by Kiianah of Rockin’ it Napptural
Sisterlocks, created by Dr. JoAnne Cornwell, are an increasingly popular new-age spin on the traditional hair locking methods. Traditional locks tend to vary from medium to large. Sisterlocks are very tiny and uniform, taking 24 hours or more to install.
Sisterlocks is a trademark company, so no one can use the name in advertising, or install the style without being trained by a certified associate of the Sisterlocks company.
To make the cost more feasible, consultants offer the installation in a three visit package; the initial consultation, the locking session and the follow-up appointment.
I’ll admit, sisterlocks are beautiful and extremely versatile due to their small size. I can already think of a hundred and one styles I could create with them. They can potentially last a lifetime, and I’d never have to go to the salon again for a style that only lasts a week or so. Plus, sisterlocks have much less weight than traditional locks.
But I do question if the price is really worth it. Installations cost anywhere from $500 to $800, and re-twisting sessions typically cost $100.
Here is a sample (low end) price list from yournaturalimage.com;
Sisterlocks Package -Hair up to 4 Inches…………………………$485.00
Sisterlocks Package -Hair 5-6 Inches…………………………….$585.00
Sisterlocks Package -Hair 7-8 Inches…………………………….$685.00
Sisterlocks Package -Hair over 9 Inches………………………….$100.00 per inch
The cost of installing and maintaining sisterlocks can really hurt the pockets, and an additional $1000 per year bill may not be feasible for some. For others however, sisterlocks could be a wise investment. Not only do you enjoy the journey of wearing locked hair, but you also enjoy the freedom of being able to create numerous different hair styles with your sisterlocks. It all depends on what works best for your lifestyle.
Ladies, are sisterlocks a style you would consider? Why or why not?
Kiianah is the creator of Rockin’ it Napptural, a vibrant natural hair, beauty and lifestyle blog which focuses on a simple approach to achieving healthy hair, skin and health. A natural-born writer with a glowing personality, she has a huge heart for rescue animals, big earrings and an obsession with dark chocolate.
152 Responses
It isn’t a waste. It’s labor intensive. The process is two full days. Maintenance is necessary. Buying weave hair is way more costly than having your sisterlocks retightened.
New 2 day sisterloc
I paid $1200 Canadian dollars to get mines done and $100 for retightening every month. After getting it done I realized that there were other places that were doing it for $800.
I can understand the cost because it is a lot of intensive work. However, there are cheaper options, and Dr. Cornwell DOES NOT OWN the rights to the installation process because SHE DIDN’T INVENT IT. The Hamer people of Africa have used a similar (or identical) install process and naturally-occurring red ochre to form their locs. Google it.
A cursory search of the United States Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) reveals that she has the rights to and owns THE NAME to be used in seminars, hair products, and pre-recorded tapes. Note that it mentions NOTHING about a tool (which Sisterlocks consultants love to hide), and nothing about intellectual property as installation. It’s not trademarked nor copyrighted under her name.
Sisterlocks Trademark Info, courtesy USPTO:
https://tmsearch.uspto.gov/bin/showfield?f=doc&state=4803:71yqg9.2.1
Do your research before you invest in what many LIE about as being a “trademarked technique.” Install/crocheting process is NOT trademarked (only the name of the brand is). I love the look of Sisterlocks, but I chose Microlocs/Braidlocs instead.
My hair is fine, and I wanted more weight as they locked, and less tedious maintenance going forward. My main intention for locking was to have FREEDOM (not having to comb, wash and go ease, less products, etc.).
There is no way I would sit in a salon chair longer for my locs than I have in the past 25 years with loose hair (which I would have had to do had I gotten Sisterlocks). My Braidlocs took 5 hours to install and cost $50.
The stylist did them exactly how I wanted and I interlock my roots every 6-10 weeks at home myself. Takes me about 2 hours to do my entire head. I do the edges on one day for freshening, and the middle and top on another.
This method of locs is ideal for those seeking employment in more conservative settings. The cost can is a bit of sticker shock initially, however add up all of the $$$ you’ll be saving on products, oil, and styling aids to maintain a certain style. No, I’m not a consultant and have never worn Sisterlocks. I have been researching this method, along with Microlocks, Braidlocks, and still deciding on which way to go.
Hello everyone I’m in the North Carolina area does anyone know where I can go here?
Its there any stylist in Atlanta that can be reccomended?
I have been wearing my hair natural for almost a year now. I had my stylist lock my hair and I did that for about 6 months. I just took them out last week because I just couldn’t stand the puffiness any longer. I have girl friend that has sister locks and they are beautiful. I have been think about getting them just because I can do so much with them and I love to change my style. I’m in the Philadelphia area. Does anyone in this area recommend a salon I could go too?
There are a bunch of consultants in Philly go to the sisterlock website
My apologies for the long post, but I feel strongly about black people (read women) making wie and informed decisions about the care of their (natural) hair.
I have SIsterlocks (6 years) and there are a few things worth menthioning. I paid 700.00 USD to have mine installed. I saved over the ocurse of a year to ge them becasue I wanted my hair to look exactly like it does. I pay 75.00 – 100.00 every 6-8 weeks to maintain.
While some people scoff at the price tag it is a wise investment that totally evens out. If I wore my weave or braids (like I used to do) I oaid close to 100.00 150.00 JUST for hair.. and I haven’t even paid for the actual style. By the time I finished I would pay close to 300.00 every 3 months to have my hair weaved or braided. 300.00 x 4 is 1200.00 in the year.
Let’s look at my first year of Sisterlocks 700.00 to establish plus (I’ll calculate the high end) 100.00 every 8 weeks (2 months) is 600.00 + 700 = 1300.00 first year.
Year 2 = 600.00, I can even calculate an additional 400.00 more on occasion if I wanted an elaborate style. Year 2 totals approx. 1000.00 in Sisterlocks. If I wore weaves I’d stil be paying 1200.00 and weft hair and bunmdles costs waaaaaaay more, and I was never afraid to pay.
Yes, theee is an up front initial investment, but the investment is in YOUR OWN HAIR growing from YOUR OWN HEAD! In a neat gridd pattern that make care and styling possiiblities easy and limitless. I’ve lost 6 locs in 6 years (all of them immedaitely aftre my dad passed away *stress*).
If you learn to take PROPER care of your hair, or learn to take PROPER care of your hair there should be little to no problems. ANdm no becaus eof the locking method you SHOULD NOT have locs breaking or tension alopecia. And yes, they really lock like orther tradional locs.
The bottom line is this: Everyone cares for their hair in differfent ways and eveyone has different budgets. One isn’t necessarily better than the other. As long as you make the committment to care for your hair properly, there shouldn’t be a problem.
Where are you from? Can you suggest your person?
I am in San Francisco and my consultants are Phyliss McCoy and/or Elois Drew
My Sisterlock Birthday is August 5th, 2007, having my Sisterlocks installed is the best hair care decision I have ever made. This was a great investment as well, my hair was 7 inches at the time of install and I paid around $550. I have my hair re-tightened every 6 weeks and I don’t pay $1,000 per year for maintenance, I only pay close to $620 as my sessions only take about 2 hours and I my hair is now in the middle of my back. I believe the Sisterlock experience greatly depends on the loctition. Stay blessed.
Lots of breakage. I lost several due to thinning locks. Not as versatile
I don’t think I have enough in my hair to enjoy the experience of styling. I am do close to chopping them off and getting traditional locks! I hate them!
