Microlocs: 5 Loc Mistakes to Avoid

Check out this video where I share the 5 worst loc mistakes I've committed since beginning my dread journey. You'll find them below, but who doesn't love a good back story? Hope I help some of you avoid these same mistakes. Let me know your worst loc mistake in the comments and be sure to subscribe!
Loc Mistake #1: Stopped banding too early
Loc Mistake #2: Using conditioner
Loc Mistake #3: Inconsistency
Loc Mistake #4: Re-tightening too late
Loc Mistake #5: Accidental knotting
Music:
All Night by Beyonce
Daddy's Lessons by Beyonce

[@godblessjamericanqueen8036]

I use oil, shampoo, conditioner and my hair still lock . Love ur hair and how beautiful u are.

[@AshBoogie24]

Thank you for sharing! Im about to start locs and this helped me out a lot.

[@consciousbeauty9244]

Your locs are lovely and I like your personality...Also your tips are great. Definitely subscribing 🤗

[@mrsg121705]

Such a helpful vid. If you’re taking suggestions- The music in the background is distracting to your words. Silence in videos is okay. Especially since you are imparting really helpful info. Thanks for sharing your list of things to avoid while locing.

[@ElleKeen]

Lol you sound exactly like my sister haha I'm working on it I promise! Thank you for the feedback 😁

[@GypsyCurls]

When I had Sisterlocks and would retighten them myself, oy vey...the knots were the worst. Combining them unintentionally was another. I would place colored rubber bands (for easy visual) on the tips of those that needed further attention so that I could keep moving forward. I forgot one time and people kept asking me why I had about 10 colored rubber bands in my hair. Yikes. I no longer have Sisterlocks (the maintenance is real) but currently started traditional locs about 7 months ago. But I can relate to every bit of this. Lessons WELL learned, the hard way.

[@cassandrarussell5558]

Awwwwwwwwww Daaaaaaaaaaaaamn re: the knot. They still look beautiful.. I love your energy. New subbie~

[@For_What]

I love yoni!! So glad you watched her cause I love her advice

[@aprilallen8578]

I was just about to go to sleep and decided to watch this. Now I'm getting my lazy self up the moisturize.. I thought the dryness was good for locking.. Oops‼️😳 Thanks ❤️

[@ElleKeen]

😂😂😂 your hair will still loc up I promise! LMAO

[@nellymckenna6552]

Love your tips! + that joker painting too!

[@marshae.theteacher]

So glad I found your channel. My wormies are 10 months old and they're flourishing. People always ask me, "are those sisterlocks?" And I remember that I'm *also* not supposed to call them sisterlocs (🙄) so I tell them microlocs. Thank you for the tips, especially about having a retightening schedule!

[@ElleKeen]

Haha yeah they get us on the technical term. No problem, glad it helped!

[@diamondeyezz4874]

Very informative! Beautiful locs!

[@kristinbrown5610]

All your points were excellent but #5 stuck out to me. I think I may have knotted my hair by accident now that I saw how you did it and what it looks like, I thought I pulled it through all the way as well. I have Sisterlocks. Thank you for the tips!!!

[@ElleKeen]

It sucks how easy it is to do by accident! I super cautious now and if I'm not sure, I sprint to the mirror before pulling it through

[@kasperg08]

Hey girl. Wow I can definitely relate. I stopped braiding and banding way to soon as well. I tell everyone don't do that. Trust the process. I hate the fat ends I created due to not doing it. That is the biggest regret I have. I also don't moisturize with water enough. I use to spray daily but I fell off, but trying to get better. Thanks for another great video. 😉😊

[@ElleKeen]

Absolutely! Looking back, I really should've just taken the two seconds to spritz my hair. I would've saved myself a lot of extra work down the line. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@karensimmons4560]

Thanks for the info, great locs👍 😀 🙂 😊

[@chimcham6762]

The waiting long periods to retwist part hit close to home 😂😭 it’s better for my roots but it’s harder to retwist and it hurts like a mofo because of months of not having much tension on my scalp 🤦🏾‍♀️ Side note: omfg where did you get that brass band instrumentals for Daddy Lessons? Help a sister (or a few) out by letting us know please.

