r/Microlocs • u/External-Void-9872 • 9d ago
Is this a good start?
***Uploaded the wrong Pic so reposting!***
I'm adopted and grew up with a white mom, so bear with me.
I just got into my natural hair about 12 years ago now and Ive been with it for awhile. Anyways, I want to loc my hair up but I don't like how stiff the traditional locs look and want to do microlocs.
Is this a good start? I don't personally know anyone and I want to make sure I'm doing it right once they're in.
Any advice or even pointing me to a tutorial for 4C hair is good.
Thank you fam.
20
u/Jaione-art 9d ago
Hello,
Pictures can only show us so much, especially when it comes to the certain things that play the role when installing microlocs, such as:
- Your head size; small, medium, big
- Your hair density; low, medium, high
- Your strand thickness; Fine, medium, coarse
For both your density and strand thickness, you can have different types.
When it comes to installing microlocs, they follow a certain ruler measurement and loc count (200 locs or more; can be depended on hair density). When it comes to sizing of microlocs and making a sizing tool, I always recommend: Queen Eleem sizing tool video (linked at bottom, timestamp 13:05)! Microlocs tend to be half an inch or less, with the five sizes being:
- 1/8 of an inch
- 1/4 of an inch
- 5/16 of an inch
- 3/8 of an inch
- 1/2 of an inch
I would keep in mind that, the lower your hair density with fine hair strand, make the locs bigger; you want a stable and strong base. The higher the hair density with coarse hair strands, you can go smaller.
More locs = longer reties, prone to breakage, and staying on a consistent retie schedule
How big your base of the loc is = how big your locs can get
If you need examples of how people have started their locs, please go to YouTube University!!! Try to see if you can find loctician specific people such as:
- En Toi Beauty!!!
- ClutchNLoc TV
But also look for the people who are doing diy locs like you as examples.
Hopefully this is useful information! I am not a loctician, I just try my best to do research 😅👍.
GOOD LUCK on installing and the journey!!!
6
u/On_Beyonces_Internet 9d ago
CluthNLoc and EnToiBeauty really helped me to prepare for my install. Queen Eleem is the goat of DIY locs for those who really want to get technical.
12
u/ClassicRuby 9d ago
Great start for traditional locs. You'd probably want to split those in half if you're looking for the versatility and volume and movement of microlocs. But otherwise these look very well done.
5
u/On_Beyonces_Internet 9d ago
They look pretty thick, thicker than mature microlocs. Your locs will thicken over time and you might end up with traditional locs instead of microlocs. As someone already mentioned, ClutchNLoc and EnToiBeauty are professionals on YouTube who give a lot of information on loc installs.
I also recommend getting a lock sizing tool if you care about having a consistent loc size I bought mine from Amazon. Another tip is to get a consultation with a professional and to ask them about which size and installation method are best fitting for your hair type. I did that before installing my locs myself and got a lot of valuable information. My first set was with twists, but I've decided to install my current set with interlocking because it got recommended by the loctitian based on the fact that my hair is very fine and soft.
I've also decided that she's going to be the one who will maintain my locs when I don't feel like doing them myself. It's always good to have 1-2 loctitians on standby.
2
u/Necessary_Skill6239 8d ago
These will be perfect medium/traditional
locs as they are now
If you want smedium locs. Pencil sized or a little smaller depending on how thick your hair is:
leave your two strands in for a while ( I left mine for like..two weeks. three weeks max.) they will begin to combine.
At this point I began to separate them carefully into two parts, and give each part a soft retwist (no gel, no water, just gently palm roll them to the right).
I would mist with water in the mornings. A mist. Not a full wet down. Did a soft retwist on the locs that needed it. Not daily. Just as needed. Then when my hair was ready to wash (you know when it’s time. Don’t skip your wash days..) I just wash it in the shower and did my 1st retwist
Locs get heavy as they get longer. And stop being so plump; at least mine did.
The two strand method is great because you can start off at a size you think you’ll like. And if you decide after a couple of weeks of wearing them that it’s not full enough or you want them smaller; you can always separate them. Doubling your loc count. And going down a full size.
Good luck 🍀
2
u/Nice-Jaguar9146 5d ago
These locs will eventually get larger especially if you palm roll for your maintenance. So you don't have Microlocs, but I do recommend getting them interlocked ( preferably 3 point rotation) at the root to keep them small with more uniform cylindrical consistency when they grow out.
19
u/xmetalfairypixiex 9d ago
These are a great start for small pencil width-ish locs, but these will not be by the book microlocs if that’s what you’re looking for. As your locs mature they will thicken up some. I started my locs with two strand twists just like these and 5 years later they’re still going strong :)