Please don’t cut them. They were probably installed too small as compared to the density of your hair. Go an talk to a different consultant. They call likely join your locks together to therefore prevent the breakage. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Fabulous, FABULOUS, article!!!
I am a cosmetologist and I have had so many clients ask me about sisterlocks that I have decided to take a class! I’ve been thinking about it for 2 1/2 years. The class is a hefty investment as well, but I’m finding that the clientele is out there so I need to add it to my service menu.
is any one from NYC or north NJ that can recommend a place I could go for a consult
I have had my Sisterlocks for 14 months and the ONLY regret I have is that I didn’t get them SOONER….
I had my second set of Sisterlocks installed two months ago. I had my first set for six years! Depending on your length of hair, Installing Sisterlocks is very time consuming! Installing a straight grid is the first battle. Interlocking your hair into a pattern initially, can be time consuming. Depending on how experienced your consultant is will determine how fast your Locs will be completed. I cut my perm of both times and began with three inches of natural hair at $500.
I’ve been considering sister locks for a long time(essentially why I big chopped in the first place). 10 inches of hair later and 4 more years in the military I don’t see that ever happening 🙁 it’s probably going to cost me $2000 just to get them installed. RIDICULOUS.
Girl, I would advise against it if you are in the military. They keep changing the policies so much where kinky-coily hair is concerned that I wouldn’t even chance it. I recently read an article about a woman who served for over 14 years and had to get a discharge because she would not cut her locs. Plus, they want to dictate how many cornrows you can have. It is easier to just pull your hair back in a bun.
or just not serve in the military of a country that can’t accept some of its citizens for how they were created naturally. Let them fight their own wars and go die in their own wars.
Thank you for your service!
Sisterlocs are an excellent option for showcasing your Natural hair! It definitely is worth it, IF (and that’s a Huge IF you can afford it)! I started my journey with Sisterlocs in mid June 2014. The initial cost was $650.00 which included a $25 tip. The next 2 follow ups were included in the $625. Then 8 weeks later I returned for retightening and it cost me $100 for 4 hours. I had slippage, meaning quite a bit of the Locs came out. Slippage I was told happened because my hair is very soft. Note…I’m A 4b and I work out regularly and as a result sweat in my hair a lot. Long story short I needed 2 visits for my retightening which totaled $200 in 2 weeks! My Stylist is a kind generous person (ThankYou Jesus!), provided 2 free additional retightenings scheduled 2 weeks a part. Which brings me today November 2014. My last retightening cost me $50, keep in my it had been 2 weeks since my last retightening. There was no slippage, and it took less than 3 hours for the entire head to be retightened(YAY)! My next retightening will be in 4 weeks and I’m hoping to pay no more than $75!! Yes for me the cost and time is worth it! Expensive. Heck….Yeeez! But at the end of the day when my hair is fully locked, I know I will be loving my Locs even more than I do now! Would I do it again knowing what I know RE the cost, probably not. But real talk, I’m in too deep with the cost to give them up now and I Love Love the look and feel and versatility of styling them!! I plan to attend the retightening school. Once I concur retightening my Locs then for sure it will be worth the cost!! So stay tuned;)…
I have had Sistalocs since 2011 and I am admittedly in love with my hair. Indeed it is my glory!! Initially, the installation was pricey however I found an awesome Lotician to maintain them. My maintanence was $65/month. That I could handle. As of May 2012, I have maintained them myself. I am grateful to YouTube and the sisters that have shared the knowledge.
Eternally grateful,
Coe
I’m considering sister locks,my hair was shoulder length before I had a perm which took out my hair and left bald spots and had to cut my hair several times to remove the damage caused by the relaxer. The bald spots are filling in and my hair is no longer breaking, I still have some thin areas in the front section of my head… I no longer want any chemicals in my hair. I just want to know if sister locks would be right for me. I find them to be beautiful. I lives in Michigan and would like to go down a consultant.
Phyllis, if you haven’t already, go to Locs of Excellence on Nine Mile in Southfield (248-304-0000) for a consult. Take all of your questions. They will advise you on getting Sisterlocs. I am in my 6th month locked, and I can’t begin to tell you how pleased I am with my decision to do this. Good Luck!
Sisterlocks is about having options. It may not be the right choice depending on your lifestyle, price or what you are trying to achieve with your hair. I would encourage people to research all options before making a decision. For me this option suited my needs and lifestyle. I have been locked for 5 years now and I would not have it any other way.
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I live in Las Vegas and from what I hear the price is so high here. I go back and forth to the DCMaryland area. Can anyone suggest someone there?
My Sisterlocks are 9 months old all my hair and fabulous. I pay 50 every 4 weeks to get my hair retightened. I love my Sisterlocks and can’t figure out why I didn’t get them sooner
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Sisterlocks are expensive because they take a lot of time to install. I know because I have them. Unlike dreads, you need to get like sort of a license and go through classes in order to be the installer of sisterlocks. You even need a tool! Thats really the reason why its so much. because installing is so meticulous to the hair dresser and the braids or whatever they are, are sooooo tiny.
But is it worth it?
Hell yeah!
Its so easy to take care of, and you could even wait 2 months before you get it retightened. You could dye your hair, bleach it, braid it, curl it, and its much lighter than traiditional dreads.
It depends upon the person. Women pay more than that for some types of straight weave hair that can only be left in a couple of months. This is a lifetime worth of hairstyle. You are not just paying for the hair, you are also paying for the service and learning the technique. I believe that she has begun to charge so much, because unlike other hairstyles you eventually do not have repeat customers coming back and employing you like most salons do. Many sisters get the first retightening and then they go on about their business. I was surprised when I first saw that Dr. Cronwell had created these. She was my history professor in college. Big ups on her creation. I, now a school teacher, can not afford them.
P.S. I meant Cornwell and I’ve only seen this done with natural hair. The fake hair is something that I have not seen before with Sister Locks.
Me too, I met this one sista about a month ago, she was a guest at the Casino that I work at. With me being natural, I assumed she was too(silly me) we talked about her Locs and I once again “assumed” that sister lock terminology was just female dreads. She suggested that I get them, gave me the name and number to her stylist. There is absolutely no way that I would get false Locs! To each their own but I truely feel it defeats the purpose of what we are about here! I feel Bamboozled
Sisterlocks are not fake locs….I have them and all of my hair is real. I think you are confused…
I totally want this style. For years I’ve wanted to do this, however I can’t find anyone in my country who does this 🙁
Never Never Never ever would I pay that amount of money, besides I like dreads(I really just like how they look) I think some sista-locks are beautiful just not for me.
The only way to get Sisterlocks is to have them installed by a certified sisterlock consultant or trainee which can be found on their registry. What others are referring to are interlocks which can be started on your own with a nappyloc tool. I started braidlocs myself with plaits and interlocked them to achieve the same look as sisterlocks. If you Google nappylocs, I’m sure it will show how to get the kit. Its not a secret. If you are looking for Sisterlocks, which is about a distinctive grid pattern and locking technique, you will have to go to a consultant. The cost justifies the amount of time and patience taken by these consultants to install these locs in my opinion.
Hi Ladies,
I am just loving hearing your sister lock stories. To the ladies from England I want to ask where you get your hair done. It is a lot of money to pay so I would rather have a tried and tested sister loctician.
