My Loc Story

My loc journey began in July 2017. Like many women of color navigating corporate America, I was exhausted from trying to make my hair fit into environments that were never designed with us in mind. Beyond the politics, the time cost was unsustainable. Hours spent flat-ironing, wrapping, preserving styles, and planning my life around my hair didn't align with how I actually lived or worked.

At the time, my mother had been locked for over two decades, and my roommate wore Sisterlocks—both women deeply rooted in their choice and visibly freer because of it. I admired that freedom, but I was also hesitant. I worried about versatility. I worried about permanence. Most of all, I worried about losing control. Still, I knew something had to change. I wanted to work out without hesitation, swim without calculation, and move through life without constantly negotiating with my hair.

When I booked my installation, I didn't fully understand the locking process, the biology of my hair, or what long-term commitment actually meant. The first five months felt affirming. Between months six and twelve, doubt set in hard. I questioned my decision, my appearance, and whether I had misunderstood the process entirely. But I stayed the course.

What the photos don't always show is that this journey was earned. No wigs. No extensions. No shortcuts. Just time, consistency, and learning how my hair behaves under tension, moisture, manipulation, and neglect. Over the years, I learned that locs are not about perfection or uniformity—they are about structure, balance, and respect for the hair's natural tendencies.

Professionally, I am a high performer—and statistically, that matters. High performers tend to value efficiency, autonomy, and systems that reduce decision fatigue. We are often time-constrained, goal-oriented, and intolerant of processes that create unnecessary friction.

My loc journey forced me to confront how poorly traditional haircare systems serve women like me. It also showed me why locs, when installed and maintained correctly, are one of the most time-efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable hair choices available—especially for women with demanding lives.

After 25 years in marketing, I transitioned into loctician work during a period of burnout, looking for something tactile, creative, and restorative. What I didn't expect was that this path would lead me back to marketing—this time through the lens of beauty, education, and personal development. Today, I combine lived experience, professional strategy, and technical training. I am currently studying at IAT Trichology School as a Hair Practitioner Trainee, deepening my understanding of scalp health, hair biology, and evidence-based care for textured hair.