Loc Knowledge : Ashleigh Gibbons

Loc's have always fascinated me. When I was younger, I would make my mom braid my hair in small braids and leave them in for weeks. You couldn't tell me I wasn't cute when I had them in. Fast forward 16 years later after perms, presses, the wild child fro, and two strands twists. Finally, I have made the decision to loc my hair. I have a few reasons for locking , and a week into it the lifestyle, I'm super stoked for my journey.

I have become apart of this amazing  community full of knowledge, beauty and stories to be told. Everyone's journey is different , however, it's knowledge all the same. Embrace yourself , your skin, hair and style. Meet Ashleigh Gibbons, my hair muse, when I went to start my locking process, I showed a picture of her beautiful hair as an example of what I was going for. Three years deep in the Loc lifestyle, she has some wisdom to offer us newbies.

HH: How long have you had your locs?
AG:My Locs will be 3 years old October 30, 2012.

HH: Do you believe loc’s are a hairstyle or lifestyle?
AG:I do believe that locs are a lifestyle. Hairstyles change very frequently, locs can be a lifetime. Locs are a commitment.

HH: Tell us about your loc journey. What has it taught you about yourself?

AG:My loc journey has been such a love hate relationship. One day I'd hate them and want to cut or comb them out! However, the next day I'm in love again and content with my decision to loc. This experiemce has taught me many things about myself, but what it has really taught me is PATIENCE PATIENCE PATIENCE. I never realized how unpatience I was before this journey.

HH: What products do you use?
AG:I'm not a big product junkie like others. I use a basic clarifying shampoo by 'Garnier Frutcis', oil my scalp with 'Organic Root Stimultor' Tea Tree Oil, and retwist my locs with 'Organic Root Stimulator' Lock and Twist Gel.

HH: Favorite Styles to wear your crown in?

AG:I play with my locs A LOT. I always come up with different styles by accident! I love updos. I do a Janelle Monae hairstyle often which is a basket weave up the back with a hump or something funky weird in the front!

HH: Advice to those in the beginning stages of the lifestyle?

AG:My simple advice to those in the beginning stages is an old proverb, 'Patience is a virtue...' Patience is a great asset to have and this lifestyle will surely teach you.

HH:Loc it up if .....
AG: Loc it up if. . . If you want to! In my case, I was tired of spending all my money on weaves. I would get 'natural looking weaves' (big, wavey, kinky) and braids all the time. Until it dawned on me that you HAVE that hair you're trying to perceive as yours!! WEAR YOUR HAIR STUPID!