Loc'd Man: Pablo Luis

For those people who may not be familiar with you, please tell us who you are and what you do:
My name is Pablo Luis, 23 years old. Originally from Richmond Virginia, currently living, working, and creating in New York City. Art, Music and Design pretty much sums up my life.

How long have you been growing your locs?

Started my senior year of High School, so about 5 years now.

What do you use on your hair product wise, to maintain it?

I usually don’t do anything once I leave the shop except make sure my scalp is oiled. I only use pure Shea butter or castor oil.

How often do you wash/retwist your loc’s and is there someone who helps maintain your hair on a regular basis?

I try to go back for a re-twist every two-to-three months. I am lucky to have a real down-to-earth, half Jamaican, half Spanish woman named Mariana as my dread technician, she works out of a shop in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Her mix of Patios and Spanish always make our communication a little more interesting.

What do you think about women with natural hair and how do you prefer to see your woman wear her hair?

I love women with natural hair. I love women of all ethnicities, and I think, specifically for black women, in this Eurocentric world we live in, it is important to embrace your ethnicity. It can be seen as a statement, but really I see it as common sense. Like, why wouldn’t you be ok with letting your hair naturally grow out of your scalp the way it’s supposed to? I don’t care what kind of hair a woman I’m dating has really. Whatever hairstyle she wants to wear that brings out her confidence, I’m down with; I’m not here to judge. I love seeing the big bushy and curly fros, but women with locs are at the top.

Do you think women who choose to loc their hair exude a certain type of confidence?

 Definitely, nothing like it, especially female dread with versatility.

What are the pros and cons about having your hair loc’d?

Honestly I don’t think I’ve had them long enough to speak on the cons, but I probably never will since that’s kind of negative energy, you know?

What made you decide to loc your hair?

I had a regular hair cut for the first 18 years of my life. I remember I just started noticing more and more people around Richmond at the time wearing locs, it kind of jumped out at me. So, I took an anthropologic approach and did some reading about the different origins and cultures of locs, and I decided it was for me.

What makes a woman’s hair beautiful to you?

 The woman herself makes the hair beautiful, I mean… The hair is nothing without the person it’s attached to.

Do you have any advice for my readers who are considering loc’ing their hair?

If you are thinking about doing it, do it, and don’t quit.

Where can we find you on the web?

pablopirateradio.tumblr.com

pabloluis.com