7 Year Loc Journey Update | Long Loc Challenges 👀 | Take Notes BEFORE You Get Locs!

[@iamnotmyhandle]

Hey Sis, I understand your sentiment about your ends, so wanted to offer some advice based on my own experience with similar textured hair. If you cut the curled ends bluntly, it will have a blunt appearance. But if you cut the curled ends on a slant, they will retain their curls. Spirals are meant to be cut on a slant, so cut them with the scissors pointed downwards (like vertical position) and you will retain your curls. Hope this helps. 🙏🏾💚

[@itsDawnElle]

Hi Sis!! Ahhh this is such a great info!! Thank you so much for sharing and I’ll be sure to do it this way!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@beottamurray3121]

yes! correct

[@13unnyjpg]

You really remind me of Tabitha brown and your locs are gorgeous I’m 2 years and 3 months in. And love it so much , wish I would have loced up a long time ago

[@ExposedRoot]

I subscribed because of the gray.. I also have gray in the front in a patch but not entire hairline. You don't look old. I not chasing my grays. I'm Im gonna roll with it.

[@irenerouse3163]

Embrace the greys baby girl. Grey dreads are beautiful too. Time doesn't stand still. Your hair tells a story. I have grey compliments all day long! Your face will carry anything.🙏🏿

[@PatricehasFaith]

I think the grey is cute i can't wait until mine turn silver lol

[@angelinechristmas8275]

Hello Dawn, your locs are pretty. I had to learn how to accept my white greys. I'm a lil older than you, and I've learned that if you're coloring my hair I will never win trying to cover them. I love my white greys now and my locs. I've been locked for a year anniversary on the 20th Nov. 😅

[@Froluvangel]

Get a microfiber towel and let your locs sit in them cuts the drying time down.

[@Ellisllis]

I was contemplating that I have one now so thanks for this comment. I thought it would have the reverse effect

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much for that tip! I recently got some microfiber towels. I just wished they were bigger 😂🤣. But yes, it really does help the drying time. I didn’t think to get a big flat one instead of the one that’s made for hair. That would be helpful.

[@mariec3756]

I feel you on the loc size. I love the size I have but love the bigger look on others. I’m 3yrs in.

[@CozyQueen_]

Girl my hair is heavy. My locs are down to my butt. I’ve had my locs since 2010. I’m tempted to cut them short like boob length. But I like that with them long I can do styles that make them appear short and with them short I’m limited. But I can’t wear it up because I get headaches. I’ve done many cuts and when you know you just know. When you are ready to cut it it’s such a relief and easier to manage. I’m still indecisive at the moment. I get you on that neck pain though. I did color mine though with kiss tintation cherry bomb and the color payoff is immaculate. Reds usually fade fast but not with this brand. It’s a semi permanent and it’s vibrant. I have curly ends too. You can cut it and then detangle the ends as high as you want to keep the curly ends if you want. I kept mine short just a little curl for me to see my loose hair texture. The more you detangle the ends though the more shedding. So that’s what I learned from blunt cuts vs. curly ends.

[@itsDawnElle]

Wowww you had locs since 2010?! 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 Girrrl you definitely know the deal lol. I feel you on the thought of a bob length cut because I thought about that too but like you I thought about how limited I would be and I knew that wouldn’t work for me. At least not right now 😂. Thank you so much for sharing the color that works!🤗 Hmm I’m really thinking about combing out the bottom for the curly ends and I really do like that look.

[@dianalawrence4950]

Embrace the gray 🩶 hon! Wisdom! your locs are beautiful.

[@coolkidruby3429]

If it makes you feel any better I can’t wait to have grey hair. Especially if I look like I do now in the future. Grey women just look so regal and ethereal!! Especially with the contrast of the brown skin?? Oh baby I’mma eat that look up just wait till I earn my greys.

[@itsDawnElle]

Awww that’s so awesome!!🤗😘 I’m excited for you to see that look on yourself. I know exactly what you mean bc I felt that way about Angela Basset in Black Panther. I thought it just looked soo pretty on her.

[@safia9536]

I've grown my locs in a mohawk shape and they're still plentiful, long, and can get heavy. Science says our bones are adaptable, however, and will adjust to the demand put on them. Such as persons who may gain extreme weight and still walk. With that said, I have noticed less neck knots and tension as I am mindful of it. For instance, I've always been into yoga & exercise so that helps. I also incorporated the Go Fit Muscle Hook which is extremely helpful in loosening stiffness from knots and thus increasing durability. Best wishes, whatever you decide to do for you. It doesn't matter how long or short a person chooses to wear their hair!

