We fell in love with Mercy’s locs the moment we laid eyes on them during a ColorComm event. We’re not sure if it’s the color, curls or length but her locs have us feeling some kind of way. Below Mercy generously shares with us how she keeps her delicious locs so perfectly styled and more importantly healthy.
1. Why did you decide to loc your hair? How long have you been locing your hair?
I decided to loc my hair 4 years ago with my bestie Carla. I’d already been natural for a year or so with kinky twists but I wanted to try something different. Since my twin sis already rocked a fro and we’re so anti-‘twinsies,’ I said locs it is! When I first got them done, I cried. It was such a humbling experience, and when they say it’s a journey, they are not lying. So all in all, I’ll say once I got over myself and could actually style my hair the way I wanted to, I’ve been loving my locs for 3 years.
2. Can you summarize your current hair regimen?
I’m a firm believer in doing what works for you. Everyone has their recipes and concoctions but I keep it simple and try to listen to what my hair wants. I also found this awesome salon in Silver Spring, MD called Loc Lov that makes their own products and I’ve incorporated their tips into my regimen. I wash and curl (because I’m obsessed with curly locs) every 3-4 weeks and condition my hair every other wash. I also try (read: struggle) to oil my scalp once or twice a week with a yummy mixture of coconut and sunflower seed oil.
3. What are your staple hair products?
I never considered myself to be an incense-toting, shea butter-wearing girl but after looking at my bathroom sink and product ingredients, I realized I am. Most of my products have jojoba, rosemary or tea tree oil.
I shampoo my hair with Carol’s Daughter Tui Herbal Shampoo and re-twist my hair with Loc Lov’s Hair Hold Polish, which smells awesome and leaves no residue. I also use Loc Lov’s Hair Nectar to replenish my hair when it feels dry. And even though I hate the smell, I’ll rinse my hair with an Apple cider and water mixture to get rid of any residue- that cider really is the truth.
4. What are your favorite hairstyles?
Curls on curls on curls! It’s pretty rare for me to have my locs straight (not my favorite look). I love keeping my hair curled because you can get at least 10 styles from when they’re at their curliest to their loosest. Now that my hair is long enough I’ve started pinning it into a bob (I know right!)– it only takes about 500 bobby-pins. Once my curls fall I pretty much pull all my hair to one side of my head, use a big clip to secure them and keep it moving.
5. How do you curl your locs? They look fantastic when curled!
I used to curl my locs by doing bantu knots but they started getting longer so now I use flexi rods and I torture myself by sleeping with them overnight. I really just twist my roots with Loc Lov’s Hair Hold Polish and I know some folks use setting mousse but I don’t use anything else but water and I wrap at least 3 locs on each rod. They usually stay in tact for a good week if I don’t work out lol
6. For many naturals it’s a journey to fully understand their hair. It’s a process of trial and error. What was your “Curls Understood™” moment (the moment you felt like, “I’ve got this!” or any essential advice you wish you had known at the beginning of your hair journey)?
My ‘Curls Understood™’ moment came when I started getting compliments about my locs and I actually believed them. Also, after getting highlights a year ago I really started paying attention to what I was doing with my hair, along with all of the possibilities of fabulosity I didn’t think I could be a part of. I’ve started experimenting more since then.
My advice to anyone at the beginning of their hair journey is to be patient and take a lot of photos so you can marvel at the magic that is our hair. It really is amazing what it can do!
See more of Mercy…
Instagram: @itsmercyc
Twitter: @MercyC
Etsy: MercyEarrings
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