I REALLY want Locs....but I don't think they will look right on me. (3 helpful tips for you!)

When people learn that I am a loctician, I often hear the phrase…..I like your Iocs but....... (insert the long pause)

• ·         I need to run my fingers through my hair.
• ·         I need to change my hairstyles
• ·         I like variety.
  

Sometimes, I feel like they are apologizing to me for disagreeing with my hairstyle choice.
But then, there are curious individuals who say,

"I really love your hair but (insert the dramatic and thoughtful long pause) I can’t!  Well, I just don’t think they will look good on me!

In an instant, I am certain that my facial expression changes to a wide-eyed, puzzled appearance. (I can’t help it!)  In that moment, my first thought is..... It's your natural hair!  How can your natural hair not look right on you?

So if you are one of those folks who are on the fence about transforming your hair into locs, then this blog post is for you.

To help with your decision making process, I have three tips
to offer

1.       Determine your biggest hair concern.

Is it thin hair? Is it a bald spot? Do you have soft, fine curly hair?  Are you concerned about versatility? Your concern list will become the starting point for questions that you should address during a loc consultation.  A skilled loctician can help you identify the best approach for you.  You may learn that you are a good candidate for small locs or alternatively large locs.  Bottom line, get honest with yourself about your concerns.

2.       Confirm your biggest personal discomfort.

For some folks looking professional in the work place is a major concern.  (Who can blame them, we all gotta eat.)  For others, it could be a non- supportive spouse.

If any of the above mentioned (or not mentioned) are you, then I recommend that you embrace the natural hair community; it’s so good for the soul.  Personally, I absolutely love to hear my clients recall "clap back" moments during difficult encounters with individuals who did not support the hair style choice.  The natural hair and loc communities offers great advice and food for thought discussion topics. If you go this route always know you are not alone.  If you know someone with locs, or someone who boldly went natural, strike up a conversation!  During the course of my personal natural hair journey, I find that locking your hair or going natural requires you be courageous.  To this, I say… GO FOR IT!   Seek out like-minded individuals and build your network.  Embrace and learn more about the natural hair journey.

3.       Explore the internet before going to a consultation.
Prospective clients say, I want my locs to look like this.  Or, I don't my locs to look like that. My reply is always, Great! Now, take your favorite locs photos to your prospective Loctician.  The stylist will be able to help you achieve your desired look. However, I must offer some caution.   It is important to note that all locs don’t look the same. Why?  No two people are alike.   

So ultimately, you will be back to where you where we started; you must learn to embrace the natural YOU!. 

In conclusion, I respectfully offer…..

Always know you will look good with your natural hair!!

Please remember to like and share this blog. 

And if you know of any good natural hair sites, please share a link in the comment box below. 

Are you thinking of cutting your locs? Learn 3 helpful tips TO SUPPORT YOUR NEW LOOK.

Every now and then, a client will ponder whether or not to cut their locs.  (Honestly, I never want to discuss cutting locs, but my client’s image of themselves comes before my passion to loc hair.)  To help the client confirm their decision to cut their locks, I offer the following three simple tips:

1)      Don’t retwist or tighten your locs?  Why?  When you tighten your hair you enhance the locking process.  If your goal is to wear a mini afro, then you want to keep you new growth untangled.  This way, you are free to sculpt, shape and maybe color your cute new afro.  ADDITIONAL BENEFIT – you save a little money by skipping your next loc maintenance appointment

2)      Consult with your Natural Hair stylist and do a little hair product research for your next hairstyle choice.  Be sure that your next hairstyle will work for your hair type.  For example, I have met several Type 4 hair pattern folks who are aiming for Type 3 curl pattern hairstyles.  Ultimately, the client will spend lots of money on a variety of hair products because they are searching for the “perfect product combination” to make their hair curl a certain way; only to discover they are frustrated with their lackluster results.  By doing a little hairstyle and hair product research, you will have the opportunity to successfully support your next desired hairstyle.  

3)      Plan to visit a natural hair care stylist monthly or bi-monthly. Why?  Natural Hair care should be taken seriously.  As a blogger and social media enthusiast, I am well aware of the abundance  of information on the web.  And let me tell you a secret, professional hair stylists are often shaking their heads at the bad information shared on the internet.  Also, I have personally experienced clients who stopped receiving my salon’s services and returned because they were not properly caring for their hair. 

 Last but not least, I wish you the best of luck on your next level natural hair journey!!  If you are interested in scheduling an appointment, please call 708-574-1462.  Or if you know of others who are interested in natural hair care, please encourage them to sign up for my newsletter. 

Thinking about Loc extensions? 3 Helpful tips for you. VIDEO WATCH!!

Summer Season is here!  

These days, the salon receives many inquires about loc extensions. If you are thinking of temporarily rocking the "LOC" look, then I know you have questions!!  So, sit back and take a moment to watch this video.  