[@dawnlael8888]

First of all, you look gorgeous ❤. I love this vid. Super sharing loc journey 👍🏽🥰

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you sooo much Misty!!!🤗😘😍🙏🏾

[@ms.t6661]

I like your frames!😀 your Beautiful and your locs are as well! God Bless!

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much for your kind words!🤗😘 God bless you too!!

[@asweetmshell]

Hey Dawnelle! Your locs are stunning. Happy 7 years🎉🎉🎉🎉 Thank you for sharing the details of your current loc highs and lows❣ It's so relatable for many of us. I am also not a fan of my greys in the front. They are sprinkled around for now, but its annoying and they are unruly and stand out. Five years in and I have the same hair washing issues. The drying time is so long and I air dry. I will test it out blowdrying on wash day. Never was a fan of blow drying 🙏🏾 but something has to happen. Let us know what you decide with your locs and definitely trim at an angle like it's been said. Also keep your locs. Display them in a frame and hang somewhere.💕

[@Windsingerful]

Sis….I am so there with you! 🤜🏾🤛🏾 We are loc twins fo real! Exact same issue with loc length and weight! And the long locs get into everything! I’ve heard better to cut a loc on an angle, as opposed to blunt cut, would give a more natural look (rather than that puff! 😂😂). Guess I’ll find out. I was thinking of cutting my butt-length ones back to about 2” below BSL. Then maybe I can do some updos! Looking forward to seeing your results!

[@itsDawnElle]

Hi Sis Sio!!!🤗😘 yes indeed we really are loc twins for real for real! Ughhh who are you telling? It’s so annoying. I think that length is manageable for sure. I can’t wait to update you ☺️.

[@ABelleDame90]

One, you're so pretty. Two, i also think your grey hair is cute and adds character to your hair and look overall. Three, (im 1 year and 2 months locked and all of the locs in front and middle still have curly ends which i love, it makes it look bohemian) i world not want to cut my ends either to keep the curls since i don't want mine as long as yours. But what you can do is make sure to cut each loc individually and at an angle, afterwards comb out a little bit with conditioner and you'll have those curly ends. I think the main thing is to cut "individually at an ANGLE" so they're not blunt and puffy😊😊😊

[@SJANELJ]

LOVE IT!!. i also just hit he 7 year mark on 3.13. Congrats!!!

[@nikkiep23]

Hey Dawn Elle! I've been a subbie for years. Your locs flourishing. I'm 5 years in and l'm loving them. The longer and more mature they get, there are challenges. This is my third set and this time around, l wanted traditional small locs because my hair is fine and soft. I do appreciate that theyre not heavy. I love my grey but l do contemplate coloring them sometimes. Your loc length is my goal. My besties locs are 7 years too and she recently started trimming them. Sidenote: l love your sweatshirt.

[@itsDawnElle]

Hi Nikki! I’m so sorry that I’m just seeing this. Aww thank you so much for subbing to my channel…I appreciate you!🤗😘 Wow that’s so amazing that this is your 3rd set. Before you know it you’ll reach your goal and I’m hoping it’s without that heavy feeling. Thank you so much! You’d be surprised: I got it from Five Below ☺️

[@emalvowms0]

Love your look! I just reached 7 years too! I cut off 3-4 inches in October that made a big difference for me. I don’t recommend cutting in the fall/winter if you wear sweaters, scarves or hats because I have been dealing with lint on the ends (which has not been an issue in recent years). I’m considering a loc bob when summer comes around.

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!😘🤗 That’s soo good that cutting a little bit off helped with the weight of them for you. Ahh I can see how the lint be can cray during those seasons. A loc bob sounds soo pretty and tempting😍

[@IamShaunnaNakice]

Hey girl we miss you. Love your locs!!!!!!!

[@itsDawnElle]

Aww thank you so much!! I miss you all too!! 🤗😘

[@cynthiahillian]

Just a suggestion. I saw another loc'd you tuber, kinda layered their cut. Combed out about an inch in each loc.. and the ends curled. Or comb the end it and crochet the ends for a more natural look. Just suggestions!

[@angie101972]

Congratulations on 7 years! 🎉🎉 my grays been popping out too lately! I said forget it. I colored them black and the black faded out. I’ve also lost the ends of some of my locs and now there’s a curl on the end now. I kinda like it. I also plan to cut mine when they get waist length. My hair is too thin for them to be too long. Your locs are gorgeous! Always loved them

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!😘🤗 Yeah the grays are just disrespectful 🤦🏽‍♀️ I’m glad you are enjoying the evolution of your loc ends. Waist length is a good goal. Yeahhh I do feel like the longer they are the less full they look. Aww thank you!!🥰😘

[@ktmathurin]

Thanks for sharing! I'm only one year in, but your journey helped give me confidence to go with the process as I was starting out bc we have a similar hair type. I have faith you will find peace with a length you like, and I hope either your color grows on you or you find a healthy, low maintenance solution. Your hair's gorgeous, and inspiring to me. ❤

[@itsDawnElle]

You’re so welcome and thank you so much!!🤗😘 I’m happy I was able to help. That was the whole purpose for me sharing my journey. ☺️ Welcome to the loc journey! Please be sure to enjoy every step of the way.