For those of you that learned to re-tighten yourself was it very difficult to learn and roughly how long does it take to do? Is it expensive to learn?
Many thanks
If I lived in England I’d absolutely be trying to get Annette Clark Headley as my loctician. She has a company Almocado that makes products for natural hair and locs. I discovered her on YouTube while researching sisterlocks and I love her demeanor so much. I’ve also seen other women in the UK vlog about sisterlocks on YouTube if you want to keep looking. 🙂
I have had sisterlocks for 5 years and am transitioning into traditional locs. Don’t get me wrong, they can be very lovely. But I also find them to be expensive, not terribly versatile and due to alopecia, I have continued to lose my hair because of the pulling experienced during monthly retightning.
The most important point is not the installation, but that you are fully aware of the expense and (for me) inconvenience of SL. It was difficult to find a reliable consultant, it was difficult to get an appointment and instead of being freeing, I felt like I was in jail. It all depends what kind of sacrifice you are willing to make for a hairstyle. Good luck!
hi*******@***il.com…please tell me where to get the sista lock kit
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I’ve had my sisterlocks for about 5 years. I paid $475, it was the best money I have ever spent. I love my hair and the freedom it gave me. I pay $80 every 6 week for retighten.
Ive had my sisterlocks coming up 5years this may and i truely truely love them – i paid 350 pounds to have them done and i only pay 55pounds every 6 wks to have them retightened but for the last 6 months i have been retightening them myself as i was trained how to 6 months after having them done – they are growing beautifully and are in the middle of my back now – when i started they were real short – but still loved them – i cant wait for them to grow longer – i would defo recommend -what makes me love them all the more is the fact that its all my own hair – i used to wear extentions, relaxer, weaves – but this is all natural and my own and im loving that fact – i dont spend much on products either – just spritz with water every morning before work – and a little oil on my scalp every other day and wash my hair once a week with any shampoo and conditioner thats in my bathroon at the time
Hi Angela. Where in the UK did you get your sister locks done?
I wouldn’t say it isn’t worth it because I believe it is a matter of opinion but I can tell you that I achieved the same look of sisterlocks with my teenaged daughter. We just call them micro-locks. I braided her hair in tiny braids (it took two days) and allowed them to lock over time, never taking them out. They are growing long and beautiful and the braids at the end have disappeared. I am able to maintain them myself by palm rolling and a few times a year, I use the crochet tool to get it really tight. They are gorgeous. And it cost us nothing but time.
I have found sister locks to be well worth it! I go every six weeks to have my hair appointment to continue with the locking pattern at the root. The in between maintenance is super easy and the Sisterlock products (shampoos and conditioners) are quite economical. When I think of the money I used to spend on products, money and time at the hairdresser every two weeks, and the daily grind of hair maintenance I cringe. I HIGHLY recommend sister locks. It’s versatile and natural.
I have had Sisterlocks for a few years and I love them. The installation is hefty but I truly don’t believe that the maintenance costs are much more than what Sisters who straighten their hair pay for relaxer touch ups. I love the versatility of them and the fact it is my natural hair.
Two years locked. Initial investment 465.00. I got retightenings once every six weeks for 65.00 a session for the first year. I now maintain my own hair. The only money l spend on my hair now is on lock jewelry and lila rose hair clips. The only product l use on my hair is henna to cover my grays and water for moisture. Without a doubt the best most economical decision l have ever made regarding my hair. Btw….no fake hair…very little manipulation.
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I have had my sisterlocks for 9 months now, and it is one of the best investments I have ever made. So well worth the money. Installation is a bit pricey, but the results are priceless. There are several ways to style your hair, no more “bad hair days”. I have never been more in love with my hair.
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Nope. I don’t believe in fake hair, no matter how natural it looks. I’m not a hair shamer, I just think that all of that manipulation and pulling on the hair is the enemy of health and length. I feel the same way about braid extensions and weaves. It may look great, but it will leave your hair damaged. And for what? I think it’s our impatience with waiting for hair to grow and our lack of self acceptance that makes these hair trends popular. And make the sellers rich. Nothing is cheaper than rocking your own natural hair. I buy ridiculously expensive hair products, and I’m sure I don’t even spend $500 a year on my hair! It took a while to get here, but I love it. Patience is the key. So… I vote NO on sister locks.
How is this fake hair if its growing out of your own scalp? I have a friend who has this and once done correctly it does not cause any damage to the hair. Its all a matter of how well you nourish your own hair.
I don’t think Chris knows what she’s talking about. Sisterlocks is done with your own hair. Actually it is your own hair. There’s nothing to manipulate because hair locks naturally. Sisterlocks installation puts it in a certain locking pattern. I have had sisterlocks for 2 years and 4 months. I paid $650 for the install and I pay $63 every 6 weeks for retightenings. Sisterlocks is the best investment in myself. I’ve never had one day of regret and vote a big fat ‘Yes’ to sisterlocks.
I am considering sisterlocks, but that price is what holds me back. I think sisterlocks are something to consider especially if you love micro braids seeing that they look very similiar. I have been natural for 1yr and a few months now and i have the most roughest hair possible and i would like to have something that would make my hair more manageable on the day to day basis.
I looked into getting sister locks 4 years ago. I was told $500. I’m a baller on a budget and there is no way in hell I will spend $500 on my hair. I’ll cut it bald first. The beautician accidentally told me where she got the tools and DVD from. i ordered the kit and tool and have been locked ever since. I tighten my hair about once a month. I love them. If you are good at doing your own hair, i.e. cornrows, plates, etc.., you can do this.
Do tell? I would love to do my own. Loebond @ Yahoo. com
Can you accidentally tell me? I already have them just tired of paying for the retight
Hello where did you get your kit from because the prices are too high for me also
hi*******@***il.com…please tell me where to get the sista lock kit
I would like to no also 🙂
I’ve been natural 2 years and I’m having a hard time with breakage and knots 🙁
I’m a student and I work but still live at home I can’t afford $500 my hair is kinda long now
I do my own hair so I think would be good at it 🙂
Could you please share that info with me?…ni*********@***il.com
I love my Sisterlocks! I’ve had them for a year, and my hair is at its healthiest, and has never grown faster. For me, the cost of installing and maintaining them is no more expensive than what I was spending on getting a relaxer and style every six weeks, hair products, weaves/braids for protective styles, etc. When I added up the amount I was spending per year on all those things compared to the cost of Sisterlocks, the investment was well worth it.
Never understood why we women of color debate everything regarding hair. It’s just HAIR! When I was a loose natural and had color people talked, said I wasn’t natural enough. When I was permed folks talked, and now we have this constant endless debate about the price of sister locks. It’s simple, you either like them or don’t. You either can afford them or you can not. Get the picture???? I prefer the sister locks over IPADS, MK, Coach, etc. To each their own. Just my two cents.
Sisterlocks are an intricate procedure, and if you have a loctician who is heavy handed, and puts unnecessary stress, you will experience hair loss. However, whether you have processed hair, extensions, wear a wig etc, abusing your hair will have an affect. I know lots of people who have chosen to wear their hair as above, and only those who have abused their hair wearing weaves, and wigs have experienced hair lost because they have allowed their hairdresser to treat their hair as though they were handling a wild animal. Communication is what’s needed, tell your loctician that your experiencing tension when your having your hair done. Don’t re-tighten more than necessary. Love your hair in all it’s stages. If your hair is too heavy cut it down, utilise a new hair style option and enjoy. It’s hair to be enjoyed not endured.