And always remember, you can call Octavia's Natural Hair Care Experience (708) 574-1462 to book an appointment too!  

Interested in loc extensions? Want to remove some of the guess work. Watch this video.

What happened with the business pitch contest? PowerMoves

Thank you so much for your supportive likes and comments cheering me on during the PowerMoves Miami business pitch competition!  Every notification felt like a gentle and supportive pat on the back.  

Since you were there with me, I want to share  my business pitch update with you.

First and foremost, Miami Beach, FL and the famous Fountainbleu Hotel are simply beautiful.  My mind was racing! "Let's get my business moving forward; I gotta increase my revenue because I AM coming back!"

The PowerMoves pitch competition was an empowering and  motivational experience.  I recieved a great honor; PowerMoves hand-picked me to share ideas, get information, network and learn the ropes for pitching my business to venture capitalists.  I was schooled on financial metrics, the power of presentation and the entrepreneurial philosophy of layering your business foundation as best as YOU can; one layer at a time.  

Unfortunately, I didn't win the business pitch contest. It's all good!   Why?  Simply stated, I am confident that I walked away with some SERIOUS TOOLS for future success!.  For you see, I delivered a flawless and deeply passionate business pitch presentation; the audience laughed and cheered me on!  Yes, I gave it all I got! 

Even though I didn't win, I am so deeply grateful because I feel more empowered than ever before.  

Thanks to PowerMoves, I have great key points for updating my pitch, new resource tools for evaluating and forecasting my business plans, and some super new friends; people I know you will be reading about in the near future.  

By the way, I have a fun fact: the stage that I spoke on was the same stage that Whitney Houston belted out the song, I have nothing, in the film, Bodyguard.

If you are interested in learning more about the PoweMoves, please visit the website www.powermovesnola.org  

Is the Natural Hair Big Chop Necessary?

By Octavia Hooks

The weather is getting warm!  It’s time to set new goals and prepare for fresh beginnings.  Are you debating whether or not to Go Natural? If you answered yes, then this article is for you.    

There is so much Natural Hair information on the web.  Natural Hair has evolved to become a “do it yourself” project.  Over the years, I’ve learned caring and maintaining natural hair requires an open mind.  As a hair stylist, I benefit from professional experience which includes exposure to many natural hair styling techniques and knowledge of hair care products; along with an in-depth understanding of diverse hair types.   Since the industry is rapidly growing, I regularly review YouTube videos and blogs to learn and remain current on both the professionals and laypersons experience in styling natural hair.  To this end, I want to share my thoughts and offer four helpful tips for you to consider on your quest for cultivating healthy, natural hair.

Let’s get down to it!  -  YOUR Natural Hair Big Chop decision should be tied to a goal. 

If you decide to chop your Natural Hair, don’t be afraid!  Ask yourself questions.  Some questions to consider are below:

·         Do you like short hair?

·         What are your styling options?

·         Do you want color? 

·         What does natural hair mean to me?

Should you decide to rock natural short hair, you may want to purchase the twist brush sponge to add texture to your natural hair.  Consider purchasing a Nudred sponge, please visit www.nudred.com.   Also, ponder adding color; how you want to color to look?  Color adds an eye catching pop!  Caution:  please know color treated hair requires special care with moisture shampoos and deep conditioners. 

If you don’t want to chop your Natural Hair, ask yourself questions.  Some questions to consider are below:

·         How will you style your hair during the transition from chemical treated hair to natural hair?

·         When do you cut your hair?

·         Do you really want to rely on the flat iron for all your styling needs?  

You will be dealing with a combination of natural hair and processed ends.  In the beginning, natural hair and the chemical processed ends will work just fine.  You can style and flat Iron as usual. 

After about 3 to 6 months with no chemical treatments, there will be a very noticeable difference between your natural hair and your chemically treated hair.  Over time, you may decide to cut those ends.  I prefer to transition my clients from chemical to natural by gradually cutting their hair.  Perhaps, you may want to consider gradually cutting your ends on a monthly or bi-monthly basis.    

As for the flat iron, please remember….less is more.     If the flat iron is too hot, your risk permanently damaging your hair.  Many women natural hair clients report that their hair doesn’t return back to its natural state due to excessive flat ironing techniques.  

Tip #1:  Eat FRUITS AND VEGETABLES………Good Food + Good Health = Beauty

I see so many food and product conditioner concoctions.  It seems that the natural hair conversation is becoming more about products than about self- preservation. What’s missing from the natural hair dialogue is the commitment to overall health.  Therefore, I support the recommendation to eat your fruits and vegetables!   Try researching eating for healthy hair too.   I enjoyed reading the book, Eating for Beauty, by David Wolfe. 

