Oma
Microlocs Establishment Date: March 2024
Number of Locs: ~494 initially (a handful have since been combined because they were too small)
Location: New York
Instagram: @omalocsbeauty
TikTok: @getmicrolocsnearme
Hair Texture: Coarse
Curl Pattern: 4c
Hair Density: High
Installation Method: Microlocs (installed by a professional loctician)
Locking Method: Interlocking
Microlocs Installation Location: Lagos, Nigeria (@EniBraids)
What made you decide to install microlocs?
I was a loose natural for ~14 years before getting my microlocs installed. I loved my natural hair and experimenting with all sorts of hairstyles. However, more recently I found myself hiding behind extensions and being frustrated with the constant breakage I experienced with my natural hair due to over-styling, knotless braids, heat damage, etc. I wanted to fall back in love with my hair and also embrace the beautiful crown God gave me. Microlocs were always the plan at some point in my hair journey and I’m so glad I can finally experience them now.
“I love that I can fully embrace my natural hair and how beautiful it is naturally. It’s given me so much freedom and time back in my day to pour into things that are important to me.”
What was your go-to-hairstyle when you first got your locs installed?
When I first installed my locs, my go-to hairstyle was two flat twists on the side of my head. It was simple, yet elegant and I kept it in that style to exercise. Now that my locs have a bit more length, I either wear them half up, half down, or in a low tension ponytail. I love my Kitsch hair ties!
How do you maintain your locs and what products do you use regularly?
I mostly use rose water to hydrate my scalp and my locs every few days, as well as a cleansing shampoo to wash my hair every two weeks. My loctician also uses a mix of water and lavender oil when she retightens my locs. About a year into my journey, I started using jojoba oil to moisturize my scalp.
Now that I maintain my microlocs myself, I retie every 6 weeks using a 4-point rotation.
What do you love most about your locs and why?
There are so many things I love about my locs! I love that with microlocs your hair is always done. You can run your hands through your hair so easily and don’t need to worry about detangling. It takes almost no time to style, yet is so versatile. If you’re like me and like to play in your hair, the styling options are endless, especially when you have more length and your locs mature. I love that I can fully embrace my natural hair and how beautiful it is naturally. It’s given me so much freedom and time back in my day to pour into things that are important to me.
What has been the biggest challenge or adjustment?
So far slippage around the perimeter has been hard to avoid, but apparently it’s normal, especially in the early stages of your loc journey around the perimeter / edges.
What’s something you wish you knew before getting loc’d?
Though I had a hunch, I wish I knew how damaged my natural hair actually was from my last set of knotless braids before getting my microlocs. I thought the damage was mostly isolated to my edges, however during my retightenings, I learned that I had breakage all throughout my hair. This made it appear like my new growth was growing “outside” of my microlocs, however it was regrowth from hairs that completely broke off. Starting your locs on a strong foundation is incredibly important (especially if you want uniform locs), so I would have loved to have a better understanding of the health of my hair before diving in.
Also, now that I do my own reties, I’ve realized how important having a clean grid is. Reties are so much faster and a lot easier when everything joins properly. I have a grid, but it was never 100% perfect and combining locs has also altered its initial structure.
What advice would you give someone considering installing Sisterlocks or microlocs?
Embrace every stage of the journey (especially in the beginning) because if you blink, you’ll miss it.
Shout out your loctician! Who does your reties?
Tamara is amazing! She’s kind, honest, and fast. I appreciate the knowledge she always shares on each visit.