Sisterlocks being affordable or not is subjective to the person. Some can afford and some cannot.
Questions like these come down to are you making a large one time purchase or are you making small purchases over time. Regardless, I have spent hundreds of dollars my natural hair, weaves, AND Sisterlocks.
I had Sisterlocks for less than a year and my reason for cutting them wasn’t about price. It was because I didn’t know how to retighten my own hair and that was frustrating. I also didn’t find Sisterlocks as versatile as I had liked— years later, I now realize that I am truly a “some months natural, some months weaved up” type of woman.
Also frankly speaking, there is a “culture” behind Sisterlocks that is heavily invested in it being a “trademark method” and you must use “trademark products” (created by Dr. Cornewell) in order to be truly “Sisterlocked” and if not you get a stank side eye.
So I went from wanting to “be natural” to having this feeling that my hair belonged to some sort of “corporation.”
Also I had done this years ago, so the women wearing their hair natural was not as common and the tutorials and excitement was not there. One thing I will definitely say is back then the marketing of “Sisterlocks” — in my opinion– was not at all about being in love with your Blackness but instead more so trying to find a “solution” to loose-kinky-hair. Videos of women “swinging their hair back and forth” and just this attitude “that you can only have long beautiful hair if you Sisterlock it.”
Everyone’s experience is different and mine was definitely influenced by what I was reading and the videos I watched, and I just realized it wasn’t helping me about my feelings about my hair.
I cut my hair off and grew it out loosely and I am totally in love with it.
I so agree with you!. I think sisterlocks are beautiful but I to feel like I belong to a “corporation” instead of enjoying my natural state. Every time someone ask me about my hair, I feel obligated to be a spokesperson and try to recruit them to the sisterhood, all because its trademarked. This was certainly not my intention when I got sisterlocks. In fact, I intended to eventually retightened my hair myself anyway, until I was told I HAVE to take the retightening course just to get the patented tool. Yes, I am a little disgruntled, but only with the bureaucracy of it, not the actual hair. I personally consider sisterlocks a permanent hair choice. I still think they are beautiful.
No I am sorry that is too much money! Its a personal choice so I’m not doffing anyone who has them or is thinking about getting them, but for me that’s “Too Rich for my blood”.
Investment? How do sisterlocks generate money for you?
I agreee. People make statements about investing in hair or products but I don’t see how something superficial -that doesn’t earn dividends or some tangible reward- is an investment. I enjoy my hair, I enjoy buying & trying new hair products. But everything is done in moderation. I wanted puffy twists & was quoted a price of $175. I see that as a waste of $$ when i’ll be bored with it after 2 weeks.
I love my sisterlocks. The first year costs are pretty hefty because it includes the installation. However, for years 2 and beyond, I find that it is quite comparable to what I’ve paid in the past to maintain a relaxer.
Opting for sisterlocks, of course, is a personal choice. It was may choice because I wanted manageability, versaility, and freedom.
Sure, most women can get that with their natural hair but I just couldn’t fathom investing money and time into a hairstyle, just to walk outside and poof… those twists, curls or whatever are gone (this was the case for both my natural and relaxed hair).
With sisterlocks, while curls drop in humidity or rain, I am comfortable with the “unstyled” look.
I’ve been natural for a year and one month now and i just discovered these and i fell IN LOVE with them. Something about them are just so amazing omg lol So in about another 4-6 years i’m going to get them done. The price does not bother me considering the fact that i know how to retighten sister locks/locs in general myself already. I’d only need them installed. But i can NOT wait to get these.
I have Sisterlocks. I have had them now for 5 years. My hair has never been healthier and it grows like a weed. My hair usually takes a very long time to grow; I have to keep my hands out of it. Now after all these years, my hair is between my should blades.
My locks cost only $300 to install. I would pay $100-$150 every 6 weeks to get them re-tightened. But once they were locked (took about 8 months) I took the tightening class for $250 and that’s the last time since 2009 I’ve had to pay money into my locks. I got them in college and was able to keep up the cost. I was used to paying $200 for my micro braids every 2-3 months so this was no different.
I think they are a good investment IF you are ready to take that route. I chose them because I wanted to tighten my fro but still be able to be very versatile with them. They aren’t heavy at all. And since I tighten them, I know what my head can and cannot take. If I see my locks pulling too much on my roots, I join 2 together, then after a few months cut one off to make it one; can’t even tell the difference. My edges have actually begun growing back from all the chemical damage I had getting all those relaxers back in the day.
I hate to say this, but I am not a fan of Sisterlocks, because they don’t look like hair, they look like yarn. I would much prefer the original locs, they look better and not so fragile.
I couldn’t afford the price of sisterlocks, so almost 4 years ago I opted for the smallest traditional locs using the sisterlock technique. My locs are so small that the installation was spread out over two 9-10 hour days. I like my hair and receive many compliments. Some people mistake them for sisterlocks, so I think there are definitely cheaper options out there.
I think locs are so pretty and I love Sisterlocs too. Over the years, I’ve toyed around with idea of getting locs. Since I have fine hair strands, and at one point, I was considering Sisterlocks but to this day, I still cannot afford them. I feel like why balk at the price? If you have the money and can do it, do it. If you don’t have the money for that, then don’t. Everyone’s priorities are different and I say, if you can afford the installation and maintenance of Sisterlocks, then get them. It’s unfair to push your idea of how much someone else’s time, experience and service should cost. Because if it was so easy or not worth that much, then do it yourself.
I think Sisterlocks are worth their price tag. As a professional in the beauty industry, a price on someone’s time (which is invaluable), service, experience, artistry, knowledge, professionalism, etc. is highly subjective. Like another poster said, you can’t get everything for free. Sisterlocks are really small and take a lot of time, care and patience to install and maintain/re tighten, why would so many think you should pay “Walmart” prices for that? Ya know? Let’s not disrespect people and their crafts. They have bills and have to eat like everyone else too.
I just don’t balk about prices anymore. If I can’ t afford something, then that’s the end of it. I don’t bash the cost of the service or good, I simply don’t get it. Or I plan and save for it so I can get it. It’s that simple. People have money, they just choose to spend it on what they want to spend it on.
In all honesty, I don’t have locs, neither I am planning on getting them but I rather spend $400 to $500 in something that will go into the pockets of our own community, than buying expensive Michael Kors and Louis Vuittons. I’ve seen a lot of black women complaining about how expensive a procedure is at their local salons while wearing expensive shoes and handbags. I am not trying to judge anybody but please think about it.
Preach my sister preach! They walk into the salon with designer bags and shoes and start haggling over hair prices. The mentality is just because it’s back then should be cheap. Respect to all willing to pay the price for professional service irrespective of who is rendering it.
You can trademark a hairstyle when you spend years researching hair type, texture and health before it’s a trend (early 90’s). You can trademark a hairstyle when you learn how to lock any hair texture into what the wearer wants it to become. Or when you have done enough time/research to learn how to help women with alopecia (the sis who had alopecia should’ve went called the home office for help) when you know how to create a different locking pattern for each of the different hair types on one head and you tailor your installation to the various types. You can trademark any product/ method that you spend YEARS creating it before you try it on anyone. You can also trademark a hairstyle to protect women from having their locks installed with latch hooks and ending up with “Step” Sisterlocks that end up being the worst decision you ever made. You can also trademark a system that others copy, trademark and compare their “creation” to the creation of pepsi in the face of coke. Why do we have such a poor woman’s mentality about our work. We should value our effort and brilliance. Why do so many of us think everything should be for free on youtube? Like some woman is supposed to do all this work for no return? jeez….and FYI yes, I worked at the home office and I know Dr. Cornwell and she is brilliant, giving and dedicated to helping women love their natural hair. And since she just stopped teaching at SDSU she values this work FAR more than she is dedicated to a pay check.
