Clip free loc Maintenance

[@mspinkcadi]

My sista, you are a lifesaver. My loctician has been out of town for a month. I thought I could hang on until she got back but I need a re-twist in the worst way. Checked out your video, jumped in the shower, tried this method and I'm a new woman!!! Might I add for those thinking about trying this I have NEVER re-twisted my own hair and I've had locs for 4 and a half years. Chesca, you are an amazing teacher. Thank you so much. Praising your name right now. Many blessing my sista.

[@Quinburk]

Tried this method for the first time today. My locs are all shoulder length and a few touch my back. Finished my whole head in exactly 40 minutes and I had a few breaks! This will definitely be my method from now on! Thanks :-)

[@chescaleigh]

I'm not sure why people keep missing this...I don't leave the knot. Once I finish my entire head I put my hair into a tight ponytail and then pull each loc so that the root becomes straight

[@chescaleigh]

@AulterEgos @AulterEgos glad you enjoyed it! my recommendation is to section your hair so you make sure to get every loc. this was only your first time, and you will get better as you go. after a few more times you'll be a pro :) thanks for sharing

[@Natalie201074]

if you do use clips, which i do when styling shorter locs, place the clips at the end. i usually lock in 2 rows at a time then put 2 or 3 locs per clip. by placing it at the ends, it helps pull the locs without out unravelling and making them flat

[@1SundayBliss]

I tried this last night and it was so easy and it worked! I am a low maintenance girl and this method it def. a keeper! Thanks for posting.

[@chescaleigh]

Awesome! U can leave the coils if you want, but I make sure to straighten them befor. They dry. That's why I pull my locs when I put them into a ponytail

[@csept]

I like the method and can't wait to try it tonight! It looks so much easier to do than using clips. I find that the clips tend to snag me and hurt. I've only had my locs since Feb. 2010. I came on to the site because my loctician isn't available until a week from today and I need to wash my hair badly. Thanks so much, chescalocs for this informative video!

[@chescalocs]

this method is best suited for mature locs that can be put into a ponytail or more than one ponytail. for now, it's best to stick with clips until your hair matures and becomes "trained" or used to retwisting

[@sashajordanjacob]

omg! you changed my life with the no clip method and i love your locks they are a nice size and they look really healthy i also liked that little tip about always twisting your locks in the same direction to train the hair im just starting this journey im a year in an any tips for short locks would really be nice

[@Ladyashley1015]

I never used clips until recently when doing my own maintenance (the few times I've went to the salon they always do) I'm glad to see that you are showing people how to do it without clips ( I now use them only in spots that I've had breakage and are really really short) I feel that they pull at my hair which I don't like so thanks for sharing with everyone

[@macgirl3121]

Thank you for showing blaqueindigo's method. I will NEVER use clips again! Worked great. My locs will be 4 tomorrow, yay! My hair started to coil when I retwisted before but I always would uncoil and put the clip on. Duh. It never occurred to me to leave them.

[@chescalocs]

@VISIONSbyLauren I always make sure to wring my hair out and then towel dry first so that my hair isn't sopping wet before I start twisting. if you do that then overnight should be fine. i've done this method for over 2 years and have never had an issue with my hair smelling.

[@Reicya]

I love this method. My clips are in my closet collecting dust & I am so happy about it. This is so much simpler! Shalom & Blessings!

[@chescalocs]

whatever you find is more convenient for you! if you do choose to blow dry, i'd make sure to alternate between using hot and cold air, just to avoid heat damage. if you air dry, make sure to use your towel to soak up as much water as possible so your hair isn't sopping wet. the last thing you want is soggy hair that gets moldy.

[@sugardumplin15]

i use a nappylock tool, which i modified a bit using pliers. I am a DIY-er and have been for about 6 months, initially due to the high cost of re-tightenings but now more so because I like the convenience of not having to worry about anyones schedule but my own (and the saving are huge)!! i will only go to the salon for color or trims. i am loving my hair journey and am thankful for this forum to help others learn, grow and move forward on their own journeys!!

[@smuccilicious]

I love watching your videos. I appreciate how you include how much time a each technique should take that helps out a lot. Some people who do tutorials forget that most of the people watching need to know the very basics as well as the result of style, method etc. Keep up the amazing work and I'll keep watching :)

[@chescalocs]

retwisting is a maintenance method to help keep your roots neat as your hair matures and locs. so it wouldn't make sense to untwist them after you've spent all that time twisting them! :) once your hair is dry, style as usual! depending on your level of activity and how often you wrap your hair at night, your retwist can last up to 2-3 weeks.

