Shelly
Microlocs Establishment Date: April 20th, 2023
Number of Locs: I started with 276 locs. I combined some and I haven’t counted since. I like having an idea of how many locs I have instead of knowing the exact number.
Location: New York
Instagram: @belles_skaterlocs
Hair Texture: I’d say medium.
Curl Pattern: I still don’t understand how to describe my curl pattern. I have a few different patterns. Someone told me I was 4c but based on the true 4c pattern, I highly doubt that I am. I’d say 4b but I don’t feel sure.
Hair Density: I’d say medium density.
Installation Method: I have DIY microlocs and installed them myself.
Locking Method: I started with 2 strand twist method. I didn’t want to install myself, but I wanted to maintain myself. I didn’t have the best experience with locticians. Three bad experiences actually. 1. Didn’t answer my calls or messages. 2. She answered, but eventually stopped responding so that we can have a consultation. 3. The last one tried to convince me to cut my hair because “it was too long and will cost me too much.” She also wanted me to do the two-strand twist method which is not what I preferred after she showed me the interlocking method. She gave me a quote at the salon for both the interlocking method and the two-strand twist method, then when I got home and told her I want the interlocking method, she gave me a completely different quote and a very limited timeframe to have my locs installed. I decided to continue to be the only hands that touches my hair and used the install method that wasn’t my preferred method—two-strand twist method. Now that my microlocs are becoming more mature, the method I started with is becoming irrelevant.
Installation vs. Oct 2025
Describe your hair before getting microlocs.
I had 10 - 12 inches of loose natural hair.
What hairstyles did you used to wear the most before getting microlocs?
I was wearing braids and wigs.
“The biggest challenge is doing my reties. Yes, I vowed to maintain my microlocs myself, but I didn’t like that it takes a long time to do my reties. However, I found that taking as many breaks as I need during my retie makes it a lot more tolerable. I do things that make me feel good before I start my retie and during my breaks such as roller-skating and baking bread.”
What made you decide to install microlocs?
About 5 years before installing my microlocs, I cut all my hair off and decided to get traditional locs when my hair grew back. My hair was growing back, but it wasn’t healthy so I spent two years taking very good care of it. When I got pregnant, my hair just flourished more. At 5 months postpartum, I didn’t have the time to sit and install braids in my hair like I was doing before and during pregnancy and I wanted to wear my hair; I was tired of fake hair. I made a vow to myself to be the only hands that touches my hair going forward. My hair was also at the healthiest it has been in a long time with the exception of postpartum shedding. The hair along my edges felt like they were dying! I was so scared. I wanted to do something quick, but something that made sense. Then I saw a picture of Sisterlocks and fell in love! Although I loved the idea of Sisterlocks, I didn’t want locs so tiny, and after doing some research, I found that there are also microlocs, and I said “that’s what want!”
What’s your go-to-hairstyle ?
My go-to hairstyle is wearing my hair down or in a bun. I don’t do too much to my hair, another great thing about having microlocs.
How do you maintain your locs and what products do you use regularly?
My current maintenance routine is washing my hair weekly, reties 4 - 6 weeks with the 3-point rotation, oiling my edges only and wearing a bonnet to bed every night. I don’t mist my hair anymore because I realize my hair prefers to be washed. I add oil to my scalp as needed because I realize my scalp gets very itchy if I put too much oil.
What do you love most about your locs and why?
Firstly, there’s this new found love for my hair in general because it’s in this more manageable state. I love that I get to wash my hair as often as possible without dreading detangling or wondering what hairstyle to try with fear lingering in the background that it most likely will not turn out the way I want because I simply did not understand my loose natural hair. Although I love that I can wash my hair or getting my hair wet at any moment without anxiety taking over my body, I do love that I can get dressed to go anywhere at anytime and all that my hair requires is removing my bonnet and finger combing my hair and I can go out in any weather condition—sunny, rainy, snowy and have zero worries, I love that the most.
What has been the biggest challenge or adjustment?
The biggest challenge is doing my reties. Yes, I vowed to maintain my microlocs myself, but I didn’t like that it takes a long time to do my reties. However, I found that taking as many breaks as I need during my retie makes it a lot more tolerable. I do things that make me feel good before I start my retie and during my breaks such as roller-skating and baking bread.
What’s something you wish you knew before getting loc’d?
I wish that I thought of coloring my hair before installing microlocs because dyeing locs is a lot more intense than I’d ever imagine. It took me three tries to get my desired color and I waited two months each time to try again to keep my hair as healthy as possible. So yes, I walked around with blotchy dyed hair for awhile lol.
What advice would you give someone considering installing Sisterlocks or microlocs?
I advise you to do as much research as possible. Be clear on what you want and try to understand your hair as much as possible and be patient. If you find a loctician that you trust, listen to their advice. If you DIY, always seek more information and trust your gut. At the end of the day, it is your hair. Lastly, your hair will not look like your loc crush’s hair, and that’s a great thing. Your hair is unique to you. This is not just a hairstyle, it’s a transformation, allow yourself to be transformed. Go with the process, it’s a beautiful one.
Shout out your loctician! Who does your reties today?
Should out to me for getting my reties done even when I dread them! And, especially for finding a way to get through my retie without frustration. ❤️