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I can see you are very passionate about this. I also admire Miss Cornwell for her dedication and creativity, but she did not create the method that is trademarked as “Sisterlocks”. In the vein of taking an old idea and making it better; she did that and she did it well. However, she did not improve the existing interlocking method on her own either. This was done with a small group of women, including Amazon Smiley. Miss Cornwell-fortunately for her and unfortunately for the others- was the much better business woman. Just some little talked about Sisterlocks history.
I loved my Sisterlocks very much, and in the 4.5 years I wore them I had 2 wonderful and knowledgeable consultants. I am not discrediting the greatness of Sisterlocks (although they are not for everyone); my comments were mostly in reference to the trademark discussion.
This is absolutely untrue. she experimented with her own head while it was braided and she tried many different methods because she knew how to sew, crochet and style hair as a young woman. She experimented on her head, her sister’s hair and her brother’s before it even got out the bag. Other’s asked her about her hair before she considered even sharing it with them. It’s all in black and white, some hearsay or some word of mouth you heard through the grapevine is not evidence enough to completely discredit someones work. I get we’re all discussing this topic but you gotta have some sources before you go there.
But the actual technique is NOT trademarked. Only the name. Do a search of the US Trademark Database, and you will find only the NAME “Sisterlocks” is trademarked, and not the technique. Not sure about that tool they use, but either way, all Cornwell did was copy the Hamer people of Africa and how they install their locs. I opted for microlocs using Microbraids because I wasn’t paying $1500 for install being that my hair is darn near waist length. I interlock the roots myself. I paid $50 for my microbraids (technically they are Braidlocs) when salons would charge $400 minimum.
how can you trademark a hairstyle? the name i understand but i am not understanding the former…
The Sisterlocks hair style is not trademarked, only the name is. Cornwell got her technique from the Hamer people of Africa who have locked their hair in the same way for thousands of years. If you search the United States Trademark Database, you will find only the name is trademarked, and not the tool nor the technique of crocheting the hair. Cornwell did not create a one of a kind technique, and that’s why she was unable to trademark it!! The proof is out there. If it were trademarked, they would not turn Sisterlocks clients away from the mirror during install and maintenance, and hide the tool they use, lol. If your stuff is trademarked and copyrighted, then you have no need to hide it. SMH.
This woman is making a killing off of Black women thinking they have something special in the Sisterlocks style. It’s shameful and I would never support it. The style has been in Africa for centuries. Cornwell has a bunch of bureaucratic b.s. behind the brand and to be honest, though they are gorgeous, and I can afford them, I saw the truth about the scheme. I’d rather have my own freedom to retighten as I please, and not have to stick to a schedule, or have to shell out hundreds at each sitting.
I’m a loctician. I have worn my hair permed, natural, weaved, braided and locked. I agree that heavy locks can cause strain on the roots and one would be wise to trim when this begins to happen. Additionally, do not over tighten. Overtightening has the same effect as braiding your hair too tight. Ask your loctician to go easy on your edges and trim your Sisterlocks™ when you feel they are too heavy. Because they are thin (as mentioned by the writer, they are less heavy, but everyone has a different hair texture and can handle more or less weight. Sisterlocks™ can be trimmed beautifully as opposed to traditional locks. Look at Blaq Kofi’s blog. She trims her Sisterlocks™ on a regular basis. Whoopi Goldberg has trimmed traditional locks but they look blunt and may not appeal to some lock wearers, therefore, cutting them off althogether could be the only option when traditional locks get heavy.
@Kim~ Whoopi’s locs’ are traditional weaved locs and the bluntness comes from how they are done at the end. Traditional locs’ can be trimmed in very beautiful styles as well. If you haven’t seen the best of the best. Look up Thierry Baptiste. He cuts locs’ in all sorts of styles. I have trimmed by traditional loc’ edges just to be safe and keep my edges healthy.
I wanted Sisterlocs but couldn’t afford them. I had the smallest size traditional locs I could get and maintain by retwistings and light trims. Supporting any loctician is one of the best ways we can support black businesses.
What scares me more about this black girl “hair thang” is that most of us have no problem with thinking our hair must be “bone straight”. I know my idea of this type of hair came from my mother when I used to get that “press and curl” (some of you grew up on perm). Many older women once thought that our “bad hair” needed to be “tamed” and so many of them still do not support natural hair today. So many women young and old feel that they can not get a man with that “nappy stuff”. I have spoken to so many women about hair, they have stopped me everywhere since I got Sisterlocks. Since they are now 10 years old and I can nearly sit on them, oh the questions I am asked . My 8 year old chemical free natural hair was placed in all types of braids before it was locked. My personal opinion on this hair matter is that so many more black women would wear natural hair, locs, braids, etc. but are concerned about rejection from their family, employers, and from our men. What they fail to realize (or do not care), is that all those products from the creamy crack (perms), dyes, and other unnatural (expensive) products is PUTTING YOUR HEALTH AT RISK!!! What about all that hair, whether it be from someone living or dead (few use the fake hair anymore), why do you want someone’s hair on your head? Did you know that person? Have you researched how it was sanitized before it landed on your head? Let’s talk about hair loss and thinning. I have sooo many friends who have perms and/or wear weaves who have PERMANENT bald spots. I would rather pay the $80 every 6 weeks to tighten my locks and VERY little for hair care products than to pay for chemical treatments that are oozing into my brain. I have no problems when it rains, when I sweat, and my man can run his fingers through my hair anytime he wants (lol). Support your health and try natural ladies. There are so many beautiful styles out here now and it’s healthier and more fun!
I so agree. I been on and off natural for two years. Now its been almost one year. My mom has never permed her hair to my knowledge. She was always in my ear about being natural. I wasnt trying to hear that. As i gotting older. I got a little wiser and i was tired of looking like the girl next door. I never wore any weaves of the sort. Just permed hair. I always like my hair pretty big and full. After wearing braids for a period of time. I started to appreciate and love my natural hair. I did a semi chop around the beginning of this year. My hair has grown quite a bit. I also convince my 18 year old twin girls to go natural. I got alot of compiments. I would never return to a perm again.
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I had sisterlocks for 6 years almost 7. One thing that I noticed was that I was starting to suffer from tension alopecia. I saw it around my edges and in the crown…before I cut my hair off this year, I started researching to see if others were experiencing similar things with their hair…the longer the hair gets it tends to pull at the root..meaning the lock is to heavy for the root to support it..also I think the tension or interlocking method on thin locks can be a disaster long term….hence I cut my hair and its is thriving… Best decision for me…oh and I paid 160 every 6 weeks for a retighten….typical ny prices.
After I took my traditional locks down I got Sisterlocks with about 6 inches of hair. I paid $500, but that was in 2009. I loved my sisterlocks, but I noticed that they were always much drier and my hair grew slower than when I had my traditional locks. I big chopped 6 months ago, just to experience my loose natural hair (I was locked for almost 10 years) and I also noticed that my edges had gotten quite thin (tension alopecia). They were beautiful, but I’m so glad I cut my Sisterlocks off when I did.