[@themukisa11]

your locs are so beautiful!! you are the first person I have ever seen that twists the newgrowth and still has a full hairline. looking at your locs makes wish I started mine a little larger. they're so thick and neat!! gorgeous!!

[@Rasta_Dad]

This was the 1st vid of yours I watched back in 2009, about 2 weeks before I cut off my 10 yr old free-form locs. Now I have a subpar loctician and am revisiting old vids as prep to start maintaining my own hair. THANKS!

[@whoiamisme]

Hey, its your favorite stranger :) After forever and a day of talking about it, I've decided to go ahead and loc my hair. Most definitely will use this method when my hair is long enough. I hate sleeping with clipy like things in my hair....

[@chescalocs]

@tonerikohime nice! thats basically the same thing as doing bandu knots :) if your hair isn't long enough for a ponytail you might have to avoid this method until your hair grows out

[@DivineLayLay]

OMG! this video has helped me tremendously! I've been growing my husbands locs for like 3 years and we started out using clips until the maintenace became too much for me and then we paid lokticians up to $200! I tried your method last week it literally took the length of a short movie and they came out great! Thank you so much for sharing! You've saved me loads!

[@chescaleigh]

@therealmadmarlon don't forget, you need to pull the locs straight so that your roots don't dry twisted. this is an important part of the method. twisting into the "cinnamon bun" is just to get your roots nice and tight. once you've done that i recommend putting your locs into one tight pony tail or a few pony tails (depending on the length) and then pulling the locs so they straighten at the root.

[@chescalocs]

@smuccilicious thank you!! tutorial videos are challenging because you really have to plan ahead and think about what your audience is going to ask before they ask it which is no easy feat. i've been doing this for a few years now so i've learned a lot through trial and error and just watching other people. i'm glad that you're enjoying the videos and learning something as well. thanks again!

[@chescaleigh]

expensive salon prices are exactly why i started doing my own hair. i went to a natural hair salon in brooklyn with a friend and they were charging $150 for a wash and retwist!!!

[@chescaleigh]

@samenosuke Its really your own personal prefrence. The longer you wait between maintenance, the mire your hair will grow and your roots may start to crawl together. The only way to prevent that is to increase how often you retwist. Waiting a month or so between will keep your roots frizzy and make it hard to see your roots. But there's nothing wrong with that. Personally, I like my roots to stay neat, so I retwist every 2-3 weeks. It's really up to you

[@20msbeauty]

Love this!! Just tried it on my locs and they came out great!!! Never paying a beautician again!! Lol thanx so much!!

[@ComicsMom]

Great tutorial Cheschalocs! I'm 2yrs in and always looking for ways to maintain and style my locs. Thank you for sharing.

[@chescaleigh]

@curleedst yup! there was a lot of drama surrounding her being in an adult film.

[@chescalocs]

@mallettryx03 i've never needed to do any additional separation on my locs. i maintain them enough that they don't really start to crawl together. but thanks for the suggestion!

[@chescaleigh]

@MzQuiik you need to be able to put your hair into a ponytail for this method to be effective. or you can do multiple ponytails if your hair is too short for just one.

[@kingdebs]

This is a great tip! I tried this method yesterday and my dreads have never looked so fresh, when I've retwisted myself!

[@JenaiRenee]

Hey Chesca! You are such an inspiration! I tried the clip free retwist method on my hair and it did not work. But my locs are short. If there a way to do the clip less method with short locs?

[@gallagherchick]

I think you just saved my life. I've had locs since March 2006 and have been doing my own maintenance since July 2006 and hating having to retwist them because of all the stupid clips! I saw how you do yours and it's like "Ding!" Something so simple and it's working nicely (I'm twisting as I type!). Thanks!

[@chescaleigh]

@MATSAMPOYKAS depending on what kind of locs you want, the length of hair differs. but to my knowledge you need at least 2 inches of natural hair.

[@chescalocs]

@Tamra44 thanks! you can always palm roll your locs to help smooth them out if they aren't as uniform as you'd like. also, remember that everyone's hair is different and that no 2 heads of hair will look alike

[@CreativeLea]

Thank you so much. I'm maintaining my own locks and starting out nicely. Been about 4 weeks and I have about an inch of regrowth and wanted to find a way to retwist without clips. And I use the same product.

[@TheeKoraLynn]

I LOVE how nice and neat your locs are. You don't see that too often, but yours look great.

[@chescaleigh]

@Want2BeNappy i honestly can't say. i'm not a professional stylist, and i started doing this method 5 years into having locs. the only way to find out is to try. best of luck!