[@Daijasgrowthroom]

Lovely locs and great video, I'm having a similar experience with my locs and I've been pondering if I should trim them but I can't let any part of them go. I sleep on the floor because nothing else felt better for my body.

[@MsCouve]

I have been loc’d for 5 years and I too am surprised I reached my goal of waist length. My head is the heaviest at night and I wake up in the middle of the night to pick my head up. I’m getting greys but it’s not an issue for me just yet. I keep contemplating if I want to cut to bra strap length or a bob. I find myself not wanting to wash lately because every time I do I have ends that break off. I have had over 30 ends (3-4 inches) break off (I bleached in year 4). I’m surprised my hair still looks decent, just layered; However, in my head I know it is thinner. If I do cut I do want to cut on an angle and because I forced some of my ends to close, I may keep my ends curly. I put a semi perm color (orangey- red) and in one wash and the blonde is coming back, I’m itching to dye again…maybe even black. I don’t know what to do I go back and forth so much. can’t wait to see what you decide. Your locs and you are absolutely beautiful!!!!❤❤❤

[@StefJTay]

I’m digging your gray hair.

[@AlsbeanNaturally]

Being that I have neck problems... It will only get worse the longer they get. Being a loctician, when you trim.... They will grow back super fast.(so you will be trimming again to get that relief) So trimming is a nice break to neck pain. I don't know where you live, I'm in a cold climate "Buffalo". Wrapping your hair in a microfiber towel for an hour will aid your hair in drying fast! So if you do that you can use a Dyson dyer to hit the parts that hang from under the dryer. The technology of this dryer dries fast as always using your concentrator attachment. I hope that helps you. I also had locs and had neck surgery so I had to comb them out.

[@itsDawnElle]

Omg you had to have neck surgery?! 😩😒 I’m so sorry about that! Yeah the pain long locs give the neck is seriously no joke. Yeah I figured that once they get trimmed it’ll be a constant thing if I’m trying to keep that neck pain at bay. That makes sense about the towel too. I need to get a bigger one and I think that would really help.

[@ronicasmith-lz3mk]

Your locs so beautiful I’m 2 years and 2 months loced ❤love tha journey 😊

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!🤗😘 Welcome to the journey🤗🤩

[@cryssykayy]

I absolutely love your hair! It’s so nice seeing you! Enjoyed the video!

[@itsDawnElle]

Hi Cryssy!!🤗😘 Thank you soo much! It felt great to be back. ☺️

[@HeyMsVal]

Your locs are beautiful. I'm 4 years in. My hair has never been so long. At first I loved my grays. But now they are irritating because they are directly in the front where my part is. It looks like lint! I Just read where you can use coffee or black tea to temporarily color the grays. I'm gonna try it in the morning. Lol😂😂😂

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much! 🤗😘 Girrrl locs really allow the hair to just grow and grow. Ughh I feel you on the grays showing up in the part. That’s how mine started off while I was a loose natural. Literally right in the area where my part was. 🙄 I did read about coffee coloring them too but I haven’t tried it. I read about honey lightening and tried it years ago but I’m not sure if it really worked bc I didn’t have grays then. I might give that a try to see what happens. Did you try the coffee or black tea yet? Did it work?

[@kmr8139]

Have you tried henna?

[@itsDawnElle]

Yes I’ve tried henna numerous times in the past as a loose natural. I can tell you for sure that I don’t want to deal with it with my locs. It’s too messy and I’m afraid it won’t all rinse out of my locs 😩.

[@naturalcurls4life576]

Congratulations on 7 years and happy holidays!

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!🤗😘 I hope you had happy holidays too!!

[@OliviaDaughter]

I don’t color for the same reasons you stated ❤

[@2013lovemy]

So nice to see an update! They grow like wildflowers ❤. If you really want to try color, I’d suggest a semi permanent like Arctic Fox! They have some really rich reds that show nicely on darker hair without having to bleach. Your hair is already pretty light so it’ll probably look great. If you do decide to lighten a bit, you can look into L’Oréal Hi Color reds. I found them pretty gentle overall. You could always just do midway down to avoid scalp irritation. Your hair is so long you could cut several inches and still have long hair lol. I think the longest I’d want mine is a little past bra strap, not quite waist. I’m sure whatever you decide will look 🔥.