I had traditional locs for 13 years and LOVED them. They were less costly than Sisterlocs, neat, flattering, and versatile. But I palm-rolled my locs dry in the front too often so that they would always look “just so” and I let them grow to my tailbone. Sadly, I had to cut them all off because when I would bow my head I could see a quarter sized to half dollar sized bald spot at the top of my scalp. I was afraid of looking like Stevie Wonder, bless his heart.
People were so attached to my hair and the image that I projected with them that people continually asked me about growing them back in, even after I told them I was going bald. It’s not that I didn’t want locs, I couldn’t grow them anymore and still keep my hair near the scalp. That area at the top also became tender.
This is an issue that is too often swept under the rug in the loc community. Luckily, I cut my locs off just in time before the issue became severe. But my hairline is still slightly receding. My bangs aren’t full and won’t grow past a certain point without breaking. I won’t complain too much because I know I’m lucky to have bangs and the rest of my hair is full and retaining length.
Being a loose natural is definitely A LOT more work than wearing traditional locs, unless you have a TWA. And there’s so much jargon with being a loose natural, it’s harder to retain length as a loose natural than it is a loc wearer. There’s so many rules . . . I miss wearing locs but my hands are tied!
I would say to anyone interested in Sisterlocs or traditional locs to make sure to wear LOOSE updo’s not tight ponytails, don’t wear very long locs down in bed, pile your locs top of your head to cut back on the weight from longer locs at night and put it in a bonnet or high top-knot.
Locs are definitely not for everyone. There are many loose naturals that used to be loc wearers and some of those sisters cut off their locs because they were losing their hair.
I believe it depends on what people are willing to invest in their hair. If you think the style is worth it, then you will do it. No matter what it is, perm, weave, extensions, twists, traditional locs and sisterlocks. I am a sisterlock consultant and I charge according to hair length. I also offer discounts to older women and college/high school students. I offer specials and promotions as well. But just like we would drop a chunk of change on Mac makeup, Coach bags or any other fancy name brand because we believe it is worth the investment, the same goes for our hair. I say to each her own. Whatever you decide to do, just make sure you are happy with your decision. I know I am! I have been sisterlocked for almost 4 years and I am truly Lovin’ It!!!!
I wore sisterlocks for 6 years. My hair was near waist length. The price was well worth it to me. On top of retightening expenses, I also had to drive 2.5 hours to my consultant’s shop; as no one in my immediate area was qualified as a SL consultant. I want to mention that the cost of retightening can be reduced if the person decides (after 6 months) to take the retightening class, and hence, do their own retightening. I took the class; however, decided it would be easier and less harmful on my wrists (I have carpal tunnel) if I continued to have my consultant do them. During my 6th year of wearing them I began wanting to explore my natural hair in its loose form. Initially, I took down 5 of my sisterlocks (it took 5 hours), but later decided to cut them off. I blogged about my experience wearing SLs (The Makings of Monica on BlogSpot) and I have no regrets going forward.
Cost is relative. For some, paying $700+ for hair and maintenance is not a hefty price tag. And the market for sisterlocs, as well as deals with technicians, varies.
Also – flat irons, curl creams and phony pony extensions marketed as “human hair” which are really a mix of animal, artificial and random human hair can be just as costly. Just as some budget for a computer, pet food and parking space, some can budget for the price of sisterlocs in their respective markets. I’ve always thought they were beautiful, but never wanted the commitment locs require.
I am a sophomore in college and I got my sisterlocks a week before I started college. So I have had them for about a year and three months. It is worth it ! My lovely loctitian gives me a college student discount so I pay around $75-100 for retightentings and I paid around $450-500 for my installation. I had intended on getting regular locks but because I have such a sensitive hairline I decided against it because all the gel and tension would not be good for the hairline. With sisterlocks there is no gel required or needed, there is specific sisterlock products that you can choose whether or not you want to use after your baby stages. And I add essential oils to my scalp when I’m feeling itchy, it’s as simple as that. I wake up, spray with water, shake my dreads and leave lol. PLEASE be mindful that you pay for installation ONCE. And you can manipulated how long you wait between retightenings due to your own personal hair growth. I can do whatever I want to my hair. Anything a person with traditional locs can do, I can also do without having to worry about them getting too heavy later on in life. I can do twist outs, braid outs, flats twists, buns (when long enough), perm rods, and roller sets just like a unlocked natural girl can. The freedom is great, don’t hold yourself back of you have the means to get them. I will not lie and say that I sometimes think about having traditional ones due to price, but I plan on learning to maintain myself.
Learn as soon as you can so you can save some money. See your consultant occasionally after that just to make sure all is ok.
I have to admit that they are beautiful..that price list is outrageous.
I had 12-15 inches of hair at install and paid no where near 1000. My retightenings are on $60 every 8 weeks. These prices are a bit high IMO but I suppose It depends on your location.
I LOVE MY SISTERLOCKS!
So as a hairstylist I never pay to get my hair done I either did it myself or a fellow stylist would hook me up, when I decided to get locs I knew traditional locs were not for me as I didn’t want thick locs that would be heavy from product build up. As I researched other options I found Sisterlocks and after a counsulation was told $500 to install. I walked away and 2yrs later went back and this time I went through with it and paid $600! The only thing I regret is not getting them done sooner!
Now I am a Sisterlock trainee and 95% of my clients are have Sisterlocks. The price is hefty because of the work that goes into it and not everyone pays the same price it all depends on the length of hair and how fast the hair grows!
All in all not everything will be for everyone, so everyone will appreciate Sisterlocks and not everyone will want to pay for it!
My friend has sister locks and paid about $600-700 for hers. I have always wanted them just to see how I would like them (if not Id join them for nubian locs) but these prices are outrageous. My hair is about 10-12 inches and even my friend warned me that it would cost me about $1000. Yikes. That price is just way too steep.
Jen, I would urge you to reconsider, at least until you exhaust all your options. In 2011, I was in the same boat as you. I had 11 inches of natural hair, and I knew I wanted sisterlocks, but the price tag scared me. I assumed it would be astronomical, so I kept putting it off to save more. Imagine my surprise when I learned there was a new trainee nearby who was offering a special–$600 flat rate. Granted, it took 40 hours total over the course of a week, but once the install was done, I was all set. I took the retightening class two years later, and now I do my hair all by myself. It’s an investment, but I do not regret it. If anything, I wish I had gotten it done sooner! So if price is a concern, why not look into getting a trainee for the install? They have to get a certain number of installs anyway before becoming certified, which is why they often drop prices. Also, they are fresh off the training, so they are most up-to-date, and I suspect very careful since they want that certification, so why not take a chance?
That’s a good point. Learning how to retouch your own hair will save you money overall and looking for students still training is always cost effective with any service.
If you can do your own hair. This is why I learned to do my own hair a long time ago most styles are to expensive and natural styles of all kinds or way to expensive for something I can do for free. Price vary buy area and the stylist but I will take free and done just as well over paying all that money any day. I have started locs of all sizes and re twisted mostly on friends when I was in school. It is easy to learn if you really want to.