[@chescaleigh]

@MsTAYSHAUN no, my hair is damp before i begin twisting. you shouldn't twist dry hair because it can lead to breakage.

[@msbarb1]

I've been doing this, thanks to Lillydot and blaqueindigo's. The only thing I do differently is I leave the coils in, my loc's are now just a little past my waist and leaving them in works for me because as time goes by the coils automatic falls out without me pull them, just like when you pull them out into your ponytail. This save me tons of time, and it comes out neat to with this method, I use a little Aloe Vera and olive oil when I re-twist, about once every 4 weeks. Great Channel

[@chescaleigh]

@tmac625 this is a funny question considering i just got out of the shower in this video :) yes, you should only twist your hair when it's wet because twisting dry hair can lead to breakage.

[@sassyone20011]

I tried this yesterday and my locs look good and it was so easy and did not take a lot of time!

[@chescaleigh]

hmmmm i'm not sure why people keep missing this part of the video.... at the end of the process i pull all of my hair into a ponytail and then pull my locs tight, one by one so that the roots are straight and yes, my roots stay very fresh, the same as using clips. if you look at my latest video you can see my roots 2 weeks later

[@chescalocs]

@Yhanister keep in mind it can take up to a year for your hair to be fully loc'd. also, everyone's hair is different and can sometimes be different textures throughout your head. so there's a chance that your hair in the front is silkier than in other places. i'd say wait until they're actually loc'd and if they still look thin, then go ahead and combine them.

[@chescalocs]

@sonyadeven well, it takes anywhere from 6 months to a year for your hair to be fully loc'd. basically, you'd need to section your hair into either two strand twists, braids or comb coils and then let the hair loc on it's own. you don't need to twist the hair until your locs have formed. hope that helps.

[@chescalocs]

@MsNirual you can twist in whatever direction you want. the point is to always twist the same way so that your locs don't become thinner.

[@iamdvsj]

I like your tip about dark towels, but another idea is to dry your hair with a t-shirt. no lint. Besides that, your vids roc, thanks :)

[@chescalocs]

@logikgirl12 lol you're skeptical? i've had locs for 7 years and have used this method for 3, so yes. it works. basically, twisting your hair into a tight spiral does the job of holding your hair in place, the same way a clip would but is more comfortable. twisting your roots is one of a few ways to maintain locs. it trains your hair to grow in a spiral pattern which eventually locs. i retwist every 2-3 wks and depending on growth it takes about a month for my roots to loc

[@abbeymore1]

This seems sooo easy! I've always used a needle. I've wanted to switch to palm roll for a long time but just didn't think that method would really 'keep' the hair for more than a few days. this looks like something i'll def. try!

[@chescalocs]

@sole4dance thanks and welcome! you'll most likely notice a difference in thickness if you begin retwisting as latch hooking tends to result in a thinner loc. my advice would be to palm roll your locs, giving special attention to the point between the two methods to help smooth out the loc and make the texture more uniform.

[@misspmo]

OMG!! I THANK THE STARS FOR KZbin! THERE WAS NO YT WHEN I FIRST LOCKED IN 2005-ISH. while i knew that hair does the cinnamon bun when twisting, i never thought to do this to eliminate clips. so i separated my hair into four quadrants, after each quadrant i pulled and put into a loose braid. already on quadrant only took me 15 mins!!! it usually takes me 2.5 hours to retwist!!! i intend to sit under the dryer until the roots dry and then, ill put into a ponytail and go about my day!

[@chescalocs]

i'd never heard of combing your new growth before twisting until recently. re-twisting does get easier, as they say "practice makes perfect"

[@chescaleigh]

@BiggJern i'd say no more than every 2 weeks. any more than that can lead to breakage and thinning locs. i try to do my hair every 2 or 3 weeks. it just depends on how i'm feeling. but it's really up to you. but everyone's hair and routine is different. you just have to find what works best for you.

[@8CountLife]

The good ole days of KZbin!

[@tenshinofurious]

Thanks for posting this! I keep losing/misplacing my clips and hate repurchasing them. This is a great alternative.

[@BrittnyShrub]

Thanks for this! I'm going to try this method today. Those clips are a PAIN. You're right about twisting only in one direction. I keep forgetting which way and now my locs are kind of wonky. I noticed that you only twist the roots but I often have fuzzies all the way down the lock. In this case I use gel to twist the fuzzies around the loc... we'll see how well that works with the cinnamon bun method. Thanks again!

