A COUNTRY ON LOCK DOWN
As a stylist for the last 28 years, I’ve seen many trend changes through the years. Styling hair for my clients in the early 90’s often involved the transitioning process to go from the popular gheri curl and big curly hair, to more straight looks with relaxed hair. To do this, most women just cut their hair short, tapered the sides and back area, and left the top soft and layered. Anita Baker, Halle Berry and Toni Braxton were three women most of my clients referred to when they talked about the haircut or style they were looking to attain. But as time progressed, women started looking for transitional styles that would allow them to grow these short cuts out. Braids and weaves became a popular means of accomplishing this. As more and more women turned to these braids and weaves, the products have developed to become much more realistic than earlier versions. But many women still were not comfortable with this “fake hair” so they more frequently began venturing into the realm of Natural hair.
My salon, “Madame Walkers Braidery and School”, was the first braiding salon in Prince Georges County MD. Most people went to DC to have their hair braided. Growing their hair longer, some women decided that they liked the look and feel of the new growth that was coming in on their scalps. They often, between braid styles, asked me to trim their ends and then I would end up over time cutting all of their relaxed hair leaving them with a head full of beautiful full healthy natural hair. Eventually these women would stop putting in the extension braids and would request me to do styles on their natural afros. Some of the more popular styles they wore were two strand twist and natural corn row twist that would leave the hair textured, fluffy and voluminous. Ladies like Jill Scott, Lauren Hill, India Arie and Eyrka Badu influenced the beauty choices of a lot of my clients during the early 2000’s.
The two strand twist and the gel twist would end up being a wonderful way for clients to transition to locking their hair. They loved being natural but they wanted something more permanent that would give them versatility. They wanted something with style that would still enable them to be accepted in a professional work environment. Thankfully, I’ve been styling for so long, I’m happy to say I have been a chemical stylist, a braider, a natural stylist, and now a locktition. I combine all of my styling aesthetics to service today’s natural and locked clients with beautiful styles and silhouettes that pay homage to the looks of the early 90’s such as buns, bobs, roller sets, as well as intricately braided styles all now done with locked hair.
Hair locking for years was frowned upon and thought to be dirty or un-kept. They were call dreadlocks. Nowadays, you can see locks on TV, in movies, and in corporate America. You also may be prone to see them on many sports teams’ athletes. Locking one’s hair is a state of mind and a wonderful way to display your pride in your natural beauty. So when contemplating your next hair style or transition, remember to keep in mind, all hair can be beautiful when properly maintained. God doesn’t make mistakes. Be proud of your natural beauty and love yourself as you are.
Shanti Walker
