Category: cultivated locs

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Loc it up Thursday

The Lupie Chick
Hairstyles are courtesy of

Twist & Curves
Distinctive Afrocentric Braids, Locs, Twists, & Natural Hair Designs
For The Man/Woman Who Dares to be Different!
Hartford, CT
860-523-4844

Twist & Curves


Twist & Curves


Hairstyles are courtesy of Twists and Curves
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These images may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of Mz. Sixx or Twist & Curves. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of the United States and International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted © 2011 – Au’Naturale by Mz. Sixx.

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Dreadlocks keep teen off homecoming court

The Lupie Chick

A Mississippi teen’s hairstyle is keeping him off of his homecoming court. A week before Vicksburg High School’s homecoming festivities several escorts found out that they would not be participating.

Patrick Richardson said school officials told him that his hair is keeping him from escorting one of the homecoming maids. The 16-year-old is sad that he won’t be in the next Vicksburg High School yearbook, pictured escorting his best friend Sa’shia Jones who was chosen junior class maid.

Patrick said after paying to have a tux fitting last Thursday, the principal called him to the auditorium and told him that he could not be a homecoming escort because he wears dread locked hair. The junior was told he would have to cut it to be an escort.

“When I decided to grow my hair that’s what I wanted to do. I thought it was acceptable, but from what the principal told me homecoming is of a higher standard and dreads are just not acceptable,” said Richardson. Patrick has been growing the dreads since last October and said the hairstyle is not prohibited nor addressed in any way in the school handbook.
The student’s mother, Tammi Mason, said she is upset because her son’s money was not refunded and that the school is not embracing his cultural expression. “It’s actually a form of discrimination to me because if that’s the case then everybody who’s fat shouldn’t be able to be in it on the court. They could say anything. Actually they could say you have to be a size 10 to be one of the maids,” said Mason.

Patrick’s dreads are about eight inches long and were going to be braided and pulled back for this Friday’s homecoming ceremonies.

Another Vicksburg high parent Lynda Jackson said that her son freshman De-Marcus Jackson also wears dreads and was humiliated to find out that his hair would prevent him from escorting the sophomore maid. Vicksburg Schools Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Swinford said there’s no written policy, but there is a practice that bans dreadlocks on the homecoming court.
She said students have been made aware of this, and school officials are in the process of looking at creating a written policy. Mason and Lynda Jackson said they are looking into taking legal action, although it may be too late to help their sons’ participation in this year’s homecoming.

Article Courtesy of http://www.thegio.com/

What are your thoughts??
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My Loc Take Down!!!!!

The Lupie Chick

I’ve been debating about taking down my loc’s and starting them over for sometime now. I’ve been asking others there thought about me taking down my loc’s and I receive mixed responses. My loc’s were started 2.5 years ago with comb coils. As my hair begin to loc, I realized they were too fat ) especially on the top and the middle of my head). I wanted skinner, more uniformed loc’s. I’ve received so many “opinions” about width, size, etc. Ultimately I decided I had to be the decision maker and I needed to do what would make me happy in the long run. With that being said- Let’s start operation loc take down.

Day 1- July 11

Washed locs, and heavily laid on Mane N’ Tail conditioner with a heat cap. I left the cap on 30 minutes before I started the take down. I pulled one loc out from under the cap, and begun to pick with a rat tail comb. it took 1 hour for me to take down 1 loc!!!!!! F-R-U-S-T-R-A-T-I-N-G!!!! I had a spray bottle with conditioner and water – I sprayed every second.. gosh … IT HURT. After 5 hours, I’d only taken down 12 locs!!!! at this rate I’ll be doing this 3 months *sigh*


Day 2-July 12th

All day at work, I was thinking ” how can I speed up the take down process?”. Detangler!!! Maybe detangler would help.. I went to lunch and purchased a large bottle of Mane and Til detangler. I came home, ate dinner and spritzed my loc’s heavily with the detangler and the conditioner/water mix. I began to pick away…. *le sigh* lets just say Day 2 I only removed 3 locs!!!! The process wasn’t any faster and i was only more annoyed. enough for today.. will resume business tomorrow :C

Day 3-July 13th

Ok, Day 3 is here. I would have thought that after 3 days I would see more progress- NOT! I emailed my friend Kellee, who had taken down her loc’s. I inquired about her technique, and products to use. She advised that I was doing it correctly- and that its a very long process. It took her about 8 days to remove her loc’s. So I found some shows to watch on TV, laid out all my tools and got to work.. wet loc’s with water.. spritz with detangler.. spritz with conditioner/water mix… massage everything in.. snip the ends off.. pick..pick..pick.. after 3 hours I’d taken down 5 loc’s. Ive now made 5 my goal for each evening. too many more after 5 makes me very frustrated and my head start to hurt ( I’m tender headed).

