CorporateNapps: A Journey From Loose to Locked Hair and Back

Name: CorporateNapps (CP)

From: Texas, USA

Day Job: Corporate Recruiting Manager

Natural Since: Last relaxer August 2005. She transitioned with curly weaves for about a year and wore my hair loose natural until I loc'ed

Locked From: January 2009 - December 2011

KiK: Why did you go natural and eventually loc your hair?

CP:My whole life, since I was a young child, all I knew was relaxed hair. So I continued relaxing into adulthood. When I chose to wear my hair natural, it was because I finally saw it as an option. I partially chose to loc after almost 3 years of having loose natural hair because I kept my loose hair in two strand twists 95% of the time due to the frustration of weekly washing and detangling. The other part of my reason for loc'ing was simply, again, I saw it as another option. It was something else that I could do with my hair and it would alleviate the frustration of the regular detangling process.

KiK: So why you recently removed your locs?

CP:I removed my locs due the stress that they placed on my hairline, in the front. My hair began to break away from the locs in the front. I think this had to do with the fact that while my hairline has never broken in the past, it has always been fragile. Around the 1 1/2 year mark of loc'ing, I combined my locs. And although they were not large my any means, I think they were just too large for my fragile hairline. This may be what caused the breakage. So, I opted to take my locs down to repair my hairline and get it back on a proper growth path.

KiK: How long did it take for you to remove the locks?

CP:It took me a long and agonizing 5 weeks; 1 full week off of work for Thanksgiving week and the other 4 weeks the takedown took place after work and on the weekends. I literally did nothing outside of taking my locs down during this time. It was a personal choice to take them down and not just cut them all off.

KiK: Has your hair regimen changed a lot going back to loose hair?

CP: No real change aside from pampering my hairline more. I still concentrate on mostly natural products and so far I am back to living in two strand twists, which I adore.

KiK: Which do you prefer - loc'd or loose (and why)?

CP:I don't necessary have a preference. I think they both have their pros and cons. Everyone will view them differently. I like the freeness of loose hair and the variety of looks you can achieve if you choose to do so. I like the low maintenance of locs, being able to just wash, moisturize and keep going.

KiK: What is your current favorite hairstyle?

CP:Hands down, two strand twists

KiK: Do you have any plans to alter your hairstyle (cut of colour) in the future? CP:I have always colored my locs jet black with a permanent color.

KiK: If you could go back in time, would you do anything differently?

CP:I honestly would not do anything differently. I think we learn as we go and that takes us on our next journey. Even when it comes to combining my locs, I know that not doing so may have left my hairline intact. But. I'm ok with it and feel that it just brought me back to my loose journey sooner than anticiapted.
 KiK: Is there a website or place where we can keep up with you online?
CP: http://www.youtube.com/user/CorporateNaps and http://public.fotki.com/CorporateNapps/

KiK: Anything else you'd like to say to the KeepItKinky (KiK) readers?
CP: Know that your hair journey is YOUR hair journey. You have to do what works for you in terms of styling, products and anything else as it relates to your tresses.