[@ElleKeen]

LMAO!! It's the worst!! Procrastinating on the retighten only makes it worse. I actually took the entire song and just cut the very beginning. I hoped that wouldn't be a copyright issue and so far so good 😉

[@LivingWordCDs]

Thank you 👍🏼🙏🏼

[@muhammadhassaan4339]

off topic but you have a really nice voice

[@sheilaandfrank]

I had a knot in one of my locs and the LOCTICIAN cut and trimmed it. Not sure if that was the right thing to do, only time will tell I’m sure😩

[@Msreydyful]

You are so sympathetic :)

[@annunkitribe8994]

Your funny 😂, thanks for the info

[@naturalcurls4life576]

Hey, good points. I am so glad I came across Damian Walter who is a licensed stylist. He uses conditioner on all his clients and they have long healthy, build up free locs. I am almost a year loc'd, been using a moisturizing conditioner from the start. I take my time to rinse it all out to avoid buildup. I haven't had any buildup at all and my hair is locking just fine. I currently use Creme of Nature's moisturizing conditioner. Your locs are very pretty. I will be subscribing, check out my journey as well.

[@ElleKeen]

Thanks for sharing! I may try adding some form of conditioning/moisturizing product to my routine but I am very skeptical of a lot of brands. I'd like to avoid buildup as much as possible too so if you have any recommendations please share!

[@naturalcurls4life576]

@@ElleKeen The key is to thoroughly rinse it out. I have been using Creme of Nature's moisturizing conditioner since I started locs March of 2017. I had a set for 6 months that I palm rolled and no buildup. Now this set I've interlocked for the past 11 months and no buildup. Just take the time to rinse it all out. Hope that helps.

[@ElleKeen]

@@naturalcurls4life576 It does! I used to use Creme of Nature when I was a loose natural so I'm relieved it's a familiar brand. I think I'll give it a try

[@portiamckinney5501]

Beautiful

[@shaycooper3989]

I have medium locs but I want to start over and get micro locs

[@meekmeek2162]

Great video hun!! I am researching to start locs...possibly Thanksgiving holidays. Oh by the way your teeth are gorgeous!! 😁

[@ElleKeen]

Thank you so much!! Good luck on your loc journey!

[@meekmeek2162]

Elle Keen I am super nervous!!!

[@sheilaandfrank]

Watching

[@laaa7833]

Where am I going to get my hair done during these times!!!! I’m not sure what style dreads I have. What to do! I need to care for them myself now

[@onliiine1]

Perfect teeth and delectable lips.. I saw everything you said

[@donnisha5180]

My guess: you ripped the special dread and to reattach you stitched it like the nightmare before Christmas girl did her arm...????

[@ElleKeen]

LMAO! It was definitely a stiching nightmare! I wish it had been an accidental rip, I'd feel less stupid about the whole thing 😂

[@elfinmordant3313]