My roommate got sisterlocks and learned how to make them work on a college budget. Like other posters mentioned, she cut off her relaxed hair and got the sisterlocks started by a professional. Because our school is in the middle of no where even if she wanted to continue going to a professional she couldn’t, so she taught me and my other roommates how to retwist it with a latch hook. Honestly, I think this is better than getting it professionally done since she can always touch up the new growth in front for special occasions.
First, she did not create/invent the technique…only the tool to do it easier. Interlocking has been around since the beginning of time. Second, I have no idea where that pricing comes from, but that is not what I paid or anyone I know. Just like anything else – there are those that will overcharge. My maintenance is every 8-10 weeks @ $80.00. When I had a perm I paid almost that every 2-3 weeks. When I had braids I would drop $200 every 3 months and go and get my scalp cleaned every 2 weeks for $25.00. With traditional locks I was getting retwisted every 3-4 weeks at $40 each time. If I got a style it was an additional $25.00 – $35.00. So either way – I come out cheaper with SLs.
Well she trademarked it which means if anyone uses the name she had the power to sue so don’t tell on nobody lol
She’s actually sued before, but she lost-Google the Nappylocks case for more info.
It is obvious that our women prefer to have”bought hair” rather than natural hair. Try adding up the frequent costs of these hair you would find it far outweighs the price of sisterlocks. Also do we know what these fibers are made from? Is it good for our hair/scalp? Though they may smell good have you tried washing the extension hair? You would be pleasantly surprised!!
Sisterlocks ARE natural hair- they don’t use added fibers/extensions, just your natural hair.
Your analysis leaves some important points out and makes some mis-statements as well. The cost of installation varies across markets- depending on the availability of consultants- but it is a one-time investment that is comparable to the cost people invest in other styles like buying additional hair for braids and weaves. That is, the range of expense is one that many don’t bat an eyelash at when applied to other options. The idea of investing more at the outset for an install is what is new to some people. But an installation is a one-time cost. Following that, the locks are retightened- not retwisted- as they grow in. The cost for that varies as well depending on the market.
What is left out of this article is that many opt to learn to do their own retightening and do not have to pay a consultant for maintenance at all. In other words, after the initial investment for an install, the cost of Sisterlocks drops way down. After 12 years wearing Sisterlocks, it is the least expensive option I had ever chosen for my hair. I have not paid a consultant to do my hair since the 6th month in when I learned to do my own hair.
And you have to factor in that there is some expense involved with whatever hair option you choose, so you have to *compare* what you would choose otherwise to the cost of Sisterlocks. Going back to the expense, if we are unwilling to fairly compensate the entrepreneurs who do our hair- we will get what we pay for.
Renea, exactly. The article did leave out that you can learn to retighten your own. Never see a consultant again unless you want to. Not only that, the article did mentioned 24 hours of installation. It does not always take 24 hours, but the work is intense. Prices are different all over the country.
I think sister locks are absolutely gorgeous! However, I know me, and as a 2 year natural, I absolutely love the versatility of being able to wear a braid out, bun, or mini-twist, ect, therfore I would not loc my hair permanently.
Um. Guess what? Because they are Sistelocks you can do braid outs, buns, mini twists, ect. You can do Bantu knots, rollers sets, two strand twists. Flat iron (only if you really, really wanted to). Use a curling iron. Up-dos. Cornrows. Flat twists, French braids. Pretty much limited by your imagination. I would not recommend a brush or fine toothed comb.
So, I crunched the numbers…. When I had a relaxer, I paid $80 every 6 weeks for a retouch, then went every-two weeks for wash and style. at $40 min. that was three and a half years ago with a family stylist so I got discounts. When you compare that cost to the one presented here for a style. It is comparable in fact just about the same… We didn’t talk about the time in the chair or the damage the relaxers have been proven to cause our bodies. Sometimes, I think we can talk ourselves out of something better for us so we can go back to being how were were. Locs are not for everyone. I am still deciding to take the plunge. However, I don;t think I can allow the price to sway my decision. I am concerned about the marketing of the style and the label of sister-locks. It’s like you belong to an elite hair styling group with their own people doing a systematized method of styling to your hair. Nothing wrong with great marketing.. I’m just happy the person who developed the Wrap didn’t do the same thing… IJS!
I think it depends. I stretched my relaxers out to about 3 months and would get my hair washed and styled at about the same rate but I mostly did that at home so the price in my eyes us still not comparable.
I’ve considered locs of all sizes at various times in my life, but I ultimately always decide against them due to maintenance costs and time. In my opinion, Sisterlocks costs wayyyyy too much! 100/in?! C’mon! My hair is MBL. That’s too much damn money. From a business perpective, I understand that it eats up an entire day or a good portion of it to install, but by the same token, locking your own hair in this fashion costs as much as weave installation. I don’t know about anyone else, but I do not have an extra $600 – 1,400 to put into my hair. That’s rent, a car note, mortgage, utilities, etc. No thanks.
I got them 22 months ago and they are the best hair decision I have ever made, my hair is so easy and exactly perfect for my lifestyle as a mum of 2 who really wanted something hot but easy to manage. Now about the cost, it took me 2 years to decide to get them because no way i was going to pay $700 so here’s what i did – I found a loctician who was relatively new (she had only done about 10 installs), I also cut off my perm so my hair was short and ready – my bill was $450. Then i learnt how to re-tighten myself on youtube (its very easy to do that). If you cant work on your own hair, you could partner with someone or go to a regular lock salon for re-tightening. My point is that sisterlocks are fantastic, yes the cost is high but you can minimize that by finding a flexible loctician and maintaining urself. I hope this helps!
I’ve been going natural for 11months and love the way Sistas-locks look and would like to get more info on them on whether this may be aHeathy option for my hair!!! Thanks
Sisterlocks are great and very healthy! I have worn mine for 4years and my consultant has had her for 14 years! Contact me if you have questions be*********@*****il.com
How do you “go natural?” Do you mean you are returning to or going back to wearing your hair the way it naturally grows out of your scalp?
Lol. Cut it out, you know very well what she meant.
Really, Amina? You’ve come to BGLH to discuss semantics?
Uhh not for me. My cousins hair grew long with the sister locks…unfortunately for her she developed traction alopecia from the weight of the hair or the twisting method. Of course the technician said she wasn’t doing them tight..but over the course of a few years you can see her scalp recede. This happens with dred locks too.
I have sister locks and i paid half the twice shown here to get my hair done. Sorry these prices are outrageous!
In 2009 I paid $500 for my install in Chicago. When I moved back to Washington D.C. in mid 2013 and went hunting for a new consultant I found that the prices in this article are the same or very close to the prices listed on many websites and the prices given to me over the phone. I almost choked when a consultant based in Baltimore thought I was calling about an install and told me “$600-$1000 depending on the length of your hair”.
Where did you get yours installed in Chicago?!?
I want them. I’m making the investment to get certified to learn the technique. I can then install my own as well as maintain them while providing the service to other naturalistas. You get what you pay for, they style takes hours to install therefore, the price reflects the effort and time needed to complete the look
Considered getting them after I get tired of rocking this short hair, but the price knocked me out lol. So… Im going to continue shaving my hair in different styles lol but I can’t deny how beautiful it looks!
whatshetaughther.blogspot.com
Sisterlocks have been around for at least 10 years. I know this because my sister has had them for at least that long. She BC’d about the same time I did, and after going back and forth between natural, relaxed, and braid extension styles, she finally got SLs installed at a fraction of the price (she was her stylist’s first client). From her perspective, SLs offer the best of all those worlds. They are definitely an investment — at one point she had to drive two hours to the nearest SL consultant — but she still has them to this day. And yeah, with them she experienced WL hair for the first time ever.