Day 4th-July 14th

I was a wet mess last night with the double spritzing.. so I decided to put the detangler in to the conditioner/water mix.. *shrug shoulder*, couldn’t hurt, and I’m trying to reduce time. Man, I started with the really fat loc’s.. JESUZ!!!!! they took an hour to work through. whew.. I almost stopped at 4, but then I felt bad that I didn’t meet my target, so I did one more and I completed 5 ( YEAH ME!!). I see right now.. the fat ones are going to be difficult ( and they are all in the middle of my head and on top of my head).

Day 5-July 15th

I visited my local grocery store during lunch and noticed that the VO5 conditioner was on sale for $1. I began to browse though the assorted varieties- and came upon ” Tea Therapy” The chamomile is suppose to have a calming effect. So I jumped on it ( I’d started having anxiety attacks over the process.. it was getting to me- in a bad way). After work, I went straight home, ate dinner, got relaxed, and went to work on the next set of loc’s. This time, I told myself I wouldn’t count ( although I did) and I would take my time. Well I wet the loc’s and sprayed them one at a time with the VO5 conditioner/water mix.. Baby.. I was working em out!!! I worked from 7p-11p and had taken out 9 loc’s. Almost all of the front were taken down. I love the VO5 conditioner. its a little thicker than the Mane and Tail, and for this process- I think I rather use the least expensive of the two. Not sure if the Chamomile in the conditioner did its job with the calming effects- but I was calm.. and I found my rhythm. **Doing the cabbage patch**

Day 6- July 18th

OK.. today wasn’t so great- its the day AFTER the wine fest and I was nursing a MAJOR hangover. *Note to self* taste the wine- don’t DRINK IT…I washed my entire head- It was hot, I was sweating and I had been spraying conditioner in it all week so I figured I would wash my hair, and do as many as I could with a hangover. I worked from 2p-8p and I completed 8- the entire front is loose!!!!! I did 2 big twist on the loose hair and sealed the ends with Crisco ( yes, the blue can- CRISCO). I looked like Shirley Temple with the ringlets hanging from my face. My daughter came in and said ” mommy.. your almost finished!!” All I have left is the back.. MAKING PROGRESS !!!!!!

Day 7- July 20th

I’ve missed two days and I feel like I need to get this OVER AND DONE WITH. I came straight home, ate a quick meal- and got to working. I worked for 5 hours and had removed 6 loc’s. The back is allot harder to take down- actually they are murderous. They are wound so tight and they are smaller. Aggggghhhh.. I’m never gonna be finished ( *insert sad face*)

Day 8-July 21st

I came to work feeling good and looking better. Until it was implied that my loc’s project a bad image. You can tell that my loc’s are gone in the front- I’ve been wearing my hair in a pony tail. One of my co workers noticed and lets just say- I found out what she really thought of me rockin loc’s ( click here to read what happen). I came home, hotter than Satan and immediately began to work on the remaining loc’s. I think I was so angry that I channeled that energy intro completing the take down. I didn’t track how many I took down, I just worked until I was tired and out of energy.


Day 9 – July 23rd

I have a few errands to run and I’m ready to get home and finish working on my hair. Its the start of the weekend and I’m determined- I WILL NOT GO TO WORK ON MONDAY WITH 2 HAIR STYLES ( locs in the back and a pony tail on the front- NOT GOING TO DO IT). I’m down to the final 15 loc’s. I worked until 2am Sat morning- ( I swear if I’d started with the back- I would have chopped them all off- there is NO way I could have done too many more of these skinner, tightly coiled loc’s)..

Day 10- July 24th

We spent most of the day at the water park to beat the 110 degree weather. While at the water park- I noticed every loc wearer- and there were plenty to look at. OMG– I cant wait to re loc. I’m starting to feel out of the circle-but its ok– I’m out BUT NOT FOR LONG. I washed my hair- and two strand twisted the “loose hair”, and sealed the ends with Crisco. I’m down to the final 9 loc’s ( yeah!!!!!). I can see the finish line..


Day 11- July 25th

I woke up with a mission.. Today is the day I will complete my loc take down. I cooked breakfast and dinner at the same time. Doubled up on ice cold drinks turned the TV to First 48 and began to work on the final 4. The final 4 were stubborn- OH BABY! they weren’t trying to go!!!! I realized after hours of tugging.. and picking that the last two rows in the back were the ones I latched- That’s why they are so friggin tight!!!! Anyhoo– It took me 6.5 hours to take down the final 4! Whew I got to the last one- I almost cried- I knew that once that last one was out- I would temporarily be out of the loc wearer circle ( sad face). I almost kept it, then I was going to cut the whole loc off as a memory- then I decided to just take it down. I called my daughter in the room and told her I was on my last loc. She asked, “now that you don’t have loc’s will you still make products?”- We’ll of course I will- she smiled, and clapped and I begun to pick..pick..pick..pick…. ( fast forward 52 minutes) and it gone.. I no longer rock loc’s– I marveled at my hair.. Now I’m here with this big head of hair and suddenly, I’m confused.. I’ve been natural off/on since 1995- but I always kept it short. I plaited my hair and trimmed the ends, took the plaits out- moisturized and two strand twisted all the hair. Now what?? My friend Kellee, and I exchanged 22 email over the last 11 days. She asked me ” what will you wear for your debut” * shrug shoulder* I don’t know- maybe a twist out- This day seemed so far away- but now its here- what am I going to do???