[@chescalocs]

i feel your pain! i lost my hairline from relaxers and a horrible dye job. i used to be very self conscious about it., but i realize it really isn't a big deal. i'm going to keep looking for products to help w the growth, as i see it's an issue for a lot of people. glad you like the tutorial! i usually do a braid out as well, but i wanted to show a different option.

[@chescaleigh]

@iriesoaringeagle like i've said a million times before, what works for some doesn't work for others. i know people who have no problem interlocking their hair but the method isn't for me. i'm not a professional hair stylist so i don't think i'm in a position to say one is definitely better or worse than another. but thanks for sharing your knowledge/experience

[@BeepBeepBopBoop]

I love the Jamaican mango and lime products as well and have had the same problem. I have learned that you can order them from Sally's Beauty supply and pick them up at the store.

[@chescalocs]

i just answered this in my latest video. i don't usually blow dry my hair, but it is suggested to prevent mold. i make sure not to go to sleep with sopping wet hair, which let's my hair dry faster and in my experience has kept me from having a mildew or moldy smell

[@trisha33ish]

I just started locs and I didn't have the money to get them retwisted, I love this technique I going to try this tonight, and it didn't take you NO time...By the way love your locs :)

[@chescalocs]

@NannyGadi i've been loc'd for 7 years and there are still some spots in my hair that my roots become completely untwisted when i wash my hair. but that's how locs work. also, frizz is part of the process. it's unrealistic to want perfectly smooth and unfrizzy locs. the frizz will reduce overtime, but as long as your hair is natural you're going to have the occasional fuzzy and loose spots. that's the natural state of our hair texture. hang in there and best of luck! thanks for watching!

[@BeYouT2012]

This video was sooooo helpful! It made it a lot less frightening to work with my own locs. Thank you very much :)

[@chescaleigh]

@Veemosteph i part my hair in the back and do it in sections so i can get all of my hair. you can't see, but you can feel! i think 4 ponytails should be fine. it's up to you if you want to try this method or use clips first. personally, i hate clips and always have. i wish i had done this method to begin with because it would've saved me some painful nights of sleep! you just have to find what works best for you! best of luck

[@chescaleigh]

totally! that's just a standard braid out. i've done a tutorial on that style before, but i wanted to show how i twist without doing a style like braiding or using rollers. i love the braidout, but sometimes i need to switch it up! :)

[@chescaleigh]

@blaze406 wait till your locs mature and have some length. it's a little tricky during the baby locs stage. hang in there!

[@chcltkss2003]

I SWEAR by this method now...It's so easy, fast, and I love the results afterward!

[@chescaleigh]

@DivineLayLay ha! amazing! over time you'll get faster at it! I can now retwist my locs in about 30 minutes. this method is certainly a lifesaver. Glad you were able to give it a try!

[@caljoi]

Using this method is much healthier also because most people use clips and sit you under the heated dryer. Clips are a conductor of heat and that causes breakage of the hair. Using the clips to hold the lock in place is fine until your done take them out before the dryer. Thank u for this video gives me a new method to try.

[@chescaleigh]

@keys5389z everyone's hair is different. i also don't know how mature his locs are. the thing is, when you retwist your hair, it's going to come undone at some point. the goal isn't for your hair to stay twisted forever. you're basically training your hair to grow in a pattern that will eventually create locs. so regular maintenance is needed to teach your hair how to retwist and eventually become locs. overtime, they'll stay twisted longer. ps. he should twist them himself!

[@chescalocs]

@ElWiiTard also, what product you use on your hair is really up to you depending on your preference. in this video i'm using organic root stimulator loc and twist gel, but i've since stopped using product in my hair to prevent build up. you just have to find what works best for your routine.

[@chescaleigh]

it's almost impossible for your hair to be locked all the way to the root. but regular consistent maintenance is the best way that i've found to keep your roots looking neat as if they are locked to the root. over time your twisted roots will stay twisted and loc on their own. how often do you retwist your hair? and how old are your locs? you never know, your hair might grow very fast, or your roots just aren't trained to stay tight after you retwist them

[@samreiu]

man this method is so good u saved my dreadlocks.. its so much more easier and it doesnt take so much time.

[@chescaleigh]

@MsNaturaljoy awesome! you'll get faster as time goes on. now it only takes me about 30-40 minutes. glad i could help!