[@itsDawnElle]

Awww thank you so much!!🤗😘 It’s so funny that you mentioned red because I was thinking that if I ever did color my hair I think it’ll be in the reddish/burgundy family. Those options are great to know and you’re right I wouldn’t have to go so close up on the scalp. Lol you are so right about cutting some and still having long locs. Yeah waist sounds cute but it’s not as fun as it looks lol. Aww thank you so much! I can’t wait to update you!☺️

[@2013lovemy]

@@itsDawnElle hey 👋🏾 Yep, a burgundy red would look so pretty on you! A fam member just colored her hair with Manic Panic (semi permanent), and it showed up SO GOOD! Her hair is a lighter brown like yours. The only thing is those colors can bleed a bit the first couple of washes so you might not wanna wear your favorite shirts for a while and use an older pillowcase.

[@itsDawnElle]

@@2013lovemy oooo I can picture it 🙌🏾😍😍😍🙌🏾 thank you for that heads up too so I don’t ruin my stuff in case I do it. 🤗

[@2013lovemy]

@@itsDawnElle No problem! I’m sure whatever you decide to do (or not do), will be fire 🔥. Edit: the stuff ended up washing out of her shirt fine (and stopped bleeding after the first wash) which was a relief! Will probably rinse longer next time. One other heads up is allergies. Arctic Fox made me sneeze. Looked fire though lol.

[@itsDawnElle]

@@2013lovemy thank you!!🤗 ahhh that’s good to know! Wow and that’s crazy about the other one causing you allergies. I wonder what that was about 😳. There were shampoos that was doing that to me now that I think about it so it doesn’t sound too crazy. 😂

[@marib1881]

Hey Loc Twin! Hey Sis! 👋🏾 Congratulations! You know I have the same ends that you do, so I feel you. I have thought about it as well for when they get too heavy. I want to keep my unique ends too, so I get IT!... I get it! I have the same thought as you. Trim to the length I want and comb the ends out to a decent length that you could possibly finger coil them back in and let them do their thing again or two strand twist the ends and let them again... My other option I thought was going to cut the unique ends off with about 3-4 in extra length at the top of the shat to allow them to be crocheted back in at the new length without disrupting the integrity of the ends...essentially a loc reattarchment. I'm not sure how angle cuts will go honestly. I'm certain it's better than a blunt cut but, I don't see how you can reachieve the unique ends like we have with that. My last thought would be cut my locs to bra strap length, comb them out, trim the hair the way you want and start a new set with long hair like how we both did at the beginning. Cause chille... going back to loose natural at this point... I could NEVA!

[@itsDawnElle]

Hi Mari!!! How are you?! Thank you so much!!🤗😘 Girrrrl me and loose natural doesn’t even go together in the same sentence 🤣😂. I’m good on that. Especially with where I live…the weather wouldn’t let the curls be great. Those are some awesome ideas on how to get/keep our unique ends. 🤔 Decisions, decisions🤣. Either way our locs will look bomb!

[@Brownmahfun]

Good to see ya sis and your hair looks Beautiful as always. "He shou wu", should stop the gray hairs or a least slow them down from the inside. The ends may fan out for a short time but will fuse back together.

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!🤗😘 Ahh I’ll look o to that thank you! Yeah that’s what Ive been told.

[@beottamurray3121]

Happy New Year! If you cut them in an angle with shears they will curl like you want them. I have cut some of mine and it was perfectly fine. If you cut straight they will puff and will take a little longer to train the curls back or seal but they will eventually

[@itsDawnElle]

Happy New Year!! Thank you!!😘🤗 Ahh okay I got it. I’ll be sure to do that for sure!

[@ta5287]

Your hair is beautiful

[@PatricehasFaith]

Your so pretty :)

[@capriwilliams271]

🎉❤🎉Soo beautiful!!

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!🤗😘

[@gwendolyndobson9374]

Hi Dawn your hair looks great! But what I want to know is where did you get your earrings from? Lol

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much Ms. Gwen!!😘🤗 I got them from Melody Ehsani on Instagram 😎

[@EbonyGray-z2c]

Beautiful locs 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@itsDawnElle]

Thank you so much!!🤗😘

[@Froluvangel]

I'm at 4 years in Feb, and waist length and I'm already looking at buzz cuts on Pinterest 😬.

[@itsDawnElle]

Girrrrl I know. I totally get it now when I see ladies or gents cut them off after they’ve been so long.

[@dawnlael8888]

I signed up to be on your mailing list 👍🏽

[@itsDawnElle]

Yayyy! Thank you so much for your support Misty!!😘🤗🙏🏾

[@gigi4874-w3w]

🫶🏾💕 color the grays

[@itsDawnElle]

We’ll see 😃🤔 it’s very tempting.

[@cedbro2661]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