As for me, I could have easily afforded SLs, but as someone who went natural specifically to break free from salons and stylists, I ruled them out as a locking option. Instead, I started mine with small two-strand twists and maintained the roots via latching (aka interlocking) approximately every 6-8 weeks. In the 3.5 years I had them I ended up combining maybe 10 pair to strengthen them and never lost a single one. They were never as thin as the SLs I saw (which was okay since it wasn’t a goal of mine) but they would occasionally get mistaken for SLs. One time a SL newbie ran up to me all excited thinking she’d come across a fellow SL wearer but I told her, “Oh no, I’d NEVER pay that much money for locs!” I still feel bad about that to this day because I could tell she never even knew there were other, cheaper options. I left her in the middle of the store with her mouth open… 🙁
At one point there were lots of SL blogs around; I don’t know if that’s still the case but I think a lot of those women would say that SLs are definitely worth it. The one thing SL wearers can do that I couldn’t do with my locs is create curly and wavy styles that resemble those done on straight(ened) hair. Partially for that reason I remember there was debate over whether SLs really “counted” as locs or as natural hair. I don’t know if that’s still going on either.
The look is gorgeous. I considered getting sisterlocks a few years ago. The price was too much though. I can maintain and grow my loose natural hair with pocket change compared to sister lock maintenance. However, if you want the look and got the cash it seems like a nice way to loc the hair. However, I wonder what is so special about sisterlocks and how are they different from other types of locks? I know they supposedly twist the hair in a different way, but does that make the lock better? Are sisterlocks stable and better than other types of locks?
I think that they are beautiful but the cost is high and the time it would take for maintenance is not worth it. Just thinking about sitting there getting all those teeny tiny Sister locs retwisted. Ughh, it probably takes hours. No thank you!
I’m with Maryann on this one. It really depends on the person. It’s an investment, just like buying a $500 purse or a $50,000 car. I think it’s a viable option for those who can afford it. You’re paying for the convenience and the expertise. All Sisterlock consultants are trained.
Would I get them? No, but only because I like a more non-mainstream look.
I have them! I think it depends on who you are. I am someone who hates fussing with my hair, yet I still want my hair to look good. Also, I have seborrheic dermatitis so I need to wash my hair as often as want to. Sisterlocks gives me the freedom to not fuss with my hair, wash when I want, and very easy to style. I am fortune to able to afford the cost, so for me they are SOOO worth it!! But there are many other options for locks similar to sisterlocks without having to pay…
Maryann I would love to hear an update about your journey… I had my first consultation today! I really want them but I have dermatitis also and It has been something that often prevents me from getting certain styles, but my thought on the sisterlocks is that I could probably clean my scalp as much as needed because they are so small…. but I’m hesitant. How has your scalp done, and have you found any products that help your dermatitis? Thanks!
Maybe it’s expensive because it’s in high demand and fairly new. No way I’ll pay up to $700 though…but it would look cute tho ^___^
Sisterlocks are not new. They have been around for YEARS. And I do mean YEARS. Since the early 90s in fact. Prices to get them “installed” and to get SL certified are still sky high.
No way it costs way too much and I like to wear my hair loose plus I do my own hair.
I think it’s a crime that they cost so much. They don’t have to and I’m pretty sure you can get the same results by using familiar locing techniques and less hair per loc to get the same “sister loc”look.
Nope….too expensive and fragile.
TeaJae:
I feel you pain; when I would wear my hair out it would tangle easily & once I left medium-sized two-strand twists in for almost a month & when I tried to take them out they wouldn’t come out(they were “locked”); I put tons of oil & conditioner on them & it took a couple of days & a lot a patience to finally get them out. Unfortunately, this is part of the learning process when it comes to natural hair. I found the right products to keep my hair moisturized & now my hair doesn’t get all tangled on the rare occasions that I wear it out & when I install my two-twists, every 9days I take them out, shampoo/co-wash, deep condition my hair, & redo two-strand twists. Also, during the 9days I moisturize my hair every other day or when needed, but I moisturize & seal my ends every night, no exceptions(I’ve learned what works for my hair & that I can’t leave my two-strands twists in for extended periods of time like a lot of my natural haired sista’s).
they are not worth it and you can achieve the same results by doing a micro braid of your own hair and it will look the same once its locked. I do not recommend these and as a matter of a fact am taking mine out. I dont like not have total control of styling my own hair. With sisterlocs, you have to go to a certified sl tech. Thats not a problem if you have at least a hundred dollars per visit and 3 to 6 hours every month to sit in a chair.
Once I reach my waist length I was considering locking with these locks. Hopefully in 8-10yrs I can afford those prices
Nice but not at that price.
I love them and if my wallet permitted I might consider getting them. HOWEVER, shop around: There are others out there who do the same technique, although they cannot call it sisterlocks due to the name being trademarked. Just like with anything else, if you are interested, DO YOUR RESEARCH on the person you are considering, and since it is such a labor intensive permanent style, ask to see, examine, and speak to some of the person’s customers. Or if you are inclined, take the class, then get the sisterlocks; then you can maintain your own with the added benefit of being able to install them on others and make back the money you spent on the classes. If I recall from previous research, they also offer maintenance classes for those who want to maintain their own but don’t want to install them. Shop & compare, always be an educated consumer.
They look cute..but I don’t see where they are much different from other braid hairstyles, minus the hefty monthly pricetag. Do it yourself and save a few dollars.
They are beautiful but the price is holding me back from getting them. It takes a lot of time to install so the price is going to be high. I would have to cut my hair down to 4 inches for a lower price lol! Sisterlocks are beautiful though.
I’m considering them and did some research on them as a method to keep my hands out my hair. I have to detangle sometimes twice a day my coils easily lock. I had two strand twist in for 3 weeks and more than have of them locked up and had to be snipped to come undone. I find that the constant manipulation causes my hair to break off. It needs to be still for a while, let it do its own thing.I used to do micro braids for years however the removal process broke off all the new growth. I’m at a loss of what to do with my hair. The cost of sister locks is my rent plus for the month so they may not happen for me. I do like them and think they are just lovely.
TeaJae,
Have you thought about doing individual braids with your own natural hair? You can curl them, let the curls drop and do a braid out.
ohhh no I had not thought about that Mells29 never dawned on me thank you for your suggestion. 🙂
TeaJae:
I feel you pain; when I would wear my hair out it would tangle easily & once I left medium-sized two-strand twists in for almost a month & when I tried to take them out they wouldn’t come out(they were “locked”); I put tons of oil & conditioner on them & it took a couple of days & a lot a patience to finally get them out. Unfortunately, this is part of the learning process when it comes to natural hair. I found the right products to keep my hair moisturized & now my hair doesn’t get all tangled on the rare occasions that I wear it out & when I install my two-twists, every 9days I take them out, shampoo/co-wash, deep condition my hair, & redo two-strand twists. Also, during the 9days I moisturize my hair every other day or when needed, but I moisturize & seal my ends every night, no exceptions(I’ve learned what works for my hair & that I can’t leave my two-strands twists in for extended periods of time like a lot of my natural haired sista’s).
No…it would be a waste of my money lol. I could get a weave for cheaper.