Small Locking: Getting Help

The first time I decided to start small locks in my hair with braids. I decided to get a local African braider to micro-braid my hair for locks. I learned a lot with the whole experience.

Here Is What I Learned:

Visit your braid shops some time before you want to get your hair done. Don’t go on the day that you need it done. They may tell you that they can “fit you in.” You don’t want to be fitted in you want to find a braider that understand what you want done to your hair and is willing to take the time to do it right.

Ask how much she charges to do her smallest size micro braids. Make sure that you both are on the same page.

Tell her what size you want your parted sections not the braid, the part. (See Principle 1)

She will probably tell you that that is really small and that it will be hard to take out. Tell her you understand but that is what you want.

Make sure that you are on the same page and that she understands that you want the parted sections that small and you understand that the braids will be smaller than the parted sections.

You should bring in an example of some graph paper in the sizes that you want the back and front to be parted in. Let her know that you want the back in the larger size and the front in the smaller size.

Now be sure that she can do it for what she quoted or if she needs to change her price. It is better to know upfront now.

Find out how long she expects it will take. Ask her if someone will be working exclusively on your hair for that time.

Try to see if she can schedule you on a day when she will be able to do your head without having to stop and wait on other people.

If you feel uncomfortable about the situation or feel that she really will not be able to give you what you want don’t make an appointment. Let her know that you are very certain about what you want and you will get back with her. Take her info and try the next option.

Take Your Business Somewhere Else or Wait If:

She act like doing your hair in the way that you are asking will put her out or inconvenience her.

She is not willing to have you explain exactly what you want done. Be ware of the braider who brushes you off and says she knows what you want and is too quick to schedule your appointment.

There are clients sitting around the shop with their hair half done.

You can’t get a guaranteed block of time.

Some Other Things to Remember

It is really not wise to start talking about locks and locking with her unless she is a natural hair stylist. Many braiders are not sympathetic to lock wearers. Some are biased against lock or are ignorant about maintenance and care.

It is really not wise to talk about Sisterlocks TM, how much they cost, what is involved in doing them or any other aspects of tiny locks.

As she is doing your hair you may be able to tell whether or not you would like to come back to have her retighten your locks in the future. It is best to discuss this later on after your hair is done and you are satisfied with the job that she has done.