Debut New Hair Day!!!- July 26th

Its Monday- I whipped out my new dress to go with my new hair. I’m feeling something sexy and fancy. I un twisted the two strand twist I had did last night- and errrrr.. ME NO LIKEY.. I didn’t look like the girls on You tube.. I didn’t like it.. nope.. can rock like this.. So I took my water bottle filled with Coconut milk, water, and Aloe Juice and spritzed my hair.. Rubbed some Orange Marmalade Hair Butter on each section… a little Aloe Vera Gel… Shuck.. finger fluffed- D-O-N-E…. I got big hair ( which is what I wanted) * doing the cabbage patch* I LOVE IT!!!!! I put on my hoop earrings to complete my style and a sista is looking and feeling like a million bucks ( **singing Uh You fancy huh?**):!!!!!!!!

au naturale, cultivated locs, curly hair, fro hawk, headbands. natural hair, miss sixx, natural hair, relaxer

I was just told- I project a bad image with natural hair!!!!!!!

The Lupie Chick

OMG!!!! I’m on fire sitting here as I type this. If you see smoke- its just me- trying to calm the hell down…

I was holding out on you guys with a major announcement. I’m taking down my loc’s– not because I don’t want them anymore- but because I want them smaller and more uniformed. I was never really happy with the size, so I decided to take down this set, and start them over. I wanted to do the big reveal once I’m done- but that wont be until next week ( heifer messed up my plan).

We’ll I’m at work- sitting at my desk in my office **ok, Im’a be honest- **I’m sitting here looking at You tube videos on how to do a twist out **, you can obviously tell that some of my loc’s are gone. All of the front have been taken down- I only have the back loc’d. I have them two strand twisted going to the back into a pony tail. A co worker ( who shall remain nameless) walks up to my desk and say ” ooh, your loc’s are gone” * insert a big ass kool aid smile on her face*, I responded- yes, but not for good. I start with my explanation of why I was taking them down- she cuts me off –

** This is how the convo continued**

Her: good now you can go and get a relaxer

* insert the gas face and a bubble caption that reads ” GTFOH *

Me: You know I’m not getting a relaxer- I’m Au’Naturale baby ( she knows about the blog, the products, etc) I wont ever be going to a relaxer again- EVER- NEVER- AGAIN will the creamy crack take up residence on my hair!

Her: well you can go see my Dominican stylist ( Lucia) she can blow your hair super straight and it will be down your back-

* insert beads of sweat forming on my nose and silently praying for God to shut my mule-we are in a corporate building and I’m located in the executive suite*

ME:NO- THANK YOU- I’m happy being natural- and when they are all out I will rock a curly fro for a month, then re twist to re start loc’s in September.

Her: chile, please.. all you gotta do is get some protectant, hair oil and you will be good to go- I have a relaxer and I get it done every 2 weeks at the Dominican Salon. You have ” good” hair”- You will be happy with it and you”ll be able to do more with it {hair}. Lucia will hook you up!

** Me thinking to myself- is that what you did when you had to chop off your shoulder length hair into a short bob, because of breakage and bad perms-just use styling protectant, and oil – The oil you had me mixing for you and your daughter?? ummmmm**

ME: well to each its own, but did you ever think that everyone isn’t into the super straight hair – I love my curls- I love being natural!

Her: Why?? who would want to walk around and look like that on purpose?

** adjust my eyeglasses, insert the gas face with a twist and my church finger up!~**

ME: I know thousands of women, men, and children that has CHOSEN to be natural- its a choice-and believe me dear. I’m super fresh , happy, and confident EVERYDAY-regardless of how I rock- Loc’s, Fro, twist out, OR A RELAXER !