Actually I disagree with ur second point on conditioner. You have to be knowledgeable when it comes to conditioners. It is very very beneficial. Your locs is still hair meaning they get dry, frizzy, and especailly with locs your size they're more likely to break. Conditioner is only harmful if you don't know what you are putting in your hair. Research what your putting in your hair! Check the ingrediants out. Some conditioner focus on detangling and others focus on softening and moisturizing your hair. Regular conditioner normally focuses on detangling and depositing silicones into your hair while deep condotioners focus less on depositing silicones and more on moisturizing and softening. Which isn't a bad thing. Depending on the type of silicone. Some silicones evaporate in the air. Some just need a water rinse and other silcones are 100% build up prone unless you use a very harsh clarifying shampoo. I personally do not use conditioner but a diy deep conditioner makes a huge difference! Or a salon quality deep conditioner. Yanni I love watching her but her methods are not 100% accurate. She doesn't know the science of everything. She is just a simple lady which is fine. Your worried about build up which in this day and age will happen to everyone. Even if you use nothing but shampoo. Your hair still picks up things everywhere you go. What you should be worried about is *how easily can I wash this buildup out of my hair.* Your hair is still hair even in loc form. If its dry it will break. If its brittle it will break. As long as your hair is mature. The softer and bouncer and moisturized it is. The strong the integrity of your loc is! This is a reason you see so many people with locs 7 times the size of yours and somehow it still breaks and snaps because they think using a harsh shampoo and then spritizing the life out of it with some water will help it stay moisturized. Silicones can be beneficial in which they put a mask on your hair and hold onto all the moisture in ur hair. So you wont need to constantly spritz the hell out of your parched hair constantly! If you need an alternative to Silicones. Oil is a good one as well. *Fractionated Coconut oil* palm kernel oil, grapeseed oil, etc. But no butters! I say fractionated because fractionated coconut oil better absorbs into your hair and never becomes solid. Oils can also cause build ups in ur hair. U have to make sure your using a good oil. Moisturizing shampoo is the bomb! It does deposit things in ur hair. To moisturize, nourish, and protect it. That is why it is reccomended by almsot every professional hairstyles to first use a clarifying shampoo and followup with a moisturizing shampoo and then a conditioner. Moisturizing shampoos do not leave any build up. It deposits amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and helps your hair to better retain moisture but it will not build up on ur hair unless you used a conditioner than deposits tough silicone. Then your hair will buildup and a moisturizing shampoo wont be able to clean that up. You can continiously use moisturizing shampoos and not experience any build. The same Can not be said about a lot of conditioners which is why you have to know what ur putting on head or simply make it yourself. I'm against silicones persnally but I do know there are different types of silicone and not all cause build up. The reason you should always use a clarifyiing shampoo first is because locs regardless will pick up things from the hair and everywhere around us. Then follow up with a moisturizing shampoo and an oil of ur choice. Conditioner is good but it isn't necessary its simply something you can add to ur regimen to better protect your hair from the harsh environment we live in today. If you dont know what ur doing. You can cause ur hair to build up with silicone deposits that requure u to use harsh chemicals to remove it. Or you can find a conditioner that has no silicones at all! Plenty exist that focus on moisturizing and just deposit oils and minerals etc. Although I don't use conditioners. I do wash my hair with a clarifying shampoo followed up with a moisturizing shampoo, do a herbal rinse and oil and once a week I will do a deep conditioning treatment. It causes my hair to be extremely shiny and soft and I never had one loc break. And I have over 600 locs. It only broke when I only washed it and spritz it with water and got slightly worse when I spritz with salt and lemon I'm very paranoid about build up as well. But the culprit is the dust and dirt that surrounds us. So washing it is a necessity when it comes to locs. Clarifying is an absolute necessity. An acv rinse or a very strong clarifying shampoo is very necessary to me if you want ur actual locs to be clean. Many people with locs although they do wash their hair with clarifying shampoo ignore the length so much when it reality is holds plenty of dirt and dust that is in the air where we lay our heads etc. The point of conditioning isn't only to detangle it. Its to soften your hair, moisturize, and protect it. Like hair armor. It strengthens your hair. Yanni although very simple. Its simply the bair minimum so it won't fall out. I prefer Damien simply because he goes all the way and beyond and it is the maximum your hair can go to be the best that it can. Look at all his clients and their hair is shiny clean and strong. Conditioner moisturizers deep conditioners diy treatments etc. Enhance your locs but if you don't know what ingrediants your putting ur head. At least the very least. Use a clarifying shampoo, moisturizing shampoo, and then an oil of ur choice that isn't a butter. Anyways I love your videos. So I will be subscribing. :)

[@ElleKeen]

Wow, first let me say thanks for the awesome review. I've never heard of fractionated coconut oil, but I definitely want to check it out. I've heard of using both clarifying and moisturizing shampoo then conditioner from loc pros like Damian Walters, but never trusted that it wouldn't cause buildup. I'd be willing to give it a try for a month just to see how my hair feels, but personally I absolutely love my simpler routine and how my hair feels currently. I can't speak for everyone's hair, though I know others may need the extra moisture conditioners provide. Any particular shampoo/conditioners you'd recommend?

[@makeda2010able]

Elle Keen ORS replenish pak Walmart, Family dollar, or target sells it.

[@mrsbeloved02]

Elfin Mordant I know this might be asking a lot but will you please list what products you use to maintain your locs?

