you’re ready for the day. For night, add a pair of peep toe patent leather pumps, ditch the camisole and add a funky jeweled clutch and a couple of chunky bangle bracelets.    
9. A blazer
A blazer can often save the day by adding that perfect finishing touch to your outfit. A great-fitting blazer will give you a put-together look whether you are in the grocery store or on a business luncheon. Fit is key for adding this item to your wardrobe. Beware the too-tight blazer, but also avoid the oversized blazer. I know the boyfriend blazer is all the rage right now. Curvy girls can work this trend, too, but remember to still work your curves by adding a skinny belt or closing a button to give a little waist definition. This is definitely an item worth getting tailored to achieve that perfect fit that says “money.”  
10. Dark denim jeans
Dark denim jeans are a chameleon in the wardrobe. They can be easily dressed up or down, and they’re wonderfully versatile. That’s why they’re on this list! However, finding a pair of jeans is sometimes easier said then done. Plus-size or not, the hunt for a pair of jeans that have the optimal fit can have you wandering in and out of fitting rooms for months. First, narrow down the options by trying the style(s) that best suit your body type. The styles in question are skinny, bootcut, and wide leg. Regardless of the style, all your jeans should fit your frame. Baggy jeans make your butt look shapeless and/or create the look of a “man crotch.” Jeans that are too tight at the waist can give you the dreaded muffin-top. If you get stuck in the situation where you get caught between sizes, (let’s say size 18 is too small and size 20 is too big,) choose the size up, as it will allow for simple alterations and give you a better fit. Alterations can also help you avoid embarrassing, un-ladylike wardrobe malfunctions like plumber’s crack. Pocket details are also important. Pockets that are too small can make the derriere look extremely wide and no pockets can allow the world to see all the imperfections of your butt, unless, of course, you have a great butt. Stick to a decent size pocket—about as big as your hand—for maximum butt-appeal. When it comes to the length of your jeans, look for an inseam length that will allow you to wear both heels and flats. Sporting jeans that are too long make your legs look super short. Jeans that are too short...well, it’s just not a good thing. That’s why we have capris, not too-short jeans. You can actually play with varying lengths a bit when it comes to skinny jeans, but when buying your essential pair, choose an ankle-length pair or longer, so that your jeans can get you through the winter months. You can approach buying jeans in a couple of ways. One way is to buy jeans to fit the largest part of your body and tailor down. Remember you can tailor any part of the jeans—from the crotch to the waist to the length. Another way to approach this dilemma is to buy body type-specific jeans. I personally swear by Lane Bryant jeans. They make jeans for specific body types; the pear, the hourglass, and the apple. The jeans that I bought there fit like a glove, and that’s such an amazing feeling! PZI & Cookie Johnson Jeans are also labels that cater to the women with some curve to contend with. Their jeans go up to a size eighteen and have about a ten-inch difference between the waist and the hip. Low rise jeans can create many issues for the curvy girl, no matter your particular shape or size. Low rise will do one of two things. For the apple figures, they could allow your stomach to hang out over your jeans. (Yuck. Just don’t buy that pair if it creates this particular effect!) Hourglass, box shapes, and pears will run into problems with their hips coming out over the waistband if they’re too snug. And unfortunately, plumber’s crack is almost inevitable with low rise jeans. If you do decide that you just can’t live without your low rise jeans remember a couple things. A belt around the waist of the jeans is necessary to keep them from sliding downwards. Also, if your jeans have gotten too small, you need to let them go, because they’re going to make you look bigger than you really are. Jeans that fit = flattering silhouette.

Review of the Book:The Cheap Chica's Guide to Style: Secrets to Shopping Cheap and Looking Chic by Lilliana Vazquez @lillianavazquez

This book is so good.  It is not only informative with insider information on fashion and style. The author is very good with giving tips on caring for your apparel and accessories to make them last longer. She tells how to get the most bang for your buck when shopping. She even gives practical advice about budgeting.  Look at the table of contents for the book:

INTRODUCTION: FINDING MY CENTS OF STYLE
CHAPTER 1: THE STARTING LINE
CHAPTER 2: A ROAD MAP TO STYLE
CHAPTER 3: MAKING CENTS OF YOUR CLOSET
CHAPTER 4: BUILDING YOUR SHOPPING IQ
CHAPTER 5: SPEND VERSUS SAVE
CHAPTER 6: THE ART OF THE STEAL
CHAPTER 7: THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS

BBW Fashion Sites

These five sites featuring full figured fashions are fabulous:

Farrah Estrella

http://www.fffweek.com/

http://estrellafashionreport.blogspot.com/

Elann Zelie

ZELIE FOR SHE

http://www.zelieforshe.com/

https://plus.google.com/102607533762765386453/about

Big Girls United

http://biggirlsu.wordpress.com/

http://www.biggirlsunited.com

Lavender's Jungle, LLC

http://www.lavendersjungle.com

La Krisha S. Joseph-Baker

Tadashi Shoji

http://shop.tadashishoji.com/

http://shop.tadashishoji.com/plus-size-evening-shop.html

http://shop.tadashishoji.com/plus-size-evening-shop.html?p=1

COCONUT OIL HAIR REPAIR TREATMENT FOR DRY, ITCHY SCALP by Speedy Publishing from the Coconut Oil Bible: (Boxed Set): Benefits, Remedies and Tips for Beauty and Weight Loss

Ingredients:
Coconut Oil
Essential Oils, particularly, bay, chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, etc. Just choose any.

Procedure:
-Mix your chosen essential oil to the coconut oil in a bowl.
-Pour in the mixture into any container and then store it for use.
-When using; simply scoop up the oil mixture and rub onto scalp.
To treat other hair problems, you can simply change the essential oil to mix with the coconut oil. For instance, you can also add thyme or cedar wood for hair loss.