[@thomikab]

I'm washing my hair today and I will let you know how it comes out. I do use a toothbrush of for my loose hair when doing my hair and it really works for me. Thanks for posting this I really needed it

[@chescaleigh]

@cefrio thank you! hang in there, it can take between 6 months to a year for your hair to loc. have patience and it'll happen, promise :)

[@zayloc23]

beautiful beautiful ponytail the Lord knows i can't wait until i get that length!

[@hugable1]

Thanks for the information. This is even better than what I have tried. I was pinning each lock wrapped somewhat around my head. sometime it looked like a style depending on how I sectioned it off. I have to learn to do a video, I tried using my laptop webcam and I found that I'm not looking in the right direction. Great Video keep up the great work.

[@soulsentivelife]

I tried this technique on about 2 inch hair and it did alright (ran out of clips). When they get longer- will def apply this method cos its hassle free. cheers chescalocs x

[@chescalocs]

@NannyGadi it takes anywhere from 6 months to a year for hair to loc. so of course you're going to experience some unraveling when you wash your hair. until your hair is loc'd you need to be very gentle when you wash and not wash too vigorously. if your twists unravel, simply retwist them. this is how you train your hair. once your hair locs from root to tip, you will still experience an unraveling of the roots when you wash until your hair becomes fully trained

[@chescaleigh]

@nyukistara thanks! i actually did a tutorial on that technique a few months ago. the video is "hairline maintenance how-to"

[@SoulstarG]

Hi sister, thanks for this new method. My locs are 5 and I will definitely be trying this. Concerning getting your baby hair into the locs with the old toothbrush (which i swear by and is great for shaping eyebrows too), twist your hair closer to the baby hair, which will allow for the base to be closer to the baby hair, and thus, will assist in getting the hair into the twist. maybe that will help. thanks again.

[@cashawnt125]

I have the same issues w/the baby hairs. My edges were completely GONE after years of relaxers followed by tight braids. Now they're growing back in after being chemical free for 5yrs. I usually do like you do and gel them up into the locs that are on the edges. That lasts for a few days. Anyways, I like this method and I'm gonna try it out. I usually braid mine for a crinkly look. Gives my hair more volume & body.

[@chescaleigh]

114 yes and no. some of it's new growth and some of it's just from my roots unraveling. but for the most part, i do get a lot of new growth in 3 weeks.

[@MissingHeart05]

I have sisterlocks and yes they take hours to maintain, especially since I started doing them myself. But I use a yarn needle, the big blue ones by Susan Bates since my locks are a bit thicker. It's very simple and also makes having sisterlocks affordable; you know people ask $20 an hour to maintain them?! I wish I had locks like yours but I like mine as well. I have about 300 so it makes them a bit more fun now they are longer. I enjoy freedoms of people with loose hair without the hassles.

[@KalypsoDavy]

Just to let you know you made me want locs. When my hair get to a certain length I will be be getting them.

[@chescaleigh]

@SaiKoSeSu Not sure if there's a specific name for how my locs were parted. A friend did them for me and just tried to keep them uniform. I don't think it's worth worrying about. I'm sure your locs will turn out fine

[@chescaleigh]

@Zay7081 you only need to twist the roots because that is the portion of your hair that isn't loc'd

[@chescaleigh]

@MrJermaylbrown i don't recommend using bees wax because it traps moisture and dirt in your hair.

[@MsNirual]

Glad to see this video, especially the tip about twisting clockwise! I'll be that's why some of my locs don't hang straight. Should I retwist my locs clockwise next time to make it work? I have naturally wavy hair, too, so I appreciated the tip about pulling the hair into a holder to pull the roots straight. Thank you so much.

[@icecoldnfantastique]

very good. i have twists and i used the clip method to refresh my roots, it was A PAIN and time consuming. I will try this method

[@chescaleigh]

@25storm25 you shouldn't twist dry hair because it will lead to breakage. only twist wet/damp hair.

[@JustineFromQueens]

My locs are only a little over 9 months old, and reach the bottom of my neck. I don't think they're long or mature enough to try this re-twist method, but when they are I'll be sure to refer to this video. Thanks a bunch chesalocs ;~)

[@chescaleigh]

yes, that's why i was pulling each of the locs, to straighten out the base so they'll dry straight

[@chescaleigh]

@fidelescoiphone cool! i've stopped using product on my hair (need to do a video) but thanks for letting me know!

[@chescaleigh]

haa! no problem! thanks for sharing the link. i'll definitely check it out

[@Jenna1814]

I have tried that and my locks never stay twisted when they dry. plus it is curly just at that part. glad that works for you.

[@chescaleigh]

Aaaaah ok! I understand your question now. I retwist everytime I wash my hair, which is every 2-3 weeks