[@diggygorgonzola3467]

I suggest not conditioning starter locs, but more mature locs.

[@Ummkelechi]

Wow! That review was on point!

[@mrglass311]

COME BAAAAAACK

[@tiffany-of4mp]

I have read the comments about using conditioner but wouldn’t the rose water suffice as a conditioner considering it’s properties? Damien is awesome but he doesn’t use rose water nor does he recommend it so that may be the reason for him recommending the use of conditioner...that was just what I took from it...Thanks for sharing this video! It was very informative! I want to document my journey as well! What camera do you use?

[@ElleKeen]

Rose water has definitely served that purpose for my locs, granted I can't speak for everyone. My hair isn't super dry naturally so, even if I did use conditioner I'd only use it once a month or before a retighten. I actually use my phone! Lmao! I'm too cheap to buy a whole camera.

[@tiffany-of4mp]

Elle Keen OMG!!! I never thought of that! Do you have an IPhone? And if so which one? How do you edit? It’s great quality!

[@ElleKeen]

@@tiffany-of4mp I'm actually team Android all the way! I have the Google 2 Pixel XL and I use the Kinemaster app to edit. I couldn't find any free editing apps I liked but this one is like $4 a month

[@tiffany-of4mp]

Elle Keen Nooooo...LMBO! Ok, I’m going to research using my IPhone! Thanks so much for responding ! I truly appreciate it!

[@yettafields594]

@Elle what's a good clarifying shampoo for starters?

[@ElleKeen]

If your preference is natural products I'd say try Shea Moistures Clarifying Shampoo, but if you're indifferent to whether the product is super natural or not, I always Treseme's clarifying shampoo. It leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean.

[@summercampbell7028]

What happened to the ones that you accidentally knotted? Did it become weak and fall out?? I'm new to this and I have at least two that I've accidentally knotted. I'm afraid.😬

[@ElleKeen]

I'm glad you asked! Stay tuned, it's a happy ending trust me. I'll be posting a video on it soon

[@summercampbell7028]

👌

[@tubemekiki2]

So for starter locs is it ok for me to spray rose water after was and then put an oil ? And I’m supposed to spray it daily ?

[@ElleKeen]

Yes you can use rose water and oil afterwards. How often you spray depends on how your hair feels. Give a spritz when it's especially dry but I wouldn't say everyday if your hair doesn't need it

[@laaa7833]

Are you using a comb to twirl them tighter first? I’m asking bc I can’t get to my loctician and that’s what she does first ....

[@ElleKeen]

I personally don't use a comb at all when retightening. I know some locticians do though to prevent holes

[@joany5483]

70

[@trewbluanderson8631]

A thin spot on the loc

[@ChyStiches]

You cut it and sew it back together

[@ElleKeen]

Yes 😭😭😭 it was horrible!

[@Meadow23]

Conditioner is suppose to moisturize the hair which cause the hair to soften which makes it easy to detangle. It adds moisture to the hair that you stripped moisture from... also your locs are too small to go too long without a retwist.

[@ElleKeen]

You're right! When I had starter locs I was terrified of them detangling and slipping so I avoided using conditioner. At the beginning I retightened once a month to a month and a half. Now I'm more than able to go three months and my locs are just fine 😁

[@barbarahogan5726]

Question cans you retwist micro locs or do they have to be interlock

[@ElleKeen]

I haven't tried to twist my locs so I can't truly say BUT I think both options are open to you. The person I looked to for my locs was Patience Edet and I think she did both

[@RickJamesBitch108]

@@ElleKeen Patience Edet was my loc inspiration too! Sadly she only made a few videos. I started my locs with the method she used. I'm so glad I found your channel though!!!

[@msbeeyoutilfulllove8119]

Sis thanks for your "mistakes"! I have a favour though... Can you try to not call your locs... The "D" word? Nothing is DREADFUL about them. They are BEAUTIFUL! XO p.s....I made the same learning curve hiccup with conditioner too!! Lol

[@taylormebane8295]

I waited 4 months too... disaster

[@olddirtybastet6844]

music is loud and annoying

[@ElleKeen]

I'm working on it 😩