Her: ** slowly walking away out of my office** no way, no how would I subject myself or my daughter ( her daughter is 4) to that image.. Good luck with that

* stands up to escort her up outta my space * image of Martin Lawrence comes to mind of him throwing people out of his apartment* hand on my hip*

ME: Good luck with growing your hair back after that bad perm-ooh.. and you have a relaxer scab dangling- U might wanna check that ( :0 )

Divas!!!! I never knew this heifer felt that way about my hair. I’m in complete shock right now.. I’ve never heard a “bad comment” about my loc’s or my natural hair- so I’m completely caught off guard right now.. She had the friggin nerve to waltz her ass into my office and suggest that I project a bad image because I ‘ve chosen to be natural- BISH GTFOH!!!!!!!
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I’ve been featured on Irocklocs.com

The Lupie Chick
Check out my feature on http://www.irocklocs.com/

Kim, author and of http://www.irocklocs.com/ is a middle school teacher who is blogging about her journey from rockin’ relaxers to rockin’ locs! Lets show Kim some love by following her blog http://www.irocklocs.com/ and follow her on Twitter @irocklocs

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LOCS OR DREADS… WHICH IS CORRECT?

The Lupie Chick

How many times have you heard, “I like your dreads”, and cringed by the implication of what ‘dreads’ means to you. I do not mind, but many cultivated loc wearers do. The terms locs and dreads are often used interchangeably, as they both refer to ropes of matted hair. There is however, a distinct difference between the two. The following descriptions are intended to help you distinguish between the terms.

Organic Locs

Organic locs are more widely referred to as dreads or dreadlocks and are formed as the name implies – organically. The hair is washed regularly, but not combed, allowing the hair to mat with no interference. This typically results in thick locs of different shapes and sizes – these are the locs most often associated with interchangeably. Example: Bob Marley

Freeform Locs

Freeform locs are similar to organic locs in that they aren’t “tightened” or “maintained.” However, freeform locs are cultivated to a degree, as the hair is separated (not parted, just pulled apart in “chunks”) into fairly uniform sections after washing. There is no parting, palm rolling, twisting, or latching. Example: Lil Wayne

Cultivated Locs

Cultivated locs are more widely referred to as locs and are formed using various methods. What sets them apart from organic locs and freeform locs is that they are parted into sections of about equal size and regularly maintained, using one of several methods to tighten the new growth. Cultivated locs are usually relatively neat and uniform in appearance. Example: Miss Sixx

Types of cultivated locs include:

Traditional locs
BradeLocz
Nappy Locs
Sisterlocks(tm)

Source: http://www.loclovers.com/Types-of-Locs/1

aloe vera, au naturale, avocado oil, blacksoap, co-wash, cultivated locs, ecostyler, kellee Tolbert, mositure, natural, natural hair, natural hair styles, soybean oil, vegatable glycerin, vo5, water

Interview: Loc Take Down W/ Kellee Tolbert

The Lupie Chick



What’s your name and where are you from?
Kellee Tolbert, grew up in Glen Burnie, MD. But I live in Baltimore Now

How long were you loc’d before you decided to take them down?
3 years

Why did you choose to take your loc’s down?
I wanted a change. My locs were not healthy; I had little knowledge about how to care for them at the time. Also, I was not able to do my own hair and it was getting expensive going to the salon just to get a style

What method did you use to remove your locs? Products?
Just a rat-tooth comb, with the metal end and some VO5 conditioner

What has been the reaction of your family and friends since removing your loc’s?
My husband has been very supportive of my natural journey. My mother in the opposite and wishes that I would relax my hair. She was not in favor of the locs either.

What styles do you love to wear the most and why? How do you go about achieving this style?
I like when my hair looks wild and big. I achieve this by twist outs and braid outs

How do you detangle your hair?
I find that detangling before I wash works best for me. I just spray a glycerin/water mixture and take sections with a wide tooth comb and get to work

How do you maintain length? Moisture?
I don’t really worry about length, because there is a lot of shrinkage. Moisture was a big problem for me. I now have the correct mixture of shea butter that works for my hair. I also do a mayo/egg conditioner.. sometimes I add an avocado. It has been working very well for my hair.

How do you protect your curls at night?
If I have a twist out.. I re-twist with shea butter and put my satin cap on

Name a few challenges you are currently facing with your hair. Have you been doing anything different to overcome these challenges?
Right now I am trying to get my hair to grow in the places that were broken off from the locs. Just keeping moisture has been working.

List the products that you use and how you use them. What is your current hair regimen? share what works for you!
I make my own she butter hair cream recently added Soybean oil and Avocado Oil and I have noticed a significant difference in the moisture and shine. For quick styling in the morning I use coconut oil. To wash I use Blacksoap shampoo ( only when I have product in my hair ie. gel ( Ecostyler or aloe gel) Or I just use VO5 with oils added for co-washing. Glycerin/water mix to hydrate curls.

Do you have any advice for other naturals?
Being Natural has more to do with just hair. It is mental! You have to be extremely comfortable with yourself to live outside of society norms. It took me a while to understand this and it is not for everyone. Everyone has their own journey.

Where on the web can we find more about you and your styles?
No website. But maybe in the future I would like to do natural hair consulting; especially for children. Children of bi-racial and adoptive parents. There is a lot of knowledge that needs to be shared. Education is always the key.