Finally. After two years of research, consultations and deep thinking I have chosen to start braiding my dreadlocks which is also called “Braid locs”.
For a variety of reasons, I chose braidlocks. If you want to know what other options there are, read Options to Curl Frizzy Hair .
The most important thing for me was to create as much interest as possible with the aim of dispelling even more stereotypical ideas about afro hair. I think dreadlocks are the most stereotypical hairstyle and hopefully I can paint a more positive picture together with the people who follow me and the people I follow.
Since the thinnest dreadlocks are accepted faster than the traditional locs that are a bit thicker in diameter, I have chosen the micro size locs. The most obvious choice would be Sisterlocks or Nappylocs but I did not choose those either and for the following reasons: accessibility, price and convenience.
First of all, not everyone has access to a Sisterlocks or Interlock consultant or the money to start micro locs. The price for Sisterlocks with my hair length was estimated at $800 during a consultation. The time it would take to put them in was estimated at about 12 hours. Whether you choose Sisterlocks or another type of micro locs, the price and time it takes to create them are the same.
To get as many people involved as possible and therefore keep it as low-threshold as possible, I chose braidlocks. Everyone knows someone who can braid, so getting started is easy enough.
These braids cost me $240 in total and it was an 8 hour session. It is an investment because I probably won't be taking the braids out for the next 10 years. And with this choice I saved almost $400 compared to other micro locs.
For the maintenance you will need to go to a Sisterlocks or Interloc consultant, but you can also learn to do it yourself. You can then choose the nappylocs tool or the latchhook. On the site of Sheri King you can read more about braidlocks: http://bradelocz.com/order_now.htm