Nickname: SOULSISTA

Zodiac: Taurus

Favorite Artists:  Nina Simone, Prince, Meshell Ndegeocello, Indigo Girls, Tracy Chapman

Favorite Songs: Currently anything by Tracy Chapman's album New Beginnings

Favorite Poems or Novels: Alice Walker's - Trust in the Absolute Goodness of the Earth, Ishmael - Daniel Quinn

What did you like/dislike about your previous hairstyle?
I HATED PERM BURNS!!!!!! while i like (brainwashing) the sleekness of a fresh burn oops perm, i hated the scabbies.

How long have you been natural/had locks?
natural -2 years
Loced almost 2 years

Why did you decide to go natural/grow dreadlocks?
I had just finished school and started working. it occurred to me that everyone else was natural and why couldnt i be! so one thanksgiving, i went under the knife. my hair dresser put a texturizer in to "soften my look" she thought that being natural was such a hard, masculine look...that did nothing to ease the transition. anyway, the fro grew and grew and i began to trust my hair enough to realize that it was a-ok! so after the fro, i loc'd it. i always wanted locs and i think its about learning patience and temporarily sacrificing vanity to respect yourself. i thank myself everyday.

Big-Ups to naaniMODEL SOULSISTA for being courageous enough to share her dreadlocks story.  Hopefully her story may help many others prevent common dreadlocks product usage mistakes.

SOULSISTA suffered from a multitude of problems.  Initially she used 100% raw shea butter to twist and maintain her locks.  Although shea has excellent hair and skin properties, using it as a stand-alone treatment on dreadlocks is a no-no.  As you can see, there was tons of build-up trapped inside SOULSISTA's locks...not to mention lint. 

This is important to note because many people argue against using beeswax while not realizing, it has little to do with the ingredients themselves but the concentration in which they are used.  So something like shea butter, when used improperly, can create excess build-up. 

This doesn't mean that you should stay away from shea butter altogether.  It means you need to find a trusted product that uses all ingredients in ratios that will not cause build-up on your hair.  In doing so, a good product can contain shea butter or beeswax for that matter, leave no residue and result in healthy hair.

The funny thing is, SOULSISTA didn't even realize that the problem existed.  She never looked at the back of her locks and had no clue that there was lint, residue or random cat hair thanks to her sister's visiting pet.

In addition to build-up, SOULSISTA is also a victim of infrequent maintenance.  She had a couple of two-headed dragons...remember dragons with those who prefer manicured lock's are usually due to neglect...possibly in the initial stages of development where the end of the lock may unravel and nothing is done to retwist them so the ends lock and develop individually while the root remains intact.

We began with an anti-septic to cleanse and help break-down the butter that had become trapped in SOULSISTA's locks.  Spritzing a single lock with antiseptic, we vigorously rubbed the single dread together then blotted it with a clean cloth (something that wouldn't leave lint).

We then repeated this procedure until we'd finished her entire head.  We rinsed thoroughly with very warm water to wash-away any loosened residue.

The procedure worked but that still didn't solve the dll appearance of her locks.  Upon closer inspection, we decided to schedule a second appointment to apply a temporary color.

Temporary colors are easy to use and because they contain no peroxides or ammonias,  they're great for novices.  We chose a shade that was similar to her natural color, processed as directed.

We then shampoo'd and deep conditioned her hair with naani's naturals products.  Towel-dried and then set it with LOCK'D DOWN Dreadlock Butter.

The results are amazing and the photos really don't do SOULSISTA's hair justice.  Not only do her locks look healthier and longer, but they feel and smell great.  Hopefully she can keep it up :-)
--naani