Because of my overall commitment to beautifully growing natural hair, I proudly proclaim, we must eat and sometimes wear good food!   Recently, I discovered a natural hair conditioner recipe that called for an avocado.  To learn more about the benefits of the avocado, please follow the link http://www.newhealthguide.org/Avocado-For-Hair.html    

Tip #2:  NATURAL Hair Health

What’s your hair issue or challenge?  Most folks have two hair textures in their heads.  Use products that support your hair issues.  Please remember that hair products respond differently based on your hair type.  In the end, you will need to find the right products that work best with your natural hair. I strongly recommend you consult with a professional stylist to discover the products that work for you. 

For example, if you have color treated hair, try using shampoos and conditioners designed to support maintaining healthy, colored hair.  If you have dry, itchy hair and scalp, search for moisture building shampoos and conditioners.  

Tip #3:  Learn your hair type.  Love your hair type.   LOVE YOURSELF! 

Often, clients bring in hair style photos and say, “I want my hair like that!”  But here is the important glitch; they don’t have hair like the model.  For example, if you have 4C hair, don’t bring a photo in of someone with 3C hair and expect the same results.   To learn more about hair types, consider reading the book, Andre Talks Hair by Andre Walker.

Be inspired and learn from others and search the web.  When reviewing these sites, search for elegant hairstyle photos.  And guess what, you will discover you have many styling options.  With creativity, there is no limit. 

Given the constant  blossoming of the natural hair industry, there are so many blogs communities for every hair type.  As for me, I am a 4C.  I enjoyed the site, www.4chairchicks.com.   It was so great to find webpages dedicated to a community of women with hair like mine.

TIP #4   YOU CAN WEAR NATURAL HAIR AND APPEAR PROFESSIONAL IN THE WORKPLACE!

Natural hair is appropriate for your job.  To learn my story, read here.   http://octaviasnaturalhair.com/hair.blog/2013/07/navigating-the-corporate-world-while-rocking-natural-hair/    And guess what, there are other sites dedicated to support you in wearing your natural tresses to work.  Trying visiting http://www.rockitnapptural.com/2010/11/introduction-to-corporate-kinks.html   

Whether you decide to do a big chop or not, always remember every hair type is beautiful!  Learn your type, care for your hair, eat for beauty and express your hair with stylel   

Big Chop or not, always remember; God does not make junk!

If you have questions, please email me at Octavia_hooks@yahoo.com or follow me on facebook at octavia cuts locks hooks.  Or visit my web page at www.octaviasnaturalhair.com  

Consider these 5 tips when selecting your Natural Hair Stylist.

You did it!  You are natural.  Going natural is a big change.  As you travel along your hair journey, you will discover one of your biggest challenges is finding a natural stylist who advocates and supports you through your hair transition.

One of the greatest benefits to going natural is the ability to do it yourself, (DIY).   DIY hair is great, but it comes with a new set of challenges.  As a natural stylist, I hear so many issues:

• My hair is dry. What do I do for moisture?
• Why is my hair breaking?
• What are the right products for my hair type?
• Help! I’ve been flat-ironing my hair.  Now, my hair texture is different and doesn’t bounce back.

So the perplexed naturals instinctively begin to seek out a natural stylist.  But that’s precisely where you get stuck!  Which stylist is best for me?

If you are in this dilemma, I hope my blog will inspire clarity and support you in finding the right stylist. So today, I’d like to share what I learned along my journey in remaining an informed, licensed natural stylist.

There are many talented, licensed stylists working today.  These professionals are trained to keep your hair healthy usually specialize in their preferred technique.   Pay attention my friends, the underlined sentence is loaded; the key phrase is “their preferred technique.”   What do I mean?  Let me give you an example.   A sew-in expert is good at sew-ins and perm expert is great with perming.  You feel me now?  Moreover, the natural hair industry is booming.  A business savvy stylist will say they service natural hair, but won’t necessary have an affinity for natural hair.  Thus, I recommend you ask your prospect stylist, what are your specialty services?   After all, you are paying for these services; so specialization is important!  In addition, I want to share some observations I’ve made while networking in the natural hair industry.  I’ve noticed that natural stylists are like-minded individuals who tend to have the following characteristics:

• They have a strong sense of African and African American cultural pride.
• They have a strong commitment to natural hair.  Ie: They are usually rocking a natural hair style.
• They are attracted to natural hair products.  But most tend to mix natural and store bought products; a good stylist knows product knowledge is science!   The super natural stylists create their own product lines.
• They are familiar with, support and attend the natural hair networks and conferences.
• And most important, they will NEVER discourage you from wearing your natural hair!

To this end, I hope you find these tips helpful. If you are in my area, call me for a consultation.

I wish you the best on your natural hair journey. Always know Natural is not a trend.  It’s a lifestyle.  I love this saying so much that I’ve trademarked a cool tee and sell in my salon.   If you like my blog, then please share it. Be well and have a Holiday weekend.