The stunning, dark beauty from Curaçao immediately stood out with her crown of long, fully mature locs. Don't forget: this was at a time when wearing natural hair was still seen as a radical choice. Seeing someone with locs — and such long ones at that — was rare and, at the same time, a powerful statement. Sandy was a true pioneer, simply by being herself.

When I asked her if she wanted to be a model for my book, she said yes without any hesitation. A little later, she sent me these photos. And yes, I still have them — immortalized in grayscale within the pages of Kroeshaar, Wat je moet weten en meer.

Our paths crossed again during the International Women's Day in The Hague, and later again in Amsterdam Zuidoost at a book presentation by another natural hair model from Curaçao (but that's a story for another time!).

In the OB Amsterdam Zuidoost, this graceful woman, with her unwavering self-confidence, finally shared her hair story for the camera. She thus became the very first natural hair model for my debut book.

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 A Loc Journey of Patience and Determination

Sandy's loc journey is a silent testament to perseverance. From a young age, she knew exactly what she wanted. At fourteen, while still living in Curaçao, she felt the desire to loc her hair. But at that time, it wasn't considered 'normal.' Society — and perhaps tradition — viewed it differently.

Instead of loudly resisting, she waited. She held onto her own vision, with a clarity far beyond her years. At nineteen, no longer living at home and now in the Netherlands, she finally took the step she had always known was right for her.

She told me back then how she cared for her locs, and her words now form a valuable piece of history:

I've had my dreads since August 1993.
I don't go to the hairdresser.
I wash my hair once a week and then twist each loc individually with hair grease, after which I grease it.

I first had fake braids (from age 14). I switched to dreads because I had wanted them for a very long time (from age 17). An added advantage is that it's a very practical hairstyle.

I didn't keep precise track of how long it took, but I think it was about a year. I didn't use any products to truly 'dread' it. I just had small braids that I left in; they naturally became dreads.

My cousin braided my hair, and since then, I've maintained it myself.

Initially, my dreads took less time than they do now. When they were short, washing and twisting took less time. Now, I spend about an hour and a half on them each week.

No real tips, but I do want to say that this hairstyle is really easy to keep clean.

(I've had my dreads since August 1993. I don't go to the hairdresser. I wash my hair once a week and then twist each loc with hair grease. From age fourteen, I first had extensions. I switched to dreads because I had wanted them for a very long time — since I was seventeen, actually. An added advantage is that it's a very practical hairstyle.
It took about a year for them to fully form, because I didn't use any products to speed up the process. I just had small braids that I left in, and they naturally became dreads. My cousin braided my hair, and since then, I've maintained it myself.
Initially, my dreads took less time than they do now; because they were shorter then, I spent less time washing and twisting. Now I spend about an hour and a half on them each week. No real tips otherwise, but I do want to say that this hairstyle is really easy to keep clean.)

Sandy Weeks now – 2025

Her philosophy was — and still is — beautifully simple: "People who don't like my hair, that's okay. Then I'm simply not for them." It wasn't an act of defiance, but a deep gesture of self-acceptance. She never asked permission to be herself.

Writing Natural History Together

Sandy was more than a model; she played an indispensable role in writing a new chapter in the natural hair history of the Netherlands. In 2003, during the book launch at the Koningskerk in Amsterdam, she stood beside me as we made history together. I was incredibly proud when I handed her a copy of the book that had come to life thanks to her — a small gesture for the immense gift of her presence and her story.

Now, more than 22 years later, her journey continues. Her locs, once impressive, have grown into a magnificent waterfall that nearly reaches her knees. She now lives in The Hague, where her locs are adorned with beautiful jewelry — each piece a symbol of the story that continues to grow.

Sandy Weeks, thank you. Thank you for your courage, your beauty, and for the trust you placed in me by sharing your story with me from the very beginning.
You weren't just a model for a book; you inspired an entire generation to embrace their own crown — in all its natural glory.

Your loc journey remains a living and beautiful testament to the power of staying true to yourself.

If you appreciate this blog and want to support my work, consider Bad Hair Uprooted, The Untold History of Kinky Hair to download and become part of the movement for equal hair rights.